Tyler Black, 3B, MIL (CBS: 30% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered): That short compact swing should provide plenty of opportunities for Black to spray the ball all over the park and get on base. Temper the power expectations, but he will steal bases and provide a solid BA/OBP base.
Jordan Beck, OF, COL (CBS: 31% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered): The power/speed mix is intriguing, assuming the Rockies do the right thing and give him a solid chance to play full-time. So far, so good.
Mike Clevinger, CWS (CBS: 10% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): He’s now gone through the Spring Training portion of the program and could be activated early next week against the Rays. It is the White Sox, and his offensive support will be lean, but we have seen Clevinger pitch to better than a 4 ERA every year except one since 2017.
Vaughn Grissom, SS, BOS (CBS: 44% rostered, ESPN: 15% rostered): Grissom was activated Friday and batted seventh in the order, going 0-fer. I like the hit tool, but will there be enough power and speed to warrant a roster spot in anything other than the deepest of Leagues? My bids this evening will reflect those concerns.
Alek Manoah, SP, TOR (CBS: 39% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered): The Jays need his arm in that rotation badly, and after one very successful start, he has gotten the nod and will be starting this afternoon against Washington. The results will go a long way in determining the FAAB spent tonight.
Coby Mayo, 3B, BAL (CBS: 34% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered): When you’ve started the season with 11 homers, 31 RBI, 25 runs scored, and a 1.018 OPS in 134 at-bats, you will force the stacked O’s hand. That time could be drawing very near, as he has absolutely nothing left to prove at Triple-A.
John Means, SP, BAL (CBS: 42% rostered, ESPN: 9% rostered): In his season debut, Means tossed seven innings of three-hit shutout ball with no walks and eight strikeouts against the Reds last night. That’s a pretty solid indicator that he’s healthy and ready to reap giant FAAB bids tonight.
Victor Mesa Jr., OF, MIA (CBS: 1% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): The Marlins are looking to the future, which should include Victor Mesa Jr. Let’s turn to Rich for his thoughts. “With as poor of an offensive club as the Marlins are, you must believe that Victor Mesa Jr. will get the call soon. He’s a plus defender with solid contact skills and above-average power. He is aggressive at the plate and will expand the strike zone. Because of that, I worry he’ll struggle at the Major League level. Still, there’s enough in the profile to warrant a speculative pick in a one-year league. He should be owned in all Dynasty Leagues.”
Mickey Moniak, OF, LAA (CBS: 5% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): Mike Trout will miss 6 to 8 weeks with the meniscus injury, and Moniak looks to be the principal beneficiary. He hit 14 homers in 311 at-bats last year and slammed a three-run shot Friday, so the potential for at least some power production until Trout returns is at hand.
Tyler Nevin, 1B/3B/OF, OAK (CBS: 17% rostered, ESPN: 7% rostered): Nevin has been on a tear and is now up to 4 homers, 10 RBI, and an incredible 302 BA. He is also 1B/3B/OF eligible, a very nice bonus. Is it sustainable? Who knows, but with Ryan Noda dispatched to Triple-A, he’ll get plenty of opportunities to provide us with that answer.
Wenceel Perez, 2B/OF, DET (CBS: 16% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered): The slow starts by both Colt Keith and Parker Meadows have been causing Perez to work his way into regular at-bats, and the 24-year-old has responded in fine form. A little pop and solid speed are there for the taking.
Bryan Ramos, 3B, CWS (CBS: 4% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): The White Sox aren’t going anywhere, so it’s time to look at the future, hence Bryan Ramos getting the call. After a dreadful start, Ramos has gone 11-for-33 with 2 HR and 7 RBI over the past eight games at Double-A Birmingham. With no at-bats over Double-A, it’s an aggressive approach, but why not?
Sem Robberse, SP, STL (CBS: 2% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): The injury suffered by Steven Matz has left the Cards rotation a tad light. It was a tad light before the injury. On the farm, Sem Robberse has gotten off to a great start, posting a 1.77 ERA and strikeout-per-inning. He doesn’t possess the “big” fastball, but a quality four-pitch mix (slider/cutter/change/4-seamer) has proven successful. For those interested in some trivia, the 22-year-old also shares the same hometown as Bert Blylevin. A small bid is in order, especially for those playing in Dynasty Leagues.
Josh Rojas, 2B/3B, SEA (CBS: 13% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered): J.P. Crawford is on the IL, dealing with an oblique issue, and is likely at least several weeks away from a return. In the interim, Dylan Moore has moved to short, with Rojas sliding in third. In his past seven games, Rojas has gone 7-for-17 with a pair of homers and, on occasion, has hit at the top of the order. In deeper Leagues, he’s worthy of our attention.
Christian Scott, SP, NYM (CBS: 49% rostered, ESPN: 10% rostered): “Scott is being promoted from Triple-A Syracuse to give the Mets a six-man rotation while they play 26 games in 27 days, and manager Carlos Mendoza wouldn’t commit to giving the 24-year-old right-hander more than one start” After an excellent debut yesterday against the Rays in which he tossed 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball, I have a hunch that a second start is in the cards and it will cost a good chuck of that FAAB to see that start on your Fantasy squad.
Edmundo Sosa, 3B, PHI (CBS: 1% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): You don’t replace Trea Turner; you simply fill in for the next six weeks until that hamstring is healthy enough to allow him to be back in the Phillies lineup. It appears that Sosa has the job.
Abraham Toro-Hernandez, 2B/3B, OAK (CBS: 4% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered): Over his past seven games, Toro-Hernandez has gone 11-for-20 with one homer, 4 RBI, and seven runs scored. In the words of the late great Jerry Reed, “When You’re Hot, You’re Hot.” Take advantage of the opportunity.
The Closer Report
Danny Coulombe, RP, BAL (CBS: 5% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Craig Kimbrel has been dealing with back tightness and was removed last night after struggling badly and getting only one out. Yennier Cano came in to get the final two outs and nail down the save. Cano appears next in line should Kimbrel continue to struggle, but is he? Are the O’s more comfortable with Cano working the eighth inning? Only time will tell, but with one save and seven holds already in the books, Coulombe will be in the mix for high-leverage opportunities.
Lucas Erceg, RP, OAK (CBS: 6% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered): Mason Miller has been lights out and is in no danger of losing his job, but Lucas Erceg has been equally as good. He is sporting a stellar 1.93 ERA, with 20 strikeouts in 14 IP, two saves (both in the past week), and seven holds. Miller will need his days off, and having an option of strength in Erceg is a positive for both the A’s and your Fantasy team.
Hector Neris, RP, CHC (CBS: 48% rostered, ESPN: 14% rostered): Neris currently has the closer role for the Cubbies. Although the walks have to be a concern, take every save you can get while the getting is good.
Alex Lange, RP, DET (CBS: 26% rostered, ESPN: 34% rostered): Jason Foley has allowed nine hits in his past four outings (2 1/3 IP) and four earned runs. The velocity is down. It might be time to give Alex Lange and that .75 ERA another look.
