Wilyer Abreu, OF, BOS (CBS: 57% rostered, ESPN: 11% rostered)
Abreu returned to the lineup Saturday after missing three weeks due to a sprained ankle and was immediately slotted back into the two-hole. Let’s hope he resumes the level of play that found him hitting six homers and seven stolen bases in his first 172 at-bats of the ’24 campaign.
Tyler Black, 3B, MIL (CBS: 15% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered)
Black struggled in his first promotion but returned to Triple-A Nashville, hit well, and earned a return to the Brewers, sharing time at 1B and DH with Rhys Hoskins. The upside brings moderate power with solid speed potential at a position that, as a rule, doesn’t provide stolen base opportunities. Let’s hope he finds a permanent home in Milwaukee this go-round.
Zack Gelof, 2B, OAK (CBS:51% rostered, ESPN:13% rostered)
It was a good week for Zack Gelof as he homered in three consecutive games against the Royals. His current eight homers leave him sixth overall at Second Base and more than worthy of occupying an MI slot in all formats.
Landon Knack, SP, LAD (CBS: 12% rostered, ESPN: 5% rostered)
The injuries suffered by Walker Buehler and Yoshinobu Yamamoto necessitated yet another call to Oklahoma City. The Dodgers turned to Landon Knack and he didn’t disappoint, tossing five innings of two-hit shutout ball against the Angels. Knack has picked up right where he left off in his first stint with LA in May.
Joey Loperfido, OF, HOU (CBS: 20% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered)
The question isn’t whether he can hit at the big league level; he has already proven he can, and it’s whether the Astros will give him the regular opportunity. Kyle Tucker is still a week or so away from his return. Jon Singleton has been okay but far from great. It’s time the Astros find a permanent home for Joey Loperfido’s bat and let him run with it.
Noelvi Marte, 3B, CIN (CBS: 61% rostered, ESPN: 6% rostered)
Noelvi Marte’s suspension is coming to an end in a timely fashion. Santiago Espinal is not the answer as a full-time corner-infielder, and the Reds offense needs a boost if they are to climb into contention in the NL Central. Inserting Marte into the everyday lineup could prove to be that boost.
Austin Martin, 2B/OF, MIN (CBS: 5% rostered, ESPN: not rostered)
He scored a run in six of his past seven games while going 8-for-18 at the dish. The bulk of the playing time in left field seems to be trending in Austin Martin’s direction. If your need is speed, a small bid could go a long way in resolving that issue.
Orelvis Martinez, SS, TOR (CBS: 26% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered)
Is it time for the struggling Jays to start building towards the……oh, never mind.
Jake McCarthy, OF, ARZ (CBS: 18% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered)
Over his past six games, Jake McCarthy has gone 9-for-19 with three stolen bases. Alec Thomas is getting close to returning, so McCarthy better stay hot if he wants regular playing time.
Robbie Ray, SP, SFG (CBS: 37% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered)
Robbie Ray has moved his rehab program to Triple-A and is looking at a mid-July return. The price to acquire his services will only increase as the return date draws nearer.
Ben Rice, C, NYY (CBS: 29% rostered, ESPN: 5% rostered)
Anthony Rizzo will miss at least eight weeks with a fractured forearm, giving the 25-year-old Rice plenty of time to settle into the Yankees lineup and provide solid production. He slugged 20 homers in 275 at-bats in ’23 and was off to a great start with 15 homers this year in 222 at-bats split between Double and Triple-A. A catcher-eligible player with that power potential in an already high-powered offense should be cause for significant bidding come Sunday night.
Spencer Schwellenbach CBS: 34% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered)
After a slow start, Schwellenbach has looked great in his past two starts, allowing three earned runs in two six-inning efforts against the O’s and Tigers. He’s looking at a two-start week against the Cards and Pirates. It’s time to find a home for him in all formats.
Mike Siani, OF, STL (CBS: 1% rostered, ESPN: not rostered)
Siani seems to be gaining traction in pursuing the everyday role in center field for the Cards. He’s now up to 9 thefts in the season, which is not surprising when one looks back to that 52 stolen base season in 2022. If you need speed, he’s worthy of a small bid this evening.
Andrew Vaughn, CWS (CBS: 60% rostered, ESPN: 15% rostered)
June has been a very good month for Andrew Vaughn. He’s now up to five homers, 16 RBI, and a stellar .360 BA. This resurgence has him on pace for a 20-80/.260 type season and an asset at CI in all formats.
Michael Wacha, SP, KCR (CBS: 45% rostered, ESPN: 8% rostered)
Wacha was reinstated from the IL Saturday and immediately tossed into the fray going five innings against the Rangers. He allowed three hits, one walk, and one earned run while striking out five. That’s not a bad day’s work, and as a #4/5 type starter, it provides respite from the numerous injuries we’ve dealt with of late.
The Closer Report
Hans Crouse, RP, LAA (CBS: 1% rostered, ESPN: not listed)
The Angels have called up Hans Crouse, and for a good cause. You’ve earned an opportunity with the parent club when you post a 2.70 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 23 1/3 IP at Triple-A. If the rumor mill is correct (and it should be), Carlos Estevez is a player the Angels will be shopping at the trade deadline, and any success from the 25-year-old Crouse could see his fortunes rising very rapidly.
Chad Green, RP, TOR (CBS: 17% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered)
With the recent elbow injury suffered by Yimi Garcia, the Jays have turned to Chad Green to man the ninth inning, with Nate Pearson moving into the setup role. The news that Jordan Romano experienced further right elbow soreness after throwing from 120 feet on Friday and has been shut down indefinitely could mean Green could be in for a long run as a closer. If the Jays choose to go into sell mode as the trade deadline nears, Chad Green could be part of that plan, so a small bid on Nate Pearson could yield saves before 2024 is all said and done.
Colin Holderman, RP, PIT (CBS: 6% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered)
David Bednar is dealing with left-side tightness, the severity of which is still undefined, but it was enough of a problem to keep him on the sidelines Saturday while Aroldis Chapman procured the save. Chapman could very well get the short-term save opportunities, but for how long is the trade deadline looming? Holderman is the proud owner of a .68 ERA with 30 strikeouts and 13 holds in 26 2/3 innings. Long-term, especially in Leagues that count holds, his stock is on the rise and worthy of our attention.
