Nacho Alvarez, SS, ATL (CBS: 15% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered)
The latest in a string of injuries, Ozzie Albies is lost for the year with a broken wrist. It’s simply not the Braves year. They have signed Whit Merrifield and called up Nacho Alvarez in an attempt to plug the middle-infield hole. Alvarez has shown the ability to hit for a little power, a little more speed, and solid strike zone skills. Who doesn’t love nachos?
Javier Baez, SS, DET (CBS: 8% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered)
Why am I mentioning Javier Baez? Well, he has now hit homers in three consecutive games, so I think it’s a rule. His free-swinging ways are occasionally cause for short-term power outbursts and this is one of those streaks. Just remember, this is a hot streak and not a career-defining moment.
Hayden Birdsong, SP, SFG (CBS: 29% rostered, ESPN: 8% rostered)
Yes, he walks too many batters, but when not handing out free passes to first base, man, oh man, he strikes them out at will. In 87 2/3 combined innings, Birdsong is up to 113 K’s. In his two starts, both against the Rockies, he struck out 20 in 11 IP while recording a pair of wins. If one is looking to pad your Fantasy squad’s strikeout numbers, he must be on your radar this week.
Joey Cantillo, SP, CLE (CBS: 2% rostered, ESPN: not rostered)
Cantillo joined the team in Philly and it appears as if he might be making his debut Sunday. It looks like it’s time to kick back and enjoy watching another young prospect take that first step. Let’s see what Rich has to say about his pre-season #7 ranked Cleveland prospect.
“The arsenal looks solid with a fastball that’s up to 96 MPH with a lot of arm-side run. He does pitch it up in the zone, and without a high spin rate, it’s getting hit hard and far (1.49 HR/9). However, the secondary pitches look great and are the source of all his strikeouts. In particular, his curveball has great shape and spin, and his change-up has nice fade. Both get a ton of whiffs.
There are a lot of building blocks here, and with improved control, he could turn into a number three starter, maybe more.”
Deyvison De Los Santos, 3B, MIA (CBS:13% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered)
The principal player acquired in the A.J. Puk to the DBacks deal should have our curiosity perked, especially being that Josh Bell could be on the move. Power is the name of the game with De Los Santos, and it is highlighted by a resume that includes 29 homers this year in 345 at-bats between Double and Triple-A. That’s “big boy” power with a long “big boy” swing. The on-base skills are very much a work in progress, but when he makes contact, excitement is sure to follow!
Xavier Edwards, 2B/SS, MIA (CBS: 29% rostered, ESPN: 7% rostered)
Since getting the call at the beginning of July, Edwards is 8-for-10 on the basepaths and has produced a 16/14 K/BB ratio in 83 at-bats. He knows his way around the strike zone. If your need is speed, go get him.
David Festa, SP, MIN (CBS: 8% rostered, ESPN: not rostered)
Festa struggled mightily (12 earned runs in 10 IP) in his first kick at the can back at the end of June/beginning of July but looked much better last week following the opener in a bulk role. He struck out seven in 4 1/3 innings while allowing, but a single earned run against a pretty good Phillies O. He has the Mets and White Sox coming up in a two-start week, so one win in a streaming role isn’t half bad.
Tyler Fitzgerald, 2B/SS/OF, SFG (CBS: 42% rostered, ESPN: 18% rostered)
Let’s see what Tyler Fitzgerald has been up to since July 20. In his past nine games, he has gone 14-for-32 with 7 homers, 12 RBI, and 11 runs scored. Wow is all one can say, other than get him rostered asap to take advantage of this amazing hot streak.
Jackson Jobe, SP, DET (CBS: 34% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered)
The Tigers’ rotation currently includes Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty, and Keider Montero. With two of the three potentially moving at the trade deadline, the Tigers will need an arm or three to make it through the rest of the year. Since returning from a hamstring injury that cost Jobe a couple of months, he has been pitching lights out. Maybe the Tigers will give him the opportunity to get his feet wet at the big-league level.
Victor Mesa Jr., OF, MIA (CBS: 1% rostered, ESPN: not rostered)
July hasn’t been a good month for Mesa Jr., but overall, the 22-year-old Mesa Jr. on the year has slugged 13 homers and driven in 51 runs in 321 at-bats at Triple-A Jacksonville. The M’s do need an outfielder to replace Jazz Chisholm, right?
Max Meyer, SP, MIA (CBS: 53% rostered, ESPN: 11% rostered)
Now that he has finally figured out how to perfectly field a bunt (and he’s a slow learner as it took him 3 ½ months), the Marlins have given the 25-year-old Meyer the call. Let’s hope that he picks up where he left off back in April.
Connor Norby, 2B, BAL (CBS: 16% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered)
The Jorge Mateo injury (partially dislocated elbow) will take a while to heal and in the interim, Norby gets to show off his top-tier prospect status in Baltimore. I’m willing to bet that he has had his last at-bat for Norfolk in 2024.
Victor Robles, SEA (CBS: 10% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered)
I didn’t expect to mention Victor Robles this week, but when you’ve hit a home run and swiped four bases in the past week, it’s mention-worthy. It looks like he’ll have everyday at-bats until, at the very least, the return of Julio Rodriguez, which could be several weeks down the road.
River Ryan, SP, LAD (CBS:28% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered)
The Dodgers DFA’d James Paxton this week before shipping him off to the Red Sox. I’d have to think that having River Ryan and Justin Wrobleski waiting in the wings was a factor in that decision. Ryan made his debut Monday against the Giants, tossing 5 1/3 innings of four-hit shutout ball. He’s taking the hill today against a much better offensive team in the Astros. Today’s game will go a long way in determining how much FAAB you’ll be parting company with this evening.
Justin Wrobleski, SP, LAD (CBS: 9% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered)
“Justin Wrobleski had Tommy John Surgery after his junior year in college and fell to the 11th round in the 2021 Draft. The Dodgers took the gamble and have been reaping the rewards.
The lefty has reportedly been up to 97 MPH with a plus change-up. It’s an athletic delivery, and so far, he’s been able to throw strikes. Part of his early success is that nobody can handle his change-up. However, everything else looks extremely promising. I’m putting his ceiling at a number three starter, but that might be low.” After that solid debut this week, I agree Rich. A number three starter might be low!
Juan Yepez. WAS (CBS: 32% rostered, ESPN: 16% rostered)
What the heck are the 68% of team owners in CBS Leagues doing? Yepez continues to rake and in 69 at-bats has hit two homers, driven in 13 runs, and is the proud owner of a .377 BA/.429 OBP. He has even found time to swipe a base. The train is leaving the station. All aboard!!
The Closer Report
Jason Adam, RP, TBR (CBS: 22% rostered, ESPN: 14% rostered)
The Rays are doing what they do: selling off the high-priced help (at least by their standards) and slashing payroll. What is a mere pittance for most teams is an extravagance for the Rays. Pete Fairbanks is on the books for $10.667 million over the next two seasons, so it’s entirely possible he’s plying his trade for a new organization come August. Jason Adam has saved 16 games for the Rays over the past two seasons and is more than capable of getting the job done, assuming, of course, that he isn’t also breaking the bank. Note: Adam broke the bank and is now a Padre. Next up, Colin Poche.
Lucas Erceg, RP, OAK (CBS: 7% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered)
Mason Miller has found his way to the 15-day IL with a fractured pinkie on his non-throwing hand. How long he will be sidelined is anyone’s best guess. In the interim, Lucas Erceg has to be the early favorite to get save opps for the A’s, with Tyler Ferguson looking over his shoulder.
Dylan Floro, RP, WAS (CBS: 2% rostered, ESPN: not rostered)
Kyle Finnegan is having a banner year with 28 saves and a 2.47 ERA. The Gnats have already moved Hunter Harvey. Is Finnegan, who is heading into his final year of arbitration, next? In the event of a Finnegan trade, Dylan Floro and his 32 career saves is likely to be manning the ninth in Washington down the stretch.
Hunter Harvey, RP, KCR (CBS: 20% rostered, ESPN: 10% rostered)
James McArthur has had an up-and-down season. Friday night was the down part as he got torched for five runs against the DBacks in coughing up a save opportunity and taking the loss. The Royals recently acquired Hunter Harvey, and if there was ever a time to give him a shot in the ninth inning, now would be that time.
Ben Joyce, RP, LAA (CBS: 12% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered)
That 100+ mph heater was made for the ninth inning and with Carlos Estevez moving on to the Phillies, one would have to believe that Ben Joyce is first-in-line to close out games for the Angels.
Victor Vodnik, RP, COL (CBS: 5% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered)
In his last seven appearances, Vodnik has recorded three saves. He is also holding down an ERA under four, which is stellar for a Rockies pitcher. Expect more opportunities to close out games over the next two months.
