Spencer Arrighetti, SP, HOU (CBS: 37% rostered, ESPN: 10% rostered)
Arrighetti is coming off three consecutive quality starts against the Red Sox, Rays, and Dodgers, and he has amassed 33 strikeouts. He struck out a career-high 13 batters last night against Boston. He has the White Sox in his next start. Need I say more?
Andrew Benintendi, OF, CWS (CBS: 9% rostered, ESPN: 11% rostered)
Andrew Benintendi’s name has been popping up lately in my daily scan of the box scores. That’s not a surprise when you’ve slugged five homers in the past six games. He’s on a tear. Spend small and hope he sustains this current hot streak into next week.
Osvaldo Bido, SP, OAK (CBS: 2% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered)
In his past two starts, against the Dodgers and Jays, he has held the opposition to a scant two runs. The statcast page looks pretty darn good. If you’re at the “desperate times require desperate measures” stage of the program, a small bid could help resolve that issue.
Cody Bradford, SP, TEX (CBS: 32% rostered, ESPN: 16% rostered)
It appears that the form we witnessed before the injury is returning. Yesterday, Bradford tossed five strong innings in the Bronx, allowing but a single earned run while striking out seven. It’s time to jump back on the Bradford train!
Adrian Del Castillo, C, ARZ (CBS: 7% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered)
Gabriel Moreno suffered a left adductor strain this week that will probably cause him to spend most of August on the IL. The DBacks have turned to Adrian Del Castillo during Moreno’s absence. He was enjoying a breakout-type campaign at Triple-A Reno with 24 home runs, 70 RBI, 86 runs scored, and a 1.011 OPS in 395 at-bats. The early returns show he looks ready for the challenge, as he has gone 4-for-7 with his first homer. He could see a lot of playing time until, at the very least, Moreno returns from the IL.
Zach Dezenzo, 3B, HOU (CBS: 10% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered)
Let’s see what Rich Wilson has to say about the Astro’s #2 prospect. “I like his bat-to-ball skills; consequently, we should see a better hitter in the future. When you combine that with some speed and power, he could develop into a Top 15 second baseman with 15-15 type of production.” The opportunity to play every day at 1B/DH in Houston is there for the taking.
David Festa, SP, MIN (CBS: 26% rostered, ESPN: 6% rostered)
His past three starts have been solid. His last start, in which he tossed five innings of two-hit ball, chipping in with nine punchouts, was outstanding. A solid stretch run from Festa would go a long way toward helping the Twins secure a playoff berth.
Eloy Jimenez, DH, BAL (CBS: 49% rostered, ESPN: 22% rostered)
Since the deadline deal that sent him to the Orioles, Jimenez has gone 11-for-21 with four RBI in seven games. Maybe there’s something left in the tank?
Tyler Mahle, TEX (CBS: 34% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered)
Mahle looked good in his debut this week, holding the Astros to a single run over five innings. Coming off TJS, he was on a strict pitch count (76 pitches), but expect him to increase that workload moving forward and provide solid strikeout potential down the stretch.
Nick Martinez, SP/RP, CIN: CBS 7% rostered, ESPN: 5% rostered)
A 7% level of restorability for a pitcher who has produced three wins, a .75 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and strikeout-per-inning over the past 14 days is flat-out wrong. Go get him!
Zebby Matthews, SP, MIN (CBS: 8% rostered, ESPN: not rostered)
“Derek Falvey said Zebby Matthews is “certainly a name we’re talking about” for their starting rotation. Matthews allowed one run in five innings at St. Paul yesterday.” Joe Ryan is likely done for at least the regular season with a right teres major strain, meaning the opportunity is at hand for the 24-year-old Matthews to make his debut, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if that occurs as early as next week.
Jake McCarthy, OF, ARZ (CBS: 23% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered)
McCarthy has hit three of his six total home runs in the past week to go along with 8 RBI. Over the past 21 days, he has gone 22-for-60 and has played himself into a full-time role. Alek Thomas has become a spectator, and that won’t change with McCarthy wielding a hot bat. The speed is a lock; the power is a pure bonus.
Victor Robles, OF, SEA (CBS: 30% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered)
He’s cooled off after his torrid start as a Mariner but still has three thefts in August and a full-time job. Both count.
Trevor Story, SS, BOS (CBS: 13% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered)
What was once thought of as a season-ending injury for Story has changed. He’s taking batting practice this coming Monday, and Alex Cora believes we’ll see him back before the end of the season. A small bid will give you the opportunity to see if that comes to fruition.
Justin Wrobleski, SP, LAD (CBS: 6% rostered, ESPN: not rostered)
Just when it looked like River Ryan was settling into the Dodgers rotation, he left last night’s game in the fourth inning with forearm tightness. An MRI is to follow today, but any forearm issues are likely to see him sidelined for an extended period. Next up is more than likely Justin Wrobleski, who held his own in four July starts.
The Closer Report
Calvin Faucher, RP, MIA (CBS: 8% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered)
Faucher is definitely in the driver’s seat for saves in Miami and could very well hold onto the job down the stretch. The low ownership level spells opportunity and makes him worthy of a small bid this weekend.
Justin Martinez, RP, ARZ (CBS: 24% rostered, ESPN:
Ryan Thompson is still the favourite to work the ninth inning in Arizona but allowing earned runs in 3-of-his-past-4 outings, his hold on the job is currently tenuous at best. Martinez has produced six consecutive scoreless outings in which he has amassed a win, and two saves to go along with 12 strikeouts. That looks like closer material to me.
Ryan Walker, RP, SFG (CBS: 30% rostered, ESPN: 8% rostered)
The Giants finally had enough of Camilio Doval’s second-half struggles and removed him from the closer role, and demoted him to Triple-A, where, hopefully, he can get untracked. Bob Melvin didn’t waste any time, naming Ryan Walker as the closer, and he followed up with his first save last night. Walker is currently sporting a 2.20 ERA, sub 1.00 WHIP, and better than a strikeout-per-inning. That strong resume bodes well for his chances of success over the balance of 2024.
