Brett Baty, 2B/3B, NYM (CBS: 11% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered)
When you slug three homers and drive in six runs in your past two games, it should get your attention. I’m sure it has caught the attention of the struggling Mark Vientos. Could Baty prove to be the King of Queens at the hot corner?
Will Benson, OF, CIN (CBS: 2% rostered, ESPN: not rostered)
As an everyday player, he has too much swing-and-miss in his game. However, as a temporary fix in an injury-riddled lineup, Benson could prove to be an asset. He hit 14 home runs and stole 16 bases in 388 at-bats with the Guardians last season.
Evan Carter, F, TEX (CBS: 36% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered)
Leody Taveras is now a Mariner, courtesy of a waiver claim, and the Astros are all-in moving forward with Evan Carter in center field. He smashed a solo home run Saturday against the Tigers. The big question is whether he will play against southpaws. Let’s hope that will be the case.
Jake Cronenworth, 1B/2B, SDP (CBS: 51% rostered, ESPN: 55% rostered)
In his first two games since returning from the IL, Cronenworth has gone 3-for-7 with a home run, four RBI, and four runs scored. The Padres and your Fantasy squad have missed his steady production in the everyday lineup.
Zach Dezenzo, 1B/OF, HOU (CBS: 10% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered)
Yordan Alvarez is going to miss some time due to a muscle strain in his hand. Let’s see what Rich has to say about his replacement, Zach Dezenzo. “There are significant bat speed and hard-hit rates in the profile. Basballsavant shows his bat speed is 75.9 MPH, which places him in the 90th percentile in the league. The data on his chase and in-zone contact is incomplete, but his chase rates seem average to above average, while his z-contact is below average. He’s an above-average runner and should be able to steal low double-digit bases early in his career.
Dezenzo is an underrated prospect, a terrific athlete with enough power to hit over 15 home runs and plenty of speed to steal similar base totals. The upside is a full-time regular. He plays first base and could also move to second if needed.
Santiago Espinal, 2B/3B/OF, CIN (CBS: 5% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered)
The injuries continue to plague the Reds, with Noelvi Marte hitting the IL due to a Grade Two left oblique strain. Santiago Espinal will fill the void, providing some power, a bit of speed, and a solid batting average, along with multi-position eligibility.
Cade Horton, SP, CHC (CBS: 32% rostered, ESPN: 5% rostered)
Horton should remain active and pitch every fifth day until Shoto Imanaga returns, which could take between three weeks and a month. He earned the win in his debut, and aside from the three-run mistake he committed against Brett Baty, it was a success. The fact that he didn’t allow any free passes was impressive. Next up are the White Sox, a must start.
Colt Keith, 1B/2B, DET (CBS: 35% rostered, ESPN: 8% rostered)
Quietly, Keith is turning around a poor start to the ’25 campaign. Over the past seven days, he has gone 8-for-19 with two home runs and six RBI. It’s time to find a place for him in all formats.
Stephen Kolek, SP, SDP (CBS: 9% rostered, ESPN: 8% rostered)
Kolek started the week with 5 1/3 innings of shutout ball against the Pirates and finished it by tossing a complete game five-hit shutout in the 21-0 shellacking of the Rockies at Coors Field. We know the competition was far from top-tier, but at the same time, he got the job done. Next up are the Mariners and a chance to see the converted reliever start his 2025 season with three consecutive wins.
James Outman, OF, LAD (CBS: 2% rostered, ESPN: not rostered)
He’s the same James Outman, facing the same challenges—challenges that should limit his options to NL-only formats at this time. Until the return of Teo Hernandez, he is likely to be found in the lineup when the Dodgers are facing right-handed pitching.
Chase Petty, SP, CIN (CBS: 8% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered)
Petty will have the opportunity to replace Hunter Greene for the next several weeks. He struggled in a spot start at the end of April against the Cards, but his Minor League numbers have been solid. Let’s hope for better performance in his next start against the Astros and Ronel Blanco today.
Daniel Schneemann, 2B/3B/SS/OF, CLE (CBS: 22% rostered, ESPN: 7% rostered)
Schneemann now has five homers, 12 RBI, and an impressive .915 OPS in just 74 at-bats. His ability to play various positions is crucial, particularly given the number of injuries we’ve seen early in the season.
AJ Smith-Shawver, SP, ATL (CBS: 61% rostered, ESPN: 26% rostered)
The 22-year-old righty had quite a week. He carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning against the Reds before settling for eight one-hit shutout innings, and followed that with a solo run allowed over 5 2/3 innings against the Pirates. The walks are still on the high side, and the competition has been a bit light, but it’s hard to argue with that 2.76 ERA.
Gavin Sheets, 1B/OF, SDP (CBS: 24% rostered, ESPN: 8% rostered)
The five homers, 21 RBI, and .296 batting average in 108 at-bats have been a pleasant surprise after four years of toiling for the White Sox. He’s on pace to set career highs in virtually every offensive category in his first year on the coast.
Ryan Weathers, SP, MIA (CBS: 34% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered)
The rehab went well (1.69 ERA in three rehab starts), and Weathers is scheduled to make his 2025 debut this Wednesday against the Cubs. When healthy, he has produced solid numbers and, as a #4/5 type starter, should be a welcome addition to your Fantasy roster.
