Brad Hand (SD, RP, 6% owned)
Brandon Maurer is stinking it up to the tune of a total of 10 earned runs, accumulated in four of his past five outings. He’s now closing in on a 7 ERA for the season. Hand, is struggling a bit as well but the 16 strikeouts in 11 IP and 3.27 ERA in May is looking awful good compared to the Maurer results. He could come in very “handy” as an insurance policy.
Bradley Zimmer (CLE, OF, 49% owned)
A right biceps strain suffered by Abraham Almonte and the Tribe turn to top-prospect Bradley Zimmer to man the fort in centerfield for the immediate future. Buy him for the speed potential and hope he can keep the strikeouts down to an acceptable level.
Cameron Maybin (LAA, OF, 17% owned)
Yunel Escobar hits the 10-day DL with a hamstring injury, and lo and behold Cameron Maybin now finds himself hitting in the leadoff slot for the Halos. It seems to have caught his fancy as he’s hitting 11-for-24 with 8 runs scored since the move. What’s equally as impressive is that he has six walks and three strikeouts. Anyone hitting ahead of Mike Trout and Albert Pujols simply has to be rostered.
James Pazos (SEA, RP, 6% owned)
Edwin Diaz has been temporarily removed from his ninth inning gig to work on some mechanical issues. It could be a short-stint, but Pazos is currently in the mix for saves. The southpaw has very quickly worked his way into a prominent role in the M’s bullpen, and should hold value even after Diaz returns to the closer role.
Christian Bergman (SEA, SP, 2% owned)
He’s now got two starts under his belt with the last outing being a great 7 1/3 two-hit shutout effort against the A’s. Is he this good? Probably not, but with the injury depleted Mariners rotation a complete mess, the opportunities at least short-term will be there.
Yolmer Sanchez (CWS, 2B, 2% owned)
Since the calendar moved into May, Sanchez has posted a .944 OPS. I know, I had to look twice myself. Toss in the homer, 7 RBI, and 8 runs scored and he’s looking like a new man….or at least one with a new first name.
Mark Canha (OAK, 1B/OF, 2% owned)
The opportunities were rather sporadic in April, but May seems to be much more to his liking. He has now hit three bombs in the past four days and could be a very sneaky cheap source of power at the corner. He did hit 16 homers in 441 at-bats in 2015.
Matt Adams (ATL, 1B, 10% owned)
They say a change is as good as a rest, but I’m betting it will be much better than a rest for Matt Adams. The Braves have a huge hole to fill with Freddie Freeeman lost for the next 10-12 weeks with a broken wrist. Hopefully, Adam can provide both the Braves and our Fantasy teams some respite.
Luis Robert (CWS, not listed)
If your Dynasty League allows rostering recently signed International players, Robert should be an immediate target. He inked a rumored $25 million deal with the White Sox and the upside potential is off-the-charts. He will be a Top-3 pick in next springs Dynasty League Supplemental drafts.
Chad Green (NYY, SP/RP, 4% owned)
Green has allowed but three hits, one walk, no earned runs and chipped in with 11 punchouts in 7 2/3 IP in May. Jordan Montgomery has been just okay and Masahiro Tanaka is struggling badly. Maybe it’s time that Green found his way into a spot start or two. Who knows, the grass could in fact be “greener” on the other side?
Jed Lowrie (OAK, 2B, 18% owned)
Six homers, 12 RBI, 25 runs scored and a very solid .350 OBP. Why is he owned in only 18% of the Leagues at CBS?
Mike Clevinger (CLE, SP/RP, 16% owned)
Seven shutout innings with 8 strikeouts against one of the Leagues best offenses (the Astros) has my attention. If he can continue to keep the walks down, the results will be positive.
Erasmo Ramirez (TB, SP/RP, 8% owned)
Blake Snell has been demoted because of his inability to consistently throw strikes, and it’s now time for a return of the “Eraser Man”. Should we expect anything different this go-round? I’ll go with a very cautious, yes.
Chris Taylor (LAD, 2B/3B, 17% owned)
He’s now up to five homers in 80 at-bats and has moved into the leadoff spot in Dodgertown. Logan Forsythe is returning, but at least for now Taylor’s job is safe with Justin Turner hitting the DL. We’ve never seen prolonged power from Taylor, but right now he’s the hot hand. Ride ’em until that changes.
Wilson Ramos (TB, C, 29% owned)
The long road back from the knee reconstruction is nearing the end. Ramos could be heading out on a rehab assignment in the next week, with a mid-to-late June return. It’s time to make the move and set yourself up for some solid production in the second half from your catcher corps.
Logan Forsythe (LAD, 2B, 49% owned)
It has been a tough start to the 2017 campaign for Forsythe, first dealing with both a broken toe and then a hamstring injury, but he’s scheduled to be activated this week and will be manning the hot corner until the return of Justin Turner. It’s definitely worth a look, to see if someone in the haste to field an active roster, dropped him.
Devon Travis (TOR, 2B, 42% owned)
It’s easy to forget about April when you’re amassed a .,965 OPS in May. The 14 doubles leads all of MLB this month and this past weekend he bounced two balls off the scoreboard in right followed up by a three-run homer in the first inning today against Wade Miley. For those that had the patience to wait out the horrible April, the rewards have been huge.
Koda Glover (WAS, RP, 35% owned)
In a one-run game today in Atlanta, with everyone available, who did the Nats turn to for a four-out save? The same reliever that should be owned and active in every League. It’s Koda Glover time!
Five on the Farm to consider
Amed Rosario (NYM, SS/3B, 25% owned)
Asdrubal Cabrera is injured but the Mets say…NO, they will not promote Amed Rosario. That kind of fits as the Mets season is imploding in front of all to see. Look, Rosario has been red hot in Triple-A and given how offense oriented Las Vegas is, there’s nothing left to prove there. We still believe he gets the call. Maybe not this week, but soon. Now is the time to pick him up.
Brent Honeywell (TAM, RHP, 17% owned)
At the beginning of the season, I thought there was little chance that Brent Honeywell would see the major leagues in 2017. However, he’s pitched extremely well and now finds himself in Triple-A with an 6,5:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Look for him after the magic Super-2 date sometime in mid-June.
Tyler Beede (SF, RHP, 11% owned)
With Madison Bumgarner out until the All Star break, the Giants need rotation help and I think Tyler Beede. Jump on him now while he’s cheap.
Roman Quinn (PHI, OF, 5% owned)
I saw Roman Quinn last week and was reminded of his 80-grade speed and elite defense. I can’t help but think he sees the majors sometime in May or early June which will send Odubel Herrera to left and free up center field for Quinn.
Rhys Hoskins (PHI, 1B, 13% owned)
With Tommy Joseph proving that he’s a below-average option at first base, the Phillies might turn to Rhys Hoskins in the second half. He’s a big dude with plus raw power that has gotten off to a very good start in Triple-A.