Memorial Day is the traditional time that fantasy players take stock of their team and make moves. But, as we’ve been saying for several weeks now, it’s past time to begin making moves.  We have a bunch of young players for you to consider including Adbert Alzolay with the Cubs and Shane Bieber (making a repeat visit).  Jose Alvarado should be strongly considered for teams looking for saves.  While any team that starts a reliever for the first inning in multiple games gives you pause, Alvarado throws hard and has been very good so far this year.

Enjoy the list and please click on the baseball card to visit our partner amazon.com to explore additional information on each player. 

Jose Alvarado, RP, TB (CBS: 20% owned): The trade of Alex Colome to the Seattle Mariners has created an opportunity in Tampa Bay, and with Sergio Romo moving into the rotation, it’s Alvarado’s job to lose. A solid 2.95 ERA, .98 WHIP, along with 23 strikeouts in 21 1/3 IP, looks great on his application form for the ninth inning gig.

Adbert Alzolay, SP, CHC (CBS: 4% owned): The top pitching prospect in the Cubs system is not having a great year, but it’s far better than the year Yu Darvish is experiencing. Darvish, once again hits the 10-day DL, this time with triceps tendinitis. The Cubs are going to need a starter, and the options are far from plentiful down on the farm. Why not give Alzolay a shot at holding down the fort?

Shane Bieber, SP, CLE (CBS: 7% owned): So, where do we start? How about the fact that in 65 1/3 IP at Triple-A Columbus, Bieber has allowed a total of three walks. Somewhere, Tommy Milone is blushing. Could we talk about his 61 strikeouts or the stellar 1.10 ERA? The fact that he tossed a rain-shortened seven-inning perfect game in his last outing is a worthy topic. Pick any or all of the above. The “Bieber Fever” train should be rolling into Cleveland soon, and I’ve already bought my ticket!

Socrates Brito, OF, ARZ (CBS: 1% owned):   “I am not an Athenian, nor a Greek, but a citizen of the  (Fantasy) world.”

Jace Fry, RP, CWS (CBS: 4% owned): Nate Jones is currently in the driver’s seat for saves in Chicago, but don’t ignore Fry. The 24-year-old has one save and in 10 IP has allowed two hits, three walks, struck out 12 opponents, and is yet to be scored upon. I think it’s fairly clear that he’s the closer-in-waiting, and it might not be a long wait.

Brandon Dixon, 2B, CIN (CBS: unowned): In 2017, Dixon hit 16 homers and stole 18 stolen bag at Triple-A Louisville. This year we’ve seen more of the same.  All he has done is hit, and the Reds have called him up, where he’s doing the same in a small sample size at Cincinnati. In deep leagues and NL-only formats, he’s worth an early look.

Ronald Guzman, 1B, TEX (CBS: 9% owned): We mentioned back in Week Four that Guzman had intriguing power potential, but up until last week it hadn’t materialized. That changed in a hurry, as he has powered up to the tune of four homers and nine RBI in his past six games. It’s time to revisit Guzman as an option and find a home for him in Mixed Leagues.

Gorkys Hernandez, OF, SF (CBS: 2% owned): Baseball is a game of opportunity, and veteran Gorkys Hernandez is taking advantage of the injury to Alen Hanson and carving out a nice little niche at the top-of-the-order in San Francisco. In his past seven games, he has gone 12-for-29 with three homers and seven runs scored. Has Alen Hanson been “Pipped”?

Jared Hughes, RP, CIN (CBS: 8% owned): Raisel Iglesias hits the 10-day DL with a strained left biceps. He’s a righty. Huh…..what’s up with that? Jared Hughes and that stellar 1.19 ERA has inherited the ninth inning gig and will be an effective option until Iglesias is ready to return.

Danny Jansen, C, TOR (CBS: 4% owned): It’s time to look to Buffalo and a future call-up. Russell Martin has one year left on his deal with the Jays and Jansen is definitely the future behind the dish in Toronto. He has followed up his breakout 2017 campaign proving that the high walk rates weren’t an aberration. He’s currently sporting a .417 OBP and has swiped four bases for good measure. Good young catchers are hard to find, especially in Dynasty and keeper type formats. He’s going to be a good one.

Steven Matz, SP, NYM (CBS: 47% owned): He’s coming off of six shutout innings against the Brewers, and in two-of-the-three games prior to this effort allowed only one earned run. More importantly, he’s healthy.

Daniel Mengden, SP, OAK (CBS: 47% owned):  In his past eight starts, going back to April 16, he’s allowed a total of eight earned runs. He has tossed back-to-back shutouts, including a two-hit complete game gem in his last outing against the Diamondbacks. He’s owned in less than half the Leagues at CBS. That needs to change.

Richard Rodriguez, RP, PIT (CBS: 3% owned): Felipe Vazquez has no reason to be looking over his shoulder, but in Holds formats give Rodriguez a look. The 31 strikeouts in 19 1/3 IP should have your attention.

Tyler Saladino, 2B/SS/3B, MIL (CBS: 2% owned): The glove could only keep Orlando Arcia in the lineup for so long, and this week it was time to say so long, as he was dispatched to Triple-A Colorado Springs to try and get untracked. In the meantime, Tyler Saladino looks to be holding down the fort and brings a smattering of homers and roster flexibility to deeper formats.

Erik Swanson, SP, NYY (CBS: 2% owned): Is Swanson the best-kept secret in the Yankees Minor League system? He started the year at Double-A Trenton, winning five of his first six games and posting a .44 ERA. That will get you promoted to Triple-A in a hurry. Chance Adams is struggling and Justus Sheffield is coming off the DL dealing with shoulder tightness, so don’t be at all shocked should the Yankees need a starter that they give Swanson a call.

Bradley Zimmer, OF, CLE (CBS: 26% owned): As much as the start to the 2018 campaign has been a huge disappointment for Bradley Zimmer, one can’t ignore the power/speed potential. He’s currently rehabbing at Triple-A in anticipation of being activated early this week. Greg Allen and Rajai Davis are not the answer in center field for “The Tribe”.