In preparation of writing about Alek Thomas below, I re-visited this piece in Week 1 and was struck by how much the tenants laid out there remain true this week, well into the thick of the MLB schedule.
What those suggestions (review playing time, spend early, examine schedules, and scout your fantasy league) boil down to is that fantasy baseball is the proverbial marathon over a sprint. Sure, getting those outbursts of Royce Lewis homers every few weeks feels great, but plodding along with the likes of a Matt Chapman, who was practically free in draft season, and his $17.6 of value to date is what keeps your team relevant enough to win.
It’s your classic tortoise versus the hare situation, and this is one of the best weeks to capitalize on that mentality. There are surprisingly still players remaining on waiver wires with solid skills and great playing time situations. Some of them may be snatched up soon, especially in home leagues where the less-than-involved players might re-emerge during the doldrums of the All-Star break.
So this week, let’s get those shells ready as we examine some players that can fill the turtle vibes for our teams.
The stats and ownership percentages below are updated as of noon central time on 7/5.
As always, if you want advice on specific roster decisions you might have, feel free to leave a comment. You can also find me on twitter (X) (@mcouill7) and bluesky (@mcouill7.bsky.social).
CATCHERS
10/12 Team Adds
Gabriel Moreno (ARI, 41% CBS Ownership) – Moreno represents a good test case for the slow-and-steady mantra we examined this week. After struggling with a .230/.323/.309 slash line through May 31, the Arizona backstop has rounded into form, slashing .292/.342/.528 over 73 plate appearances since the calendar turned to June with an IL trip peppered in there. Moreno was one of my favorite sleeper picks at the back end of the catcher pool during draft season, and this stretch is showing why. He simply plays full-time while being able to swing a stick easily capable of a .270-.280 average. The kicker for this week that makes Moreno more valuable than Bailey is the seven-game slate the D-backs have before the All-Star break. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Tyler Stephenson (CIN, 46% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Elias Diaz (COL, 43% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Patrick Bailey (SFG, 43% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Bo Naylor (CLE, 26% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Ivan Herrera (STL, 15% CBS Ownership) – The Cardinals present one of the very rare instances in which both catchers can be ownable for fantasy purposes. Herrera started his rehab assignment from back tightness on the Fourth and should join the Redbirds early this upcoming week. With St. Louis punting the DH position, it will allow plenty of opportunities for Willson Contreras (and Herrera, himself) to play there, creating ample opportunity for Herrera to play three or four times a week. For a catcher that was hitting .279 with four steals and a 9% barrel-rate before his IL stint, there will be more than enough at-bats to be valuable in deeper leagues. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Korey Lee (CHW, 11% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Ben Rortvedt (TBR, 7% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Freddy Fermin (KCR, 7% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
INFIELDERS
10/12 Team Adds
Spencer Horwitz (1B/2B, TOR, 25% CBS Ownership) – Since Cavan Biggio was dealt on June 12 to LA, Horwitz has slashed .298/.420/.491 across 69 nice plate appearances, playing a mix of first and second while hitting in the top of the order. He’s becoming a must-own for his positional flexibility and steady production. It’s pretty rare for bats with this combination of opportunity and plate skills (14.% BB-rate and 10.2% barrel-rate) to linger on the waiver wire. (5% FAAB)
Brooks Lee (SS, MIN, 43% CBS Ownership) – The eighth overall pick from the 2022 draft arrived in the Twin Cities this week thanks in part to yet another Royce Lewis injury. Lee was doing his best Lewis impression at Triple-A before his call-up, slugging a tater every 13.4 plate appearances (seven homers in 94 PAs). He looks like a fully polished bat at this point as that power outburst complimented a .329 batting average, supported with an extremely tolerable 13.8% K-rate in St. Paul. Lee has a steady path to playing time with Minnesota via continued Royce Lewis IL stints and the ability to commandeer the keystone from Willi Castro, sending Castro back into a utility role. Given the talent Lee has flashed with the bat before his promotion, I’m comfortable being really aggressive here as he has the ability to produce a Carlos Correa-like line at shortstop/middle infield in which he offers value at all categories except steals. (5-7% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Luis Garcia (2B, WSN, 42% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Coby Mayo (3B, BAL, 41% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Colt Kieth (2B/3B, DET, 34% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Paul DeJong (SS, CHW, 27% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Brendan Rodgers (2B, COL, 26% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Michael Massey (2B, KCR, 16% CBS Ownership) – Although Kansas City only has five road games this upcoming week, I’m trying to pick up Massey in deeper leagues to capture what might be some league-flipping upside. It’s a bit lazy, but if you combine his 2023 and 2024 numbers, you get 23 homers, 80 RBI, and six steals with a .239 over 166 games – that’s pretty much Brandon Lowe. In addition, Kauffman Stadium is still playing like one of the best hitter’s parks in the league, essentially being Great American Ballpark run-scoring-wise over the past three years. RosterResource currently has Massey being in a strong-side platoon, but the 26-year-old has shown the ability to hold his own against southpaws, owning a .239 career batting average against them (compared to .240 against righties). He should be playing nearly every day in the middle of a decent KC lineup while offering much-needed power from a middle infield spot. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Mauricio Dubon (1B/2B/OF, HOU, 17% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Jorge Mateo (2B/SS, BAL, 16% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Wenceel Perez (2B/OF, DET, 15% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Brett Wisely (2B/SS, SFG, 13% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Daniel Schneemann (3B/SS/OF, CLE, 9% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Gio Urshela (1B/3B, DET, 6% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Rowdy Tellez (1B, PIT, 6% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Lenyn Sosa (2B/3B, CHW, 4% CBS Ownership, 1-3% CBS Ownership), Donovan Solano (1B/2B/3B, SDP, 3% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Xavier Edwards (2B/SS, MIA, 3% CBS Ownership) – The prescient blurb here last week wondered how much longer Tim Anderson was set for duty in Miami, and we nailed it friends, Anderson’s time was indeed limited, as he was designated for assignment on Tuesday. Edwards is the beneficiary, overtaking the Marlins’ shortstop role. He should keep a full-time gig even when Otto Lopez returns from the IL because Edwards is outpacing Vidal Brujan in the ex-speedy Rays prospect battle for playing time. (5-7% FAAB)
Taylor Walls (2B/3B/SS, TBR, 1% CBS Ownership) – I’ll readily admit that Taylor Walls can’t hit, as his .188 batting average over 1,057 career plate appearances shows. However, the glove and switch bat will keep the 27-year-old planted in the Tampa Bay lineup to let his career 12.1% walk rate and 39-for-45 clip on steal attempts shine. Walls roughly paces out to a low 20’s stolen base rate over a full season, which is just enough to move up a few roto spots in AL-Only leagues while his average when the league is only batting .242 won’t sink you. (3-5% FAAB)
OUTFIELDERS
10/12 Team Adds
Jhonkensy Noel (CLE, 38% CBS Ownership) – I was a bit unsure what role Cleveland would carve out for Noel after his promotion last week, so didn’t have him suggested for rostering in shallow leagues. However, the rookie has since taken over the right-field position opened with Will Brennan’s injury and looks set to draw 80% of starts there. This is the classic high risk, high reward play that significant power bats can represent. And heck, he only needs to hit .220 to let the 40-homer power bat play in our fantasy circles. If you are chasing power categories, Noel represents your best chance to find a 2019 Aristides Aquino-like performance over the next few weeks. (3-5% FAAB)
Tommy Pham (CHW, 20% CBS Ownership) – Our hero has fallen on hard times over the past two weeks, slashing .209/.306/.233 with no homers or steals. However, the plate discipline remains intact as he’s owned a 20.4% K-rate paired with a 12.2% BB-rate during that span. It’s a rough patch in the ebb and flow of a season before Pham sets his sights on the ticket out of Chicago awaiting him at the end of July. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Joc Pederson (ARI, 49% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Brandon Marsh (PHI, 48% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Masataka Yoshida (BOS, 47% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Michael Conforto (SFG, 44% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jacob Young (WSN, 38% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Lars Nootbaar (STL, 36% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Harrison Bader (NYM, 31% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jake Fraley (CIN, 28% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Alek Thomas (ARI, 9% CBS Ownership) – Welcome back, Alek Thomas, as we hardly knew ye this season. The Arizona centerfielder promptly suffered a significant hamstring injury right after being covered here in Week 1. A lot of what I mentioned then holds up here – Thomas should be a solid bat that provides 15 homers and steals with a .240-.250 average over a full season, with a chance at upside for the now 24-year-old. We’re pretty much looking at a Harrison Bader lite with the possibility Thomas finds another development level. (1-3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Luke Raley (1B/OF, SEA, 19% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), LaMonte Wade (1B/OF, SFG, 16% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Andrew McCutchen (PIT, 13% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Luis Matos (SFG, 13% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Richie Palacios (2B/OF, TBR, 11% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jack Suwinski (PIT, 11% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Adam Duvall (ATL, 10% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Jesus Sanchez (MIA, 8% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Juan Yepez (WSN, 1% CBS Ownership) – Despite the clamoring for Dylan Crews to arrive after it was announced Joey Meneses was optioned recently, Yepez is receiving the call in Washington. This looks like a case of the Nationals wanting to see what the erstwhile Cardinal’s Triple-A line of .263/.357/.438 with 11 homers and a 12.5% walk rate can do in the majors again. It’s not like Yepez was a bad hitter with St. Louis, as he produced a 97 wRC+ over 104 games while being called into action out-of-position at third, left, and right. He can be a steady corner bat that hits .240-.250 with around 20 homers on a full-season pace. (5% FAAB)
Steward Berroa (TOR, 0% CBS Ownership) – Score another one for soothsaying in this column along with Xavier Edwards, as Berroa was also promoted this week. Berroa’s stint is just a short one as he’s on the roster in lieu of Justin Turner hitting the paternity list. However, with the move, Toronto showed their hand in that Berroa likely comes up when the trade deadline roster purge hits. The Dominican outfielder has stolen 30 bases at Triple-A Buffalo and could be a menace on the basepaths in a few short weeks. (1-3% FAAB)
STARTING PITCHERS
10/12 Team Adds
Colin Rea (MIL, 48% CBS Ownership) – After weeks of avoiding writing up a Brewer pitcher, we have returned to the well. Rea’s upcoming two-start week against Pittsburgh and Washington both at home is the most tantalizing double dip week I see in the available pitchers. Producing $7.8 of value in standard leagues so far, he’s been a steady source of wins (eight) while pitching in front of a solid defense and brilliant bullpen. He’s run a .255 BABIP with the Brewers over the past two seasons because Milwaukee knows how to make the best use of these undervalued starters. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Mitchell Parker (WSN, 50% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Spencer Schwellenbach (ATL, 46% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Simeon Woods Richardson (MIN, 45% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Miles Mikolas (STL, 45% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Jeffrey Springs (TBR, 42% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Alec Marsh (KCR, 38% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Cal Quantrill (COL, 36% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Drew Thorpe (CHW, 36% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Jose Quintana (NYM, 34% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Cade Povich (BAL, 32% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), DJ Herz (WSN, 30% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Albert Suarez (BAL, 26% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Andrew Heaney (TEX, 25% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Davis Daniel (LAA, 16% CBS Ownership) – Best of luck out there if you are in a deep league and scrambling for starting pitchers right now; it’s a mess on the waivers. Daniel has an intriguing two-start week with Texas and Seattle both facing him in Anaheim. While I don’t love throwing pitchers in Angel Stadium, neither of those offenses scares me greatly, and Daniel has plenty of experience pitching in tough environments through his Triple-A seasoning in the PCL. Things can really go awry here as he sports a subpar fastball per both Pitching Bot and Stuff+, so don’t go down this route if in tight races for ERA and WHIP categories. Stick to the more talented options like Yariel Rodriguez and Jonathan Cannon if Daniel’s chance at two wins and strikeout volume isn’t needed. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Jonathan Cannon (CHW, 15% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Hayden Birdsong (SFG, 13% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Hayden Wesneski (CHC, 13% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Yariel Rodriguez (TOR, 11% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Andre Pallante (STL, 9% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Randy Vasquez (SDP, 4% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Spencer Bivens (SFG, 1% CBS Ownership) – This section is turning to the San Francisco Spencer of the Week spot as I’ve suggested Spencer Howard a few times previously. Bivens has largely taken over Howard’s role after the latter was recently demoted while the Giants run into bullpen overuse issues. Although Howard should return soon, the 30-year-old Bivens has been electric in his first 14 innings, including a recent start versus the Dodgers in which he tossed five one-run innings with three Ks. I’m not sure that Bivens continues to get many starts, but he can be a steady arm that pitches roughly five innings a week with a punchout an inning and chances at wins while the Giants go full Rays with their pitching staff. (3-5% FAAB)
Ky Bush (CHW, 1% CBS Ownership) – The lack of available starting pitching for shallower leagues is being driven by AL ballclubs. Unless you want to take part in whatever fodder is cycling through the fifth spots of rotations, it’s a safer route to pick a reliever or stash a prospect to build an AL-Only staff. Two or three rotation spots will likely come available on the Southside around the trade deadline, which should clear enough room for Bush, acquired in the Lucas Giolito trade last summer, to find a gig. The 24-year-old southpaw was recently promoted to Triple-A after firing a 2.12 ERA across 80.2 innings in Double-A. The most important factor as to why Bush could debut soon is that he’s Rule 5 eligible this offseason and needs to be added to the 40-man roster. No better way for the Sox to find out what Bush can be than tossing him into the rotation down the stretch, where I think he can be a league-average starter. (3% FAAB)
RELIEVERS
10/12 Team Adds
Jeff Hoffman (PHI, 34% CBS Ownership) – Hoffman has picked up two saves since we met last week, and his ownership went down a tick?!? What on earth? (5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Reed Garrett (NYM, 35% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Aroldis Chapman (PIT, 34% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Griffin Jax (MIN, 34% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Daniel Hudson (LAD, 28% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Yimi Garcia (TOR, 27% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Bryan Hudson (MIL, 27% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Chad Green (TOR, 25% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Ryne Stanek (SEA, 23% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB),
15 Team Adds
John Brebbia (CHW, 4% CBS Ownership) – Brebbia’s 2024 turnaround has continued, now down to a 1.23 ERA with 22 Ks over 14.2 innings since June 1. The Sox likely still trade Kopech at the first opportunity they get during the deadline; however, I think Brebbia might stick around. The 34-year-old offers the type of mentorship Chicago has sorely lacked since Liam Hendriks departed and could play a more important role to the team than the prospect lottery ticket he might bring via trade. (1-3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Jason Adam (TBR, 19% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), JoJo Romero (STL, 17% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jeremiah Estrada (SDP, 16% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Luke Weaver (NYY, 15% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Tyler Kinley (COL, 5% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Ben Joyce (LAA, 5% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Porter Hodge (CHC, 2% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
