With the RazzBowl is well underway, now might be the time you are getting weary of this whole fantasy baseball adventure. Hell, I don’t blame you, writing this in the 143rd Period of the RCL season. Admittedly, it’s a bit facetious to be comparing a daily fantasy baseball lineup to that of a weekly football equivalent. But! There are a lot of little decisions that go into each daily lineup, especially if you are playing the “Where are the Rockies today?” game I’ve been advocating all year. (Both in a “stream at Coors” way and a “their pitching staff is doo-doo” way)
So pat yourself on the back, you’ve made it this far. The standings are still up for grabs because we have boatloads of lineups yet to fill in. If you don’t believe how far you can move up the standings in short order, just ask your league’s Jazz Chisholm owner or Tyler Fitzgerald auction winner. I bet their outlook on 2024 has changed drastically over the last two weeks.
But there are plenty of moves to make, players to be snatched from those waiver pools. The trade deadline created so much chaos that there will likely be fallout for weeks. And even if all fantasy compatriots tried to be diligent in assessing the MLB landscape post-July 30, it was easy to overlook a player or two, leaving them for the taking this weekend.
So let’s get to it, Razzball Fam!
The stats and ownership percentages below are updated as of noon central time on 8/9.
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
Austin Wells (NYY, 40% CBS Ownership) – It’s time we talk about Austin Wells. I had written him off after he was dismal to open the season, slashing .214/.307/.343 with three homers in 163 PAs through June while typically batting eighth or ninth. Since the calendar flipped to July, the 25-year-old has been on a monster tear, slashing .306/.408/.529 with five taters over 104 PAs with nearly even K and BB rates (15.4% and 14.4%, respectively) while regularly hitting cleanup. Oh yeah, and he and the Bronx Bombers get three games against the White Sox this upcoming week. All signs point to Wells being the best catcher add down the stretch if he’s available in your league. (5-7% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Patrick Bailey (SFG, 34% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Travis d’Arnaud (ATL, 30% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Keibert Ruiz (WSN, 26% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Kyle Higashioka (SDP, 8% CBS Ownership) – Higashioka cracked two more bombs this week, and his ownership rate went down. I don’t get it. Long-time readers (okay, I’ve only been around two seasons) will remember that Mitch Garver was a top catcher last year during the middle of summer and lingered on wires, it looks like Higashioka is destined for the same fate. The dude is now slashing .230/.279/.534 (127 wRC+) with 14 homers on the season while getting the lion’s share of playing time in San Diego. And ALERT… the Padres get a three-game series in Colorado next weekend. Higashioka is easily addable in leagues of all depths. (5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Alejandro Kirk (TOR, 13% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Freddy Fermin (KCR, 12% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Joey Bart (PIT, 10% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Adrian Del Castillo (ARI, 5% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Ben Rortvedt (TBR, 4% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
INFIELDERS
10/12 Team Adds
Nolan Schanuel (1B, LAA, 44% CBS Ownership) – Is there a bright spot in Anaheim? It looks like Schanuel is developing in real-time as the 22-year-old has been scorching hot since the All-Star break, finding a new power stroke with a .328/.449/.531 (178 wRC+) slash line over 78 plate appearances with four homers. That line has come with an 8.0% Barrel-rate, which isn’t outstanding, but compared to his career clip of 3.7%, it’s a foundational change. I’ve been sneaking Schanuel into the Quick Hits when the Angels have a slate of home games because Angel Stadium continues to shade hitter friendly, even if it’s slipping a bit. Schanuel and friends host two depleted pitching staffs in Orange County this week in Toronto and Atlanta, which could be a nice week to hop on this Nolan train. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Juan Yepez (1B/OF, WSN, 49% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Zack Gelof (2B, OAK, 47% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Matt Vierling (3B/OF, DET, 42% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Brooks Lee (3B/SS, MIN, 41% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Joey Ortiz (2B/3B, MIL, 34% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Gavin Lux (2B, LAD, 31% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Isiah Kiner-Falefa (2B/3B/SS/OF, PIT, 29% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Brendan Rodgers (2B, COL, 26% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Spencer Horwitz (1B/2B, TOR, 23% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Ty France (1B, CIN, 20% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Ernie Clement (3B/SS, TOR, 17% CBS Ownership) – Quick priors update… where do you think Clement, a former catcher, ranks on Statcast’s sprint metric? Take a beat. Think about it. Okay, was your answer above 50%? I would imagine so since I wouldn’t have created this prompt without a surprising result. How about the surprise of the 83rd percentile? The Blue Jays utilityman has been the biggest benefactor of the deadline housecleaning north of the border, hitting .276 (8-for-29) with three steals since July 30. His sprint speed is not only buoying the steals, but given how much he puts the ball in play with his plate approach (6.5% K-rate, 2.5% BB-rate), he can leg out infield singles. With Clement up to three games at 2B, he could turn into the ultimate deep-league Swiss army knife to provide playing time volume and speed as we close out the season. (3-5% FAAB)
Zach Dezenzo (3B, HOU, 9% CBS Ownership) – Dezenzo, a 12th round pick in 2022, has flown through the Houston farm system post-early season wrist injury, earning a promotion to the big leagues with an immediate role at 1B/DH. He performed well at Double-A last year with 14 homers across 63 games and is known for a classic prodigious power/lots of swing-and-miss combo. This late in the season, I’m okay with being aggressive on players with lots of unknowns like Dezenzo because the ceiling can be pretty extraordinary, especially if he carves out a full-time role at the cold corner. I have some faith in the Houston scouting/development team, and it’s extremely telling that they slow-played (and eventually dealt) Joey Loperfido while letting Dezenzo blaze a trail like this. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Angel Martinez (2B/OF, CLE, 16% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jose Iglesias (2B/3B/SS, NYM, 14% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Whit Merrifield (ATL, 2B/3B/OF, 13% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Geraldo Perdomo (2B/SS, ARI, 12% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Addison Barger (3B/OF, TOR, 4% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jonah Bride (1B/3B, MIA, 2% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Dominic Smith (1B, BOS, 1% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Otto Lopez (2B/3B, MIA, 3% CBS Ownership) – Lopez has won the lottery of playing time in the Miami infield, starting five of the last six games. He’s a glove-first player that will ride the playing time to roughly a 25 stolen base full-season pace. He’s also hitting in the middle-of-the-order with his career 65 wRC+ bat, because… Marlins. So look for a .240-.250 average with speed and more RBI than you might initially expect. (7% FAAB)
Bligh Madris (1B, DET, 1% CBS Ownership) – The carousel of playing time in Detroit has stopped in Madris’ favor lately, as the 28-year-old journeyman is slashing .319/.353/.447 to open his tenure with the Tigers. Sure, that line is inflated by a .452 BABIP, but he’s crushed the ball to the tune of a 15.6% Barrel rate, 46.9% HardHit rate, and 28.1% line drive rate. Is that sustainable? No. But, the outcomes were deserved considering how hard he’s been smashing the ball. Ride the hot hand here while you can because A.J. Hinch and the Tigers sure will. (5-7% FAAB)
OUTFIELDERS
10/12 Team Adds
Jo Adell (LAA, 31% CBS Ownership) – Are there two bright spots in Anaheim? Just like MarmosDad, I can’t hop off the bumpy Adell train, especially given that he’s put up a .254/.371/.356 (113 wRC+) slash line with a homer and four steals over 70 plate appearances since the All-Star break. Even more encouragingly, the 25-year-old posted a 24.3% K rate and 11.4% BB rate over the span. If he can keep walking, the steals will be there. He’s also still doing damage with a 9.5% Barrel rate while cutting those Ks. It’s hard to not start getting a little excited given the nice ballpark and full run to play as much as he can handle over the next six-ish weeks. (5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Eloy Jimenez (DH, BAL, 49% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Brandon Marsh (PHI, 46% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Michael Conforto (SFG, 42% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Tommy Pham (STL, 36% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jacob Young (WSN, 36% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Victor Robles (SEA, 32% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Lars Nootbaar (STL, 32% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Harrison Bader (NYM, 30% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Pete Crow-Armstrong (CHC, 24% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB) Jake Fraley (CIN, 23% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Matt Wallner (MIN, 20% CBS Ownership) – Please run and get Wallner ASAP, as he swings a huge power bat that will pace to around 40 homers given the Savant profile. He’s in the realm of the Kyle Schwarber and Joey Gallo mold in which the batting average will peak around .250 and the floor is cavernous, but the long balls will keep rolling in while he’s in the lineup. (5-7% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Garrett Mitchell (MIL, 15% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Hunter Renfroe (KCR, 15% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Austin Hays (PHI, 14% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jesus Sanchez (MIA, 14% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Mike Yastrzemski (SFG, 14% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Luke Raley (1B/OF, SEA, 13% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Victor Scott (STL, 11% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Jerar Encarnacion (SFG, 3% CBS Ownership) – How on earth do the Giants keep doing this with fringe players? After falling out of favor in the Marlins’ system, Encarnacion was rubbing elbows with Robby Cano in the Mexican League before signing with San Francisco. Whatever magic dust the Giants sprinkled on Jerar in Triple-A worked, as he trimmed his K-rate to 24.0% in 146 plate appearances compared to running a 38.8% clip in 2023 with Jacksonville. In his 26 big league PAs so far, he’s already smoked a ball 112.3 mph; it’s easy to see why the Giants moved on from Soler when they had the Aldi version of him marinating in the minors. If Encarnacion can keep his K-rate in the low-to-mid 30’s, he can stick and flash major power with a .220 batting average. (5-7% FAAB)
Corey Julks (CHW, 0% CBS Ownership) – I feel the universe out there screaming at me, “Stop trying to make Julks happen!” but this is exactly the type of player with decent upside the Sox should be playing every day down the stretch in evaluation for 2025. The Southsiders get two of their six games next week against lefties, which should put Julks into the lineup. I’m holding out hope for one more week that new manager Grady Sizemore sees the promise in Julks and grants him more playing time from here on out. (1% FAAB)
STARTING PITCHERS
10/12 Team Adds
Paul Blackburn (NYM, 46% CBS Ownership) – It’s amazing when everything aligns to make my picks easy. Blackburn has a two-start week with home outings against Oakland and Miami. Bid aggressively because everyone else will be in on adding Blackburn too. (7% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: River Ryan (LAD, 49% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Tyler Phillips (PHI, 42% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Andrew Heaney (TEX, 33% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), David Peterson (NYM, 33% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Spencer Arrighetti (HOU, 33% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Ryne Nelson (ARI, 32% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), David Festa (MIN, 27% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Edward Cabrera (MIA, 26% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Trevor Rogers (BAL, 25% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Alex Cobb (CLE, 23% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Albert Suarez (BAL, 14% CBS Ownership) – At BP this week (sub required), Nathan Grimm advocated for nicknaming Suarez, “El Gato,” due to his propensity to keep bouncing back, having nine lives like a cat. I’m on board. And this week proves El Gato’s resurrective ways, with Grayson Rodriguez’s lat injury opening a spot in the rotation for Suarez again. Don’t expect Grayson to return soon, as Baltimore needs him right for the playoffs. Suarez has been a dependable arm, pitching to a 3.66 ERA, 3.76 FIP, and 7.2 K/9 over 83.2 innings this season, and should garner plenty of opportunities at wins with the Orioles. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Jonathan Cannon (CHW, 10% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Mitch Spence (OAK, 9% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Cade Cavalli (WSN, 8% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Kyle Hendricks (CHC, 7% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Randy Vasquez (SDP, 6% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Grant Holmes (ATL, 5% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Shaun Anderson (MIA, 0% CBS Ownership) – With the Marlins entire roster, both lineup and rotation, in flux constantly, they have become a salve for NL-Only competitors out there to fill in fantasy roster gaps. The 29-year-old Anderson has bounced around affiliated and foreign ball since 2016 and produced decent strikeout numbers (typically settling in the mid-20% range for K rates) and could find himself in the Miami rotation soon. He was demoted this past week after making a blah spot start against Cincy (four earned runs in 5.1 innings with a pair of Ks), so isn’t eligible to return for a bit. But Anderson is stretched out to start and sports a dirty 135 Stuff+ slider. If desperate for some production from a starter and able to stash him on your bench for a week or so, I’m not sure anyone is as close to a rotation spot in the NL as Anderson. (1% FAAB)
Tyler Alexander (TBR, 1% CBS Ownership) – Alexander picked up a win with 4.1 scoreless innings and five Ks in a bulk relief outing this week. Let the good times roll. (3-5% FAAB)
RELIEVERS
10/12 Team Adds
Daniel Hudson (LAD, 49% CBS Ownership) – This is probably the last week of having Hudson in this section with his ownership creeping up a percent. He’s sporting a 1.76 ERA and 0.85 WHIP with 48 Ks in 46 innings pitched on the season. They wily vet is a standout reliever that should collect plenty of saves for the Dodgers over the stretch run. (5% FAAB)
Ben Joyce (LAA, 46% CBS Ownership) – Joyce is absolutely the one to own in the Angels bullpen, collecting his first save this past Saturday. Sure, Roansy Contreras picked up the latest Anaheim save, but that was on Sunday after Joyce had pitched two of the last three days. The 23-year-old Joyce has a closer’s arsenal and looks like he’s going to settle into this role for the Angels for multiple years. He’s a huge dynasty target. (5% FAAB)
Ryan Walker (SFG, 20% CBS Ownership) – With Camilo Doval’s surprise demotion to Triple-A, Bob Melvin already announced that Walker would get the first crack at the closer’s job. The former 31st rounder was already owned in lots of spots because he’s been a stellar reliever with a 2.24 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 24.9% K-BB rate over 60.1 innings. He has the chance to be a special reliever for the stretch run given his solid production and 127 Stuff+ slider. (9-11% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Griffin Jax (MIN, 30% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Yennier Cano (BAL, 29% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), A.J. Puk (ARI, 25% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Michael Kopech (LAD, 24% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Hunter Harvey (KCR, 22% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Yimi Garcia (SEA, 21% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Justin Martinez (ARI, 17% CBS Ownership) & Kevin Ginkel (ARI, 14% CBS Ownership) – With Paul Sewald’s official demotion from the closer role, the Arizona bullpen has turned into a game of saves roulette. The 23-year-old rookie Martinez appears to be in the pole position currently, locking up the last two saves, including one coming on the tail of a Ryan Thompson blown save. The other save earned this week went to A.J. Puk. However, Ginkel probably has the best resume of any candidates here, firing 3.24 ERA with 11.3 K/9 across 16.2 innings since July 1, plus was the “Snakes Alive!” hero of the 2023 postseason run. If hard up for saves, cast your net wide across your favorite Arizona bullpen arms. My current ranking is as follows: 1) Ginkel, 2) Martinez, 3) Puk, 4) Thompson, which is likely to be totally re-shuffled next week. Best of luck to us all. (3-5% FAAB each)
QUICK HITS: David Robertson (TEX, 20% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Victor Vodnik (COL, 17% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Lucas Erceg (KCR, 14% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Jeremiah Estrada (SDP, 14% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Calvin Faucher (MIA, 8% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Tyler Holton (DET, 6% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Garrett Cleavinger (TBR, 6% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), John Brebbia (CHW, 3% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
