Is anyone else frustrated like me that Elly De La Cruz has NOT been called up yet? If you are
rostering him, please do not drop. Strong hold. This kid has league winning upside. Just be
patient!
Needed to get that off my chest. Let’s look at five potential pickups for next week:
1. James Paxton, SP, Boston Red Sox – I’ll admit, I was a little skeptical as it’s been forever since he started a major league game. Since 2020, he had only made six total starts and that’s without pitching at all last year. Since his return, in four starts, he has given up two runs or less in three of them. He did have a rough start at the Angles where he gave up five earned runs, but overall, he has looked pretty good.
Also, within those four starts, he has a game with eight strikeouts versus the Reds and a game with nine strikeouts versus the Cardinals. This week he draws a two-start week (@ CLE, @ NYY) and I feel comfortable rolling him out there for at least his start versus the Guardians.
2. Adam Duvall, OF, Boston Red Sox – Another Red Sox player you need to add if he was forgotten about. He has been rehabbing in Triple-A and is expected to return on Friday, June 9th, which happens to be versus the rival Yankees.
Before injuring his wrist, Duvall was hitting at a tune of .455 with 4 homeruns and 14 RBI
with a 1.544 OPS in eight games. I like him as a power outfield bat moving forward, I just
hope the injury doesn’t zap his power. He is the AL version of Jorge Soler. So, if you
missed out on Soler (who has cooled off recently,) I’d be looking to add Duvall.
3. Brandon Drury, 1B/2B/3B, Los Angeles Angels – Just when I think I can let you go, you reel me back in. Qualifying at 1B, 2B, and 3B, Drury has been rolling the past two weeks:
.341 AVG, .426 OBP, .683 SLG, and 1.109 OPS with 8 runs scored, 3 homeruns, and 6 RBI
He also has been hitting in the three spot the past three games, behind Ohtani and Trout. So, if you’re someone that needs help at any of those three positions, he’s a strong add with a six-game schedule coming up (three versus CHC, three versus SEA).
I desperately need 1B help in my home league and I’ve been playing 1B roulette all season. So, Brandon Drury, you are UP!
4. Leody Taveras, OF, Texas Rangers – I want all parts of this Rangers' lineup. The Rangers are the number-one offense in baseball and dropped 16 runs on Seattle on Saturday. While I don’t love Taveras’ spot in the lineup, this team is fantasy gold.
Over the last month: .340 AVG, .385 OBP, .480 SLG, .865 OPS with 15 runs scored, 2 HR,
17 RBI, and 4 SB.
Sign. Me. Up. He gets a six-game week next week (three versus STL, three @ TB.) Those three games in Tampa Bay are must watch TV and we could be looking at an ALCS preview? His statcast numbers also don’t look too shabby either.
5. Andrew Abbott, SP, Cincinnati Reds – Small disclaimer but Andrew Abbott is one of my favorite pitching prospects in baseball. At the time of writing this, he is confirmed to be the starter on Monday versus the Brewers. Before the call, his 2023 MiLb numbers were:
4-0 with a 2.50 ERA, 90 Ks, and a 0.93 WHIP.
I have no idea how long he will be up, but a corresponding move needs to be made so I expect someone, maybe Ashcraft, to land in the IL. So, he’ll have a handful of starts to prove himself. We are talking about the Cincinnati Reds here so who knows. He is worth a flier given the current state of starting pitching