1. Ranger Suarez, SP, Philadelphia Phillies – If he is available in your league, I recommend picking him up. No – he’s not going to set the SP world on fire, but he has been damn good over his last five starts. Of those five starts he’s faced the Mets, Nationals, Dodgers, Diamondbacks and Braves and came away with: 32.2 IP, 1.38 ERA, nine BB, 29 strikeouts and a 1.04 WHIP.
A lot of his success can be attributed to his pitch mix. He has tinkered with cutting down
on his cutter and increasing his curve. He then also uses a 4-seam fastball and changeup.
This week, he draws a two-start week – at the Cubs and a home start versus the
Nationals – sign me up. (40% rostered in Yahoo leagues)
2. Royce Lewis, 3B/SS, Minnesota Twins – I can understand people dropping him. He was struggling and not playing every day, as the Twins try to keep him fresh and ease him back into action.
Well, if he was dropped, it’s time to pick him up! The Twins #2 super prospect coming into today, has been heating up at the plate. He has started in six straight games going 11/24 (.458) with five runs scored, two homeruns, four RBI and one SB.
It doesn’t look like the Twins are going to let him run much but he ranks in the 82nd percentile in sprint speed so far. Hopefully they give him the green light on the basepaths soon.
With his power and speed combo and his prospect pedigree, he makes for a solid add in all formats. If you follow me on Twitter (@MKBFantasy,) you know that I still prefer Matt McLain over him, but Lewis is right behind him. The Twins rank in the middle of the pack in terms of hitter matchups next week, but I feel good about adding him where he’s available. (39% rostered in Yahoo leagues)
3. Brayan Bello, SP, Boston Red Sox – If you miss out on Suarez, Bello is a solid consolation add. Here’s a fun stat – since April 29, over ten starts, Bello has given up three earned runs only once. Every other start has been two earned runs or less. Over that same span, he has 54 strikeouts to 18 walks. In May, he had a 2.67 ERA and so far in June, he has a 2.36 ERA.
If you’re able to grab both Bello and Suarez, do it. With the current state of starting pitching, the offense behind him, and his prospect pedigree – I like him a lot rest of season. Absolute stud who deserves a spot on your fantasy baseball team. He is lined up to face the Marlins at home this week. (50% rostered in Yahoo leagues)
4. Yainer Diaz, C, Houston Astros – A deeper league add, if you need a catcher, look no further than Diaz of the Houston Astros. It’s hard to find a reliable catcher on the waiver wire who plays regularly but going into today – Diaz has played in ten of the last 12 games. Over that span, Diaz is 12 for 43 (.279) with four runs scored, four homeruns and eight RBI.
The Astros are simply a different team without their superstar Yordan Alvarez, but we are still talking about the Houston Astros – a very well-run organization with plenty of stars in it (Altuve, Tucker, Bregman.) Diaz has been hitting between the four and six spots of the lineup so there will be plenty of RBI opportunities for the young catcher.
As I mentioned, if you play in a deeper league and/or if you need a catcher, look no further than Yainer Diaz (18% owned in Yahoo leagues)
5. Bryan Woo, SP, Seattle Mariners – Insert the Ric Flair “woo” gif here. Since his debut on June 3 against the Rangers, Woo has only had one bad start, which was against the Rangers!
His last three starts include:
June 10 @ LAA – 4.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 Ks
June 16 vs CWS – 5.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 9 Ks
June 22 @ NYY – 5.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 Ks
That’s a 2.30 ERA and a 2.28 xFIP. Over his four total starts, Woo has 25 strikeouts to five walks.
I do think the Mariners will limit his innings at some point this season, but he is worth using on Tuesday at home versus the Nationals. If you need starting pitching and Woo is available, add him. (17% rostered in Yahoo leagues)
Schedule this week:
5 games – 0 teams
6 games – ARZ, ATL, BAL, BOS, CHC, CIN, CLE, COL, HOU, KC, LAD, MIA, MIN, NYY,
OAK, PHI, PIT, SEA, STL, TB, TOR, WAS
7 games – CWS, DET, LAA, MIL, NYM, TEX
Easiest hitter matchups:
1. LAD
2. SD
3. SEA
4. PHI
5. DET
Toughest hitter matchups:
1. STL
2. BOS
3. LAA
4. SF
5. KC
Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter at @MKBFantasy for daily notes, tips, Q&A!