1. CJ Abrams, 2B/SS, Washington Nationals – I feel like we’re always in this vicious cycle of adding and dropping Abrams. At this point in the season, that’s what it’s about right? Riding the waves.
Well Abrams is riding on one of those waves now and is now hitting at the top of the Nationals' lineup. For those that don’t know, Abrams was once the top prospect in baseball with the San Diego Padres and came over in the Juan Soto deal.
He needs to improve on taking more walks if he wants to stay at the top of the lineup (3.8-percent BB%, which ranks in the bottom three-percent of the league) but make no doubt about it, the kid can steal some bases, now up to 16 on the year. I was a tad shocked he didn’t have 20-plus at the halfway point, but I do expect him to steal more bases moving forward.
In the two games since the All-Star Break, Abrams has gone four-for-nine with five runs scored, one homerun and two stolen bases. But wait, it gets better. Since the start of July:
15-for-39 (.385 AVG) with ten runs scored, one homerun, three RBI and seven stolen bases, to go along with a .429 OBP, .564 SLG and .993 OPS.
At least for this year, don’t expect Abrams to hit for much power but what you can expect is a decent batting average, good on base skills, runs and stolen bases. He gets the Cubs and the Giants next week in a six-game week but then gets the Rockies for three games after next week. Qualifying at both second base and short stop, I like Abrams as a solid add for next week and rest of season. (39% rostered in Yahoo leagues)
2. Aroldis Chapman, RP, Texas Rangers – As a disclaimer, I’ve always been a fan of Chapman, so take that for what it’s worth. I don’t care if you play in a SVs only or HLDs+SVs league, Chapman should be owned. Now you’re probably asking yourself, “Why? He’s not the closer in Texas either!”
As my good friend Lee Corso likes to say, “Not so fast!”. Only 50-percent owned, we learned from the head coach, Bruce Bochy, that Chapman and Will Smith will be sharing the closing duties based on where they are in the opposing lineup come the 9th inning.
For those of you who own Smith, I don’t mean to yuck your yums as Smith has been a great bounce back pitcher for Texas, but Chapman has the better stuff and profiles better as a closer. Smith has done nothing to lose his job and has pitched extremely well this year, but the numbers are in favor of Chapman:
I’d say those numbers are prototypical closer stuff. Over the last 300 pitches thrown, Chapman has 59 whiffs, which ranks sixth. That might have something to do with his 102 mph fastball that he’s still throwing at the age of 35. That is also is the hardest pitch thrown by a Rangers' pitcher in the statcast era (2015-present.) Chapman is a must add in all formats given his production and a share of that closing role for one of the best teams in baseball. Who knows, maybe he takes over full time and that’s what you’re also buying.
I’m also going to just leave this here:
Note the date here. This tweet still applies today and I’m ready for my “thank you.” (51% rostered in Yahoo leagues)
3. Mickey Moniak, OF, Los Angeles Angels – If I still have your attention after those first two players, thanks for continuing to read! So, Mickey Moniak has been decent recently, huh? A former number-one overall pick, has he arrived? Here are some numbers for you:
Over the last two week: 12-for-29 (.414,) five runs scored, two homeruns eight RBI
Over the last month: 23-for-68 (.338,) 11 runs scored, four homeruns, 15 RBI
Hitting in the middle of the lineup now, Moniak has seen consistent playing time now with the injury to Trout. And boy do the Angels need him now more than ever to produce.
I am rooting so hard for this team to not only make the playoffs somehow, but also retain Ohtani, Trout to come back and the Angels give something the fans to cheer about.
If you need an outfielder, Moniak is a solid add. He has an upcoming series next week against the Yankees and Pirates in a six-game week. He then goes to Detroit after next week for three games. So, a solid schedule for Moniak and the Angels to make a run. (27% rostered in Yahoo leagues)
4. Grayson Rodriguez, SP, Baltimore Orioles – Last call, go get Grayson Rodriguez while he’s cheap now.
We should see G-Rod make his return sometime next week or shortly after. If you need me to remind you, I will. Rodriguez was once the number-one pitching prospect in baseball. And no, his first stint in the majors this year did not go as well as Grayson wanted it to, but he’s made the adjustments in Triple-A and looks fixed. His pedigree is just too good to ignore, and he should not be on any waiver wires at this point.
In Triple-A Norfolk: 4-0 with 1.96 ERA, 56 strikeouts, 1.09 WHIP in 41.1 IP throughout eight
games started. He’s ready folks. MUST ADD. (45% rostered in Yahoo leagues)
5. Riley Greene, OF, Detroit Tigers – If was dropped in your league, go get Greene. Another former top prospect in the Tigers lineup was out quite a while when he fractured his fibula. Well, he’s back and gets some favorable matchups next week. He gets a four-game series in Kansas City to begin the week. The Royals own a 5.27 team ERA which is third worse in all of baseball. They have also given up the sixth most hits, the seventh most walks and fourth worst in strikeouts.
He then gets the Padres for three games to make for a seven-game week. The Padres pitchers don’t scare me, and I don’t think they’ll scare Greene either. Since returning from the IL, Greene is 5-for-14 (.357 AVG) with three runs scored, one HR and two RBI.
Bringing his season line to .300 AVG, 32 runs scored, six homeruns, 20 RBI and six stolen bases to go along with a .369 OBP, .452 SLG and a .821 OPS. (64% rostered in Yahoo
leagues)
Best hitter matchups this week:
1. SF
2. NYY
3. ATL
4. ARZ
5. WAS
Worst hitter matchups this week:
1. TOR
2. MIN
3. TEX
4. SEA
5. CWS
Schedule This Week:
- 7 games – BAL, CHC, CIN, DET, KC, MIN, OAK, SF, SEA, STL, TB
- 6 games – ARZ, ATL, BOS, CWS, CLE, HOU, LAA, LAD, MIA, MIL, NYM, NYY, PHI,
PIT, SD, TEX, TOR, WAS
- 5 games – COL
FINAL THOUGHTS: I tweeted this out yesterday, but this is the point in the season where managers lose patience, interest and brain cells. Keep your eye on your league’s transaction history. Pay attention. In less than 24 hours, managers in my home league dropped Starling Marte, Eury Perez and Riley Greene. This is where you come in and swoop in to win your league. Guys like Grayson Rodriguez, Tarik Skubal, Eury Perez should not be on the wire. Add them to your wire, somehow, someway.
As always, I’m here to help. Be sure to follow me at @MKBFantasy on Twitter for daily notes, Q&A, and other useful tips to help you win your league!
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