Five weeks in and a lot has happened. We have had some rookie sensations, MVP caliber performances, super dud pitching, and everything in between.
We have enough of a sample size of data to be able to make some moves. Where we can begin looking to sell high or buy low. We may even find some injured list stash players with upside to help you down the road.
That being said, let’s see where we stand this week…
Batting Average (AVG)
Top 25
Rank | Name | Team | Position | Change |
1 | Jose Altuve | HOU | 2B | – |
2 | Mike Trout | LAA | OF | – |
3 | J.D. Martinez | BOS | OF | – |
4 | Christian Yelich | MIL | OF | +1 |
5 | Freddie Freeman | ATL | 1B | -1 |
6 | Mookie Betts | BOS | OF | – |
7 | Nolan Arenado | COL | 3B | +1 |
8 | Jean Segura | PHI | SS | +1 |
9 | Michael Brantley | HOU | OF | +2 |
10 | Joey Votto | CIN | 1B | -3 |
11 | Justin Turner | LAD | 3B | -1 |
12 | Anthony Rendon | WSH | 3B | +1 |
13 | Lorenzo Cain | MIL | OF | -1 |
14 | Charlie Blackmon | COL | OF | – |
15 | Alex Bregman | HOU | 3B/SS | – |
16 | Whit Merrifield | KC | 1B/2B/OF | +1 |
17 | Xander Bogaerts | BOS | SS | -1 |
18 | David Peralta | ARZ | OF | +3 |
19 | Paul Goldschmidt | STL | 1B | – |
20 | Bryce Harper | PHI | OF | – |
21 | Robinson Cano | NYM | 1B/2B | +1 |
22 | Kris Bryant | CHC | 3B/OF | -4 |
23 | Elvis Andrus | TEX | SS | – |
24 | Andrew Benintendi | BOS | OF | – |
25 | Cody Bellinger | LAD | 1B/OF | Unranked |
Off the List: Dee Gordon
David Peralta is continuing to show that he will be a very good source of AVG, albeit with a .405 BABIP right now. The past two seasons he has posted a BABIP around .330 and has put up a .293 AVG in each of the past two campaigns, therefore there really should not be any doubt in his ability to keep it up to an extent.
Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)
Rank | Name | Team | Position | Change |
1 | Jeff McNeil | NYM | 2B | – |
2 | Jorge Polanco | MIN | SS | – |
3 | Nick Markakis | ATL | OF | – |
4 | Shin-Soo Choo | TEX | OF | Unranked |
5 | Eduardo Escobar | ARZ | 3B/SS | Unranked |
6 | Jesse Winker | CIN | OF | +4 |
7 | Dwight Smith Jr. | BAL | OF | Unranked |
8 | David Fletcher | LAA | 2B/3B/OF | Unranked |
9 | Adam Frazier | PIT | 2B/OF | – |
10 | Renato Nunez | BAL | 3B | Unranked |
Off the List: Alex Gordon (ownership), Jason Heyward (ownership), Ben Zobrist, Manuel Margot, Avisail Garcia
The fact that Alex Gordon and Jason Heyward’s ownership have gotten too high for this list but Jorge Polanco is still widely unowned is just silly. Polanco is sadly owned in only 53% of Yahoo! leagues. He is shaping up to be a very legit hitter who has increased his launch angle while hitting the ball harder than ever before. This guy could easily be a top-10 SS by season’s end.
Runs (R)
Top 25
Rank | Name | Team | Position | Change |
1 | Christian Yelich | MIL | OF | +2 |
2 | Mookie Betts | BOS | OF | -1 |
3 | Mike Trout | LAA | OF | -1 |
4 | George Springer | HOU | OF | – |
5 | Jose Altuve | HOU | 2B | – |
6 | J.D. Martinez | BOS | OF | – |
7 | Charlie Blackmon | COL | OF | – |
8 | Bryce Harper | PHI | OF | – |
9 | Ronald Acuna Jr. | ATL | OF | – |
10 | Nolan Arenado | COL | 3B | – |
11 | Andrew McCutchen | PHI | OF | – |
12 | Jean Segura | PHI | SS | – |
13 | Cody Bellinger | LAD | 1B/OF | +2 |
14 | Lorenzo Cain | MIL | OF | – |
15 | Anthony Rendon | WSH | 3B | +3 |
16 | Matt Carpenter | STL | 1B/2B/3B | – |
17 | Tommy Pham | TB | OF | – |
18 | Freddie Freeman | ATL | 1B | +1 |
19 | Paul Goldschmidt | STL | 1B | +2 |
20 | Juan Soto | WSH | OF | – |
21 | Ozzie Albies | ATL | 2B | Unranked |
22 | Fernando Tatis Jr. | SD | SS | Unranked |
23 | Mitch Haniger | SEA | OF | +1 |
24 | Adam Eaton | WSH | OF | -1 |
25 | Alex Bregman | HOU | 3B/SS | -3 |
Off the List: Aaron Judge (injury), Andrew Benintendi
This time last week, the Padres inserted their franchise shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. into the leadoff spot and he has flourished. Tatis is an excellent candidate for a leadoff guy and it was only a matter of time before he hit his way to the top. The 20-year old has great on-base skills and is the kind of aggressive base runner you want hitting atop your lineup.
Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)
Rank | Name | Team | Position | Change |
1 | Jorge Polanco | MIN | SS | +1 |
2 | Brett Gardner | NYY | OF | -1 |
3 | Shin-Soo Choo | TEX | OF | +1 |
4 | Dwight Smith Jr. | BAL | OF | +4 |
5 | Nick Markakis | ATL | OF | Unranked |
6 | Kevin Kiermaier | TB | OF | – |
7 | Leury Garcia | CHW | OF | +3 |
8 | Brandon Lowe | TB | 2B/OF | Unranked |
9 | Adam Frazier | PIT | 2B/OF | -4 |
10 | Randal Grichuk | TOR | OF | Unranked |
Off the List: Alex Gordon (ownership), Jason Heyward (ownership), Jay Bruce
Dwight Smith Jr. keeps forcing his way into relevancy with his play here in the early going. He is doing a little bit of everything right now and is certainly with a look especially in five outfielder roto leagues.
Home Runs (HR)
Top 25
Rank | Name | Team | Position | Change |
1 | Khris Davis | OAK | OF | – |
2 | J.D. Martinez | BOS | OF | – |
3 | Nolan Arenado | COL | 3B | +1 |
4 | Joey Gallo | TEX | 1B/OF | +2 |
5 | Mike Trout | LAA | OF | – |
6 | Cody Bellinger | LAD | 1B/OF | +1 |
7 | Bryce Harper | PHI | OF | +1 |
8 | Paul Goldschmidt | STL | 1B | +1 |
9 | Christian Yelich | MIL | OF | +1 |
10 | Rhys Hoskins | PHI | 1B/OF | +1 |
11 | Edwin Encarnacion | SEA | 1B | +2 |
12 | Nelson Cruz | MIN | UT | – |
13 | Manny Machado | SD | 3B/SS | +1 |
14 | Javier Baez | CHC | 2B/3B/SS | +1 |
15 | Trevor Story | COL | SS | +1 |
16 | Matt Chapman | OAK | 3B | +2 |
17 | Marcell Ozuna | STL | OF | +3 |
18 | Mike Moustakas | MIL | 2B/3B | -1 |
19 | Pete Alonso | NYM | 1B | +2 |
20 | Ronald Acuna Jr. | ATL | OF | +2 |
21 | Mookie Betts | BOS | OF | -2 |
22 | Gary Sanchez | NYY | C | +1 |
23 | Charlie Blackmon | COL | OF | Unranked |
24 | Anthony Rizzo | CHC | 1B | +1 |
25 | George Springer | HOU | OF | Unranked |
Off the List: Aaron Judge (injury), Kris Bryant
A lot of the movement this week is primarily due to the oblique injury suffered by Aaron Judge this past week. Pete Alonso continues to move his way up this list as the Mets are looking smarter by the day for their decision to have him break camp with the big club, as he undoubtedly should have. While his AVG may be due for some negative regression, there is no question his power is going to play all year long and for many years to come. The dude mashes.
Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)
Rank | Name | Team | Position | Change |
1 | Franmil Reyes | SD | OF | Unranked |
2 | Hunter Dozier | KC | 1B/3B | +5 |
3 | Jay Bruce | SEA | OF | -2 |
4 | Mitch Moreland | BOS | 1B | – |
5 | Christian Walker | ARZ | 1B | +3 |
6 | Randal Grichuk | TOR | OF | -1 |
7 | Max Kepler | MIN | OF | -1 |
8 | Asdrubal Cabrera | TEX | 2B/3B/SS | Unranked |
9 | Rowdy Tellez | TOR | 1B | Unranked |
10 | Yandy Diaz | TB | 1B/3B | -1 |
Off the List: Daniel Vogelbach (ownership), Clint Frazier (injury), Hunter Renfroe
Franmil Reyes was a popular name heading into the season among fantasy baseball circles but was then all but forgotten after a horrible start to the year. Playing time was an issue for the power hitting outfielder but it appears he is sticking around now. Reyes has the pop to be a nice addition and could carry you any single week in head-to-head formats when he is hot.
Runs Batted In (RBI)
Top 25
Rank | Name | Team | Position | Change |
1 | Khris Davis | OAK | OF | – |
2 | J.D. Martinez | BOS | OF | – |
3 | Nolan Arenado | COL | 3B | – |
4 | Christian Yelich | MIL | OF | – |
5 | Cody Bellinger | LAD | 1B/OF | +1 |
6 | Edwin Encarnacion | SEA | 1B | -1 |
7 | Bryce Harper | PHI | OF | – |
8 | Rhys Hoskins | PHI | 1B/OF | – |
9 | Paul Goldschmidt | STL | 1B | – |
10 | Freddie Freeman | ATL | 1B | +1 |
11 | Nelson Cruz | MIN | UT | -1 |
12 | Juan Soto | WSH | OF | – |
13 | Manny Machado | SD | 3B/SS | – |
14 | Anthony Rendon | WSH | 3B | +1 |
15 | Anthony Rizzo | CHC | 1B | +1 |
16 | Ronald Acuna Jr. | ATL | OF | +2 |
17 | Marcell Ozuna | STL | OF | +4 |
18 | Trevor Story | COL | SS | -1 |
19 | Mike Trout | LAA | OF | -1 |
20 | Javier Baez | CHC | 2B/3B/SS | -1 |
21 | Joey Gallo | TEX | 1B/OF | Unranked |
22 | Pete Alonso | NYM | 1B | +1 |
23 | Alex Bregman | HOU | 3B/SS | – |
24 | Mookie Betts | BOS | OF | – |
25 | Domingo Santana | SEA | OF | – |
Off the List: Aaron Judge (injury)
Joey Gallo is off to a notable start in the AVG department. We all know that won’t last, but Gallo should have no problem exceeding 90 RBI as he did in 2018. He has barreled up the ball so well that if he falls to a .230-.240 AVG, it will do wonders for his fantasy value.
Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)
Rank | Name | Team | Position | Change |
1 | Josh Bell | PIT | 1B | +1 |
2 | Jay Bruce | SEA | 1B/OF | -1 |
3 | Mitch Moreland | BOS | 1B | +1 |
4 | Justin Smoak | TOR | 1B | +1 |
5 | Ketel Marte | ARZ | 2B/SS/OF | Unranked |
6 | Rowdy Tellez | TOR | 1B | Unranked |
7 | Dansby Swanson | ATL | SS | +1 |
8 | Chad Pinder | OAK | 2B/3B/OF | +1 |
9 | Randal Grichuk | TOR | OF | -2 |
10 | Jorge Soler | KC | OF | – |
Off the List: Daniel Vogelbach (ownership), Hunter Renfroe
Ketel Marte is finally healthy, is getting an opportunity in the D-Backs’ lineup, and is making the most of it. He seems to have a nose for driving in runs batting around the middle of the lineup and should hold value all year, especially when you consider his speed.
Stolen Bases (SB)
Top 25
Rank | Name | Team | Position | Change |
1 | Whit Merrifield | KC | 1B/2B/OF | – |
2 | Mallex Smith | SEA | OF | – |
3 | Adalberto Mondesi | KC | 2B/SS | – |
4 | Dee Gordon | SEA | 2B/SS/OF | – |
5 | Tim Anderson | CHW | SS | +2 |
6 | Billy Hamilton | KC | OF | +2 |
7 | Jonathan Villar | BAL | SS | -2 |
8 | Victor Robles | WSH | OF | +2 |
9 | Lorenzo Cain | MIL | OF | – |
10 | Starling Marte | PIT | OF | -2 |
11 | Tommy Pham | TB | OF | – |
12 | Jose Ramirez | CLE | 2B/3B | +3 |
13 | Mike Trout | LAA | OF | – |
14 | Jose Altuve | HOU | 2B | -2 |
15 | Byron Buxton | MIN | OF | +1 |
16 | Mookie Betts | BOS | OF | -2 |
17 | Delino DeShields | TEX | OF | +2 |
18 | Trevor Story | COL | SS | +3 |
19 | Elvis Andrus | TEX | SS | -2 |
20 | Jean Segura | PHI | SS | -2 |
21 | Christian Yelich | MIL | OF | -1 |
22 | Fernando Tatis Jr. | SD | SS | Unranked |
23 | Andrew Benintendi | BOS | OF | – |
24 | Javier Baez | CHC | 2B/3B/SS | – |
25 | Ender Inciarte | ATL | OF | -2 |
Off the List: Ronald Acuna Jr.
With their fair share of injuries, the Nationals have moved Victor Robles into the two hole in their lineup. He earned that promotion in the order after hitting well at the bottom of the order most of the year. The Nationals will eventually get healthy and Robles will likely be pushed back down, I am hoping they keep him towards the top.
Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)
Rank | Name | Team | Position | Change |
1 | Delino DeShields | TEX | OF | – |
2 | Leury Garcia | CHW | OF | – |
3 | Kevin Kiermaier | TB | OF | – |
4 | Brett Gardner | NYY | OF | – |
5 | Jarrod Dyson | ARZ | OF | – |
6 | Kevin Pillar | SF | OF | – |
7 | Dwight Smith Jr. | BAL | OF | +3 |
8 | David Fletcher | LAA | 2B/3B | -1 |
9 | Garrett Hampson | COL | 2B/SS | – |
10 | Adam Frazier | PIT | 2B/OF | -2 |
Off the List: None
Not much in terms of changes. Quality steals are pretty scarce and if you need them it is probably going to have to be via trade.
On-Base Percentage (OBP)
Top 25
Rank | Name | Team | Position | Change |
1 | Mike Trout | LAA | OF | – |
2 | Bryce Harper | PHI | OF | – |
3 | Freddie Freeman | ATL | 1B | +1 |
4 | Joey Votto | CIN | 1B | -1 |
5 | Alex Bregman | HOU | 3B/SS | +1 |
6 | Jose Altuve | HOU | 2B | +1 |
7 | Anthony Rendon | WSH | 3B | +2 |
8 | J.D. Martinez | BOS | OF | – |
9 | Christian Yelich | MIL | OF | +1 |
10 | Lorenzo Cain | MIL | OF | +1 |
11 | Cody Bellinger | LAD | 1B/OF | +3 |
12 | Mookie Betts | BOS | BOS | – |
13 | Paul Goldschmidt | STL | 1B | – |
14 | Juan Soto | WSH | OF | +1 |
15 | Andrew McCutchen | PHI | OF | +1 |
16 | Rhys Hoskins | PHI | 1B/OF | +2 |
17 | Kris Bryant | CHC | 3B/OF | – |
18 | Nolan Arenado | COL | 3B | +2 |
19 | Tommy Pham | TB | OF | +5 |
20 | Matt Carpenter | STL | 1B | -1 |
21 | Shin-Soo Choo | TEX | OF | – |
22 | Anthony Rizzo | CHC | 1B | – |
23 | Carlos Santana | CLE | 1B/3B | Unranked |
24 | Michael Conforto | NYM | OF | +1 |
25 | Edwin Encarnacion | SEA | 1B | -2 |
Off the List: Aaron Judge (injury)
With his vision issues out of sight, Tommy Pham is certainly putting those shiny new peepers to good use and is currently sporting a .400+ OBP. Pham is a multi-category contributor in fantasy and far more valuable in OBP leagues. Somehow, he continues to be somewhat underrated.
Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)
Rank | Name | Team | Position | Change |
1 | Shin-Soo Choo | TEX | OF | +2 |
2 | Brett Gardner | NYY | OF | – |
3 | Jeff McNeil | NYM | 2B/OF | +5 |
4 | Ben Zobrist | CHC | 2B/OF | -3 |
5 | Nick Markakis | ATL | OF | – |
6 | Josh Bell | PIT | 1B | – |
7 | Jorge Polanco | MIN | SS | Unranked |
8 | Hunter Dozier | KC | 1B/3B | Unranked |
9 | Dansby Swanson | ATL | SS | – |
10 | Niko Goodrum | DET | 1B/2B/3B/SS/OF | – |
Off the List: Joc Pederson (ownership), Yonder Alonso
Brett Gardner remains a staple on this list. He has always been a great source of OBP, and will also chip in his fair share of runs and stolen bases. The fact that he is still roughly 70% available with all the injuries to the Yankees starting nine is odd.
Wins (W)
Top 25
Rank | Name | Team | Position | Change |
1 | Max Scherzer | WSH | SP | – |
2 | Justin Verlander | HOU | SP | – |
3 | Trevor Bauer | CLE | SP | +2 |
4 | Blake Snell | TB | SP | – |
5 | Corey Kluber | CLE | SP | -2 |
6 | Jacob deGrom | NYM | SP | – |
7 | Aaron Nola | PHI | SP | +1 |
8 | Gerrit Cole | HOU | SP | +1 |
9 | Patrick Corbin | WSH | SP | +2 |
10 | James Paxton | NYY | SP | +2 |
11 | Carlos Carrasco | CLE | SP | -4 |
12 | Chris Sale | BOS | SP | -2 |
13 | Jose Berrios | MIN | SP | +1 |
14 | Zack Greinke | ARZ | SP | +2 |
15 | German Marquez | COL | SP | – |
16 | Noah Syndergaard | NYM | SP | -3 |
17 | Clayton Kershaw | LAD | SP | +1 |
18 | Jameson Taillon | PIT | SP | -1 |
19 | Luis Castillo | CIN | SP | +3 |
20 | Walker Buehler | LAD | SP | +1 |
21 | Masahiro Tanaka | NYY | SP | -1 |
22 | Tyler Glasnow | TB | SP/RP | +3 |
23 | Charlie Morton | TB | SP | – |
24 | Stephen Strasburg | WSH | SP | – |
25 | Marco Gonzales | SEA | SP | Unranked |
Off the List: Kyle Freeland
I finally caved and put Marco Gonzales on the list. As I am writing this, he still leads the league in wins, so I feel like he needs to be acknowledged until further notice. I could very well see Gonzales joining the likes of Rick Porcello, Jason Vargas, and Chris Tillman in recent years, or guys who seemingly do not fit in among league leaders in victories come season’s end. Although, Gonzales is far more talented pitcher than any of those three.
Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)
Rank | Name | Team | Position | Change |
1 | Frankie Montas | OAK | SP | +1 |
2 | Mike Minor | TEX | SP | -1 |
3 | Yonny Chirinos | TB | SP/RP | +4 |
4 | Brett Anderson | OAK | SP | +1 |
5 | Zach Eflin | PHI | SP | -1 |
6 | Jordan Lyles | PIT | SP | Unranked |
7 | Mike Leake | SEA | SP | Unranked |
8 | Jeff Samardzija | SF | SP | Unranked |
9 | Dereck Rodriguez | SF | SP | Unranked |
10 | Zach Davies | MIL | SP | Unranked |
Off the List: Max Fried (ownership), Marcus Stroman (ownership), Domingo German (ownership), Ryan Yarbrough, Jhoulys Chacin
Yonny Chirinos has somewhat taken on and run with Ryan Yarbrough’s role from a year ago. Whether it is starting or taking on the bulk of the innings after an opener, Chirinos has a very good chance at racking up some victories.
Earned Run Average (ERA)
Top 25
Rank | Name | Team | Position | Change |
1 | Jacob deGrom | NYM | SP | – |
2 | Max Scherzer | WSH | SP | – |
3 | Trevor Bauer | CLE | SP | – |
4 | Blake Snell | TB | SP | – |
5 | Justin Verlander | HOU | SP | – |
6 | Chris Sale | BOS | SP | – |
7 | Gerrit Cole | HOU | SP | – |
8 | Corey Kluber | CLE | SP | – |
9 | Aaron Nola | PHI | SP | – |
10 | Noah Syndergaard | NYM | SP | – |
11 | Carlos Carrasco | CLE | SP | – |
12 | Patrick Corbin | WSH | SP | – |
13 | Jose Berrios | MIN | SP | +1 |
14 | James Paxton | NYY | SP | +1 |
15 | Jameson Taillon | PIT | SP | -2 |
16 | Clayton Kershaw | LAD | SP | – |
17 | Charlie Morton | TB | SP | +1 |
18 | German Marquez | COL | SP | +1 |
19 | Luis Castillo | CIN | SP | +2 |
20 | Walker Buehler | LAD | SP | -3 |
21 | Kyle Hendricks | CHC | SP | -1 |
22 | Shane Bieber | CLE | SP | – |
23 | Stephen Strasburg | WSH | SP | – |
24 | Tyler Glasnow | TB | SP/RP | – |
25 | Zack Greinke | ARZ | SP | Unranked |
Off the List: Madison Bumgarner
I just cannot get enough of Luis Castillo. He is every bit of the ace we were hoping for a year ago. I am all in, buying anywhere I can.
Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)
Rank | Name | Team | Position | Change |
1 | Trevor Williams | PIT | SP | – |
2 | Mike Minor | TEX | SP | +3 |
3 | Frankie Montas | OAK | SP | +7 |
4 | Caleb Smith | MIA | SP | Unranked |
5 | Sonny Gray | CIN | SP/RP | +2 |
6 | Jeff Samardzija | SF | SP | – |
7 | Brad Keller | KC | SP/RP | -4 |
8 | Aaron Sanchez | TOR | SP | Unranked |
9 | Trevor Richards | MIA | SP | -1 |
10 | Merrill Kelly | ARZ | SP | -1 |
Off the List: Marcus Stroman (ownership), Max Fried (ownership)
The new splitter that Frankie Montas has introduced this year has been the difference maker. Montas already pumps into the upper 90’s, but now this splitter that falls off the table to hitters has them all sorts of fooled. We could be looking at a breakout.
Strikeouts (K)
Top 25
Rank | Name | Team | Position | Change |
1 | Max Scherzer | WSH | SP | – |
2 | Jacob deGrom | NYM | SP | – |
3 | Justin Verlander | HOU | SP | – |
4 | Gerrit Cole | HOU | SP | – |
5 | Trevor Bauer | CLE | SP | – |
6 | Blake Snell | TB | SP | – |
7 | James Paxton | NYY | SP | – |
8 | Chris Sale | BOS | SP | – |
9 | Carlos Carrasco | CLE | SP | – |
10 | Corey Kluber | CLE | SP | – |
11 | Patrick Corbin | WSH | SP | +1 |
12 | German Marquez | COL | SP | +1 |
13 | Noah Syndergaard | NYM | SP | -2 |
14 | Jose Berrios | MIN | SP | – |
15 | Charlie Morton | TB | SP | – |
16 | Aaron Nola | PHI | SP | – |
17 | Robbie Ray | ARZ | SP | +1 |
18 | Walker Buehler | LAD | SP | -1 |
19 | Chris Archer | PIT | SP | +2 |
20 | Stephen Strasburg | WSH | SP | – |
21 | Jack Flaherty | STL | SP | -2 |
22 | Luis Castillo | CIN | SP | – |
23 | Zack Greinke | ARZ | SP | – |
24 | Matthew Boyd | DET | SP | – |
25 | Clayton Kershaw | LAD | SP | – |
Off the List: None
I was vehement that Chris Archer was personae non gratae coming into this year, but he is doing his best to make me reconsider. His slider usage is down and his fastball usage is up, which, when looking back, was the formula to his 2015 success. It is surprising to witness this consider his fastball was horrid the past couple years.
Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)
Rank | Name | Team | Position | Change |
1 | Caleb Smith | MIA | SP | +2 |
2 | Derek Holland | SF | SP | – |
3 | Brandon Woodruff | MIL | SP/RP | -2 |
4 | Jakob Junis | KC | SP | – |
5 | Spencer Turnbull | DET | SP | +1 |
6 | Luke Weaver | ARZ | SP/RP | +2 |
7 | Pablo Lopez | MIA | SP | Unranked |
8 | Vince Velasquez | PHI | SP | Unranked |
9 | Reynaldo Lopez | CHW | SP | Unranked |
10 | Dylan Bundy | BAL | SP | – |
Off the List: Carlos Rodon (ownership), Domingo German (ownership), Lucas Giolito
Vince Velasquez might finally be figuring it out. His velocity is up a tick and he is throwing his fastball more often with good command. It feels like a lifetime ago when he struck out 16 Padres and everyone wanted their share of him. Here’s to hoping he has finally turned the corner.
Saves (SV)
Top 25
Rank | Name | Team | Position | Change |
1 | Edwin Diaz | NYM | RP | – |
2 | Blake Treinen | OAK | RP | – |
3 | Kenley Jansen | LAD | RP | – |
4 | Roberto Osuna | HOU | RP | +1 |
5 | Brad Hand | CLE | RP | +1 |
6 | Aroldis Chapman | NYY | RP | -2 |
7 | Kirby Yates | SD | RP | +1 |
8 | Felipe Vazquez | PIT | RP | -1 |
9 | Sean Doolittle | WSH | RP | +1 |
10 | Ken Giles | TOR | RP | +1 |
11 | Jordan Hicks | STL | RP | +2 |
12 | Josh Hader | MIL | RP | – |
13 | Jose Leclerc | TEX | RP | -4 |
14 | Wade Davis | COL | RP | -1 |
15 | Greg Holland | ARZ | RP | – |
16 | A.J. Minter | ATL | RP | – |
17 | Shane Greene | DET | RP | +3 |
18 | Ryan Brasier | BOS | RP | Unranked |
19 | Raisel Iglesias | CIN | RP | +3 |
20 | Will Smith | SF | RP | +1 |
21 | Alex Colome | CHW | RP | -4 |
22 | Jose Alvarado | TB | RP | -4 |
23 | Pedro Strop | CHC | RP | +1 |
24 | Hector Neris | PHI | RP | Unranked |
25 | Blake Parker | MIN | RP | -2 |
Off the List: Cody Allen, Anthony Swarzak
Ryan Brasier appears to have a stronghold on the Red Sox closer role. Their bullpen, like the team itself, has been a mess. Brasier, however, is still worthy of a roster spot as its likely Boston turns it around very soon.
Deep League Top 10 (>12-Team leagues/65% owned or less)
Rank | Name | Team | Position | Change |
1 | A.J. Minter | ATL | RP | – |
2 | Pedro Strop | CHC | RP | Unranked |
3 | Hector Neris | PHI | RP | +3 |
4 | Blake Parker | MIN | RP | -2 |
5 | Sergio Romo | MIA | SP/RP | +4 |
6 | Anthony Swarzak | SEA | RP | -3 |
7 | Roenis Elias | SEA | SP/RP | Unranked |
8 | Jeremy Jeffress | MIL | RP | -3 |
9 | Mychal Givens | BAL | RP | -1 |
10 | Brandon Morrow | CHC | RP | -3 |
Off the List: Ryan Brasier (ownership), Richard Lovelady
With the news of Brandon Morrow being shut down from throwing for the next couple weeks, Pedro Strop needs to universally owned.
WHIP (Walks+Hits/Innings Pitched)
Top 25
Rank | Name | Team | Position | Change |
1 | Max Scherzer | WSH | SP | – |
2 | Jacob deGrom | NYM | SP | – |
3 | Blake Snell | TB | SP | – |
4 | Justin Verlander | HOU | SP | – |
5 | Trevor Bauer | CLE | SP | – |
6 | Gerrit Cole | HOU | SP | – |
7 | Chris Sale | BOS | SP | – |
8 | Corey Kluber | CLE | SP | – |
9 | Aaron Nola | PHI | SP | – |
10 | Carlos Carrasco | CLE | SP | – |
11 | Clayton Kershaw | LAD | SP | – |
12 | James Paxton | NYY | SP | – |
13 | Jose Berrios | MIN | SP | – |
14 | Patrick Corbin | WSH | SP | – |
15 | Zack Greinke | ARZ | SP | +1 |
16 | Jameson Taillon | PIT | SP | -1 |
17 | German Marquez | COL | SP | – |
18 | Luis Castillo | CIN | SP | +1 |
19 | Charlie Morton | TB | SP | +1 |
20 | Masahiro Tanaka | NYY | SP | -2 |
21 | Noah Syndergaard | NYM | SP | – |
22 | Kyle Hendricks | CHC | SP | – |
23 | Shane Bieber | CLE | SP | – |
24 | David Price | BOS | SP | – |
25 | Madison Bumgarner | SF | SP | – |
Off the List: None
Zack Greinke has turned his season back around from an opening day implosion. His numbers are back to being much more Greinke-like, and he is doing a superb job at limiting base runners. While his velocity is pretty poor, he is too good of a pitcher to be anything less than steady.
Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)
Rank | Name | Team | Position | Change |
1 | Trevor Williams | PIT | SP | – |
2 | Mike Minor | TEX | SP | – |
3 | Yonny Chirinos | TB | SP/RP | +2 |
4 | Caleb Smith | MIA | SP | Unranked |
5 | Sonny Gray | CIN | SP/RP | – |
6 | Frankie Montas | OAK | SP | +1 |
7 | Jeff Samardzija | SF | SP | -4 |
8 | Wade Miley | HOU | SP | Unranked |
9 | Brad Keller | KC | SP | -1 |
10 | Steven Matz | NYM | SP | Unranked |
Off the List: Domingo German (ownership), Max Fried (ownership), Zach Eflin
Caleb Smith, like his slider, has been absolute money. While the slide piece hasn’t been as effective as it was in 2018, Smith certainly has been sensational. He has all the tools to become a very solid fantasy starter.
Quality Starts (QS)
Top 25
Rank | Name | Team | Position | Change |
1 | Max Scherzer | WSH | SP | – |
2 | Jacob deGrom | NYM | SP | – |
3 | Justin Verlander | HOU | SP | – |
4 | Trevor Bauer | CLE | SP | – |
5 | Gerrit Cole | HOU | SP | – |
6 | Corey Kluber | CLE | SP | – |
7 | Aaron Nola | PHI | SP | – |
8 | Blake Snell | TB | SP | +1 |
9 | Chris Sale | BOS | SP | -1 |
10 | Noah Syndergaard | NYM | SP | – |
11 | Carlos Carrasco | CLE | SP | – |
12 | Jameson Taillon | PIT | SP | – |
13 | Zack Greinke | ARZ | SP | – |
14 | Jose Berrios | MIN | SP | – |
15 | Patrick Corbin | WSH | SP | – |
16 | German Marquez | COL | SP | – |
17 | James Paxton | NYY | SP | – |
18 | Clayton Kershaw | LAD | SP | – |
19 | Luis Castillo | CIN | SP | – |
20 | Stephen Strasburg | WSH | SP | – |
21 | Charlie Morton | TB | SP | – |
22 | Madison Bumgarner | SF | SP | – |
23 | Tyler Glasnow | TB | SP/RP | +1 |
24 | Masahiro Tanaka | NYY | SP | -1 |
25 | Cole Hamels | CHC | SP | Unranked |
Off the List: Kyle Freeland (injury)
Not a lot of change here. Cole Hamels cracks the list as he is a guy who you can count on to pitch enough innings to potentially gain a QS. He does however have an extraordinarily low BABIP to this point, so he is worth monitoring, but so far he has been very good based on his 3.44 xFIP.
Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)
Rank | Name | Team | Position | Change |
1 | Trevor Williams | PIT | SP | – |
2 | Mike Minor | TEX | SP | +1 |
3 | Mike Leake | SEA | SP | +2 |
4 | Frankie Montas | OAK | SP | +3 |
5 | Caleb Smith | MIA | SP | Unranked |
6 | Steven Matz | NYM | SP | +2 |
7 | Merrill Kelly | ARZ | SP | Unranked |
8 | Trevor Richards | MIA | SP | -4 |
9 | Brett Anderson | OAK | SP | – |
10 | Brad Keller | KC | SP/RP | – |
Off the List: Marcus Stroman (ownership), Max Fried (ownership)
It really comes down to matchups when looking for quality starts. A lot of guys widely available are all matchup-dependent. Although, Trevor Williams sure is moving his way into that must-start category.
Featured Image by Justin Paradis (@freshmeatcomm on Twitter)
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