Here we go! Welcome back to the second half of the MLB season and another FAABulous Sunday! We have 11 full weeks of the 2021 MLB season remaining, 11 FAAB bidding periods to go, and MLB teams have 68 to 73 games to play coming into Sunday. I was expecting a light week after preparing my teams for the second “half” with last week’s additions, but there has been more news than I anticipated this week in terms of injuries, IL returns, call-ups, and trades. So let’s get to some names!
Catcher
Cal Raleigh (0% TGFBI, 4% Yahoo) and Luis Torrens (78%, 7%) – In 20 games since June 15, Torrens is hitting .310 with 7 HR, 15 RBI, and 12 R. Tom Murphy has just three home runs in the past two months, making his sub .200 BA less palatable for the Mariners which brings Raleigh—called up the game prior to the break—into play as Torrens has been the DH the past three games. Raleigh was hitting .324 with 9 HR, 36 RBI, 34 R, and 3 SB in 44 games at AAA. He’s off to a slow start (0 for 12 with 4 K), but it sure appears Seattle is looking to give him the opportunity for a majority of the starts behind the plate with Torrens as the everyday DH.
First Base
Miguel Cabrera (22%, 5%) – Over the past 30 days, the Detroit Tigers are 10th in all of baseball in runs scored, only one run behind the potent Boston Red Sox lineup. Miggy still hits in the heart of the Tigers order and is hitting .301 with 2 HR, 8 RBI, and 10 R in that span. For fantasy purposes, I was disappointed to see him play so much first base early in the season as I believe he’ll stay healthier and have better production as a full-time DH. He’s been the DH in 14 of his last 15 starts.
Second Base
Nicky Lopez (15%, 3%) – Lopez’s name comes up a lot here in this article and on the On the Wire podcast I co-host each week with Adam Howe (@EightyGrade). As KC Bubba (@bdentrek) pointed out on this morning’s episode, Lopez is the kind of guy you can look to when looking to move up a spot or two in the batting average category as he’ll also contribute some runs and SB as well. Over his last 136 AB, he’s hit .302 with 22 R and 6 SB. He’s great in OBP leagues as well, adding 16 BB in that span. The Royals only play five games this week but follow with seven, six, six, seven, and seven—a really nice stretch for a guy we’re looking to help our squads in three categories.
Third Base
Kyle Farmer (12%, 9%) – Farmer is playing every day, and while his stat lines look like what you’d expect of a guy with a .284 wOBA and 74 wRC+, he’s contributing in our fantasy categories. Over the past six weeks, he’s gone 30 for 118 (.254) with 4 HR, 17 RBI, 16 R, and 1 SB. Those R and RBI play! He has a nice 17.9 K%, and in three of the next five weeks, the Reds play at least six games at home in Great American Smallpark.
Short Stop
Paul DeJong (98%, 25%) – DeJong deserves some love in the shallower leagues where he’s roughly 75% available. After an agonizing start upon his return from the IL (3 for 32 with 1 HR), he has heated up recently with a 16 for 53 stretch (.302), 4 HR, 9 RBI, 7 R, and 1 SB. His K% and BB% are right in line with his 30 HR / 90 RBI 2019, and the ROS projections agree, calling for double-digit home runs, over 30 RBI and R, and a couple of chip-in SB the rest of the way.
Outfield
Victor Reyes (32%, 10%) – The Tigers made several moves this week including DFA-ing Nomar Mazara, placing Niko Goodrum on the IL, optioning Willi Castro to the minors, and recalling Reyes. After a really nice 2020 hitting .277 with 4 HR, 14 RBI, 30 R, and 8 SB in 216 PA, Reyes began 2021 with a horrendous 86 PA in Detroit hitting .157. He’s faired much better at AAA hitting .385 with 1 HR, 10 RBI, 13 R, and 5 SB. The K% has been an issue with the Tigers at nearly 30%, but after hovering around 21% for parts of three seasons with 200+ PA in each, I fully anticipate a nice second half for him for those in need of stolen base help.
Jarren Duran (42%, 51%) – As we were pretty certain would happen sooner rather than later when he wasn’t included on the Team USA Olympic roster, Duran was called up to the Red Sox immediately after the All-Star Break. After a .270 BA, 15 HR, 32 RBI, 37 R, and 12 SB in 46 AAA games this season, he began his MLB career with a 1 for 2, 1 R, 1 K, 1 BB performance Saturday evening. I’ve been very conservative with most call-ups this season, but if you have one of the higher FAAB totals remaining in a league this may be one of the last options worth an aggressive bid. I’m not counting on the power he’s shown this season to translate right away, but if he can get on base I do believe the stolen bases will.
Pitcher
David Price (73%, 32%) – I included Price just last week, but the situation has changed a bit. We were looking at a possible two-start week coming up with one vs the Giants, but that is no longer the case. He’s going in Colorado at Coors today. Too bad it’s not in LA! Well, it is next weekend. He went three innings in his start prior to the break, so all I want to see today is a bit longer start. There is little doubt in my mind that if he can go five innings vs the Rockies next weekend he’ll get a win.
José Suarez (22%, 13%) – More Rockies on the road! In his past three outings (two starts), Suarez has gone 13 1/3 IP with 12 K and 4 ER. I don’t know that I would start him this week in his start at Oakland—possibly, but it would depend on my depth and other options. I would definitely start him vs Oakland if he also got a home start vs the Rockies, and that is exactly what he lines up for looking ahead to the following week. Grab him tonight; he’ll cost much less FAAB this week, especially if he has a good outing vs the A’s on Tuesday.
Paul Sewald (37%, 22%) – With saves in his last two appearances, Sewald may take a good chunk of FAAB to roster this week in many leagues, but with a 1.38 ERA and 44 K in 26 IP and the last save bailing out a struggling Graveman he may be worth it. The Mariners are also just 3 1/2 games out of a wildcard spot, so it will be interesting to see what they do over the next couple of weeks.
Hit Me Up!
I tried to look at availability for deeper leagues this week (not DeJong, obviously). If you’re looking for better options more viable in shallower leagues hit me up on Twitter @hastingkevin, hop in the PL+ Discord, or even look back at this article for previous weeks at pitcherlist.com. Many of the options I’ve brought up even multiple weeks still have low roster percentages in some shallow formats. Remember, good luck tonight and enjoy the games!
Photo from Icon Sportswire | Design by Quincey Dong (@threerundong on Twitter)