The revolving door at the volatile closer position won’t stop all year long, it just spins a little faster in April. While one new closer has been established, others remain on shaky ground.
Meanwhile, there’s plenty more potential adds for Week 3 as some younger starters proved their first starts were not one-off flukes.
ARMS
Shane Greene (68% owned in Yahoo leagues) – The hottest pick from the waiver wire in the last week, Greene has allowed just 7 hits in 16 IP. He will not continue this pace, but he doesn’t have to to be Fantasy relevant.
Jake McGee (65% owned in Yahoo leagues) – The time has come to snag McGee before one of your opponents does. It looked for some time that Boxberger might steal the position with some outstanding performances. However, manager Kevin Cash has platooned Jespen with Boxberger, and refuses to name a closer. This includes McGee, but something tells me he’ll go with the veteran once he returns in early May.
Adam Ottavino (57% owned in Yahoo leagues) – The Rockies announced earlier in the week that Ottavino will be the new closer. He has 12 K in 6.1 IP and is such an upgrade from Latroy Hawkins that his role may be more stable than others who have recently nailed down the job.
Drew Pomeranz (48% owned in Yahoo leagues) – This southpaw could be a streamer all year long. With two starts (@ LAA and vs HOU) he’s a decent play in Week 3.
Daniel Norris (24% owned in Yahoo leagues) – Our top pick from last week’s Guesthouse didn’t exactly wow against Tampa, but he did only allow 2 runs and 2 hits in 5 innings. He did however walk 3 Rays, while striking out 4. I have a feeling Norris will earn a higher ownership after Sunday’s start against the Braves.
Brandon Morrow (16% owned in Yahoo leagues) – Probably not a great play in Week 3, despite having two starts. Morrow begins at Coors Field which is enough reason to shy away from him here. We just want to get him on your radar at this point. Keep him on your watch list.
Anthony Desclafani (16% owned in Yahoo leagues) – Another relative newby with sparkling stats in the small sample size of April. In two starts he has allowed just 7 hits and 2 runs over 13 innings. In 2014 he allowed 93 hits while striking out 97 in 102 Minor League innings. The way he’s currently pitching Desclafani could be a valuable play in Week 3 with starts @ Milwaukee and at home to the Cubs.
Nick Martinez (11% owned in Yahoo leagues) – Could be a decent one-start streamer as he has yet to allow a run in 14 innings. He makes his start in Arizona.
Brett Anderson (6% owned in Yahoo leagues) – Anderson has two starts in pitchers ballparks (San Diego and San Francisco) this week. Grab him while he’s still healthy. His stats from the 8 starts that he managed last year were not all that bad considering they came with Colorado.
Odrisamer Despaigne (5% owned in Yahoo leagues) – Like his teammate, Brandon Morrow, the first of his two start comes at Coors Field. So, this is one for the “watch list”, as well. He’s filling in for Ian Kennedy, but still battling Morrow for that 5th spot in the rotation. I like this type of competition. May the best man end up on my roster.
BATS
Kendrys Morales (56% owned in Yahoo leagues) – Hard to say who needs who more – the Royals or Kendrys Morales. While K.C. has been desperate for the long ball, Morales has been looking for a place to call home. Regardless, he’s a good fit and quite capable of improving their home run total.
Steven Souza (55% owned in Yahoo leagues) – Still kind of lost in the hype surrounding the Cubs’ rookies, Souza should not be this available in any league. He is my pick for the A.L. ROY, as we stated in the Top 10 Rookies article.
Marcus Semien (54% owned in Yahoo leagues) – A Bay Area native, Semien should feel more than comfortable in Oakland. So far, that’s the way it looks as he already has 8 RBI in this young season. His eligibility at the three tougher infield spots is icing on the cake.
Jose Iglesias (53% owned in Yahoo leagues) – Known more for his defensive abilities, Iglesias is off to a hot start with the Tigers. It probably won’t last, but you may want stream him until it dies out, especially with 7 homes games slated for Week 3.
Mike Moustakas (46% owned in Yahoo leagues) – C’mon, you knew he was going to appear here sooner or later. Moustakas is the perennial “is he finally going to breakout this year” pick. I know, I know. Fool me once, blah blah blah, but it’s not as if you’re risking a draft pick. Besides, there’s one big difference this year – Moustakas, like some of his teammates, is coming off a successful post-season. He’s had his taste, grown in confidence, and has been hitting from the well-protected 2-spot. What’s not to like? Well, okay, I won’t go quite that far, but you never know.
Top 9 Schedules
- Orioles (1 @ BOS/3 @ TOR/3 vs BOS)
- Padres (4 @ COL/3 vs LAD)
- Mariners (3 vs HOU/3 vs MIN)
- Pirates (4 vs CHC/3 @ ARI)
- Rockies (4 vs SD/3 vs SF)
- Reds (4 @ MIL/3 vs CHC)
- Red Sox (1 vs BAL/3 @ TB/3 @ BAL)
- Tigers (4 vs NYY/3 vs CLE)
- Angels (4 vs OAK/3 vs TEX)
Mark Canha (29% owned in Yahoo leagues) – Bob Melvin says Canha has earned everyday starts to this point. The Royals are fairly crowded at first base with Butler and Ike Davis, but with Coco Crisp out for a while yet, you should expect regular playing time for the rookie.
Jake Lamb (27% owned in Yahoo leagues) – Lamb is one of the reasons the D-Backs decided to start Yasmany Tomas in the Minors. Last year, in 108 Minor league games, Lamb had 15 HR and 84 RBI with a .973 OPS.
DJ LeMahieu (27% owned in Yahoo leagues) – If you’re looking for a middle infielder this week, the Rockies play 7 home games and LeMahieu has been on a tear. He’s 18/35 with 6 RBI and a steal.
Alex Guerrero (12% owned in Yahoo leagues) – The Dodgers seem to have such a soft heart for Juan Uribe, but it’s time to let the kids play. The kids would be Justin Turner and Guerrero. So, herein lies the problem – playing time. Justin Turner had a terrific season last year. Meanwhile, Guerrero already has 8 RBI in just 12 ABs. Something’s gotta give… or not.
Yonder Alonso (4% owned in Yahoo leagues) – Like the rest of the Fantasy world, I’m not real big on Alonso, but with Quentin’s departure first base is his to lose. The one difference this year is that he’s not playing on a semi-professional farm team. The Padres have some bats.