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Dawn's fantasy baseball watch list -- hitters, pitchers, and relievers he's keeping an eye on for April 14 - April 20 (2025). Hot bats, good matchups, pitchers on a roll, and more.
Welcome to RotoBaller's Fantasy Baseball Players to Watch for the Week Ahead series for 2025 as we look ahead to the week of April 14 - April 20. In this article, I'll look at players like Spencer Strider, Alex Verdugo, Jason Adam, and others.
Here at RotoBaller, we like to take a look around and discuss players who might be under-owned in redraft leagues, potential DFS candidates, players returning from injury, or some names that are just flat-out hot.
Looking ahead to this week's action, we've got some very fantasy-relevant names putting up some eye-opening numbers thus far, an ace making his return after a year away, and a few other tidbits. Let's dig in!
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Fantasy Baseball Players to Watch: Hitters
Alex Verdugo, Atlanta Braves
What I'm Watching: Will Atlanta call him up?
Alex Verdugo hit his second home run of the season with Triple-A Gwinnett Saturday, leading Braves fans to ask (not so politely) why he isn't being called up. The outfielder entered Saturday hitting just .150 in Triple-A, but after a three-run homer day versus Norfolk, fans are hopeful he can provide a spark.
VERDUGO MONSTER MASH.
Alex Verdugo drives in three on his second @SoFi home run of the season to give us the 6-1 lead in the second! pic.twitter.com/1eE5sY9zUQ
— Gwinnett Stripers (@GoStripers) April 13, 2025
The Verdugo of old, with Boston and then, to the horror of Sox fans everywhere, the New York Yankees, is desperately needed to help with Atlanta's recent offensive woes. The 4-11 Braves are fifth in the NL East.
With former MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. still recovering from knee surgery and Jurickson Profar in the middle of an 80-game suspension, Atlanta's outfield is thin. Keep an eye out for his return, which can't come soon enough for the Atlanta faithful.
Michael Conforto, Los Angeles Dodgers
What I'm Watching: Stack the Dodgers and stream the 19 percent rostered lefty versus six righties this week
This is a great week to stream the 32-year-old left-hander in your fantasy leagues while stacking the Dodgers in DFS. The Dodgers face six right-handed pitchers this week, three of whom they will face at home.
Conforto is slashing .348/.464/.609 overall at home this season, compared to .115/.233/.269 on the road. When facing righties at home, he is slashing a strong .333/.474/.733 line with a 1.207 OPS, two homers, five RBI, and seven runs.
Michael Conforto tees off to extend the @Dodgers lead. pic.twitter.com/25ByM8gxPJ
— MLB (@MLB) April 5, 2025
Miguel Andujar, Athletics
What I'm Watching: Righty with reverse-splits
The A's face five right-handers next week, so I automatically started looking at lefties. Well, Andujar is just 1 percent rostered in Yahoo! leagues, and against righties this year, he is slashing .316/.350/.421 with a .771 OPS.
He belted his first home run this season on Friday, April 11, in a 7-6 loss to the Mets. Andujar has had a solid start this year, batting .316 through 12 games with six runs and six RBI.
Miguel Andujar puts the Athletics right back in it 💪 pic.twitter.com/kJF1ipISk3
— Athletics on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) April 12, 2025
The A's are just 6-10 this season, but they are another team with an excellent matchup this week. All six games are on the road versus five RHPs, and the A's have been better on the road than at home this season, slashing .242/.312/.422 with 12 home runs compared to .241/.306/.381 and eight long balls.
Fantasy Baseball Players to Watch: Starting Pitchers
Spencer Strider, Atlanta Braves
What I'm Watching: Continuation of a strong Triple-A rehab start
After only two starts last year, the Braves ace suffered a season-ending right elbow injury. Just over a year later, after a successful rehab start, Strider is set to make his season debut on Wednesday in Toronto.
Spencer Strider is expected to make his season debut on Wednesday!
Strider will make his along awaited return from elbow surgery after missing most of 2024. His stuff looked excellent in his AAA rehab starts and has resulted in a brilliant 52.9 K% https://t.co/7Ce9Era1w9 pic.twitter.com/flKQNrBc3X
— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) April 13, 2025
In his final rehab start against Norfolk on Thursday, April 10, the righty allowed just one run over 5 1/3 innings while striking out 13 batters. Over three rehab starts, Strider recorded 27 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings.
Fantasy Baseball Players to Watch: Relief Pitchers
Jason Adam, San Diego Padres
What I'm Watching: Can he take advantage of a strong week of pitching from the Friars?
Adam has had a very impressive start to the season, leading the majors with five holds and an 11:4 K:BB over 7 1/3 scoreless innings. The righty is 40 percent owned in leagues, and given the injury history of Robert Suarez, he has a strong chance of securing regular save opportunities.
Jason Adam's Changeup in 2025
42.1% Whiff Rate
50% K%
14 wRC+
.053 xwOBAThe pitch is averaging 16.7" HB & 3.2" iVB pic.twitter.com/TDj1APxMzw
— Clark Fahrenthold (@CFahrenthold11) April 10, 2025
The right-hander made his MLB debut with the Kansas City Royals in 2018 and has played for several MLB teams, including the Royals, the Toronto Blue Jays, the Chicago Cubs, and the Tampa Bay Rays.
This is Adam's second stint with San Diego, and while he has been flying under the radar, he is quickly becoming the guy who fans recall being on their team and are left to wonder why he is no longer there. Grab him if he's available!
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