Welcome back to my weekly Players to Watch for the Week Ahead series for 2025 as we look ahead to the week of May 26 - June 1. In this article, I'll look at players like Lawrence Butler, Brandon Lowe, Yu Darvish, and others.
As a reminder of what this article is all about, I like to take a look around the league and pick out some players to discuss who might be under-owned in redraft leagues, potential DFS candidates, players returning from injury or getting called up from the minors, or some names that are just flat-out hot.
Looking ahead to this week, we've got a top prospect finally arriving, some impressive streaks to keep an eye on, a pitcher returning from injury, and more!
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Fantasy Baseball Players to Watch: Hitters
Marcelo Mayer, Boston Red Sox
What I'm Watching: First full week in the big leagues
An unfortunate side of sports is injury, but when that happens, it can open the door for someone else to step up. That exact scenario just played out in Boston, with Alex Bregman suffering a quad strain, but Marcelo Mayer's path to playing time finally opening up.
In his major league debut on Saturday, Boston's second-ranked prospect (MLB No. 8) went hitless in four at-bats, but on Sunday, he collected a hit in his first at-bat, then smacked a line drive into the right-center gap for a double later in the game.
Marcelo Mayer’s first double of his career.
Just such a smooth and effortless swing. pic.twitter.com/ImtqzgViXB
— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) May 25, 2025
The Red Sox will go on the road against Milwaukee and Atlanta this week, so Sox fans will have to wait until June 2 against the Angles to see him at Fenway again, but most fantasy managers don't need to wait, as the former fourth-overall draft pick is available in over 70 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Lawrence Butler, Athletics
What I'm Watching: Consecutive games with an extra-base hit
Signed to a large contract extension before the season began after a breakout season with a .345 wOBA and 130 wRC+, Lawrence Butler's season hasn't gone quite the way he or fantasy managers were hoping, posting a .317 wOBA and 104 wRC+ through 49 games.
However, the left-handed slugger looks like he's in the middle of a breakout, tallying at least one extra-base hit in his last six consecutive games, including five doubles, a triple, and a home run during that stretch.
To keep the streak going won't be easy, as the Athletics take on the Astros' Hunter Brown on Tuesday, who has been one of the best pitchers in baseball, but the A's could be catching him at the right time after giving up five earned runs his last time out. Butler is 2-for-8 lifetime off the righty, including a double and four strikeouts.
Brandon Lowe, Tampa Bay Rays
What I'm Watching: Heating up
Brandon Lowe's batting average sat at .190 on May 11, then a 7-for-13 three-game stretch took place, perhaps foretelling a forthcoming turnaround at the plate. Now, the former All-Star is riding an eight-game hit streak after a 3-for-4 day on Sunday.
The 30-year-old has an extra-base hit in five straight games and has hit a home run in three of his last four, pushing his batting average 48 points higher than where it was two weeks ago, now sitting at .238. The left-handed hitter's xBA is .273, so there could be more room to run.
Brandon Lowe is now up to 9 HR and has been unlucky so far.
.224 BA -> .272 xBA
.397 SLG -> .502 xSLG
91.7 mph Avg EVHe was the 2nd best 2B on a per-PA basis in 2024, and is worth an add (44% on Yahoo) or buy-low if you need power.#FantasyBaseball
— Jeremy Heist (@heistjm) May 24, 2025
Kody Clemens, Minnesota Twins
What I'm Watching: Making the most of his opportunities
You might not have noticed since he does not play every day, but Kody Clemens is making the most of his playing time, currently riding a six-game hit streak and hitting safely in seven of his last eight games.
KODY!!!! CLEMENS!!!! pic.twitter.com/VrJtCwc8kJ
— Twins.TV (@twinstv) May 21, 2025
The 29-year-old also has at least one extra-base hit in five straight, including three doubles, a triple, and two home runs. He may be frustrating to roster in season-long (available in over 90 percent of leagues), but he could be a cheap DFS option while he's hot and in favorable matchups.
Dansby Swanson, Chicago Cubs
What I'm Watching: On-base streak
Dansby Swanson does not own the longest on-base streak in the majors -- that belongs to Vladimir Guerrero Jr., whom I outlined in last week's article -- but with a hit on Sunday, Swanson has been on base for 24 games in a row via hit or walk.
The veteran is hitting .356 during those 24 games, and is on pace for a 30-homer, 20-steal season. Both of those numbers would be career-highs, and even though he may end up closer to a 25/15 campaign, that would still make him plenty valuable for fantasy.
What better way to keep it rolling than to face the Rockies to start the week? Two of the first three pitchers are Carson Palmquist and Tanner Gordon, who have 12 major league starts between them, but the third is German Marquez, whom Swanson is 4-for-7 off of in his career with a double, a triple, and a home run.
Colton Cowser, Baltimore Orioles
What I'm Watching: Return from the IL
Currently on a rehab assignment, Colton Cowser is eligible to return from the IL on Friday, May 30. The Orioles could use an offensive boost, and Cowser is coming off a 24-homer campaign in 2024.
The left-handed slugger is available in over 40 percent of leagues for managers who want to stash him before his activation.
Key Matchups: Hitters
These hitters caught my attention when I reviewed batter vs. pitcher matchups. Most of these guys are already rostered in a majority of leagues, so you aren't running out to snag them off the waiver wire, but they could be targets for your DFS lineups.
While there isn't always enough matchup history to look at, there is a frequency to these, and with that comes familiarity. These batters have a history of collecting extra-base hits in these matchups, some with multiple home runs against the opposing hurler.
Fantasy Baseball Players to Watch: Pitchers
Nick Martinez, Cincinnati Reds
What I'm Watching: Quality start streak
I talked about Zack Wheeler in last week's article, and of course, he was excellent again this past week, but he's not available for you to pick up. Robbie Ray has been dealing as well, notching his sixth straight quality start on Sunday against the Nationals, but he is also 93 percent rostered.
So let's talk about a pitcher who is just 40 percent rostered -- Nick Martinez. The righty has rattled off five straight quality starts, and was just one out away from making this streak six in a row back before it started.
Over those last six starts, the 34-year-old owns a 1.96 ERA (2.34 FIP), 0.98 WHIP, and a 13.1 percent K-BB%. That is certainly usable for season-long fantasy, however, his K/9 of 6.71 on the season leaves much to be desired for DFS.
The 6-foot-1 hurler will be tested twice this week, once on Monday versus the Royals and over the weekend against the Cubs. The Royals have underachieved this year, but several Royals have had success against Martinez, and the Cubs have the most prolific offense so far.
So, if you're thinking about picking him up, hopefully he can pass this week's tests; otherwise, stash him away and wait for more favorable matchups.
No exact date has been given for Yu Darvish's return to the major league mound, but it could be close. He's only made one rehab start with Triple-A El Paso back on May 14, and the veteran reported feeling tightness in his elbow afterward, stating he's not ready for a major league game.
#Padres righty Yu Darvish completed four innings and struck out four in a rehab start on Wednesday.@USAFRecruiting #AimHigh pic.twitter.com/kXWTfKX9Ij
— El Paso Chihuahuas (@epchihuahuas) May 20, 2025
The Padres just lost Michael King to the IL with right shoulder inflammation and are rolling with Stephen Kolek -- who has four career starts to his name -- as the fourth option in the rotation right now, without a fifth starter at this point.
So, there is definitely an opportunity for Darvish to return to the rotation this week if he's ready. The 38-year-old made 16 starts for the team last season and was still fairly effective, pitching to a 3.31 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a 16.9 percent K-BB%.
The five-time All-Star is available in around 60 percent of leagues for managers looking for some pitching help.
Drew Pomeranz, Chicago Cubs
What I'm Watching: Scoreless innings streak
I've typically mentioned relievers with an active scoreless innings streak in this section the last couple of weeks, but it seems to have been a jinx, as those pitchers promptly torpedoed those streaks. So, this could be more of a 'buyer beware' section, and it could be especially true this week.
36-year-old Drew Pomeranz made his 2025 debut with the Cubs on April 25, which was the first time he's pitched in the major leagues since 2021. So, of course, the lefty has gone on to throw 11 1/3 scoreless innings for Chicago, registering a 12:3 K:BB and even picking up both a win and a save in the process.
Those are the type of stats that could help improve ratios in season-long leagues. Then again, this could be a jinx, as pitchers don't typically have 0.00 ERAs on the season, so a blowup could be on the way.
