BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues
ROSTERED IN: 11% of Leagues
ANALYSIS: The Rays acquired Jose Caballero in the offseason from the Mariners after Wander Franco was put on the Restricted List stemming from an alleged relationship with a minor and after Taylor Walls had hip surgery in October. Caballero was expected to be the Opening Day starter (and was) at shortstop, but the Rays also then acquired veteran Amed Rosario who could potentially cut into Caballero's playing time.
Instead, Rosario has been more of a utility player, seeing time in right field and second base, in addition to spelling Caballero at shortstop twice. After a three-hit game Friday, Rosario is now 7-for-27 (.259) in 2024, so he's not exactly pushing for more consistent playing time. Caballero on the other hand is doing his part to stay in the lineup, with at least one hit in six of seven games he's played (7-for-23, .304), has an OBP of .346, and has four stolen bases already.
Here is what #Rays shortstop Jose Caballero had to say to Andy & Neil live from the dugout postgame! pic.twitter.com/f2sTOTwUSe
— Rays Radio (@RaysRadio) March 31, 2024
Caballero had one of the highest stolen base rates in 2023, and if he can earn the right to stay in the lineup even after Walls returns, then he could end up being one of the league-leaders in stolen bases. The 27-year-old has yet to hit a home run in 2024, although he does have one double, but worked this spring on pulling the ball more in an effort to produce more power. If that begins to bear fruit, that'd be all the more reason to continue to give him at-bats.
Caballero is available in almost 90% of Yahoo leagues. Managers in need of steals would be wise to pick him up, especially given his eligibility at second base which affords greater lineup flexibility.
More Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups
Jordan Walker - 2024 Fantasy Baseball Prospects Outlook and Analysis
PROSPECT: Jordan Walker, OF, St. Louis Cardinals ANALYSIS: Yes, Jordan Walker graduated from prospect status last summer, but "should I stash him or drop him" has been a common question over the last several days on social media following his demotion to Triple-A last week. I’ve been asked about Jordan Walker more than any player.... Read More
Cade Povich - 2024 Fantasy Baseball Prospects Outlook and Analysis
PROSPECT: Cade Povich, SP, Baltimore Orioles ERIC CROSS' LATEST PROSPECT RANKING: #13 CALL-UP ETA: May ANALYSIS: You'll have a difficult time finding a pitcher in the minors who has performed better than Cade Povich so far this season. In five starts for Triple-A Norfolk, Povich has recorded a stellar 1.03 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, 10.4% walk... Read More
Tyler Black - 2024 Fantasy Baseball Prospects Outlook and Analysis
PROSPECT: Tyler Black, 1B/3B, Milwaukee Brewers ERIC CROSS' LATEST PROSPECT RANKING: #9 CALL-UP ETA: May ANALYSIS: After four home runs in the last 10 days, Tyler Black is now up to five in 25 games this season with a trio of steals and a solid .303/.393/.525 slash line. This coming after a season where he... Read More
Junior Caminero - 2024 Fantasy Baseball Prospects Outlook and Analysis
PROSPECT: Junior Caminero, 3B, Tampa Bay Rays ERIC CROSS' LATEST PROSPECT RANKING: #1 CALL-UP ETA: May ANALYSIS: We have a new top dog in these stash rankings and his name is Junior Caminero. After a quad injury cost him the first few weeks of the season, Caminero is doing his best to make up for... Read More
Jackson Holliday - 2024 Fantasy Baseball Prospects Outlook and Analysis
PROSPECT: Jackson Holliday, 2B/SS, Baltimore Orioles ERIC CROSS' LATEST PROSPECT RANKING: #2 CALL-UP ETA: May ANALYSIS: Well, that didn't go as expected. In his first taste of the Majors, uber-prospect Jackson Holliday struggled immensely to the tune of a .059/.111/.059 slash line and 50% strikeout rate in 36 plate appearances. Jackson Holliday has been demoted... Read More
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!