6 days agoWashington Nationals outfield prospect
Dylan Crews hit a pair of doubles and drove in four runs on Sunday for Double-A Harrisburg. The 2023 second-overall draft pick accomplished the same feat (two doubles, four RBI) earlier in the week as well, and is now hitting .300 (15-for-50) in the month of May after hitting just .224 in April (11-for-49). The 22-year-old now has a .263-3-26-15-6 line on the season over 27 games and should be getting closer to a Triple-A promotion. If everything goes to plan, MLB's seventh-ranked overall prospect should see some MLB at-bats by season's end as well.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
6 days agoBoston Red Sox third baseman
Rafael Devers continued his torrid power streak in Monday's 5-0 win over the Rays. Devers went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and a strikeout. The 27-year-old has really picked things up at the plate lately after a slow offensive start and has now homered in each of his last six games, bringing his season total to 10 to go with 23 RBI and a .284/.380/.567 slash line. The Red Sox offense has started to heat up overall, which is a doubly welcome sight for fantasy managers, as it will provide opportunities for additional counting stats for Devers.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoTampa Bay Rays starting pitcher
Taj Bradley had a confounding start in Monday's 5-0 loss to the Red Sox. He pitched seven innings and struck out 10, but he also allowed five runs on five hits, including two home runs. The 23-year-old has looked good overall in his first three starts this season, going 1-2 with a 4.00 ERA, an 11.50 K/9 rate, and a 1.50 BB/9 rate in 18 IP. As a top fantasy prospect last season, Bradley flashed strikeout skills but also showed a propensity for giving up the long ball. Fantasy managers may not be fully ready to trust him now, but it will be easier to forgive him if he continues to strike batters out at a high rate. His next projected start will be against a hot-hitting Royals lineup.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoCleveland Guardians closer
Emmanuel Clase continued to cruise in Monday's 3-1 win over the Mets, earning his 14th save of the season. Clase came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by two and turned in a 1-2-3 performance with no strikeouts. The 26-year-old has been one of fantasy's best closers throughout his career and has rebounded from his relative down 2023 season. He is now tied for the most saves in baseball with
Ryan Helsley and has converted 14 of 17 save opportunities with a 0.37 ERA, an 8.88 K/9 rate, and a 0.73 BB/9 rate. Clase has outdone himself so far for fantasy managers, even by his lofty standards.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoCincinnati Reds pitching prospect
Chase Petty threw five innings of one-run ball on Sunday for Double-A Chattanooga on his way to earning his fourth straight win of the season. The 21-year-old got off to a rough start to the season as he posted a 9.56 ERA and 2.13 WHIP in his first four starts over 16 innings. Since then, however, the righty is 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and a strong 23.4% K-BB%. A couple more starts like this and the 2021 first-round draft pick should be seeing some action at Triple-A for the rest of the season in preparation for his MLB debut which would likely come in 2025.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
6 days agoToronto Blue Jays catcher
Danny Jansen continued his breakout offensive season in Monday's 9-3 win over the White Sox. Jansen batted second, going 3-for-5 with a single, a double, a two-run home run, and five RBI. The 29-year-old is now slashing an impressive .333/.397/.681 with five HR and 12 RBI in 78 plate appearances. He has started to earn regular at-bats and is hitting much better than his batterymate
Alejandro Kirk, who is slashing just .198/.295/.284. Jansen is currently rostered in just 17% of leagues. Fantasy managers may not need to look his way in shallower leagues, but he is definitely worth a roster spot in at least all two-catcher leagues at this time.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoSt. Louis Cardinals closer
Ryan Helsley continued his stellar start to the season in Monday's 6-3 win over the Orioles, earning his 14th save. Helsley came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by three. He got the first two outs on a pop-out and a groundout, allowed a walk, and ended the game with a fly-out. The 29-year-old has been rock solid for his team and fantasy managers, converting all but one save opportunity with a 1.29 ERA, a 9.86 K/9 rate, and a 1.29 BB/9 rate. Despite the Cardinals' disappointing season, he is now tied for the most saves in the league with
Emmanuel Clase. Helsley should continue to be a high-end fantasy option, especially if he can continue to limit his walks.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoDetroit Tigers infield prospect
Jace Jung stayed hot Sunday, blasting his eighth home run of the season in the first game of a doubleheader for Triple-A Toledo. He also collected a hit in the second game, now having hit safely in nine of his last 10 games and going 22-for-60 (.367) since April 27 (17 games), with four doubles, a triple, and four home runs. The former first-round draft pick hit 28 home runs across two levels of the minors last season and is showing off the power once again in 2024. Expect a call-up to the majors around mid-season, perhaps sooner if Detroit wants to attempt to boost their power numbers, having posted the fifth fewest home runs in the majors to date.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
6 days agoBaltimore Orioles third baseman/shortstop
Gunnar Henderson extended his impressive home run streak in Monday's 6-3 loss to the Cardinals. The 22-year-old provided all the offense, going 1-for-3 with a three-run HR and a walk. Henderson has hit for elite power all season long and has homered in each of his last four games. He now has a league-best 16 with 34 RBI, seven stolen bases, and a .271/.351/.610 slash line in 202 plate appearances. Henderson already flashed his power and speed potential in his rookie season, and he could elevate himself to a top fantasy option for seasons to come if he can also continue to bat for a high average.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoLos Angeles Angels outfielder
Jo Adell slugged his ninth home run Monday, going 1-for-4 in a 9-7 comeback victory over the Astros. He also threw in a potential game-saving home run robbery in the ninth inning to secure the win. Adell was part of a young stud home run barrage in the fifth inning against
Framber Valdez, where the All-Star lefty allowed four home runs, including a solo shot to Adell. The 25-year-old former top prospect looks to finally be looking like the player the Angels hoped he'd be after selecting him in the first round of the 2017 draft. He's on pace for over 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases as we sit here near the quarter-mark of the season. Jo Adell has played his way to an everyday role over his teammate
Mickey Moniak and should continue to see everyday at-bats even when former MVP
Mike Trout returns to the lineup.
--Joey Inglese - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoSt. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher
Sonny Gray improved to 6-2 in Monday's 6-3 win over the Orioles. Gray pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on three hits (including a three-run home run) and two walks with six strikeouts. He cruised through the first five innings but labored in the six, throwing over 30 pitches before motioning to manager Oli Marmol to be removed. Gray elaborated after the game, explaining that he was simply tired after getting so deep into the inning. The 34-year-old has been a fantasy stud with his new team and now owns a 2.87 ERA and 11.30 K/9 rate in eight starts and 47 IP. He will look to keep things rolling in his next projected start, which will be a decent matchup against the Cubs.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: Bally Sports Midwest - X.com
6 days agoThe New York Mets have promoted two-way prospect
Nolan McLean to Double-A Binghamton. The 2023 third-round draft pick had a 2.57 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a 23.2% K-BB% for Single-A Brooklyn over seven starts. As a designated hitter, the 22-year-old was batting .224 and leading the Cyclones with five home runs over 67 at-bats. It's hard to say if he'll make it as a hitter, posting a whopping 51.4% strikeout rate this season at Single-A, but as a pitcher he is already scheduled to make a start this Wednesday against Philadelphia's Double-A affiliate, Reading.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
6 days agoLos Angeles Angels starting pitcher Reid Detmers continued his struggles on Monday night, allowing six runs in four innings pitched with eight hits allowed, three strikeouts, and one walk in a 9-7 win. He did not factor into the decision. Luckily for Detmers, the Angels' offense bailed him out after he departed with a 6-1 deficit. Consistency has been Detmers' biggest issue throughout his career, and that has followed him into the 2024 season. After only allowing four runs in his first five starts in 27 1/3 innings pitched with no home runs allowed, Detmers has followed that up with 32 runs allowed in 31 2/3 innings pitched with nine home runs allowed in six games started. Detmers is now sitting here at the end of May with a putrid 5.80 ERA and 1.42 WHIP. The 24-year-old is still young and has plenty of time to turn things around, but currently is a fantasy streaming option at best in deep-league formats for his next start at home against the Cleveland Guardians.
--Joey Inglese - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoNew York Yankees closer
Clay Holmes blew his first save of the season and picked up the loss Monday night, allowing four runs and two walks in 2/3 of an inning pitched against the Seattle Mariners. Those four runs were the first runs allowed on the season for Holmes, who has been nothing short of spectacular in 2024. Monday’s implosion ballooned his 2024 ERA from 0.00 to 1.74. It was, without a doubt, the worst appearance of the year for Holmes, who allowed five straight batters to reach base after inheriting a generous three-run lead. It will take much more than one blown save for Holmes' job to be in jeopardy. Despite blowing his first of the year, fantasy managers can continue to start Holmes in all leagues.
--Joey Inglese - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoBoston Red Sox starting pitcher
Tanner Houck (4-5) continued his breakout season on Monday night with another dominant performance, allowing no runs on two hits with five strikeouts while giving up a walk in a 5-0 win against the Tampa Bay Rays. His record improved to 4-5 on the season, while his ERA dipped to an incredible 2.17 to pair with a 1.02 WHIP. The right-hander's record may only be (4-5), but Houck has recorded a quality start in an astounding eight of 10 games this season. His next start will be a tough matchup against Brewers this weekend who have the sixth best team batting average on the season.
--Joey Inglese - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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