6 days agoSeattle Mariners starting pitcher
Logan Gilbert picked up his first victory of the season on Tuesday versus the Cincinnati Reds. Gilbert tossed 6 2/3 innings and allowed three hits, one run, one walk and struck out six on the evening. Although it was his first victory of the season, it doesn't speak to how good of a season he has had. Through four starts, the right-hander has produced a shiny 2.33 ERA to go along with 29 strikeouts and just four walks in 27 innings, He has been as productive as one can be. With so many injuries to pitchers early on, managers should hold on tight to Gilbert as he can be a Cy Young candidate if he continues his success. Next up will be a matchup versus the division rival Texas Rangers. Even against a tough lineup like Texas, Gilbert remains a must-start.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoMinnesota Twins infield prospect
Rubel Cespedes signed with the team out of the Dominican Republic in 2019. He has gradually developed within the Twins' farm system and is currently a promising prospect with a variety of skills. He displays positional versatility, having played all four infield positions in 2023. Expect him to settle into a corner infield position long-term. He has also flashed impressive glovework, maintained an impressive K/BB rate, and demonstrated an impressive hit tool. Plus, although he has never been viewed as a major power threat, the first baseman has already homered in three of seven games so far this year. Speaking of Cespedes' contributions this season, the 23-year-old is coming off a big week at High-A. Over six games, he went 11-for-24 with three homers, 11 RBI, three walks, and five strikeouts.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: FanGraphs
6 days agoSt. Louis Cardinals starting pitching prospect
Quinn Mathews was a fourth-round pick in 2023, but he didn't make his pro debut until this April. The southpaw has a low-90s fastball and rounds out his repertoire with a curveball, slider, and changeup. Of those secondary options, the changeup is the best, though all three can be effective. Mathews flashed decent control in college and has racked up strikeouts so far this year. He also struggled with walks in his pro debut but seemed to harness his control a little more in his last outing. Speaking of such, Mathews' last outing thrust him firmly into the spotlight once again. He struck out a whopping 11 batters over five shutout innings while surrendering just one hit and issuing zero walks.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: FanGraphs
6 days agoTampa Bay Rays infield prospect
Carson Williams was the team's first-round pick in the 2021 draft. He boasts a strong blend of offensive and defensive skills and is a fringe five-tool player. He showcases impressive power, runs well, and is such an excellent defender that he should have no trouble remaining at shortstop long-term. He can make an everyday impact in the field with his terrific range, glovework, and arm strength. Williams mounted a five-game hitting streak last week, going 10-for-19 with one homer, three RBI, two walks, and two strikeouts. Outside of the batting average above .500, this line doesn't seem otherworldly. However, he truly rounded out his big week by stealing four bases on five attempts. He spent limited time at Triple-A last year and will likely be on his way back to Durham sooner rather than later.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: FanGraphs
6 days agoBaltimore Orioles starting pitching prospect Cameron Weston was an eighth-round pick in the 2022 draft and has primarily flown under the radar so far. A mid-90s fastball and effective splitter headline his repertoire, but he also throws a decent slider. Furthermore, he has demonstrated impressive control while maintaining a high ground-ball rate. The southpaw continued to boast his potential with another big start in the minors last week. He tossed five shutout innings on April 11, allowing zero hits and zero walks while hitting one batter. He also struck out nine batters along the way, once again elevating his K/9 rate.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: FanGraphs
6 days agoHouston Astros prospect
Joey Loperfido has made his second appearance in our Hot Prospects series over the last three weeks. He ranks No. 3 among Astros outfield prospects but boasts the potential to be an everyday standout in Houston. He runs well, has a strong blend of contact and power, and boasts positional versatility with his ability to play the outfield, first base, or second base. These strengths certainly make up for his average defense and strikeout tendencies. Over six games last week, Loperfido went 11-for-26 with five home runs, 13 RBI, six walks, and 10 strikeouts. He also stole one base along the way. As his hot start continues, don't be surprised if Houston summons him to the majors sooner rather than later.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: FanGraphs
6 days agoCleveland Guardians outfielder
Steven Kwan went 3-for-5 with two runs and a walk in Tuesday's victory against the Boston Red Sox. The leadoff hitter for the Guardians raised his batting average to an astounding .372 with the strong effort. All three hits were singles, but a hit is a hit. Kwan has been scorching hot with his bat this season, but 25 of his 29 hits have been singles with two doubles and two homers. He also only has three walks on the season for an OBP of .395. With ability to only reach base when he is hitting the ball well, his ceiling is limited, but at the same time he is an asset when he is in the groove of things as he currently is. Kwan could be a good sell-high candidate as he will eventually regress and doesn't offer much in other counting categories. He will look to stay hot on Tuesday versus
Tanner Houck and the Red Sox.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoBoston Red Sox first baseman
Triston Casas stayed hot with a 2-for-4 performance in Tuesday's contest versus the Cleveland Indians. He also drew a walk and homered for the fifth time this season. Casas was a popular name heading into draft day this season and he has backed that up by hitting .258 with five homers and nine RBI. It seems like Casas has been around forever, but he is just 24 years of age and amid a breakout season. Casas should be rostered in all formats as he looks to continue his success on Wednesday versus
Ben Lively in Game 3 of a four-game series with the Guardians.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoLos Angeles Dodgers pitching prospect
Landon Knack will make his big-league debut on Wednesday versus the Washington Nationals. The 26-year-old is one of the Dodgers top pitching prospects and has made four starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City this season. In those starts, he has produced a 4.02 ERA with 16 strikeouts and four walks. Knack is intriguing, especially with a matchup versus a Washington Nationals lineup that isn't scary, but it is probably best that managers take a wait-and-see approach with Knack before running him out there. It is also possible that Knack could go back down to the farm with
Walker Buehler (elbow) expected to return next week.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: Kirsten Watson
7 days agoLos Angeles Dodgers middle infielder/outfielder
Mookie Betts had another stellar offensive game in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Nationals. Betts went 5-for-5 with three singles, two doubles, and two RBI. The 31-year-old has produced like a top fantasy pick, slashing .388/.490/.700 with six home runs, 22 runs scored, 18 RBI, and three stolen bases while hitting atop one of baseball's best lineups.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
7 days agoToronto Blue Jays starting pitcher
Yusei Kikuchi continued his excellent start to the season in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Yankees. Kikuchi pitched six innings, allowing one run on four hits and a walk with nine strikeouts. Everything is finally clicking for the 32-year-old, who is now 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA and 12.05 K/9 rate in his first four starts and 21 2/3 IP. He will look to keep things going in his next projected start at the Royals.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
7 days agoToronto Blue Jays closer
Jordan Romano (elbow) earned a save in his season debut during Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Yankees. Romano saw action immediately after being activated from the 15-day injured list earlier in the day. He entered the game to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by two. He got the first out on a lineout, hit a batter, allowed a double, got the second out on an RBI groundout, and ended the game with another groundout. It wasn't the cleanest save, but it was encouraging to see Romano convert in game action. The 30-year-old's return is a welcome sight for fantasy managers, as he has provided 36 saves in each of his last two seasons.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
7 days agoMiami Marlins closer
Tanner Scott picked up his second save of the season in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Giants. Scott came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by three. He got the first out on a flyout, allowed back-to-back walks, and got the final two outs on a strikeout and a pop-out. Things haven't gone smoothly for the 29-year-old, as he is 0-3 and has converted two of three save opportunities with a 4.15 ERA, an 8.31 K/9 rate, and a huge 12.46 BB/9 rate. Scott ended the 2023 season to earn the closer's role to start 2024, but walks have been an issue throughout his career. Fantasy managers should keep an eye out to see if he can get them back under control.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
7 days agoBaltimore Orioles first baseman/outfielder
Ryan O'Hearn got in on the slugfest in Tuesday's 11-3 win over the Twins. O'Hearn went 2-for-5 with a single and a two-run home run. The 30-year-old has made the most of his playing time in the O's lineup, slashing .333/.400/.689 with four HR, 11 runs scored, and six RBI in 50 plate appearances. The O's have plenty of young talent to stack the lineup, but O'Hearn is worth a look in deeper leagues as long as he hits well enough to earn playing time.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
7 days agoNew York Mets relief pitcher
Drew Smith earned his first save of the season in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Pirates. Smith came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by two and delivered a 1-2-3 outing with two strikeouts.
Edwin Diaz had pitched each of the last two days, so Smith was called upon to close things out. The 30-year-old has pitched well this season, going 1-0 with two holds and a 1.08 ERA in 8 1/3 IP. However, he has not seen enough high-leverage situations to warrant fantasy attention at this time.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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