6 days agoCincinnati Reds starting pitching prospect
Rhett Lowder threw six innings, allowed one unearned run, three hits, one free pass, and struck out nine on Friday. The 22-year-old has been one of the best pitchers in the minor leagues this season, and Friday was just another example of that. The number two prospect in the Reds system has posted a dominant 1.86 ERA,0.98 WHIP, and 20 strikeouts in 19 ⅓ innings. The 31st overall prospect in baseball should be in Double-A very soon and could push for a late-season call-up to the majors to join the Reds for the stretch run. Lowder should be rostered in all dynasty leagues and could be worth looking at in redraft formats if he reaches Double and Triple-A soon.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
6 days agoChicago Cubs pitcher
Shota Imanaga picked up his fourth win of the season in Friday's 7-1 victory over the Red Sox. The lefty looked fantastic again, going six-and-a-third innings allowing five hits, walking one, and striking out seven batters. A solo home run to
Tyler O'Neill was the only real blemish in the outing. He's now got a sparkling 0.98 ERA through five starts with a 0.80 WHIP and has struck out 28 batters to just three walks in 27 2/3 IP. The southpaw's next start lines up with the Mets next Wednesday at Citi Field.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
6 days agoCincinnati Reds shortstop prospect
Carlos Jorge went 3-for-6 with a home run and four RBI on Friday. This game improves Jorge's slash line to a solid .242/.296/.455. The 20-year-old got things started for Dayton in the first inning with a one-run double. Then in the sixth, Jorge laced a two-run double, further extending the Dayton lead. The eighth overall prospect in the Cincinnati system capped the game off with a solo shot in the seventh. Jorge could be promoted to Double-A later this summer and could even make a push to Triple-A. However, it is unlikely that he will see time in the majors this season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
6 days agoLos Angeles Dodgers catcher
Will Smith went 4-for-5 in Friday's 12-2 victory over the Blue Jays, with two of his four hits going for extra bases, including a double and his second home run of the season. The 2023 All-Star also drove in three runs and scored three times. This was the second straight game Smith has recorded four hits, raising his season slash line to .376/.413/.527 and putting himself in position as the third-highest-scoring backstop for fantasy thus far. The Dodgers face Jays left-hander
Yusei Kikuchi on Saturday night. Smith is hitting a scorching .520/.581/.680 against lefties so far this season and is 1-for-3 off Kikuchi in his career.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
6 days agoSeattle Mariners outfield prospect
Lazaro Montes went 3-for-5 at the plate on Friday and brought in five RBI, including the game-winner. Montes first opened the scoring for Modesto with a one-run single. Then in the third, Montes laced an RBI double to center field to even the score. The 19-year-old capped off the evening with a walk-off three-run shot in the bottom of the 10th to seal the victory. Montes is sporting a solid .269/.390/.433 slash line with two home runs and 18 RBI. Montes showed excellent power potential last season, when he hit seven home runs in 33 games at Single-A, and he is picking up where he left off in 2024. Montes should be closely monitored in dynasty leagues, as he should climb the ranks fairly quickly this summer.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
6 days agoSan Francisco Giants first base prospect
Bryce Eldridge has been swinging for power to begin the young season. The 19-year-old launched his second home run in eight games on Friday evening and is riding a strong. 533 SLG. Five of his seven hits have gone for extra bases. Last season at Single-A, the former first-round pick only logged one round-tripper across 15 games. This is a good sign, as Eldridge will look to continue the power surge over the summer. He is still a few years away from the major leagues but could see time in High-A later this summer. He is worth keeping an eye on in dynasty leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
6 days agoMiami Marlins starting pitching prospect
Thomas White set a new career-high nine strikeouts on Friday evening. The 19-year-old southpaw threw five innings of one-run ball, allowed four hits, one free pass, and struck out nine. This was a big step for the number two prospect in the Miami system, as he has never gone five innings yet this season. This start lowers his ERA to 4.60 and WHIP to 1.91 across 15 ⅔ innings. White is still several years away from the majors, but he is worth keeping an eye on in dynasty leagues as he has the potential to become one of the top arms in the minor leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
6 days agoX-rays came back negative on Tampa Bay Rays first baseman
Yandy Diaz's hand on Friday night after he was hit by a pitch on his hand in the eighth inning and forced to exit the game early against the Chicago White Sox. It doesn't mean that he won't miss the next few days, though, so fantasy managers will need to check back on Saturday to see if he's absent from the starting lineup. Before getting hit by a pitch, the 32-year-old went 1-for-2 with his fifth double of the season, two walks and a strikeout, and he's now hitting .241 on the year with a .618 OPS.
Niko Goodrum replaced Diaz as a pinch-runner and then at first base to close out the game. If Diaz misses a few games or is forced to the injured list, Goodrum and
Austin Shenton could split time at the cold corner in Tampa.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
6 days agoMinnesota Twins closer
Jhoan Duran (oblique) will make his next appearance on his rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday, with his outing pushed back a day due to rain on Friday. It's a small hitch in the road for Duran on his way back from a strained right oblique, as he still figures to have a chance re-enter Minnesota's bullpen and be activated from the injured list as early as Monday's series opener on the road against the division-rival Chicago White Sox. Right-hander
Griffin Jax's run as manager Rocco Baldelli's preferred ninth-inning man appears to be nearing a close, but he's submitted a strong 2.53 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 15:3 K:BB in 10 2/3 innings while converting four of his five save chances for the Twins in Duran's stead. Fantasy managers should look to sell high on Jax while his value is still heightened.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Betsy Helfand - St. Paul Pioneer Press
6 days agoBaltimore Orioles starting pitcher
John Means (forearm) will make another minor-league rehab appearance on Sunday, and he should then join the big-league roster soon after. It's been a lengthy stint with Triple-A Norfolk for Means, who will make his sixth and final start before rejoining Baltimore's rotation to make his 2024 regular-season debut in Week 5 of fantasy baseball. He would appear set to get the ball sometime next weekend during a three-game set on the road with the Cincinnati Reds, which is a far less favorable environment for his first start off the injured list then if he were throwing at home against the Oakland Athletics on Sunday. Veteran right-hander
Albert Suarez has launched 11 1/3 scoreless frames with nine strikeouts in two starts for the O's and will now take the hill in Sunday's tasty matchup instead, making him a strong pickup to wrap up Week 4.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Jacob Calvin Meyer - The Baltimore Sun
6 days agoCincinnati Reds starting pitcher
Frankie Montas (forearm) is expected to throw off a mound this weekend, according to manager David Bell. Montas is progressing in his recovery from a right forearm contusion and is eligible to come off the 15-day injured list on May 7, but it's unknown if he'll need a brief rehab assignment before rejoining Cincy's rotation. The 31-year-old former ace carries an uninspiring 4.19 ERA (5.26 FIP), 1.44 WHIP, and 14:10 K:BB across 19 1/3 innings (five starts), and fantasy managers in shallow mixed leagues might be able to find stronger options as a stash. Veteran swingman
Nick Martinez should receive at least two more starts for the Reds until Montas becomes available again, but he has just a 5.48 ERA and 1.39 WHIP with 17 punchouts in 23 frames (five appearances) and won't be a convincing streamer in Tuesday's scheduled road start against the San Diego Padres.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoChicago Cubs starting pitcher
Justin Steele (hamstring) threw 47 pitches in 2 1/3 innings in an extended spring game on Friday in Arizona. Steele will continue his rehab program there for now, but pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said on Thursday that the hurler should be able to start shifting into a five-day routine following his recent period of building up his workload. The 28-year-old star left-hander is recuperating from a strained left hamstring, and while it's unclear how long his rehab stint will last, Steele might be able to get back into Chicago's rotation in early May if all continues to go well in his recovery. Rookie right-hander
Ben Brown has shown some promise with a 3.72 ERA (2.88 FIP), 1.03 WHIP, and 18:6 K:BB over 19 1/3 innings (six appearances) for the Cubs, and he'll be a decent streaming option for fantasy managers in Saturday's scheduled start against the Boston Red Sox.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoMiami Marlins starting pitcher
Braxton Garrett (shoulder) resumed his rehab assignment on Friday with Triple-A Jacksonville, giving up two runs on four hits and no walks with four strikeouts in three innings. It was a 59-pitch outing out of Garrett, who is on the mend in his recovery from a left shoulder impingement after a bout of dead arm. While his next start is not going to come with the major-league roster, Garrett should be an option for Miami's banged-up rotation and fantasy managers in early May, barring any setbacks. Last year, the 26-year-old left-hander recorded a 3.66 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and a remarkable 156:29 K:BB through 159 2/3 innings (31 appearances) and should be stashed in the majority of fantasy leagues. Unless the Marlins recall top prospect
Max Meyer from the minor leagues, look for former top prospect
Sixto Sanchez to get another turn as a starter in Tuesday's favorable home matchup with the Colorado Rockies.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Alex Krutchik - Fish On First
6 days agoMiami Marlins third baseman
Jake Burger (oblique) completed a full on-field workout ahead of Friday's game versus the division-rival Washington Nationals, throwing across the diamond for the first time since suffering a strained left oblique. Burger still has to progress to batting practice on the machine, but it's encouraging to see he's improving in his recovery. The 28-year-old infielder was slashing .228/.281/.421 with three home runs, two doubles, 15 RBI, and eight runs scored over 64 plate appearances (16 games) before heading to the injured list, and he's tracking toward a minor-league rehab assignment in early May and a return to the Marlins sometime in the middle of May. In Burger's stead,
Emmanuel Rivera has served as Miami's primary third baseman but isn't producing enough to warrant consideration for a roster spot in the vast majority of fantasy leagues.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Christina De Nicola - MLB.com
6 days agoThe Arizona Diamondbacks announced that starting pitcher
Zac Gallen (hamstring) left Friday's start against the Seattle Mariners due to tightness in his right hamstring. Before exiting, Gallen surrendered three runs on three hits and one walk with three strikeouts over five innings of work. He was pulled from the game after his 64th pitch in the sixth inning and relieved by
Scott McGough. Although the extent of the setback won't be known until Gallen is evaluated further, the D-backs and fantasy managers should be relieved the ace isn't dealing with an injury to his throwing arm. It remains to be seen if Gallen will need a trip to the injured list, or if he'll just need his next turn in the rotation skipped, but his next start is tentatively slated for Wednesday's series finale versus the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers. The 28-year-old workhorse right-hander owns a 3.38 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 35:9 K:BB over 32 frames (six starts) this year.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Arizona Diamondbacks on X
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