Fantasy Baseball Week 15 WW/FAAB Preview
Get ready for this weekend's FAAB with the full preview.
We have made it through another week of the season, which has been a doozie. Plenty of injuries have required attention on our fantasy teams. There have been some good and bad performances, which may have caused some overreaction. Most people need to take a deep breath and wait longer, while others will start dropping some solid players to pick up when they do.
Most weeks throughout the season, I’ll bring you some FAAB previews for your weekend FAABing. It’ll be similar to my work last year, where I highlight schedules, 2-start pitchers, and bats to add/stream for the week. For players to target, I’ll use NFBC OC roster rates and mention players available in 60% or less of leagues. If you have any questions, feel free to message me.
If you want a full FAAB preview, listen to Bubba & the Bloom EP 147.
(Friendly reminder: if you are a PAID member of the substack, you’ll have full access to message me with all of your fantasy team needs.)
Schedule
7 Games- COL, HOU, MIL, NYM, TOR, WAS
6 Games- ARI, ATL, BAL, BOS, CHC, CIN, CLE, CWS, DET, KC, LAA, LAD, MIA, MIN, NYY, OAK, PHI, PIT, SD, SEA, SF, STL, TB, TEX
Schedule highlights-
The DBacks face six RHP in six games.
The Orioles face five RHP in six games.
The Reds finish the week with three at home versus the Tigers (2 RHP, 1 LHP).
The Guardians face six RHP in six games.
The Rockies play all seven games in COORS Field, with five being RHP.
The White Sox face six RHP in six games.
The Tigers face six RHP in six games, and the final three games are in GASP.
The Astros face six RHP in seven games.
The Royals finish the week with three games in Coors (2 LHP, 1 RHP).
The Marlins face five RHP in six games.
The Brewers face five RHP in seven games and start the week with four games in Coors.
The Twins face five RHP in six games.
The Yankees face five RHP in six games.
The Pirates face five RHP in six games.
The Padres face six RHP in six games.
The Mariners face six RHP in six games.
The Rays face five RHP in six games.
The Rangers face six RHP in six games.
The Jays face five RHP in seven games.
2-Start Pitchers (Available in most Leagues) (2-Start options are subject to change)
Ryne Nelson, ARI (at LAD, at SD) - SIT
Hayden Wesneski, CHC (vs PHI, vs LAA) - Stream Away
Graham Ashcraft, CIN (at NYY, vs DET) - SIT
Gavin Williams, CLE (vs CWS, vs SF) - Stream Away
Austin Gomber, COL (vs MIL, vs KC) - SIT
Spencer Arrighetti, HOU (at TOR, at MIN) - Stream Away
Roansy Contreras, LAA (at OAK, at CHC) - SIT
Valente Bellozo, MIA (vs BOS, vs CWS) - SIT
Bryse Wilson, MIL (at COL, at LAD) - SIT
Dallas Keuchel, MIL (at COL, at LAD) - SIT
Simeon Woods-Richardson, MIN (vs DET, vs HOU) - Deep League Only
David Peterson, NYM (at WAS, at PIT) - Stream Away
Mitch Spence, OAK (vs LAA, vs BAL) - Deep League Only, BAL is scary
Michael Mercado, PHI (at CHC, at ATL) - Deep League Only
Kyle Gibson, STL (at PIT, at WAS) - Stream Away
Zack Littell, TB (at KC, at TEX) - Stream Away
Yariel Rodriguez, TOR (vs HOU, at SEA) - SIT
FAAB/WW Hitting Targets (with quick thoughts)
Tyler Soderstrom (1B - OAK) - Soderstrom has found his swing with the A’s this time. In June, he hit .257, with six home runs and 13 RBI. He’s usually hitting in the middle of the A’s lineup, which surprisingly provides run production this season. Soderstrom is a great 1B/CI to roster where power is needed.
Jake Meyers (OF - HOU) - Meyers was the talk of the FAAB world a few weeks ago. After a few down weeks, Meyers is heating up again. Over his last eight games entering Saturday, Meyers hit .308 with a home run and a stolen base. Meyers is the primary CF for the Astros, and that should stay the same when Kyle Tucker eventually returns.
Jose Siri (OF - TB) - Siri is batting .219 on the season, and the low batting average is usually a major hindrance when rostering Siri. Well, he’s appeared to fix that in recent weeks. Over his last 15 games, dating back to June 12, Siri is hitting .327. He does have a .414 BABIP, which is not sustainable, but his five home runs over the stretch are great. Siri plays nearly every game due to his defense, and his production is 12-team worthy for now in fantasy.
Eloy Jimenez (UTIL - CWS) - Eloy is back from the IL and is somewhat healthy. He has hits in three of five games, and when he’s going well, he can produce a nice batting average with some power.
Sal Frelick (OF - MIL) - Frelick continues to produce while playing daily for the Brewers. He’s hitting .351 over his last 11 games while striking out less than 8% of the time. He does not have a home run but has four runs scored and two stolen bases. The Brewers face five RHP next week, including three in Coors Field at the beginning of the week. Frelick is a nice stream,
Chas McCormick (OF - HOU) - It was a horrific start to the season for McCormick, but he’s starting to swing it better at the plate. He does not play every day as he’s platooning some, but over his last 13 games, he’s hitting .265 with three home runs. The power finally arriving is huge, slowly leading to more playing time. Chas is becoming relevant again in fantasy, and if he can gain playing time every day, he’d be a fantasy must in 12-team and deeper leagues.
Lars Nootbaar (OF - STL) - Nootbaar is on a rehab assignment, meaning he’ll return soon. He said he would need five or six rehab games, and in his second game on Saturday, he hit a home run. Nootbaar should be back late next week, so adding him now is the smart fantasy move.
Spencer Torkelson (1B - DET) - Tork was horrible this season, which is why he’s currently in AAA. He’s starting to heat up at AAA. Tork could be back any day or be stuck in the minors for a while; we don’t know. If you like to speculate, especially in deeper leagues, you should do so soon.
Carlos Santana (1B - MIN) - Santana is having a strong season, and he’s not getting the respect he deserves. In June, Santana hit .333 with four home runs, 16 RBI, 13 runs scored, and even stole two bases. He’s striking out less than 11% of the time as he takes advantage of putting plenty of balls in play. It’s time to stop sleeping on Santana.
Noelvi Marte (3B - CIN) - Marte returned to the Reds on Thursday, collecting three hits while scoring three runs and stealing a base. Marte has outstanding offensive skills and should be worth a lot of FAAB this weekend.
Michael Toglia (1B,OF - COL) - Toglia is not a world beater but he’s been quite serviceable of late as he’s become the regular 1B for the Rockies. In June, he hit .247 with five home runs. The Rockies play seven games in Coors next week, which makes Toglia even more intriguing in this week’s FAAB.
Michael Massey (2B - KC) - I’ve discussed Massey a lot this season, and it’s been nice, as he’s hitting .283 with six home runs when he's healthy. He returned from the IL a few days ago, again making Massey a great 2B/MI target. He’s worth rostering in 12-team and deeper leagues.
Brendan Rodgers (2B - COL) - Rodgers returned from the IL this past week and hit safely in four of six games with two home runs. Rodgers brings some power with a solid batting average but little speed. He’s 12-team viable where you need batting average help. Plus, the Rockies have seven games at home next week, which is always a plus.
Hunter Goodman (OF - COL) - Goodman brings plenty of power to a fantasy lineup, and he should gain catcher eligibility any day now. The catcher eligibility with that power tool makes for a great fantasy add heading into next week.
Jesus Sanchez (OF - MIA) - Sanchez is a streaky hitter who brings a ton of power to the plate when he’s locked in. Over his last ten games, he’s been hitting .250 with three home runs. The Marlins face plenty of RHP next week, making Sanchez a solid power stream.
James Wood (OF - WAS) - Wood is set to get the call on Monday, making him a major FAAB target this week. Wood is a Top 10 fantasy prospect. At AAA this season, he’s hitting .353 with ten home runs and ten steals. Most prospects have struggled out of the gate in fantasy this year, so hopefully, Wood can keep swinging it with the Nats the way he has been at AAA.
Harrison Bader (OF - NYM) - Bader has been a steady fantasy producer sliding under the radar this season. He’s hitting .270 with six home runs and 11 steals while scoring 30 runs and driving in 30. The Mets are one of the hottest offenses in baseball, and that benefits a player like Bader, who gets on base at a .315 clip.
Ben Rortvedt (C - TB) - In a world where fantasy catchers keep underproducing or getting hurt. Rortvedt has become quite relevant. Becoming the Rays regular catcher has also helped. He’s hitting .359 over his last 12 games with three home runs and 14 RBI. Rortvedt makes for a nice C2 in 12-team and deeper leagues.
Luis Matos (OF - SF) - With all of the injuries in the Giants outfield, Matos has received a second chance with the team, and he’s capitalizing on it. Heading into Saturday, Matos is hitting .400 over the seven games he’s played since getting recalled with two home runs. He is striking out less than 5% of the time as well. Hopefully, Matos can stick with the big club this time, and if so, he’ll be a great fantasy asset for the rest of the season.
Kyle Higashioka (C - SD) - Campusano is expected back with the Padres soon, but while he’s out, Higashioka has been a solid replacement and has provided C2 viability.
Miguel Rojas (2B,SS - LAD) - With Mookie Betts out, Rojas has become the everyday SS for the Dodgers, making him fantasy viable in deeper formats with a smidge of 12-team viability. He’s hitting .314 over his last ten games entering Saturday, which is also a nice batting average boost.
FAAB/WW Pitching Targets (with quick thoughts)
David Peterson (SP - NYM) - Peterson has found his strikeout upside with 14 strikeouts in his last two starts. He’s also allowed two earned runs or less in four of five starts. He has a great two-step versus the Nats and Pirates next week, making Peterson a strong FAAB target this week.
Drew Thorpe (SP - CWS) - Thorpe has showcased that prospect pedigree in his last two starts by throwing 12 innings while allowing two earned runs while striking out nine. Thorpe may not be a start every time out, but he will be a nice start more often than not the rest of the time he’s pitching with the White Sox.
Ben Brown (SP - CHC) - Brown is set to throw a bullpen and then, hopefully, a rehab start soon. If you are into stashing pitching, Brown is a good one to stash right now.
Spencer Arrighetti (SP - HOU) - Arrighetti was outstanding in his last start, throwing seven shutout innings with ten strikeouts versus the Rockies. He has allowed three earned runs or less in five of his previous six starts, with 29 strikeouts in 25.2 innings pitched. He is scheduled to face the Jays and Twins next week, which is not a cakewalk but still a nice 2-step target.
Landon Knack (SP - LAD) - Knack has made two starts since rejoining the Dodgers, and he’s allowed one earned run over 9.2 innings with nine strikeouts. As long as Knack is in the Dodgers rotation, he’ll have streaming appeal, including a start against the DBacks next week.
Jonathan Cannon (SP - CWS) - After three strong starts, Cannon was smacked around by the Tigers in his last start. He faces the Marlins this week in a great spot to bounce back and will likely be cheap in FAAB where available.
Hayden Wesneski (SP - CHC) - Wesneski jumped back into the Cubs rotation with Javier Assad heading to the IL. He threw four innings while allowing three earned runs with seven strikeouts versus the Giants. He has a fun 2-step this week versus the Phillies and Angels.
Thoughts on Rookie Pitchers-
David Festa (SP, MIN) - Festa is tentatively scheduled to face the Tigers next week and the White Sox the following week making for two great starts. After that, we will see if he stays in the rotation in Paddack returns.
Hayden Birdsong (SP - SF) - Birdsong is scheduled to face the Braves and Guardians this week, which is a tough 2-step. Kyle Harrison and Blake Snell should be back soon, as well. The Giants could use Birdsong long-term, but I am not sure he’s in their plans right now.
Davis Daniel (SP - LAA) - Daniel was outstanding in his debut and now gets the A’s this week with a nice 2-step set up the following week. Davis is quite the pickup out of this group.
Michael Mercado (SP - PHI) - Mercado should be in the rotation until Taijuan Walker returns. He has an interesting 2-step this week versus the Cubs and Braves, but a great matchup with Oakland the following week.
I rank these four Daniel, Mercado, Festa, Birdsong.