Fantasy Baseball Week 16 WW/FAAB Preview
Get ready for this weekend's FAAB with the weekly 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 149.
(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- ARI, ATL, CHC, CIN, CLE, COL, DET, LAA, NYM, PIT, STL, WAS
6 Games- BAL, BOS, CWS, HOU, LAD, MIA, MIL, MIN, NYY, OAK, PHI, SEA, SF, TB, TEX, TOR
5 Games- KC, SD
Schedule highlights-
The Braves face six RHP in seven games.
The Cubs face seven RHP in seven games. They play four games in the 2H of the week, with a doubleheader on Saturday.
The Reds play all seven games in Great American Small Park, with four RHP and three LHP.
The Guardians face seven RHP in seven games.
The Rockies play the first four games of the week in Great American Small Park (2 LHP/2RHP).
The White Sox face five RHP in six games.
The Tigers face five RHP in seven games.
The Royals only play five games, but all versus RHP.
The Angels face seven RHP in seven games.
The Marlins finish the week with three games in Great American Small Park (2 LHP/1RHP).
The Twins face five RHP in six games.
The Mets face five RHP in seven games.
The Yankees face five RHP in six games.
The A’s face five RHP in six games.
The Phillies face six RHP in six games.
The Pirates face six RHP in seven games.
The Mariners face five RHP in six games.
The Giants face five RHP in six games.
The Cardinals face six RHP in seven games and will finish the week with four games over the weekend, including a doubleheader on Saturday.
The Rangers face six RHP in six games.
2-Start Pitchers (Available in most NFBC OC’s) (2-Start options are subject to change)
Tommy Henry, ARI (vs ATL, vs TOR) - SIT
Dean Kremer, BAL (vs CHC, vs NYY) - Deep league start, 12-team if necessary
Brayan Bello, BOS (vs OAK, vs KC) - START
Andrew Abbott, CIN (vs COL, vs MIA) - SIT
Dakota Hudson, COL (at CIN, at NYM) - SIT
Cal Quantrill, COL (at CIN, at NYM) - SIT
Chris Flexen, CWS (vs MIN, vs PIT) - Deep league only
Davis Daniel, LAA (vs TEX, vs SEA) - Start
Roansy Contreras, LAA (vs TEX, vs SEA) - SIT
Trevor Rogers, MIA (at HOU, at CIN) - SIT
Colin Rea, MIL (vs PIT, vs WAS) - Start but know the blowup is coming
Chris Paddack, MIN (at CWS, at SF) - Start
Jose Quintana, NYM (vs WAS, vs COL) - Start
Joey Estes, OAK (at BOS, at PHI) - Deep league only
Martin Perez, PIT (at MIL, at CWS) - Deep league only
Miles Mikolas, STL (at WAS, vs CHC) - Deep league only
Andre Pallante, STL (at WAS, vs CHC) - Deep league only
FAAB/WW Hitting Targets (with quick thoughts)
Max Kepler (OF - MIN) - Kepler is hitting .294 over his last nine games, including seven hits in his previous three games. The Twins will face mainly RHP next week, which makes Kepler worthy of a stream and a potential hold going forward.
Michael Massey (2B - KC) - Massey is back from the IL, and over his nine games since his return, he’s hitting .195 with two home runs. The hit tool is solid and I would be willing to jump back on the Massey train where you need 2B/MI help. The Royals only play five games this week, but all RHP.
Harrison Bader (OF - NYM) - Bader is boring and possibly better left for deeper formats. He’s hitting for a decent batting average with plenty of speed and some power. While the Mets offense dominates, Bader will also add many runs scored.
Michael Conforto (OF - SF) - Conforto is back and healthy for now, which means we have a potential fantasy stud. He’s hit safely in seven of his last ten games for a .320 batting average. Conforto has a home run while also walking 16.1% of the time. The Giants face five RHPs this week, which could lead to a big Conforto week.
James Wood (OF - WAS) - Wood finally got the call by the Nats, and he’s already enjoying his time with the Nats. Wood hit his first career home run on Saturday and has hit safely in five of six games for a .304 batting average. Wood brings a power and speed profile, which could be huge for the 2H of the baseball season. Wood will be and should be one of the top and most expensive targets this week.
Nolan Schanuel (1B - LAA) - Schanuel continues to showcase an outstanding hit tool. He has hit safely in ten of his last 11 games for a .364 batting average. The batting average is why you roster Schanuel; he showcases little to no power. The Angels face seven RHPs this week, which means Schanuel should hit first or second all next week.
Jesus Sanchez (OF - MIA) - Sanchez is a streaky bat currently streaking. He has hit safely in three of four starts in July for a .412 batting average. Sanchez has a double, triple, and two home runs in July. The Marlins face four RHP in six games, so Sanchez will get at least four starts, if not more, next week. Sanchez is a deep league weekly start with a 12-team appeal on the right weeks.
LaMonte Wade Jr. (1B,OF - SF) - Wade is back from the IL, and he is hitting safely in four of five starts. Wade will provide elite OBP skills and an empty batting average. I’d rather roster Schanuel, but Wade is a similar alternative.
Brandon Drury (1B,2B - LAA) - It’s been a horrible season for Drury regarding production and health. He’s finally back from an illness, and if you need MI/CI help with a bat that used to provide 20+ home run upside, then Drury may be worth a gamble.
Trevor Larnach (OF - MIN) - Larnach was on fire earlier this season but has quieted down a bit. He’s still a nice stream during the right weeks, and this upcoming week is a week to stream Larnach with all of the RHP on tap.
Jack Suwinski (OF - PIT) - It’s a Captain Jack streaming week as the PIrates six RHP in seven games. In July, Jack has hit safely in three of four starts with two home runs. If you need power, then Jack is a great streaming target heading into the all-star break.
James Outman (OF - LAD) - Outman was recalled by the Dodgers on Saturday, and he immediately went 2-4. Outman showcased 20/20 skills last season, making Outman a strong pick-up this week. While others go heavy on Wood (and could be the right move), Outman could be the cheaper and better pick-up.
Miguel Rojas (2B,SS - LAD) - Rojas plays nearly every day and hits for average. Deep league MI target.
Parker Meadows (OF - DET) - Meadows was recalled on Friday and immediately homered. He made some swing changes at AAA, and his production followed as he was hitting for average and power while stealing plenty of bases. Like Outman being the cheaper add than Wood, Meadows also enters that concept.
Brett Wisely (2B,SS - SF) - With Thairo Estrada on the IL, Wisely has gained most of the playing time. He has a decent batting average tool with a bit of power. Wisely should be on your list if you need MI help in deeper leagues.
Rowdy Tellez (1B - PIT) - Rowdy has been a man on a mission since June 1. The power is back while he’s also hitting for average. The Pirates face six RHP next week, making Tellez a must-roster in all formats and likely a hold after next week.
Tyrone Taylor (OF - NYM) - Taylor has played nearly daily since Starling Marte went on the IL. He provides power and can be streaky. The production has not arrived since he got the playing time, but keep him on your radar when he does.
Brooks Lee (SS - MIN) - Lee got the call this week with Royce Lewis going on the IL for a month or so. Lee has hit safely in all four games since he was called up, and he hit his first home run on Saturday. Lee is a batting-average stud with power and speed. He’s SS-eligible but should gain 3B by the end of next week. Lee is one of my top targets this week.
FAAB/WW Pitching Targets (with quick thoughts)
Frankie Montas (SP - CIN) - Montas is boring but sometimes beautiful. He does not collect a lot of strikeouts, but more often than not, he throws five to six innings and limits the damage. That profile is likely more of a deep league option, but this week, he’s 12-team viable as he faces the Rockies and Marlins.
Yimi Garcia (RP - TOR) - Jordan Romano had surgery this week and could end his season. Garcia is beginning a rehab assignment this week and could return after a few appearances. Once Garica is back, he should regain the closer role from Chad Green, and Garcia could be the Jays’ closer for the rest of the season. Grab him now before he returns, and the price gets too high.
Drew Thorpe (SP - CWS) - Thorpe has been solid over his last three starts, where he has allowed three earned runs over 18.1 innings pitched with 14 strikeouts. The seven walks are a bit concerning, but Thorpe is still a solid pitcher to roster as he comes with great minor-league numbers and should be able to throw for the rest of the season.
Andrew Heaney (SP - TEX) - Heaney has been sneaky good since the beginning of May. Since May 1, Heaney has allowed three earned runs or less in all 12 starts with a 19.4% K-BB and 3.56 SIERA. He’s been outstanding and needs to be rostered for the foreseeable future until he falls off the map.
Chris Paddack (SP - MIN) - Paddack is throwing and is expected to return for a 2-step next week. Paddack struggled before hitting the IL, but a 2-step against the White Sox and Giants is quite enticing. Nothing has been made official about Paddack’s return, but the stars appear to align for this 2-step.
Yariel Rodriguez (SP - TOR) - I was all in on Rodriguez to start the year, but the Jays would only use him for an inning or two, and then he went on the IL. He was called up this past week, made two starts, and threw 12.2 innings with one earned run and 12 strikeouts. This was the Yariel I was all in on, and I am bummed I missed this week. I will say that Yariel has to be efficient to go six innings, as the Jays held him to 83 and 82 pitches in the two starts. I am interested if the Jays will do this for the rest of the season.
Davis Daniel (SP - LAA) - Daniel dominated the Tigers in his debut and then struggled against the A’s. This week, he faces a struggling Rangers offense and the strikeout-heavy Mariners. I am in on the Daniel 2-step this week.
Joey Estes (SP - OAK) - Estes is coming off a shutout against the Angels and he’ll look to keep those skills rolling versus the Red Sox and Phillies. That’s a tough 2-step and should only be used in deeper leagues.
Shane Baz (SP - TB) - When Aaron Civale was traded to the Brewers, Baz finally got the call to join the Rays rotation. He faced the Rangers on Friday, allowed three earned runs over six innings, and struck out six. He looked good and should be a stud going forward. The biggest concern is the workload for the rest of the season, but don’t worry about that and take the great starts until he’s potentially shut down.