Fantasy Baseball Week 17 WW/FAAB Preview
Get ready for this week's FAAB with the weekly preview.
We have made it to the all-star break, meaning it’s a weird week for FAAB. Most teams do not have locked-in starting pitchers, making some options tricky. This makes for a good week to clean up your roster. Maybe even evaluate what categories you can begin to attack more in FAAB to gain points as the season progresses. Mostly, this is a good week to speculate and stash.
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 151.
(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-
6 Games-
Schedule highlights-
This week, every team plays Friday through Sunday, except the Brewers and Twins, who play only Saturday and Sunday. The Giants start the 2H in Coors Field with three versus the Rockies.
2-Start Pitchers (Available in most NFBC OC’s) (2-Start options are subject to change)
None are available this week.
FAAB/WW Hitting Targets (with quick thoughts)
Michael Conforto (OF - SF) - The Giants open the 2H with a 3-game series in Coors. Conforto is hitting .242 in July with a home run and ten RBI, making for a great stream to start the 2H.
Leody Taveras (OF - TEX) - Taveras was in the middle of a rough stretch but has been playing much better lately. Taveras is hitting .308 in July with a home run and a stolen base. When Taveras is going good, he’s viable in 12-team and deeper leagues, and right now, he’s going good.
Rowdy Tellez (1B - PIT) - Rowdy has been mashing for a month and should be targeted in more leagues where you need 1B or CI help.
Nolan Schanuel (1B - LAA) - Schanuel may not provide a ton of power but he’s hitting for average while providing strong OBP skills. Schanuel hits at the top of the Angels order and could be a nice CI option in weeks when the Angels face a lot of RHP.
Jesus Sanchez (OF - MIA) - Sanchez is having a huge July where he is hitting .343 with four doubles, a triple, and four home runs. He’s mainly utilized versus RHP and makes for a great start in weeks where the Marlins face a lot of RHP. He’s even starting versus an LHP on Sunday.
James Outman (OF - LAD) - I was very optimistic about Outman last week, but the platoon situation in LA is not great. I still have high hopes for Outman, but they should be tempered with the current playing time situation. If Outman were to get regular at-bats, he could be a great fantasy outfielder.
Jack Suwinski (OF - PIT) - Captain Jack is back to mashing RHP and struggling versus LHP. In weeks where the Pirates face a lot of RHP, Jack should be a FAAB target.
Kyle Higashioka (C - SD) - Higgy has taken over the primary catching role in San Diego, and Luis Campusano is heading to the bench. He’s hitting .325 over his last 12 games with six home runs. I do not expect Higgy to keep mashing like this, but regular at-bats will make him a strong C2 going forward. Higgy is a major target for me this week, and I need to clean up my C2 situation.
MJ Melendez (OF - KC) - There were high expectations for Melendez entering the season, but early struggles found Melendez on the Waiver Wire. He’s starting to hit, and he should find his way back to fantasy rosters. In July, Melendez is hitting .290 with three home runs and a 167 wRC+. He’s on my bid lists this week.
Matt Walner (OF - MIN) - Wallner was recalled recently, and he’s back to mashing RHP. In the minors this year, Wallner had 19 home runs in 67 games, and since he has returned, he’s hitting .421 with two home runs. Wallner is a great pickup and worth starting when the Twins face RHP.
Juan Yepez (1B - WAS) - Welcome back, Juan Yepez. After some failed seasons with the Cardinals, he has found his way to the Nats system and has played well enough to gain a promotion. He entered Sunday hitting safely in all nine games since his recall for a .353 batting average with six doubles. He’s walking 12.8% of the time while striking out 15.4%. Yepez could be a sneaky 1B/CI target going forward if he continues to produce and get playing time.
Lawrence Butler (OF - OAK) - If you follow me on Twitter, you know my interest in Butler. He had a nice prospect pedigree but struggled in his first few call-ups with the A’s. This time around has been different. In July, he hit .286 with four home runs and two stolen bases while driving in 11. He has gone from 7th in the A’s order to leadoff in recent games. Butler still sits versus LHP but is a must-start when the A’s face RHP.
Eddie Rosario (OF - ATL) - Rosario has rejoined the Braves and continues to start versus RHP. He’s streamable in weeks the Braves face a good amount of RHP.
Rece Hinds (SS - CIN) - Hinds was a power-hitting prospect for the Reds, and since he was recalled, he has done nothing but hit BOMBS. He has hit safely in the six games since he was promoted for a .500 batting average. He has three doubles, a triple, and five home runs. Hinds has even tossed in two stolen bases. He is SS-eligible now but will gain OF eligibility soon. Hinds will be a major target this week.
FAAB/WW Pitching Targets (with quick thoughts)
Yariel Rodriguez (SP - TOR) - Rodriguez is back, and the Jays are letting him throw around 85 pitches at his start. He racks up the strikeouts, and if he is efficient, he has a chance of winning.
Jose Quintana (SP - NYM) - Quintana is boring but he’s putting forth some quality starts. He’s not a lock-in starter but will find great weeks/matchups to stream.
David Peterson (SP - NYM) - Peterson has found his strikeout form yet again, and he’s worth streaming going forward.
DJ Herz (SP - WAS) - Herz was sent to AAA to monitor his innings, but he’s expected back after the break. The underlying metrics are great with Herz and I am very invested in what he’ll bring in the 2H.