Fantasy Baseball Week 22 WW/FAAB Preview
Get ready for this week's FAAB with the weekly preview.
We have made it through another week of the season and are heading towards the stretch run. We only have a handful of weeks left, so start focusing on 2-start pitchers where you need to count stats. Start streaming more and more to maximize at-bats. It’s also time to make stricter cuts as the season is dwindling.
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 161.
(Friendly reminder: if you are a PAID member of the substack, you’ll have full access to message me with all your fantasy team needs.)
Schedule
7 Games- BAL, CIN, HOU, LAA, NYM, OAK, PIT, SD, TB, TOR
6 Games- ARI, ATL, BOS, CHC, CLE, COL, CWS, DET, KC, LAD, MIA, MIL, MIN, NYY, PHI, SEA, SF, STL, TEX, WAS
Schedule highlights-
The DBacks face six RHP in six games.
The Orioles face five LHP in seven games.
The Red Sox face five RHP in six games.
The Reds face six RHP in seven games, all on the road.
The Guardians face five RHP in six games.
The Rockies face four LHP in six games, all on the road.
The White Sox face four LHP in six games.
The Tigers face five RHP in six games.
The Astros face six RHP in seven games.
The Angels face six RHP in seven games.
The Dodgers face six RHP in six games.
The Marlins face five LHP in six games.
The Brewers face five RHP in six games.
The Twins face five RHP in six games.
The Mets face five RHP in seven games.
The A’s face six RHP in seven games.
The Phillies face five RHP in six games.
The Padres face five RHP in seven games.
The Giants face five RHP in six games.
The Cardinals face six RHP in six games.
The Rays face six RHP in seven games.
The Rangers face five RHP in six games.
The Jays face six RHP in seven games.
2-Start Pitchers (Available in most NFBC OCs) (2-Start options are subject to change)
Trevor Rogers, BAL (at NYM, vs HOU) - SIT
Carson Spiers, CIN (at TOR, at PIT) - Deep Leagues Only
Matthew Boyd, CLE (at NYY, vs TEX) - Deep Leagues Only
Austin Gomber, COL (at WAS, at NYY) - SIT
Jonathan Cannon, CWS (at SF, vs DET) - SIT
Bryan Sammons, DET (at CHC, at CWS) - Deep Leagues Only
Carson Fulmer, LAA (at KC, at TOR) - Deep Leagues Only
Frankie Montas, MIL (at STL, at OAK) - START
Zebby Matthews, MIN (at SD, vs STL) - START
Joe Boyle, OAK (vs TB, vs MIL) - Deep Leagues Only
Joey Estes, OAK (vs TB, vs MIL) - SIT
Luis L. Ortiz, PIT (at TEX, vs CIN) - START
Martin Perez, SD (vs MIN, vs NYM) - START
Jose Urena, TEX (vs PIT, at CLE) - SIT
DJ Herz, WAS (vs COL, at ATL) - START
FAAB/WW Hitting Targets (with quick thoughts)
Joey Bart (C - PIT) - Bart has been a man on a mission recently. He is hitting .353 over his last 13 games. He has five home runs with ten runs scored and 11 RBI. He is a tremendous catching option in most formats, especially as a C2.
Michael Conforto (OF - SF) - Conforto has been swinging a hot bat of late, hitting .358 over his last 12 games. He has two home runs and ten RBI over the 12-game stretch. The Giants face five RHP in six games next week, making Conforto an intriguing streaming option.
Jorge Polanco (2B - SEA) - Polanco is a streaky hitter who can supply plenty of power when things are going well. He’s hitting .250 with two home runs over his last ten games. Polanco has a knee injury he’s been battling over recent weeks, so that’s worth monitoring. While healthy, Polanco is an excellent streaming option that can surprise power for the upcoming weeks.
Orlando Arcia (SS - ATL) - Since the all-star break, Arcia has become a nice SS or MI option for fantasy. He’s hitting .280 with four home runs while supplying solid on-base skills. Arcia may be better for deeper leagues, but he also has a nice 12-team upside.
Eloy Jimenez (UTIL - BAL) - Injuries are always a concern with Eloy, but since joining the Orioles, he’s been hitting quite well. He has no home runs, which is less than ideal, but Eloy is hitting .438 since joining the Orioles on August 1. If you need batting average help with some run production upside, then Eloy is a viable option.
Alex Call (OF - WAS) - If you are looking for more help with your batting average, then Call should be on your shortlist. He’s hitting safely in 11 of 13 games for a .370 batting average. Call has not hit a home run but does have eight RBI and two stolen bases over this stretch.
Alejandro Kirk (C - TOR) - With Danny Jansen heading to Boston, Kirk has become the primary catcher for the Jays. In doing so, Kirk has started swinging it well at the plate and is once again fantasy-relevant. Over Kirk’s last 15 games, he’s been hitting .308 with a home run and ten RBI. Kirk is a viable C2 while he’s swinging it well.
Kerry Carpenter (OF—DET) - Carpenter will be one of the top waiver targets this weekend. This week, he returned to the Tigers, hitting safely in three of four games with three home runs. Carpenter is striking out nearly 44% of the time, which is not ideal, but he has supplied plenty of power when healthy and could be a huge pickup this week.
Adrian Del Castillo (C - ARI) - Castillo appears to be the primary catcher for the DBacks, at least a 60/40 situation, which makes Del Castillo's fantasy relevant. He showcased plenty of offensive skills at AAA, and after over six starts at AAA, he is hitting .333 with a home run and five RBI. If you are not interested in Joey Bart, Del Castillo makes for a solid C2.
Geraldo Perdomo (2B,SS - ARI) - Perdomo is back and healthy for the DBacks and is proving he has fantasy relevance. Since August 1, Perdomo is hitting .319 with a home run, nine runs scored, and two stolen bases. Perdomo won’t supply much power but can provide excellent batting average skills and stolen bases. He makes for a great MI target going forward.
Spencer Torkelson (1B - DET) - Torkelson was recalled on Saturday. He struggled tremendously with the Tigers this year, and his stint at AAA wasn’t great. Still way too much swing-and-miss to go with the bit of pop he’s bringing. I wish him well, but will not add him to my team.
Jonah Bride (1B,3B - MIA) - Bride jumped into the Marlins lineup on July 25 and became a regular at 1B or DH. Bride is hitting .292 over the 19 games with five home runs and 15 RBI. It is quite the heater for Bride and one worth riding while he’s swinging it well.
Seth Brown (1B,OF - OAK) - Brown was heating up at the end of July and has continued that success in August. Over eight games in August, Brown is hitting .310 with a home run and six RBI. He’s only striking out 16.7% of the time. Brown will sit versus LHP, but that does not matter much this week as the A’s face six RHP in seven games. Brown is a great stream this week.
Mickey Moniak (OF - LAA) - Moniak is having a great August, hitting .351 over ten games with two home runs. He sits versus LHP, but the Angels face six RHP in seven games, making Moniak a nice stream for the week.
Derek Hill (OF - MIA) - Hill has been on a few teams this year, but now he’s locked into the Marlins lineup, playing in the outfield and producing. Over the last ten games with the Marlins, he has been hitting .237 with a home run, RBI, and three steals. Hill may be best left for deeper leagues, but he can be a sneaky OF add on the cheap this week.
Jace Jung (3B - DET) - Jung was called up on Friday to make his MLB debut. Jung went hitless in his first game but picked up two hits on Saturday. In 95 games at AAA, Jung hit .258 with 15 home runs and three stolen bases. Jung walked 16.5% of the time at AAA while striking out 22.1%. He has some nice power with some swing-and-miss. Jung will be a popular pickup this week.
Trey Sweeney (SS - DET) - Sweeney was also promoted on Friday to make his MLB debut. Sweeney was acquired from the Dodgers in the Jack Flaherty deal. Sweeney played on Friday, going 1-3, but say on Saturday versus an LHP. We’ll see if this is a platoon situation. Sweeney had 15 HR and 20 SB over 107 games at AAA, so there is a lot of potential for Sweeney if he’s given the playing time.
Andres Chaparro (3B - WAS) - Chaparro was traded to the Nats from the DBacks at the deadline. Chaparro has been a pleasant surprise since his promotion, hitting safely in three of five games with three doubles over his five hits. He’s only striking out 10.5% of the time while hitting in the middle of the Nats lineup. Over 105 games at AAA this season, Chaparro hit .328 with 23 home runs. I am pretty interested in Chaparro over the other newly promoted prospects.
Oswald Peraza (3B - NYY) - Peraza was recalled when Jazz went on the IL. Peraza went 1-3 in his first game back with a solo home run. Peraza started to swing it well before he was recalled, providing power and speed. The biggest concern is playing time, as Peraza played on Friday and Oswaldo Cabrera played on Saturday. Something to monitor.
FAAB/WW Pitching Targets (with quick thoughts)
Luis L. Ortiz (SP - PIT) - Ortiz has been quite serviceable since joining the Pirates rotation. Over his last seven starts, he has allowed three earned runs or less in five starts. Ortiz only has 24 strikeouts over 40 innings, which is not ideal. Ortiz has a 2-step this week versus the Rangers and Reds, which makes him a deep-league stream.
Frankie Montas (SP - MIL) - Montas has not been great, but he’s been serviceable since joining the Brewers at the trade deadline. He’s made three starts, allowing six earned runs over 14 innings with 18 strikeouts. Montas has a very enticing 2-step this week versus the Cardinals and A’s. Stream away and pray for success this week.
DJ Herz (SP - WAS) - Herz continues to showcase some strong skills, but inconsistency with control has limited his overall success. Over his last five starts, Herz has thrown 23 innings while allowing eight earned runs. He’s walked ten but also struck out 27 for a 17.2% K-BB. Herz faces the Rockies and Astros this week as we aim for more success.
Nick Martinez (SP - CIN) - Martinez entered the Reds rotation recently, and he’s been quite good. Over the three starts, Martinez has allowed three earned runs over 18 innings without walking a batter and striking out 16. He faces the Jays this week and then sets up for a nice 2-step versus the A’s and Brewers. Martinez should be a popular ad this week, and for good reason.
Martin Perez (SP - SD) - Perez was traded to the Padres at the deadline, and he’s been great. He’s made three starts, allowing four earned runs over 18.1 innings pitched with 21 strikeouts. Perez has made a pitch mix change, and it’s working great. Perez has a nice 2-step this week versus the Twins and Mets. Perez is also worth rostering after the 2-step.
Seranthony Dominguez (RP - BAL) - With Kimbrel’s struggles at the back of the Orioles pen, Dominguez has taken over closing duties. He’s picked up saves in his last two appearances, the last two saves for the Orioles. Dominguez is one of the top targets if you are looking for saves.
Alex Cobb (SP - CLE) - Cobb made his season debut and appears to be shaken off the cobwebs. He’s made two starts with the Guardians, throwing 10.1 innings while allowing five earned runs. It may take time for Cobb to get going. He does face the Yankees this week, but a great 2-step the following week versus the Royals and Pirates.
Grant Holmes (SP - ATL) - Holmes has been outstanding since joining the Braves rotation. He’s provided solid ratios and a ton of strikeouts. The problem is the chance Holmes is taken out of the rotation when Reynaldo Lopez returns this week. In theory, Charlie Morton should go to the bullpen to keep Holmes in the rotation. Holmes may head to AAA or the Braves due the right thing. For that, Holmes is worth a gamble in FAAB this week as he may be the best available pitcher.
Joe Boyle (SP - OAK) - Boyle was recalled this past week and allowed four runs over four innings pitched with three walks and six strikeouts. Boyle has showcased outstanding strikeout skills in the minors, but he needs to hone his skills in the walks. Boyle faces the Rays and Brewers this week, making for a high-risk/high-reward stream.
Zebby Matthews (SP - MIN) - Matthews was outstanding in his MLB debut. He allowed two earned runs over five innings while striking out five and walking none. Matthews showcased outstanding control in the minors, which carried over in his first start. He has a 2-step this week versus the Padres and Cardinals.