SP Zach Littell, Tampa Bay Rays (72%)
Littell’s ownership has shot up from 54% last week to 72% this week on Fantrax after two very clean back-to-back games. As stated last week, Littell won’t strike out many hitters but he also doesn’t walk many guys, and pitching for Tampa certainly doesn’t hurt either. He is a solid floor guy who hopefully offers some pitching stability in very unstable times. This is likely your last shot at him if he hasn’t already been picked up.
SP Houston Astros, Ronel Blanco (60%)
After pitching a no-hitter in his first game this year Blanco’s ownership has understandably skyrocketed from 13% last week to 60% now on Fantrax, and it’s still climbing fast. He struck out 7 Toronto hitters, walked two, and only needed 105 pitches to accomplish this feat. This is by far the longest he has ever gone in an outing, and Blanco was visibly exhausted by the end of the game, but it truly was a thing of beauty. However, as incredible as it was, what can fantasy owners realistically expect from Blanco moving forward? Well, Blanco doesn’t have an overpowering fastball, so his ability to command his breaking balls while mixing in a fastball here and there will be the key for him. Aside from that, walks have been an issue in the past so if he can limit them as he has been so far this year then he may yet be able to stay in the Astros’ rotation and continue to hopefully help his fantasy owners. His next start will be one worth paying close attention to, as it should give us a better idea of whether or not he can keep it up, and to what extent. He is at the very least making things interesting.
OF Mitch Haniger, Seattle Mariners (59%)
Back with his old team, Haniger has played nearly every game for Seattle so far and has hit quite well. One very encouraging sign is that after three consecutive 2 strikeout performances early on he has not struck out in his past 5 games and has instead walked three more times. If he can keep up the good plate discipline and continue to hit home runs then he just may make that potential bounceback season a reality.
RP David Robertson, Texas Rangers (51%)
Jose Leclerc has a 13.50 ERA, a 2.500 WHIP, and has 5 walks and 2 strikeouts in his 4 innings pitched to start the season. He did register his first save his last time out, but aside from that, nothing Leclerc has done so far has swayed me from my opinion that Robertson is destined to become the closer at some point. He has yet to allow a run so far and now is the time to grab and stash him.
SS Brayan Rocchio, Cleveland Guardians (38%)
Rocchio has played almost every day for the Guardians and has at least a hit in all but two of his eight games played thus far. As mentioned in Week one, Rocchio is a smart player who works extremely hard, and he’ll have a chance to solidify himself as a mainstay in the lineup for Cleveland if he can continue to put up quality at-bats. He also has some speed which should start to show up. He makes for a nice addition to fantasy teams that need help at the middle infield.
Honorable Mentions:
1B, OF Alex Kirilloff, Minnesota Twins (66%)
SP Alec Marsh, Kansas City Royals (47%)
SP Spencer Turnbull, Philadelphia Phillies (30%)
1B Rowdy Tellez, Pittsburgh Pirates, (21%)
