Bryan Fitzgerald
Below are my early thoughts on the FAAB landscape for Week 15. Players are grouped by Corner Infield, Middle Infield, Outfield/UT, Catcher, and Starting Pitcher, and broken down by 15-team and 12-team league recommendations. Only players owned less than 80% in the Main Event are listed for 15-team leagues. Players owned less than 80% in the Online Championship are included for 12-team lists.
Recommendations for how valuable the player may be for their scoring periods over the next two weeks are ordered by: Great Start, Solid Start, Possible Start, Likely Bench, and Definite Bench.
Players currently in AAA or on the IL are mostly not included, however, I added players on the IL or on rehab assignment that may be activated ahead of Week 15. Those players are marked with an asterisk and their start/sit recommendations are based on the assumption that they would be up before the start of Week 15.
Everyone is listed by order of preference, but keep in mind these are as of today and news, playing time, and injuries over the weekend will likely shift preferences, as will team needs.
| Corner Infield -15-Team Leagues | ||||||||
| Name | Team | Pos | ME % | Wk 15 M-Th | Wk 15 F-Su | Week 14 M-Th | Week 14 F-Su | |
| Noelvi Marte | CIN | 3B | 11 | Solid Start | Great Start | Great Start | Great Start | |
| Rowdy Tellez | PIT | 1B | 32 | Solid Start | Possible Start | Solid Start | Possible Start | |
| Nick Senzel | WAS | 3B,OF | 70 | Solid Start | Possible Start | Solid Start | Possible Start | |
| Joey Meneses | WAS | 1B | 72 | Solid Start | Possible Start | Solid Start | Possible Start | |
| Jake Bauers | MLW | 1B,OF | 7 | Possible Start | Likely Bench | Definite Bench | Definite Bench | |
| Gio Urshela | DET | 1B,3B | 63 | Possible Start | Solid Start | Solid Start | Possible Start | |
| Corner Infield – 12-Team Leagues | ||||||||
| Name | Team | Pos | OC % | Wk 15 M-Th | Wk 15 F-Su | Wk 16 M-Th | Wk 16 F-Su | |
| Noelvi Marte | CIN | 3B | 41 | Solid Start | Great Start | Great Start | Great Start | |
| Carlos Santana | MIN | 1B | 44 | Possible Start | Possible Start | Solid Start | Possible Start | |
| Mark Canha | DET | 1B,OF | 42 | Possible Start | Solid Start | Solid Start | Possible Start | |
| Tyler Soderstrom | OAK | 1B | 60 | Solid Start | Definite Bench | Solid Start | Possible Start | |
Noelvi Marte – Not much to say here. He’s the best hitter to hit FAAB this season and very well could be all year. BATX RoS – 72 R, 15 HR, 72 RBI, 17 SB per 600 PA, .263 BA. He’s built to put up five-cat roto lines, is in a great ballpark, has the skills to beat his HR or BA projections, and the Reds run enough where he could beat his SB projections as well. He’s worth the $300+ he’s going to cost if you need a hitter.
Carlos Santana – He’s on a tear (.329 BA, 182 wRC+ in June), plays just about every day, and is a decent streamer in any 12-teamer he’s available.
Mark Canha – He’s a solid volume and schedule stream for the next two weeks, hitting cleanup everyday with a trip to Great American Ballpark F-Su this week before seven-game Week 16. He is what he is – some power, decent BA, and the occasional SB with OK counting stats (.240/.348/.362, 6 HR, 4 SB this season). A slight drawback is that he’s set to face 11/13 vs RHP over the next two weeks and hits LHP much better (95 wRC+ vs RHP, 148 wRC+ vs LHP).
Tyler Soderstrom – You can do worse for a CI power stream in a 12-teamer, as OAK faces soft LAA pitching M-Th next week, all currently RHP. There’s legit 30-homer power here (16% barrel rate, 57% hard hit) if he can keep his K rate in check (21% K rate in June). OAK then gets a solid, all-RHP M-Th at BOS in Week 16 as well.
Rowdy Tellez – He looked like a completely different hitter recently, making tons of contact while still hitting for some power. Last three weeks – 89% contact, 4% SwStr, 11% barrel rate, 172 wRC+, 2 HR, .354 BA. He’s still sitting vs LHP, but has usable M-Th slates over the next two weeks – 3/3 vs RHP home vs STL in Week 15, 4/4 vs RHP at MLW in Week 16. He’s a solid 15-team CI stream with some upside.
Nick Senzel – He’s playing against every LHP, most RHP, and is hitting lefties very well this season (127 wRC+). WAS gets 3/4 vs LHP this M-Th and 2/4 against lefties next M-Th, making a solid dual-eligible add in 15-team leagues.
Joey Meneses – Pure volume stream, as he’s playing everyday, hitting cleanup or fifth, and has 14 games over the next 14 days starting Monday against hittable pitching (Mets for two series, STL, and MIL).
Jake Bauers – The merry-go-round that is the Brewers daily starting lineup continues, with Bauers now finding himself starting against RHP over Tyler Black, at least for this week. This team is infuriating to try and peg for consistency. That Bauers smoked a grand slam Wednesday probably puts him in good enough standing to draw at least a few starts vs RHP M-Th at COL (3/4 vs RHP). Know that MLW faces 4/6 vs LHP in Week 16, so he’s strictly a stream for Week 15.
Gio Urshela – BA help (BATX – .270 RoS) with a solid schedule coming up – F-Su at Great American Ballpark, then seven games in Week 16.
| Middle Infield – 15-Team Leagues | ||||||||
| Name | Team | Pos | ME % | Wk 15 M-Th | Wk 15 F-Su | Wk 16 M-Th | Wk 16 F-Su | |
| Daniel Schneemann | CLE | 2B, OF | 56 | Solid Start | Solid Start | Solid Start | Possible Start | |
| Brett Wisely | SF | SS,2B | 51 | Possible Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | |
| Miguel Vargas | LAD | OF,2B | 35 | Likely Bench | Likely Bench | Likely Bench | Likely Bench | |
| Middle Infield – 12-Team Leagues | ||||||||
| Name | Team | Pos | OC % | Wk 15 M-Th | Wk 15 F-Su | Wk 16 M-Th | Wk 16 F-Su | |
| Brendan Rodgers | COL | 2B | 30 | Great Start | Possible Start | Great Start | Possible Start | |
| Michael Massey | KC | 2B | 32 | Possible Start | Solid Start | Likely Bench | Solid Start | |
| Jorge Polanco | SEA | 2B | 31 | Possible Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | |
Brendan Rodgers – He’s hitting just fine, doing Brendan Rodgers-like things (.279/.313/.399, 4 HR) and has a must-start schedule on tap: seven games at home in Week 15, then four at CIN to start Week 16.
Michael Massey – Back off the IL, he’s currently only DHing, which looks as though it will give him the occasional off day against RHP in addition to sitting vs all LHP. Still, he’s a decent MI option in 12-teamers – .275 xBA, 8% barrel rate, 6 HR. He pulls the ball a ton (career 52% pull rate) and could play at a 20 HR/5 SB pace with a .250+ BA RoS. His F-Su slates are juicy the next two weeks – at COL and at BOS.
Jorge Polanco – He’s not the player he was a few years ago, but is one of the few widely available 12-team league MIs with decent projections. BATX – 22 HR, 7 SB, per 600 PA, .235 BA.
Daniel Schneemann – With CLE currently set to see 13 games in 14 days vs RHP, he’s a good bet for decent volume the next few weeks. The lefty has only sat once vs RHP since being called up on June 2 and has a solid blend of plate discipline and power in his profile. In 180 PA at AAA this year – .983 OPS, 23-18% K-BB, 49% hard hit rate, 111 max EV. So far in the majors, he’s chasing just 23% of the time with a 10% SwStr and a 26-15% K-BB. He seems like a good dice roll for power and some decent counting stats.
Brett Wisely – He’s one of SF’s better hitters (117 wRC+, 10% barrel rate, .249 xBA) and is leading off against RHP, however, with LaMonte Wade off the IL that could change. Still, with MI so thin in 15-team FAAB pools, he’s one of the few available players with decent roto skills. He is a strong-side platoon bat and SF gets 4/6 vs RHP next week and 5/6 vs righties in Week 16.
Miguel Vargas – This is a speculative add, as he’s still not starting regularly enough to trust for roto stats, but has hit in six straight games and started five of the last eight. Four of those starts were against LHP, and he’s probably still a short-side platoon bat, but it’s encouraging he got one stats vs a RHP and he still has solid upside. BATX RoS – 20 HR, 12 SB per 600 PA, .257 BA.
| Outfield/UT – 15-Team Leagues | ||||||||
| Name | Team | Pos | ME % | Wk 15 M-Th | Wk 15 F-Su | Wk 16 M-Th | Wk 16 F-Su | |
| *Alek Thomas | ARZ | OF | 42 | Possible Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | |
| Tyrone Taylor | NYM | OF | 0 | Great Start | Possible Start | Solid Start | Great Start | |
| Nick Senzel | WAS | 3B,OF | 70 | Solid Start | Possible Start | Solid Start | Possible Start | |
| *Charlie Blackmon | COL | OF | 47 | Solid Start | Possible Start | Solid Start | Likely Bench | |
| Heston Kjerstad | BAL | UT | 75 | Possible Start | Possible Start | Definite Bench | Possible Start | |
| Miguel Sano | LAA | UT | 7 | Possible Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | |
| Stuart Fairchild | CIN | OF | 0 | Possible Start | Possible Start | Solid Start | Possible Start | |
| Mickey Moniak | LAA | OF | 35 | Likely Bench | Possible Start | Solid Start | Solid Start | |
| Jake Bauers | MLW | 1B,OF | 7 | Possible Start | Likely Bench | Definite Bench | Definite Bench | |
| Luis Matos | SF | OF | 23 | Possible Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | |
| Forrest Wall | ATL | OF | 9 | Possible Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | |
| Miguel Vargas | LAD | OF,2B | 35 | Likely Bench | Likely Bench | Likely Bench | Likely Bench | |
| Edward Olivares | PIT | OF | 2 | Possible Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | |
| Outfield/UT – 12-Team Leagues | ||||||||
| Name | Team | Pos | OC % | Wk 15 M-Th | Week 15 F-Su | Week 16 M-Th | Week 16 F-Su | |
| *Lars Nootbaar | STL | OF | 53 | IL | Possible Start | Possible Start | Solid Start | |
| Max Kepler | MIN | OF | 65 | Likely Bench | Solid Start | Great Start | Solid Start | |
| Harrison Bader | NYM | OF | 20 | Solid Start | Possible Start | Solid Start | Great Start | |
| Chas McCormick | HOU | OF | 55 | Solid Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | |
| Jesus Sanchez | MIA | OF | 28 | Possible Start | Solid Start | Possible Start | Great Start | |
| Jake Meyers | HOU | OF | 60 | Solid Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | |
| Mark Canha | DET | 1B,OF | 42 | Possible Start | Solid Start | Solid Start | Possible Start | |
| Sal Frelick | MLW | OF | 55 | Great Start | Possible Start | Definite Bench | Definite Bench | |
| Pete Crow-Armstrong | CHC | OF | 35 | Possible Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | |
*Lars Nootbaar – He’s set to come off the IL later next week and immediately becomes a viable OF 3/4 type in 12-teamers where he’s still available. BATX RoS – 79 R, 72 RBI, 20 HR, 11 SB per 600 PA, .257 BA.
Max Kepler – He starts vs all RHP and gets 11/12 vs RHP over the next two weeks. In 12-teamers where available, he’s a solid OF5/UT bat. BATX RoS: 24 HR, 73 R, 76 RBI per 600 PA, .245 BA.
Harrison Bader – Starling Marte’s injury shouldn’t lead to any more playing time for him, but he has a prime schedule with 14 games in 14 days starting Monday. M-Th at WAS, he gets 3/4 vs LHP, which is when he always starts, though he’s hitting RHP better on the season (.310 BA vs RHP, .205 vs LHP). Overall, he’s been scorching lately (147 wRC+ in June) and is a solid power/speed 12-team streaming option where available.
Jesus Sanchez – I’ll keep banging the drum on Sanchez as long as he keeps ripping the ball and playing everyday. You’re not going to find many hitters on waiver wires in even 12-teamers with elite power skills (94 mph average EV, 116 max EV, 52% hard hit) who’ve also chipped in 6 SB. It’s a nice schedule coming up for him over the next two F-Su periods, with three games home vs CWS this weekend then a trip to Great American Ballpark the following weekend.
Chas McCormick – As he’s worked his way back into regular playing time, he’s becoming 12-team viable, especially with a seven-game week on tap. He could be a decent stream as an OF5/UT, with the skills to become a player to hold onto RoS if he keeps up his recent hot streak (127 wRC+, 3 HR in 40 AB in June). BATX RoS – 19 HR, 19 SB, 78 R, 67 RBI per 600 PA, .243 BA. Watch if there’s any news on a Kyle Tucker return timeline over the weekend.
Jake Meyers – Despite slumping to a 54 wRC+ in June, he’s still starting in center field just about everyday, with the occasional day off vs RHP. With HOU on a seven-game week, he should get five or six starts next week. HIs recent struggles have been due to eroding plate skills (30-5% K-BB in June), but he’s showed much better plate discipline on the whole this year and last, so I would be surprised if he didn’t rebound. His RoS projections are still solid. BATX RoS- 18 HR, 14 SB per 600 PA, .245 BA.
Mark Canha – See CI section
Sal Frelick – I don’t love Frelick’s game – not enough power (career 0.87 ISO), decent but not great speed (17 career SB in 130 games), and he hits low in the order, which hurts his counting stats. For 12-teamers, where he’s available in a lot of places, he’s a solid streamer with four at COL M-Th.
Peter Crow-Armstrong – Speed stream in 12-teamers where available, as he’s playing vs most LHP and has 10 SB with 0 CS this month. The issue is he only has a .206 OBP in June. If he can his OBP up to a respectable clip, he’d be a real difference maker for speed.
*Alek Thomas – He’s included here, as he could come off the IL ahead of next week’s scoring period. He could immediately steal starts from Jake McCarthy, has decent projections (BATX RoS – 10 HR, 14 SB per 600 PA, .259) and with upside to have a solid second half. He hits the ball hard (41% hard hit rate since 2023) and if he starts lifting it more (career 57% ground ball rate) could be a decent source of power and speed with BA.
Tyrone Taylor – The prime beneficiary to Starling Marte’s injury, he has a dream schedule coming up – 14 games in 14 days starting Monday, including four at WAS this M-Th, another three vs WAS next M-Th followed by three at COL that F-Su. The Mets may sit him against the occasional RHP to get DJ Stewart at bats, but they face 3/4 vs LHP to start Week 15. His profile has always been prime for roto. BATX RoS – 20 HR, 17 SB per 600 PA, .239 BA. Excellent (and popular) 15-team target this weekend.
Nick Senzel – See CI section
Charlie Blackmon – He’s set to come off the IL Saturday, immediately falls into a great schedule for the next two weeks (seven at home in Week 15, four at CIN in Week 16), and was hitting well before going on the IL (116 wRC+, .291 since May 1).
Miguel Sano – He’s a speculative add in 15-teamers for power help (BATX RoS – 30 HR per 600 PA, .215 BA). Watch this weekend to see how his playing time shakes out, especially if Drury ever makes it back into the lineup. Sano started at 3B Wednesday and Thursday and would most likely need to stick there or at DH to keep up regular PA, meaning Willie Calhoun would be most likely candidate to lose playing time if both Drury and Sano are both getting everyday reps.
Stuart Fairchild – With Friedl on the IL, Will Benson forgetting how to hit, and Jake Fraley now being sent for an MRI on his calf, there’s playing time opportunities for Fairchild just as the Reds have one of the best stretches for hitters setup for the next two weeks. Since June 18, he’s started every game but one in CF and the Reds next few scoring periods are great – Week 15, at NYY, home vs DET; Week 16, home for four vs COL, home for three vs MIA. He has 4 HR and 8 SB on the year and could be decent streamer for the next two weeks.
Mickey Moniak – It’ll be a tough week to play him M-Th, as he sits vs LHP and LAA gets 2/3 vs lefties. He’s had a great June, as he’s drawing more walks while hitting for some power and chipping in a few SB. In June – 120 wRC+, 24-10% K-BB, 2 HR, 2 SB. He hits the ball hard (111 max EV, career 10% barrel rate), gets the ball into the air (47% fly ball rate) and pulls enough (44% pull rate) to keep tagging homers. If he’s walking more, he’ll also presumably steal more bases. LAA is set to face 7/7 vs RHP in Week 16. If you have room to hold him this week, I think it’s a good idea.
Luis Matos – He’s started all but one game since being called back up on June 22, has shown improved hard hit skills this season (40% hard hit rate) with elite contact (95% zone contact). He’s a potential BA aide in deep leagues with some pop.
Forrest Wall – He’s a speed stream for next week (BATX – 46 SB per 600 PA). He’s starting vs RHP and ATL gets 2/3 vs RHP vs SF M-Th, who’ve allowed the most SB in MLB.
Miguel Vargas – See MI section.
Edward Olivares – He seems to have taken over the job in RF from Connor Joe and always has usable roto projections. BAT RoS – 14 HR, 16 SB per 600 PA, .246 BA. I’m skeptical he’ll get enough volume to be useful, but maybe he chips in a few HR and/or SB during one of the upcoming scoring periods.
| Catcher – 15-Team Leagues | ||||||||
| Name | Team | ME % | Wk 15 M-Th | Wk 15 F-Su | Week 16 M-Th | Week 16 F-Su | ||
| Kyle Higashioka | SD | 47 | Possible Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | ||
| Jacob Stallings | COL | 75 | Solid Start | Possible Start | Solid Start | Possible Start | ||
| *Henry Davis | PIT | 56 | Possible Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | ||
| Catcher – 12-Team Leagues | |||||||
| Name | Team | OC % | Wk 15 M-Th | Wk 15 F-Su | Week 16 M-Th | Week 16 F-Su | |
| Bo Naylor | CLE | 65 | Solid Start | Solid Start | Solid Start | Solid Start | |
| Ben Rice | NYY | 69 | Possible Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | |
| *Hunter Goodman | COL | 29 | Possible Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | |
| Freddy Fermin | KC | 75 | Solid Start | Great Start | Possible Start | Great Start | |
Bo Naylor – Worth a grab where available, as he’s been hot lately and is set to see 13 RHP over 14 days beginning Monday. Last 10 games – .333/.371/.636, 1 HR, 183 wRC+. Keep in mind he is still posting a 31-6% K-BB with a .476 BABIP during this recent stretch.
Ben Rice – He has dreamy projections for a catcher on a per plate appearance basis (BATX – 20 HR, 8 SB, per 600 PA, .232 BA) and should be owned as a C2 even in 12-teamers while he’s playing everyday vs RHP at 1B.
*Hunter Goodman – As of Friday, he was two games away from catcher eligibility in NFBC. He should get it sometime this week and has the benefit of COL’s ultra hitter friendly – seven games at home in Week 15, then four at CIN to start Week 16. I’m skeptical he’ll end up with enough playing time longterm to be a serviceable C2, but anyone eligible at the position with a 115 max EV and 13% barrel rate deserves a look.
Freddy Fermin – His upcoming schedule is light on volume, with KC playing just 11 games in Weeks 15 and 16 combined, however he has trips to COL and BOS during that stretch and has been on a tear for two months – .315 BA, 131 wRC+ since May 1.
Kyle Higashioka – After clubbing two homers earlier this week, he’ll probably go for more than he’s worth in FAAB, but is still a solid C2 stream for power upside (career 12% barrel rate, .197 ISO) as long as Campusano is sidelined.
Jacob Stallings – He has a dream streaming matchup for the next two weeks (see Goodman’s write-up). Solid 15-team streamer, as Elias Dias doesn’t look close to returning..
*Henry Davis – He’s been terrible this year (49 wRC+) but is set for his rehab assignment this weekend on his way back from a concussion. In the dumpster fire that is the 15-team FAAB catcher pool, his skills are still worth a stab if you need a C2. BATX RoS: 18 HR, 8 SB per 600 PA, .231 BA.
| Starting Pitcher – 15-Team Leagues | ||||||||
| Name | Team | ME % | Wk 15 | Wk 16 | ||||
| Hayden Wesneski | CHC | 5 | Solid Start | Possible Start | ||||
| Landon Knack | LAD | 70 | Possible Start | Possible Start | ||||
| David Festa | MIN | 0 | Solid Start | Solid Start | ||||
| Hayden Birdsong | SF | 0 | Likely Bench | Possible Start | ||||
| Kyle Hendricks | CHC | 53 | Possible Start | Possible Start | ||||
| Joey Estes | OAK | 58 | Possible Start | Definite Bench | ||||
| Jose Quintana | NYM | 68 | Possible Start | Possible Start | ||||
| Yonny Chirinos | MIA | 7 | Possible Start | Definite Bench | ||||
| Starting Pitchers – 12-Team Leagues | ||||||||
| Name | Team | OC% | Wk 15 | Wk 16 | ||||
| Max Scherzer | TEX | 77 | Solid Start | Great Start | ||||
| *Jose Soriano | LAA | 53 | Solid Start | Solid Start | ||||
| Dean Kremer | BAL | 78 | Solid Start | Possible Start | ||||
| Simeon Woods Richardson | MIN | 79 | Possible Start | Solid Start | ||||
| Alec Marsh | KC | 68 | Possible Start | Possible Start | ||||
| Lance Lynn | STL | 77 | Solid Start | Possible Start | ||||
| Tylor Megill | NYM | 77 | Solid Start | Possible Start | ||||
| Spencer Arrighetti | HOU | 19 | Possible Start | Possible Start | ||||
| Michael Wacha | KC | 62 | Possible Start | Possible Start | ||||
| Hayden Wesneski | CHC | 5 | Solid Start | Possible Start | ||||
| Zack Littell | TB | 75 | Possible Start | Possible Start | ||||
| David Peterson | NYM | 28 | Possible Start | Possible Start | ||||
Max Scherzer – The big 12-team big prize this week if he wasn’t drafted in your league, he might be the biggest winning bid of the season in most leagues he’s available. The skills are there to dominate if healthy, but I’d be a bit cautious, as, at 39, he does seem to be held together with duct tape at this point in his career. If healthy, he’ll be worth whatever he costs.
*Jose Soriano – I’m including him here, as it looks like he could be back next week and be in-line for a start at OAK. If that materializes, he’s a must-add and definite start next week. You’re not going to find many pitchers in FAAB at this point in the year with a 60% ground ball rate, 10% SwStr, and 3.96 SIERA. I still think he has upside to get better as he figures things out.
Dean Kremer – Where available in 12-teamers, he’s a good SP 7/8 to stream in-and-out based on matchups (4.01 SIERA, 24-9% K-BB). HIs next two starts are usable – vs SEA (98 wRC+, 28% K rate vs RHP). and vs CHC (96 wRC+ vs RHP). He’ll have games with nice K totals and wins on one of MLB’s better teams.
Simeon Woods-Richardson – In 12-teamers he’s available in, he’s a solid SP 7/8 type to stream from your bench. He pounds the strike zone (34% ball rate), doesn’t miss too many bats (9% SwStr) but has avoided giving up homers thus far (0.89 HR/9).
Alec Marsh – A .339 BABIP and 60% LOB over the past three weeks is hiding a solid 3.61 SIERA during that span. He also has a 25-7% K-BB during that stretch and has a decent stream vs TB coming up (98 wRC+ vs RHP, 16th in MLB) before a tougher Week 16 assignment vs a hot Cardinals team. If available in a 12-team league, he has some upside as a SP 8/9 type to stream from your bench.
Lance Lynn – Available in some 12-teamers and a solid streaming option at PIT (82 wRC+ vs RHP). He’s still prone to blowups, but has been better lately (3.27 xFIP in June).
Tylor Megill – He’s deserved better than his results (3.68 SIERA vs 4.81 ERA, 29-11% K-BB) and is a streamable pickup with upside in 12-teamers where available, as he draws PIT next week (83 wRC+ vs RHP, 4th worst in MLB).
Hayden Wesneski – He’ll be a very popular add across all 15-team leagues with Assad on the IL and Wesneski having some leash on rotation spot for the time being. On the season, he has a 3.87 xFIP, with a 3.53 xFIP and 25-6% K-BB as a starter (20 IP). He’s probably not as good as he was in 2022 (3.32 SIERA) but also not as bad as he was last season (4.32 SIERA). HRs have been an issue over the past two seasons (1.88 HR/9 since 2023) and that may continue to cause the occasional blow up. Still, there aren’t many FAAB-able SPs in deep leagues with a career 1.18 WHIP and 23-8% K-BB rate. He also has a solid matchup next week at home vs LAA (91 wRC+ vs RHP) before a tougher Week 16 start vs a hot Cardinals team (106 wRC+ vs RHP).
Spencer Arrighetti – He could be a popular add after his best game of the season this past Wednesday, albeit against the Road Rockies (7 IP, 10K, 0 ER, 3 HR, 0 BB). He’s on a two-start this week (at TOR, at MIN) with TEX at home up in Week 16. He’s not a terrible spec in 12-teamers if you need K help (25% K rate) and think he can start to reign in his control a bit moving forward (12% BB rate).
Michael Wacha – He is what he is – solid control (20-7% K-BB), usually doesn’t blow up your ratios and sprinkles in the occasional 5+ K game. A possible stream vs TB (98 wRC+ vs RHP, 16th in MLB).
Zack Littell – I don’t love the direction Littell’s been going in (3.81 xFIP in May, 4.81 xFIP in June) but he did turn in a good start vs SEA this week and has a not terrible two-start on tap – at KC (94 wRC+ vs RHP) and at TEX (91 wRC+ vs RHP).
David Peterson – He’s streamable in 12-teamers based on matchups alone, with a two-start week vs WAS (81 wRC+ vs LHP, 4th worst in MLB) and PIT (95 wRC+ vs LHP) followed by a home start in Week 16 vs COL (92 wRC+ vs LHP). Know that he’s been terrible this year under the surface – 4.83 SIERA, 16-10% K-BB.
Landon Knack – With a 4.69 SIERA against a 2.10 ERA, he’s more of a streamer that will probably go for more than I want to pay this weekend. His schedule is useful over the next two weeks as long as he is in the rotation – Week 15 vs ARI (100 wRC+ vs RHP) and Week 16 against a PHI team without Harper or Schwarber.
David Festa – He has monster K upside (35% K rate in AAA, 17% SwStr in AAA) and the ability to be a difference maker if he keeps his walks under control (10% BB rate at AAA). He could go back to AAA after Paddack comes back, but it’s worth throwing a some cash at any talented SP who is up in 15-teamers to see what happens.
Hayden Birdsong – He has solid K upside (33% K rate in AAA) but hasn’t posted a BB rate under 10% since high A ball. He has a tough start at CLE next week, then is vs MIN in Week 16. I’d throw $1 to $2 to see if there is something here.
Kyle Hendricks – He’s had a solid stretch of three starts (17 IP, 3 ER, 13-2 K-BB, 3.25 xFIP) as he continues to ditch his four-seamer for more curveballs. He’s still Kyle Hendricks. He could have a 8 ER disaster just as easily as another useful outing, but he has LAA on tap for Week 15 (91 wRC+ vs RHP) and is worth grabbing for a stream and to see how his pitch mix changes continue to pan out.
Joey Estes – Coming off his best start of the season at LAA this week (5.2 IP, 8 K, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 BB), he’s a possible stream out of the 15-team starting pitcher FAAB pool wasteland. In his last start, he threw his fastball less and leaned into his slider and changeup more. It’s worth a shot to see if he keeps that up and it leads to results pitching against LAA again (91 wRC+ vs RHP), this time home in a great pitcher’s park. Know he’s unusable in Week 16 with an at BOS/at PHI two-start on tap.
Jose Quintana – He’s more likely to tank your ratios than help you, but in desperate times, you could do worse, as both of his starts over the next two weeks line up against WAS (81 wRC+ vs LHP, 4th worst in MLB). He’s been solid over his last two outings – 2.99 SIERA, 30-7% K-BB.
Yonny Chirinos – No part of me thought I would be thinking about streaming Chirinos in 2024, but here we are. He has a 26-7% K-BB so far in 10 IP in across two starts. Unlike his days in Tampa, he’s going 5 IP in MIA and has a home start vs CWS (80 wRC+ vs RHP) in Week 15. With the state of 15-team FAAB starting pitching, I’d consider rolling out anyone with a 19% K-BB in a pitcher’s park against the third worst offense vs RHP in MLB.
