Bryan Fitzgerald
It’s another FAAB week with not much out there in the way of big adds. There are some decent schedules to attack, but lots of tricky ones to try and avoid as well if you have the flexibility.
Sits and Drops
Below are players who are at least 50% owned in either the NFBC Main Event or Online Championship that I think need to be considered as sits or outright cuts for either the M-Th or F-Su scoring periods Players already on the IL or sent to AAA as of Friday are not included.
Players are listed alphabetically by team and ranked on the following scale for each scoring period: Great Start, Solid Start, Possible Start, Possible Bench, Likely Bench, Definite Bench, and Drop. Write-ups and rationale on each follow below. Be sure to check the probable pitchers this weekend for decisions dependent on righty/lefty match-ups.
| Hitters to Sit or Drop | ||||||
| Name | Team | Pos | ME% | OC% | Wk 11 M-Th | Wk 11 F-Su |
| Travis d’Arnaud | ATL | C | 90 | 68 | Likely Bench | Likely Bench |
| Vaughn Grissom | BOS | 2B,SS | 86 | 62 | Possible Bench | Possible Start |
| Mike Tauchman | CHC | OF | 100 | 53 | Solid Start | Definite Bench |
| Michael Busch | CHC | 1B,3B | 97 | 91 | Solid Start | Definite Bench |
| Gavin Sheets | CWS | 1B,OF | 74 | 13 | Possible Bench | Possible Start |
| Paul DeJong | CWS | SS | 74 | 9 | Drop | |
| Corey Julks | CWS | OF | 65 | 6 | Drop | |
| Jacob Hurtubise | CIN | OF | 56 | 6 | Drop | |
| Kyle Manzardo | CLE | 1B | 97 | 56 | Possible Bench | Definite Bench |
| Will Brennan | CLE | OF | 58 | 5 | Drop | |
| Colt Keith | DET | 2B,3B | 100 | 85 | Possible Bench | Possible Start |
| Wenceel Perez | DET | OF | 100 | 76 | Possible Start | Possible Start |
| Chas McCormick | HOU | OF | 97 | 77 | Likely Bench | Likely Bench |
| Jon Singleton | HOU | 1B | 86 | 29 | Possible Start | Likely Bench |
| Andy Pages | LAD | OF | 98 | 87 | Likely Bench | Possible Start |
| Bryan De La Cruz | MIA | OF | 100 | 100 | Likely Bench | Solid Start |
| Jake Burger | MIA | 1B,3B | 100 | 98 | Likely Bench | Solid Start |
| Josh Bell | MIA | 1B | 100 | 84 | Likely Bench | Possible Start |
| Otto Lopez | MIA | 2B | 79 | 4 | Definite Bench | Possible Start |
| Jesus Sanchez | MIA | OF | 74 | 3 | Likely Bench | Possible Start |
| Carlos Santana | MIN | 1B | 77 | 9 | Drop | |
| Starling Marte | NYM | OF | 100 | 100 | Solid Start | Possible Bench |
| J.D. Martinez | NYM | UT | 100 | 100 | Solid Start | Possible Bench |
| Harrison Bader | NYM | OF | 98 | 30 | Solid Start | Likely Bench |
| Jeff McNeil | NYM | 2B,OF | 98 | 42 | Possible Start | Likely Bench |
| Mark Vientos | NYM | 3B | 90 | 24 | Solid Start | Possible Bench |
| Nick Castellanos | PHI | OF | 100 | 100 | Solid Start | Possible Bench |
| Brandon Marsh | PHI | OF | 100 | 93 | Great Start | Definite Bench |
| Johan Rojas | PHI | OF | 93 | 49 | Possible Start | Definite Bench |
| Edmundo Sosa | PHI | SS,3B | 83 | 22 | Possible Start | Likely Bench |
| Jose Caballero | TB | 2B,SS | 100 | 98 | Possible Bench | Solid Start |
| Brandon Lowe | TB | 2B | 98 | 71 | Definite Bench | Possible Start |
| Richie Palacios | TB | 2B,OF | 91 | 35 | Definite Bench | Likely Bench |
| Jonny DeLuca | TB | OF | 91 | 67 | Likely Bench | Possible Bench |
| Amed Rosario | TB | OF,2B,SS | 68 | 60 | Drop | |
| Justin Turner | TOR | 1B | 97 | 79 | Drop | |
| Jackson Merrill | SD | OF,SS | 100 | 99 | Definite Bench | Solid Start |
| Luke Raley | SEA | 1B,OF | 93 | 75 | Definite Bench | Possible Bench |
| Josh Rojas | SEA | 2B,3B | 70 | 52 | Definite Bench | Likely Bench |
| Ezequiel Duran | TEX | 3B,SS,OF | 51 | 23 | Drop | |
| Luis Garcia | WAS | 2B | 100 | 100 | Likely Bench | Definite Bench |
| Eddie Rosario | WAS | OF | 90 | 43 | Likely Bench | Definite Bench |
Travis D’Arnaud – He’s started 1/4 games since Murphy came off the IL and is probably relegated to what amounts to a short-side platoon role now, appearing mostly against LHP. ATL gets 2/6 vs LHP in Week 11. Maybe D’Arnaud gets three starts, but regardless, it’s time to look for better C2 options.
Vaughn Grissom – It’s not the worst schedule for Grissom next week (vs ATL, at CHW) but he’s done nothing since coming off the IL (3 wRC+, 0 HR, 0 SB). In any format, I’d prefer to bench him for streamers or drop him until he picks it up.
Mike Tauchman, Michael Busch – Bad schedule timing for both strong-side platooners, as CHC is set to see 2/3 vs LHP at CIN in Week 11.
Gavin Sheets, Paul DeJong, Corey Julks – Although Sheet’s walking more this season (14% BB) and hitting the ball harder (90 mph average EV, up from 88 mph in 2023), he’s mostly hitting line drives and isn’t pulling the ball much. With zero speed and marginal BA and power, the only reason I would consider not cutting him is because CHW gets 4/4 vs RHP M-Th in Week 11, but he’s hardly a must-hold.
After a brief heater in early May, DeJong has run out of gas over his last 10 games – .212/.270/.333, 71 wRC+. Hitting in the back half of the order on a terrible offense, he’s a cut. Julks has a nice power/speed blend (BATX – 14 HR, 20 SB per 600 PA) who’s walking 15% of the time and hitting high in the order most days, but Luis Robert is on rehab on coming back early next week. I think Julks loses his everyday PA once that happens.
Jacob Hurtubise – Easy cut with Friedl back.
Kyle Manzardo, Will Brennan – Both are unplayable F-Su in Week 11 with CLE set to face 2/3 vs LHP next weekend. The hard hit and barrel rate gains Brennan has made haven’t amounted to anything lately (2 HR, 6 R, 9 RBI since May 1). A strong-side platoon bat who doesn’t put up any fantasy stats, there’s no reason to roster him. Manzardo could be cuttable as well. He sits vs LHP, hasn’t done much vs RHP (93 wRC+, .244 BA, 0 HR) and could be optioned back to AAA soon.
Colt Keith, Wenceel Perez – Just note that DET gets just 2/3 vs RHP both M-Th and Fri-Sun in Week 11, meaning Keith, a strong-side platoon bat, may only get four games for the week. He may be a volume drag. Perez is playing just about everyday and hitting leadoff often, but after a hot start hasn’t done much. In May – .244 BA, 0 HR, 2 SB. His splits are shaping up like that of a short-side platoon bat (.236 BA vs RHP, .333 vs LHP) and I wouldn’t be shocked if he lost more playing time sooner than later with Parker Meadows playing in well AAA
Chas McCormick, Jon Singleton – Chas has started just 5/10 games since coming off the IL and is impossible to trust for production at the moment. I’m still not confident HOU is going to give Singleton consistent run with Abreu back, and it’s not like Singleton is setting the world on fire (.228/.336/.370, 5 HR in 149 PA).
Andy Pages – He’s playing everyday, but only because LAD has no other centerfielders. In May – 55 wRC+, 36-4% K-BB. Tough week 10 opposing pitching matchups for Pages include – Jared Jones, Skenes, Cortes, and Gil.
Bryan De La Cruz, Jake Burger, Josh Bell, Otto Lopez, Jesus Sanchez – Two games home vs TB for MIA M-Th in Week 11 makes them all unplayable in most situations.
Carlos Santana – He’s not playing every day vs RHP anymore, is slashing just .211/.296/.366 on the year and can get the heave-ho.
Starling Marte, JD Martinez, Harrison Bader, Jeff McNeil, Mark Vientos – Just note the Mets have the bizarre two-game Fri-Sun slate in Week 10, one vs a RHP (Taijuan Walker), one vs a LHP (Ranger Suarez). I’d have a better options or backup in mind for any of them if possible. With a day off Friday, I’d imagine most if not all of these guys play both games, but it’s possible a few of them only get one.
Nick Castellanos, Brandon Marsh, Johan Rojas, Edmundo Sosa – Like the Mets, they get the two-game F-Su slate, making them benchable. With the two games set to be split, one vs RHP, one vs LHP, there’s a good chance Marsh just gets one start. Rojas is sitting regularly enough to possibly only start one as well. Sosa may be out of regular PA if Turner is back by next weekend.
Jackson Merrill – Must-sit M-Th in Week 11 with SDP set to draw 3/4 vs LHP. He only starts vs the occasional LHP and can’t touch them (54 wRC+).
Luke Raley, Josh Rojas – SEA faces 3/6 vs LHP in Week 11, including 2/3 M-Th. Neither has started vs a LHP since May 17, and Raley may end up on the IL if his lat issue persists.
Randy Arozarena, Jose Caballero, Brandon Lowe, Richie Palacios, Jonny DeLuca, Amed Rosario (or any other Rays hitter) – Tampa only plays two games M-Th in Week 11, both vs LHP (Luzardo/Garrett). I’d prefer to volume another MI over playing Caballero unless you’re desperate for SB. Lowe and Palacios may very likely not play either game. DeLuca’s playing time has been erratic, and at best it’s two games vs decent SPs. Rosario could start both games, but isn’t worth holding, as he’s more of a short-side platoon bat since Lowe came off the IL. If I had the roster room, I’d consider better three or four-game M-Th options for Arozarena, Paredes, and Diaz as well.
Ezequiel Duran – No reason to roster a player with sporadic playing time and a 3% barrel rate.
Justin Turner – Even with a seven-game week coming up in Week 11, I have no interest in rostering Turner. He’s been benched more often (started 8 of the last 11 games) and, at 39, it looks like any punch in his bat may finally be gone. Since May 1 – 2% barrel rate, 85 mph average EV.
Luis Garcia, Eddie Rosario – Rough week for the strong-side platoon bats on WAS, as the Nationals have a 7-game week, but draw 4/7 vs LHP, including 2/3 Fri- Sun.
FAAB Targets
Here are hitters I’d be targeting this weekend who are less than 80% owned in the NFBC Main Event and Online Championship, broken down between 12 and 15-team adds. Along with how I’d rate their potential usage for the upcoming scoring periods in Weeks 11 and 12, players are listed in order of preference with write-ups below.
| Hitters to Target – 15-Team Leagues | ||||||||
| Name | Team | Pos | ME % | Wk 11 M-Th | Week 11 F-Su | Week 12 M-Th | Week 12 F-Su | |
| Otto Lopez | MIA | 2B | 79 | Likely Bench | Solid Start | Solid Start | Solid Start | |
| MJ Melendez | KC | OF | 61 | Possible Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | Solid Start | |
| Nick Senzel | WAS | 3B,OF | 46 | Solid Start | Solid Start | Possible Start | Solid Start | |
| Ji Hwan Bae | PIT | 2B,OF | 60 | Possible Start | Possible Start | Solid Start | Solid Start | |
| Sean Bouchard | COL | OF | 12 | Solid Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | Solid Start | |
| Mitch Haniger | SEA | OF | 75 | Possible Start | Possible Start | Solid Start | Possible Start | |
| Jake McCarthy | ARZ | OF | 30 | Solid Start | Solid Start | Definite Bench | Solid Start | |
| Charlie Blackmon | COL | OF | 53 | Possible Start | Likely Bench | Possible Bench | Solid Start | |
| Elehuris Montero | COL | 1B | 21 | Solid Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | Solid Start | |
| Miguel Andujar | OAK | OF | 54 | Possible Start | Possible Start | Solid Start | Possible Start | |
| Pete Crow-Armstrong | CHC | OF | 18 | Possible Start | Definite Bench | Possible Start | Possible Start | |
| Seth Brown | OAK | OF | 26 | Possible Start | Possible Start | Solid Start | Possible Start | |
| Isiah Kiner-Falefa | TOR | 2B,3B,OF | 54 | Solid Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | |
| Hitters to Target – 12-Team Leagues | ||||||||
| Name | Team | Pos | OC% | Wk 11 M-Th | Week 11 F-Su | Week 12 M-Th | Week 12 F-Su | |
| Ke’Bryan Hayes | PIT | 3B | 76 | Solid Start | Solid Start | Solid Start | Great Start | |
| Matt Vierling | DET | 3B,OF | 10 | Solid Start | Solid Start | Great Start | Solid Start | |
| Joc Pederson | ARZ | OF | 26 | Great Start | Solid Start | Definite Bench | Great Start | |
| Nelson Velazquez | KC | OF | 44 | Solid Start | Solid Start | Great Start | Solid Start | |
| Nick Gonzales | PIT | 2B | 41 | Possible Start | Solid Start | Solid Start | Great Start | |
| Andrew Vaughn | CWS | 1B | 69 | Possible Start | Possible Start | Solid Start | Solid Start | |
| Adam Duvall | ATL | OF | 15 | Solid Start | Solid Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | |
| David Hamilton | BOS | SS | 8 | Solid Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | |
| Jorge Mateo | BAL | 2B,SS | 50 | Solid Start | Possible Start | Solid Start | Solid Start | |
| Brendan Rodgers | COL | 2B | 31 | Solid Start | Possible Start | Possible Start | Solid Start | |
Ke’Bryan Hayes – I was a bit surprised Hayes made the cut for this, being owned in less than 80% of Online Championships. Regardless of his back problems, you have to put a good bid in for him if available and you need 3B or CI help. He was a top 150 pick a few months ago and can be a five-category contributor from a corner spot (The BATX -14 HR, 14 SB, .262 BA per 600 PA).
Matt Vierling – Maybe DET will still find a way to jerk his playing time around even with Kerry Carpenter on the IL, but this could finally be the time where he establishes himself in an everyday role hitting in the top third of the order. HIs 92 mph average EV is good for 91st percentile in MLB and his chase rate is down to 19%, 95th percentile in MLB. His .280 xBA and .466 xSLG are both career bests. His fly ball rate (42%) average launch angle (16 degrees) and pull rate (40%) are all the highest of his career as well. He’s not walking at all (4% BB rate) and has yet to attempt a steal this year, but his profile is shaping up to be that of a .270+ hitter with 20 HR power who could rack up nice counting stats playing everyday at the top of the order.
Joc Pederson – With power being so hard to find, Pederson is close to a must-start in all formats next week, with 6/7 games vs RHP in Week 11. He hits 3rd every game vs RHP and his per PA projections are essentially the same as his teammate Christian Walker’s. BATX – 79 R, 26 HR, 89 RBI, .256 BA, 3 SB per 600 PA. Just know he does not play vs LHP and ARI is set to face 2/3 vs LHP M-Th in Week 11 before what’s set up now as a great Week 11 F-Su vs three RHP against CHW.
Nelson Velazquez – Playing everyday at the moment while he’s on a heater (146 wRC+, 5 HR over his last 45 PA) he needs to be added while he’s slugging like this. Just know he could go 0 for the week and turn back into a pumpkin at any time. Don’t overpay for the recent production.
Nick Gonzales – In his second turn at the majors, he’s still chasing a lot (44% chase) with some swing-and-miss (15% SwStr) but he’s making more contact, striking out less, and pummeling the ball (15% barrel rate, 91 mph average EV). He’s playing every day and is shaping up like a solid MI option who can hit for power while chipping in SB and not tanking your BA.
Andrew Vaughn – Since May 1 – 48% hard hit rate, 11% barrel rate, 20-6% K-BB. The results haven’t been there (.208/.269/.396 in May), but that appears largely due to a .225 BABIP. His upcoming schedule is usable – at CHC and vs BOS for six games in Week 11, then a 7-game week in Week 12 at SEA and ARI.
Adam Duvall – Jarred Kelenic is more widely owned in the Online Championship (42% vs 15% for Duvall), but Duvall is the better source of useful fantasy stats in the post-Acuna 2024 Braves lineup. Each has played every game since Acuna went down, regardless of opposing pitcher handedness, but I’d bet Kelenic eventually loses occasional PA against LHP (-2 wRC+, 46-0% K-BB% vs lefties this year). Duvall has struggled in limited PA vs RHP this year (.109 BA, -19 wRC+) but has held own against them over the course of his career (95 wRC+) and mauls lefties (172 wRC+ vs LHP in 2024). Duvall projects for 29 HR per 600 PA on The BATX and is a solid power source if playing close to every day. Kelenic also has solid projections (The BATX – 19 HR, 16 SB, .248 BA per 600 PA), but I don’t buy the speed component for this season. He’s 0-1 on the bases so far this year and relying on him for more than a handful of SB seems like a stretch.
David Hamilton – Rostered for his elite speed (BATX – 43 SB per 600 PA), he’s shown improved plate skills recently while earning close to everyday playing time. Last three weeks: 19% K, 78% contact, 9% SwStr. He also has non-zero power (6% barrel rate on the season). I’m not overly confident the improved contact skills will stick, but he’s worth a bid to see and should provide SB regardless. BOS is set to see 4/6 vs RHP in Weeks 10 and 11. He’s playing everyday vs righties and mixing in against some LHP as well.
Jorge Mateo – Mateo is playing just about every day and is an easy 12-team speed stream (BATX – 56 SB per 600 PA) with non-zero power (3 HR, 5% barrel rate this season). Just know BAL is set to see a ton of RHP and his splits are dramatically better vs LHP – 40 wRC+ vs RHP, 108 vs LHP.
Brendan Rodgers – Potential streamers in 12-team streamers. In Week 11, COL has three games at home vs CIN before heading to STL for four games.
Otto Lopez – Tough play M-Th in Week 11 with just two games, but needs to be rostered in 15-teamers, as he’s chipping in everywhere with solid projections (10 HR, 18 SB, .275 BA per 600 on The BATX). His roto line is similar to Jean Segura’s from a few years ago.
MJ Melendez – With power around MLB being so hard to find, now that Melendez is widely available I think it’s a good time to speculate on him. His underlying metrics are all mostly in line with his career numbers – 10% barrel rate, 113 max EV, solid pull rate and launch angle for homers. His hard hit rate is down, but not by much (40% on the season, 46% for his career) and his .217 BABIP shouldn’t last. His RoS projections per BATX are still strong – 14 HR, .240 BA, 47 R, 49 RBI, 5 SB.
Nick Senzel – It’s a rough week in FAAB when Senzel is one of the best widely available 15-team league hitters. This is mostly a volume play, with WAS on a 7-game week in Week 11. Senzel has only sat one game since May 15 with a 121 wRC+ on the season. It’s a bit odd he’s yet to steal a base, as he usually chips in there, WAS has run like wild this season, and has had opportunities to do so this year with a .349 OBP. The most attractive part of adding Senzel this week is that he hits much better vs LHP (career 112 wRC+ and .181 ISO vs LHP, 67 wRC+ and .114 ISO vs RHP) and get 4/7 vs LHP in Week 10. WAS is also currently set to see 3/3 vs LHP F-Su in Week 12, giving him some decent short-term value.
Ji Hwan Bae – Mostly a strong-side platoon bat, he’s a solid speed source who won’t kill your BA (The BATX – 35 SB, .248 BA per 600 PA). PIT gets 2/3 vs RHP in both scoring periods next week, then 3/3 vs RHP to start Week 12 before a great F-Su stretch at COL.
Sean Bouchard, Elehuris Montero, Charlie Blackmon – Blackmon has been better since the calendar turned to May (100 wRC+, .151 ISO) and makes for an OK streaming option. He sits vs most LHP and the occasional RHP, so don’t expect close to a full week from him. Bouchard and Montero have interesting ceilings worth speculating on as long as both are getting everyday playing time. Montero’s been showing signs of life under the hood all season (114 max EV, 20-7% K-BB, contact rate up to 73% on the season) and may be finally putting a decent stretch together. Bouchard projects as a solid all-around contributor (The BATX – .245 BA, 18 HR, 11 SB per 600 PA). The drawback for both is Nolan Jones being out on rehab assignment again and potentially taking away playing time whenever Jones’ back.
Jake McCarthy – As long as Alek Thomas is on the IL, McCarthy is worth considering in RHP-heavy weeks. He sits vs every LHP, but plays against most RHP while hitting for average with solid speed and non-zero power. BATX – .247 BA, 7 HR, 46 SB per 600 PA. He should get two games vs SFG M-Th in Week 11, who have allowed the 2nd most SB in MLB.
Miguel Andujar – He’s a pure volume streamer, with OAK lined up for 13 games in 13 days starting Tuesday and Andujar hitting cleanup or 3rd in 5/6 games since coming off the IL. His 111 max exit velo this season is already his hardest hit ball since his rookie year. While that’s nice to see, I wouldn’t bid for more than the two-week stream. Projections still see him as a replacement level hitter (BATX – .258 BA, 13 HR, 7 SB per 600 PA).
Pete Crow-Armstrong – Maybe I’m just a sucker for his solid projections (The BATX – 15 HR, 29 SB, .254 BA per 600 PA) but I love that he’s made gains at the plate this year even if the results haven’t been there. He has a 22% K rate in MLB while cutting his SwStr down to 11% and upping his contact rate to 80%. He needs to make better contact for sure (4% barrel rate, 26% hard hit rate), but his bat isn’t punchless (111 max EV in AAA this year). I like him as a speculative speed add with the chance for more.
Seth Brown – Since May 23, Brown has started against 7/8 RHP. and OAK is set to face 13 RHP in 13 games in Weeks 11 and 12. They’re far from great matchups – he’s slated to face the best righties from SEA, TOR, SD, and MIN. But Brown has at least shown signs of life lately. Last 10 games – 146 wRC+, 13% barrel rate albeit with a .450 BABIP and 35-0% K-BB. He has 5 HR and 4 SB on the year and his projections are still decent. BATX – 27 HR, 11 SB per 600 PA..
Isiah Kiner-Falefa – He’s a M-Th stream for Week 11, with TOR on a 7-game week and him starting 11 straight. There’s no long-term appeal here. He’s doing IKF stuff- making lots of contact, hitting for a decent BA (.270) while chipping in some SB and zero power batting at the bottom of the order.
