Welcome back to another FAABulous Sunday as we make our way out of the 2022 All-Star Break! We have 11 scoring periods to go, 10 and a half weeks of baseball. I’m not including many stats this week — I’m looking for opportunities and schedules. Let’s get to some names!
Catcher
Salvador Perez (70% ME, 54% OC, 87% Yahoo) – It’ll be four weeks before Perez is eligible to return, but if you have a stash spot available why not a catcher that has the ability to put up double digit homeruns in the final month and a half of the season? August 20 seems really late in the season, but we’ll have a full quarter of the season remaining at that point.
First Base
Nick Pratto (19% ME, 1% OC, 3% Yahoo) – In 607 PA at Triple-A over the past year, Pratto had 38 HR, 102 RBI, 99 R, and 13 SB. He already has a homerun and three doubles in 23 MLB plate appearances. His K% around 30% hampers his batting average outlook, but his high BB% should lead to a nice OBP. Kansas City has a seven-game week on tap including a four-game series at the Yankees — a pretty nice spot for a left handed power hitter.
Second Base
Jean Segura (72% ME, 17% OC, 38% Yahoo) – Segura plans to start a rehab assignment this week and return as soon as the following weekend. His .275 BA with 6 HR and 8 SB in 179 PA to start the season are right in line with what I’d expect him to put up the rest of the way upon his return.
Third Base
Joey Wendle (98% ME, 27% OC, 14% Yahoo) – 2B, SS – With Jazz Chisholm Jr. out for at least six more weeks and no word yet on when to expect Jon Berti back, Wendle’s spot atop the Marlins’ lineup looks safe for now. Miami starts the week with four games at Great American Smallpark.
Shortstop
Luis Rengifo (75% ME, 10% OC, 4% Yahoo) – 2B – Unfortunately, it appears we may not see Mike Trout return to the Angels’ lineup for at least a few more days. Rengifo has hit in the top four spots in each of the past six games since Trout hit the IL. The Bat X has Rengifo projected for 5 HR and 4 SB the rest of the way while hitting .246. The Angels get Kansas City and Texas pitching for seven games this week.
Outfield
Austin Slater (75% ME, 11% OC, 10% Yahoo) – The Giants are set to face at least three left handed starters this week and then head to LA to face the Dodgers who have several lefties in their rotation. It’s tough utilizing a guy on the short side of a platoon, but Slater typically remains in the game when he starts and pinch hits when he doesn’t. He should get enough plate appearances over the next couple of periods to make his power appealing.
Pitcher
Kutter Crawford (89% ME, 24% OC, 7% Yahoo) – Crawford has 17 IP over his last three starts with 7 ER and 16 K vs the Yankees, Rays, and Blue Jays. He gets Cleveland this week and looks to get two starts the following week including Kansas City if we’re willing to risk a trip to Houston. I’ll be inclined to do so if he has a nice outing vs the Guardians this week.
Be careful with Cardinals and Tigers this week as both teams make their way to Toronto for the first time this season. It’s already been announced that Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt will not make the trip for their two-game series, but like with the Royals a couple of weeks ago, we won’t know which Tigers won’t travel with the team for their four-game series until later in the week. Keep grinding, good luck tonight, and enjoy the games!
Feature image by Michael Packard (@CollectingPack on Twitter) / Photography by David J. Griffin & Scott Winters / Icon Sportswire