MLB Week 5 FAAB Insights

Welcome back to another FAABulous Sunday! As we enter the fourth full week of the season, we continue focusing on playing time opportunities with category upside. There are several players that have, or are about to, return from the IL. Let’s get to some names!

 

Catcher

 

Luis Torrens  – (17% ME, 15% OC, 2% Yahoo) – Torrens has started three consecutive games (11 of his season’s 26 PA) for the Mariners since Cal Raleigh was optioned to Triple-A on Thursday (two at catcher and Saturday evening as the DH for just the second time this season). Consistent playing time could get him going and drop his K% from 42.3% (just 26 PA!) to the 25% range we saw last season when he hit 15 HR in 378 PA with a .243 BA.

 

First Base

 

Wilmer Flores (98% ME, 42% OC, 26% Yahoo) – 2B, 3B – His past six starts have been as the Giants’ DH, and his most recent three have been in the three hole. He’s hit .348 in those six games, bringing his season average up to .282. It may surprise some to realize that in 649 PA, combining 2020 and 2021, Flores hit 30 HR with 85 RBI and 87 R while batting over .260 both seasons.

 

Second Base

 

Sheldon Neuse (79% ME, 12% OC, 19% Yahoo) – 3B – Since moving to the two-spot in the order on April 19, Neuse has hit .342 with a HR, 7 RBI, and 3 SB. His K% is 14 percentage points lower than last season. His .432 BABIP will most certainly come down, but he maintained high BABIPs throughout his minor league career, so probably it probably won’t plummet. Double-digit HR and a handful of SB are realistic the rest of the way. Oakland has eight games the week of May 9.

Michael Chavis (45% ME, 2% OC, 5% Yahoo) – Chavis has been extremely streaky this season and throughout his career. He’s hitting .286 in 60 PA this season with 3 HR and 11 RBI, but had a 1 for 24 streak that followed three multi-hit games out of four. The Pirates have Monday and Thursday off this week, but have four weekend games in Cincinnati with a doubleheader on Saturday. In NFBC leagues where he’s available, I’m adding him for the four-game weekend at Great American Smallpark.

 

Third Base

 

Mike Moustakas (89% ME, 16% OC, 8% Yahoo) – Moose was hitting — and slugging(!) — .129 when he hit the IL on April 17. He’s 4 for 9 with 2 BB in three games since returning. If he’s healthy, the power will be there. It’s been a couple of years, but his last three full seasons produced 38, 28, and 35 HR.

 

Shortstop

 

David Fletcher (21% ME, 5% OC) – 2B – Fletcher is 3 for 7 with two doubles in two games since returning from the IL. He’s hitting at the bottom of the order, but the Angels lead the league in runs scored, so he should get enough PA to approach the 15 SB and 74 R he had in 2021 while hitting .262.

 

Outfield

 

Darin Ruf (92% ME, 40% OC, 2% Yahoo) – Ruf is crushing the ball with nothing to show for it other than some nice exit velocities into defenders’ gloves, including three hits over 105 mph in one game — all for outs. He leads the Giants in PA, he’s taking his walks, and the 25.3% K rate is manageable. The guy we saw on a full season 30 HR, 80 R and RBI pace in 2021 is coming.

Kyle Lewis (26% Me, 7% OC, 12% Yahoo) – Grab Lewis now, before a rehab assignment is announced. He has been playing left field and getting four to five PA per game at extended spring training. The shortened 2020 and his injury in 2021 have led to just 464 PA the past three seasons — .258 with 22 HR, 52 RBI, 62 R, and 7 SB.

Ramón Laureano (100% ME, 97% OC, 29% Yahoo) – Had him here last week, but a reminder for those in some shallower leagues: Check to see if Laureano is available. He began his rehab assignment last Saturday evening and is eligible to return from his suspension next weekend.

 

Pitcher

 

Daniel Lynch (68% ME, 8% OC, 11% Yahoo) – After a rough 2021 and giving up 6 ER in 5 IP his first start of 2022, Lynch has put together a couple of nice starts vs. the Twins and White Sox, combining for 11 IP with 0 ER and 9 K. He faces the Yankees on Sunday afternoon, and how he performs will greatly effect what type of bids it will take to acquire him this evening.

James Kaprielian (26% ME, 4% OC) – Another Sunday afternoon starter, Kaprielian will be making his 2022 debut. As with Lynch, his performance today will influence his FAAB price this evening. He’ll face Minnesota next weekend.

Matt Barnes (92% ME, 88% OC, 51% Yahoo) – It’s been a rough start to the season for Barnes, but the Red Sox want him to be their ninth inning guy. While only 8% and 12% respectively, I am surprised to see Main Event and Online Championship availability. I would grab him in the half of Yahoo leagues where he’s available as well.

Max Meyer (17% ME, 5% OC) – One of the top pitching prospects in the game, Meyer seems to be ready when the Marlins are. In leagues he’s available to stash and there’s room on my roster, I’m taking a shot that it may be soon.

 

As usual, I’m not looking to spend big on any particular players this week. In $1,000 FAAB leagues, I’ll spend $40 to $50 in most cases. Good luck tonight, and enjoy the games!

 

Photography by John McCreary & Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Michael Packard (@CollectingPack on Twitter)