Our fantasy teams could learn a thing or two from a large swath of lizards and geckos that use autotomy to defend themselves. Not only is it important to be prepared to shed something to protect our precious roto ratios, but there’s something to be said about the resiliency it takes to move one without an appendage, knowing that it will grow back in some form or fashion.
Resiliency is the key to getting through this stretch from now until the All-Star break in all fantasy leagues out there. The dog days of real baseball typically occur in August, but for fantasy, I find June to be the most challenging. It can be easy to look at a low ranking in those standings and thinking it’s impossible to climb up. Lots of player pools are picked over, cratered by injuries and poor performance. Some leaguemates are throwing in the towel, barely checking rosters in home leagues especially.
But more likely, you just need to practice some roster autotomy and leave behind those underperforming players to re-grow and re-tool your team. It’s paramount to constantly be evaluating when to cut bait right now because getting volume to stay relevant in counting stats is crucial if you want to be competitive in the last weeks of September.
The stats and ownership percentages below are updated as of noon central time on 5/31.
As always, if you want advice on specific roster decisions you might have, feel free to leave a comment. You can also find me on twitter (X) (@mcouill7) and bluesky (@mcouill7.bsky.social).
CATCHERS
10/12 Team Adds
Tyler Stephenson (CIN, 45% CBS Ownership) – Stephenson has hit quite the rough patch of late, hitting a measly .111 (3-for-27) with seven Ks and no homers in his last nine games. So yes, I know I’m asking for a slight leap of faith here, but Cincinnati’s next week holds three games in Colorado before hosting the Cubs and their bullpen with a 4.56 ERA (sixth worst in MLB). That’s a primo stream opportunity for the switching-hitting Stephenson, who still sports a 12.5% barrel-rate and 50.0% HardHit-rate despite a cold spell. It’s also a primo stream opportunity for any Reds bat on your waiver wire. Just check out the Cincy outfielders in the Quick Hits below, they should be readily available like Stephenson if hard up for a replacement bat. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Elias Diaz (COL, 49% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Danny Jansen (TOR, 48% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Connor Wong (BOS, 44% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Patrick Bailey (SFG, 28% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Keibert Ruiz (WSN, 28% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Ivan Herrera (STL, 20% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Gary Sanchez (MIL, 9% CBS Ownership) – The past week has been a fitting example of The Kraken Duality (trademark pending). Sanchez scorched the ball en route to a .263 batting average with a homer, but also been retired via punchout in 38.1% of plate appearances. All of that has added up to positive value in our 12-team Player Rater for a whole two bucks. But hey, positive value at the catcher spot is positive value. Even with Rhys Hoskins returning soon, The Kraken should receive plenty of at-bats one way or another as he has provided a 118 wRC+ in 120 plate appearances. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Korey Lee (CHW, 9% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Miguel Amaya (CHC, 3% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Carson Kelly (DET, 2% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
INFIELDERS
10/12 Team Adds
Tyler Freeman (3B/MI/OF, CLE, 41% CBS Ownership) – I’m not trying to be a lazy copy-and-edit writer from last week. It’s genuinely perplexing why Freeman isn’t more highly owned. Okay, maybe not that perplexing as he still sports a .216 batting average, but he’s also on pace for 11 homers and 21 steals along with 90-plus runs while batting leadoff for a Cleveland team that ranks third in total runs. This is the type of slot-him-anywhere-in-your-lineup bat that becomes crucial to placing in any fantasy league. Freeman is not only providing volume in the counting stats, but he’s also been plagued by non-luck as his xBA stands at .240 – a mark he should be able to hover around and not sink your precious batting average. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Cedanne Rafaela (2B/SS/OF, BOS, 49% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Davis Schneider (2B/OF, TOR, 49% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Masyn Winn (SS, STL, 48% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Nic Gonzales (2B, PIT, 40% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Ty France (1B, SEA, 39% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Colt Keith (2B/3B, DET, 39% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Zach Neto (SS, LAA, 31% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB) Matt Vierling (3B/OF, DET, 30% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), DJ LeMahieu (1B/3B, NYY, 30% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Josh Rojas (2B/3B/OF, SEA, 24% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jorge Mateo (2B/SS, BAL, 22% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Mark Vientos (3B, NYM, 14% CBS Ownership) – This might be an early suggestion as the Mets only have five games scheduled for next week, three at Washington before facing Philly twice in London. However, also keep in mind that stadium in London has played like a bandbox and provides a great opportunity for Rob Manfred to send a batch of his bounciest balls on the European leg of the 2024 season. With Brett Baty’s demotion to Triple-A, Vientos has the opportunity to seize the Mets third base job for this year and beyond. He owns a 11.1% barrel-rate over 322 career plate appearances and has displayed solid walk rates that vaulted him to the majors in 2022. Look for Vientos to pace at something like a .240-.250 hitter with mid-20’s homers rest-of-season while he settles into the Big Apple hot corner. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Brendan Rodgers (2B, COL, 15% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Isiah Kiner-Falefa (2B/3B/OF, TOR, 11% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Joey Meneses (1B, WSN, 10% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jon Singleton (1B, HOU, 9% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), David Hamilton (2B/SS, BOS, 7% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Gio Urshela (1B/3B, DET, 6% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Otto Lopez (2B/3B, MIA, 6% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Donovan Solano (1B/2B/3B, SDP, 1% CBS Ownership) – Thanks to Xander Bogaerts’ unfortunate shoulder injury, Solano has started picking up at-bats via short-side platoon with David Peralta in San Diego. Since clawing his way back to the majors in 2019, the 36-year-old vet has hit .280 with stops in San Francisco, Cincinnati, and Minnesota before joining the Padres. This is a sneaky great bat to provide some bench depth in an NL-only league especially if you can find pockets where the Padres face a bevy of lefties like this upcoming week with three southpaws slated to face the Dads. (3% FAAB)
Miguel Sano (3B, LAA, 3% CBS Ownership) – In the annals of MLB injury history, Sano’s recent bout with a heating pad enters the pantheon as one of the odder tales. Hell, how did he even remove the protection element on that heating pad and think, “Yep, this series of raw wiring that produces heat through electricity should totally just rest on my leg unabated.” Sano’s medical decision-making certainly seems match his pitch selection. However, the Angels don’t look to have Anthony Rendon back any time soon and feature Willie Calhoun, Luis Guillorme, and Cole Tucker “battling” it out for at-bats at third and DH. Sano should be returning soon enough once that burn heals and provide his typical brand of low-average, high-power baseball we’re all accustomed to. (3-5% FAAB)
OUTFIELDERS
10/12 Team Adds
Tommy Pham (OF, CHW, 33% CBS Ownership) – Daily Logbook Entry, 3/4/2025: As I peer out the two-inch slit of six-inch-thick glass in my fallout bunker to once again gaze upon the smoldering ruin of our post-nuclear war landscape, I can’t help but daydream of the days baseball (and wandering outside, period) was feasible. If only I had known that Milwaukee’s 2024 World Series run fueled by Tommy Pham’s hatred for baseball-kind would be among the last memories of my favorite sport, I may have savored it more. Although, I suppose I should have known to relish it as Trump, campaigning with his ankle monitor securely fashioned to his leg while gleefully slamming glizzies with the Wisconsin-faithful, was an endless sight throughout said Series. But once again, who knew that when the Brewers acquired Pham after his .294/.344/.429 (122 wRC+) start with the White Sox through May 30, that the darkest timeline would unfold. On another note, the food stock comprised of ground cicadas has begun to wain finally, our endeavors with the Elon Musk-produced Soylent Green will have to start soon. Toodles, Mike. (5% FAAB)
Adam Duvall (ATL, 24% CBS Ownership) – Thanks to Ronald Acuna tearing his other ACL, your annual chance to roster Duvall and his .220 average with mid-30’s home runs and 90-ish RBI pace has arrived. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Ryan O’Hearn (1B/OF, BAL, 48% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Jacob Young (WSN, 41% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Alec Burleson (STL, 39% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jake Meyers (HOU, 37% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Will Benson (CIN, 36% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Jake Fraley (CIN, 35% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Mike Tauchman (CHC, 34% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Joc Pederson (ARI, 31% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Leody Taveras (TEX, 27% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Luke Raley (1B/OF, SEA, 22% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Nelson Velazquez (KCR, 13% CBS Ownership) – You have to dig a bit, but the skillset that led Velazquez to a 132 wRC+ with 17 homers in just 179 plate appearances last year might be materializing. Over the last two weeks, he has crushed four homers and cut his K-rate to 17.8%, amount to a 114 wRC+. Sure, the batting average has been an abysmal .195, but that’s sunk by a .138 BABIP. This is a great week to gamble with Velazquez and his monster power as the Royals travel to Coors East (Cleveland) for three games before returning home to their generous hitter’s park for another three-game set. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Alex Kirilloff (1B/OF, MIN, 19% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Mike Yastrzemski (SFG, 17% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Harrison Bader (NYM, 16% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Richie Palacios (2B/OF, TBR, 14% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Johan Rojas (PHI, 13% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Gavin Sheets (1B/OF, CHW, 10% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Heliot Ramos (SFG, 7% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Miguel Andujar (OAK, 7% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Andrew McCutchen (PIT, 7% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Ji-Hwan Bae (2B/OF, PIT, 5% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Corey Julks (CHW, 2% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Luisangel Acuna (2B/SS/OF, NYM, 16% CBS Ownership) – The Ownership rate here is extremely high given that there are plenty of keeper/dynasty leagues populating the CBS landscape. However, if you are in an NL-only league, there’s a slight chance the younger Acuna could still be on your wire. He’s been heating up lately, hitting .281 with 27 runs and 11 steals in 26 May games. The 22-year-old is also garnering looks in center field, which might be his quickest way to Queens as Harrison Bader should be on the trading block for the quickly sinking Mets. (3% FAAB)
Akil Baddoo (DET, 3% CBS Ownership) – With Kerry Carpenter hitting the IL for a back issue, Baddoo was called upon to return in the Motor City. The 25-year-old has kept on trucking on being his typical self, providing a solid power/speed combo with an above-average walk rate and too many strikeouts. He was 16-for-21 on stolen base attempts at Triple-A, proving the wheels and aggression are still there. However, this could be a major opportunity for Baddoo as Detroit already sports a relatively right-handed lineup and could use his lefty bat to mix in. Spencer Torkelson continues to be dreadful, hitting .191/.248/.383 (79 wRC+) in May, and the Tigers might consider sending him to Triple-A if Baddoo provides a spark to the .500 ballclub. (3-5% FAAB)
STARTING PITCHERS
10/12 Team Adds
Kyle Gibson (STL, 46% CBS Ownership) – My fingers can’t believe they are about to type out these next few sentences. Gibson has transformed into a solid starting pitcher option in the month of May, posting a 3.33 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 23 Ks over 27 innings. Overall this season, he’s sporting a respectable 7.2 K/9 and 4.37 FIP while consistently hunting for wins with a resurgent Cardinals team anchored by a lights-out bullpen. Gibson also has one of the juiciest two-start weeks that can be available with outings scheduled at Houston and home against Colorado. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Alec Marsh (KCR, 49% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Ben Brown (CHC, 45% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Ben Lively (CLE, 45% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Hunter Brown (HOU, 44% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Ryan Weathers (MIA, 41% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Matt Waldron (SDP, 36% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB) Mitchell Parker (WSN, 35% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Michael Lorenzen (TEX, 33% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Patrick Sandoval (LAA, 32% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Simeon Woods Richardson (MIN, 32% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Spencer Schwellenbach (ATL, 29% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Tylor Megill (NYM, 28% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Griffin Canning (LAA, 25% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jake Irvin (WSN, 22% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Colin Rea (MIL, 21% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Hurston Waldrep (ATL, 16% CBS Ownership) – Another week of the wire being extremely thin for starting pitchers in deeper leagues. We’ve entered a lull where the quality in the back-end of MLB rotations is decimated by injuries, making it more advantageous to roster a middle reliever to preserve ratios or stash a prospect. In the case that Cade Povich is already hoovered up, Waldrep looks to be one of the better prospect arms to stash currently (Jeremy and I covered an in-depth conversation on this topic in this week’s Cards & Categories). Waldrep, drafted just last year, has been on a tear in Double-A, producing a 1.19 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 31 Ks over 30.1 innings in five May starts. More importantly, he’s fully stretched out to start, never going fewer than five innings in any of those outings. Atlanta has a knack for quickly moving pitching when the arm is ready (Spencer Strider, AJ Smith-Shawver, Spencer Schwellenbach just this week), so don’t be surprised if Waldrep is the next to follow that path. (1-3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Cade Povich (BAL, 20% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Cooper Criswell (BOS, 20% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Austin Gomber (COL, 17% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Albert Suarez (BAL, 8% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Spencer Howard (SFG, 1% CBS Ownership) – Speaking of franchises with knacks for pitching patterns, the Giants have struck again in re-tooling a once great pitching prospect here with Howard. The former top prospect struggled mightily in his first 115 career innings with Philly and Texas, posting an unsightly 7.20 ERA. Howard looked sharp in his outing against the Phillies on Tuesday (hello, revenge game?), striking out four over four shutout innings as the bulk guy. Given the way San Francisco mixes and matches pitching, there could be a nice role for Howard to carve out as the right-handed Ryan Yarbrough with more Ks and an ERA that sits in the 4.00 to 4.25 range. (3% FAAB)
Adam Macko (TOR, 0% CBS Ownership) – It’s been quite some time I’ve seen a “contending” organization that is as pitching-thin as Toronto. With Alek Manoah looking at a lengthy absence for an elbow injury, the Blue Jays have only two starters on their 40-man in the minors, Paolo Espino (and his 5.06 career ERA) and Macko. The 23-year-old Macko has been solid in Double-A with a 3.68 ERA and 11.5 K/9 over 44 innings. It may be a stretch for him to make the jump to the majors, but I think he’s the best option Toronto has if Bowden Francis struggles in his return, or any other starter is felled by injury. (1% FAAB)
RELIEVERS
10/12 Team Adds
Jeff Hoffman (PHI, 28% CBS Ownership) – It’s really astounding how Hoffman remains on wires out there behind the likes of some of those below. I know he isn’t the full-on CLOSER in Philly, but I don’t care if he’s offering a 1.09 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 11.7 K/9. The saves, which are quite plentiful as he’s pacing for around 15, are the most luscious gravy one can imagine. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Reed Garrett (NYM, 42% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Michael Kopech (CHW, 34% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Daniel Hudson (LAD, 33% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Griffin Jax (MIN, 30% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Jason Adam (TBR, 24% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jeremiah Estrada (SDP, 21% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Jalen Beeks (COL, 13% CBS Ownership) – Beeks might finally be adjusting to the leftover broken office chair no one wants to sit in but hangs around thanks to the new RTO policy and management’s unwillingness to spend on things that is the Rockies closer job. He faces a constant battle to not only find save situations to enter, but also trying to hold slim leads in Coors Field. Beeks is the de facto closer now after picking a pair of saves recently. This is a high-risk, small-reward option for those in leagues desperate for a handful of saves. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Yimi Garcia (TOR, 16% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Luke Weaver (NYY, 15% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB) Bryan Hudson (MIL, 14% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Blake Treinen (LAD, 11% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Garrett Cleavinger (TBR, 11% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Cade Smith (CLE, 8% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Ryne Stanek (SEA, 3% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Porter Hodge (CHC, 1% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
