It’s hot in the MLB! Recent enlistments have exceeded expectations, with some veterans bouncing back. There’s a lot of talent to be had on the abandonment wire. Make sure to keep your team on the ball with a few of these additions.
HITTER
Jonah Heim (C) TEX
If you’re replacing Danny Jansen in Toronto, look at Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim. Heim has flown under the radar this year with a .262 batting average, seven homers and two stolen bases. And if you’re in a daily league, consider launching it against lefties. In 42 appearances against southpaws this year, Heim hits .324 and hits .647 with three home runs. That’s a nice bump from the catcher position.
Joey Votto (1B) CIN
Yes. Veteran Joey Votto makes this list. Why? Because someone dropped it. Votto is hitting .303 with three homers and 12 RBI for June, his maximum exit speed is in the 83rd percentile, and his walk rate is within the top 6% in the league. Did I mention that 25 of his home runs came last season after die All-Star-Pause?
Bryson Stott (SS) PHI
You may remember Bryson Stott as the rookie who hit the three-run RBI shot and started the new seven-game winning streak for the Phillies after firing Girardi last Friday. Shortly after that win, Bryce Harper appeared to take a shot at Girardi, suggesting Stott should have more playing time. Well, it seems the veteran outfielder’s wish has come true. Stott got regular playing time, rewarding new manager Rob Thomson and Phillies fans with a .346 batting average and three homers in June. Stott hits .280 and hits .516 with RISP in 99 at-bats that year.
Christopher Morel (3B) CHC
If you haven’t noticed what Christopher Morel is doing in Chicago, it’s time to pay attention. The rookie hits .298 with three homers and six stolen bases in 84 big-league at-bats. That’s a promising combination of power and speed, and he’s also had a few starts from second base, which would give him some positional flexibility.
Santiago Espinal (3B) TOR
Espinal continues to beat around average and his power is heating up in June. In the past nine days, Espinal has hit .424 with three homers. During the season, he hits .290 with five homers and three stolen bases. The Jays are getting hot, and so is Espinal.
Garrett Cooper (1B/OF) MIA
Cooper has been getting a call for the past few weeks. He smashes the ball with an exit velocity of no more than 12% while maintaining an expected batting average of no more than 12%. On the season, Cooper hits .312 with four home runs and 20 runs scored in 182 at-bats. For June, he hits .500 and hits .706.
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pitchers
Alex Faedo (SP) DET
Faedo had another strong showing this week, beating seven pirates while conceding just three hits and a deserved run. His season ERA is 2.92, and while he may not record many strikeouts and plays for a team with very little running support, he could be useful in the lower leagues.
Hunter Greene (SP) CIN
I’m still not 100% on Greene, but you can’t deny the benefits. This week, Greene threw a seven-inning game and eight strikeouts while conceding just one hit. His fastball leads all major league starting pitchers at 103 miles per hour.
Edward Cabrera (SP) MIA
Cabrera made the list last week and he’s back as he had another outstanding outing. This time he pitched six innings, allowing just two hits and one run while striking out four. He recorded another win for the Fish, who dominated the Nationals 12-2.
Graham Ashcraft (SP) CIN
Another Reds pitcher makes the list! Ashcraft has been amazing in the big leagues so it’s about time we all took notice. He has won all three of his starts and maintained a 1.14 ERA with a .85 WHIP. He’s not a high strikeout pitcher, but his groundball rate is over 60% and he doesn’t allow hard contact. That should help protect your circumstances, even if you miss out a bit in the K category.
Matt Strahm (RP) BOS
It looks like Matt Strahm is sealing off the back end of the bullpen in Boston. Strahm finished two straight games by a run margin this week. In high leverage situations he only allows 0.210 wOBA and has 1.02 WHIP. So far this year he has three saves and four holds with a 10.8 K-rate per nine innings.
