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Let’s start with a couple of starting pitchers that maybe you should have added last week…
Whatever your expectations were for Scott’s MLB debut over the weekend, he surely met or exceeded them. The 24-year-old right-hander went 6.2 innings, allowing five hits, one walk and one run and striking out six. He was an absolute bat-missing machine:
Scott’s sweeper, slider and fastball arsenal is clearly going to work. He struck out 107 batters in 87.2 minor league innings last season and produced a 0.86 WHIP, so we knew he would put up Ks. His next start will be against the Braves, which isn’t ideal, but feel free to add it. The advantages of Scott’s fantasy are significant.
It’s been a struggle in the career support department for Olson, who hasn’t won, but he’s definitely held up his end of the bargain. Olson has allowed just four runs in his last four starts and struck out 25 batters in 23.1 innings. He threw 5.0 shutout frames against the Yankees last Friday, so it’s not like he was simply taking advantage of the friendly matchups. Olson will have a 2.70 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in Wednesday’s start in Cleveland. Last year, at age 23, he struck out 103 batters in 103.2 innings in the big leagues, so his stuff is legit.
From time to time, we like to remind you that Yahoo BBQ Leagues involve an innings limit, which means you should prioritize strikeout. rate more than the total of Ks. Elite relievers are kind of a cheat code in our game.
Hoffman has been absolutely brilliant so far, having posted a 1.13 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in 16.0 innings, striking out 24 batters and recording two wins and two saves. He’s still amazing, like last year. Hoffman is the type of upper-level PR that can help you in a non-final role.
DeLuca is a former Dodgers prospect who joined the Rays via the Tyler Glasnow trade, but his 2024 debut was delayed after suffering a broken hand in the spring. He has been very hot since he returned to the majors, recording two steals, a walk-off triple and a bomb in his first five games. He has multiple hits in three in a row.
DeLuca has been a 20/20 guy in the minors, so he offers plenty of fantasy appeal. The team also hasn’t lost a game since re-entering the mix, although the Mets and White Sox have been the opponents, so, um… *Shrug*.
Friedl’s return from the injured list was desperately needed for a lifeless Reds lineup. He was reinstated at the top of the order on Tuesday after missing the first few weeks with a broken wrist. In his absence, Cincinnati was hitting .210/.289/.356 as a team. Last year, Friedl, of course, hit for an average (.279) with excellent power and speed (18/27), so he deserves a spot somewhere in the shallower mixed leagues. Don’t leave him alone.
It was a struggle early in the season for Garver, but he seems to have corrected himself. In his last four games, he went 5-for-15 with a pair of runs scored and two RBIs. Garver has been the Mariners’ primary designated hitter, which is exactly the situation we want from our fantasy catchers: fewer missed games, more at-bats, lower risk of injury, etc. When Garver is on a hot streak, he is capable of delivering significant power totals.
Vidal Bruján, 2B/3B/SS, Miami Marlins (11%)
The playing time situation became very clear for Bruján after the Luis Arráez trade, so he deserves a look in deeper formats. His eligibility for multiple positions makes him an ideal fit for leagues with short benches. Bruján hit .276/.354/.414 on Tuesday with a couple of steals and a K% of just 7.7. This is a former top-60 prospect with three separate 40-steal seasons on his minor league resume, so a breakout at age 26 wouldn’t be the craziest development.