The season is barely two weeks old and I’m as active as ever as I look to beat my leaguemates to the early strong performances. Some of these players might’ve just had the best week of the season. Others might carry this sort of production all year and be legitimate risers. Regardless, in my competitive leagues, leaving them on the wire is an invitation for someone else to beat me to them, so I like to pounce first.
Below you’ll find the first names I’ve popped along with league size and why I’m deeming them worthy of a roster spot. A lot of these players I would’ve wanted to own in more leagues but their FAAB prices were too high or I simply got beat. Feel free to follow up in the comments or on Twitter.
Trevor Hauver, 2B (NYY), Low-A
League size: 16 teams, min. 320 prospects rostered
Why: No one got off to a louder start than Hauver who racked up six home runs during a five-game HR streak. He’s a 22-year-old second baseman picked in the third round of the most recent MLB draft. He’s a touch older than the typical Low-A Southeast competition (21.4) so if anything it’s just good to see him assert his skills here. We slapped a 50 hit/50 power in the Yankees 2021 org list, meaning a .260, 25 home run future is possible. He ran double-digit walk rates at ASU so I expect him to be more valuable in OBP leagues. In our most recent dynasty podcast (where we covered almost every name here), we posited that he’s just inside the top 200 now.
Alec Marsh, RHP (KC), Double-A
League size: 16 teams, min. 320 prospects rostered, 14 teams, min. 280 prospects rostered
Why: If you can only pick one pitcher from this list, make it Marsh. The righty was trending as a back of the rotation guy until his velocity popped over the last few months, gaining a whopping 3-4 ticks on the fastball to where he can touch 100 now. He threw some gas on the fire after he didn’t allow a hit in five innings in his 2021 debut with nine strikeouts. In the above-mentioned podcast, Geoff Pontes said he can see Marsh being a top 100 name real soon. And given how quickly the Royals promote their arms, Marsh, who’s 23 and already at Double-A after pitching in rookie ball in 2019, could see the majors in the second half of the season.
Chris Gittens, 1B (NYY), Triple-A
League size: 16 teams, min. 320 prospects rostered
Why: If in a month I needed to cut someone to make room for a better prospect, it’s likely Gittens who gets the boot. A 27-year-old first baseman with previous contact issues isn’t exactly the type of player I like to chase. But in the very very early going, he has a 9/4 BB/K with a 7 SwStr%. That last number is usually about 12% for him. So is Gittens suddenly learning to be more selective? If so, watch out. This is true 80-grade raw power, the type that wouldn’t feel out of place with Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton in BP. He’s more attractive in OBP leagues given the double-digit walk rates of recent levels. Ultimately, he’s at Triple-A so the next time the plague tears through the NYY roster, he could be a candidate to get a look. Target him if you’re in win now mode and have space for a dart, but if he starts losing his discipline, don’t be afraid to cut.
Connor Seabold, RHP (BOS), Triple-A
League Size: 16 teams, min. 320 prospects rostered, 20-teams, min. 500 prospects
Why: Seabold is tracking as a solid SP5 for fantasy teams. He’s shut down with some elbow soreness but the team is not concerned and the expectation is he’ll return within the month to the Triple-A rotation. In our Red Sox 2021 list, Joe Drake wrote: Finesse over power guy whose average stuff plays up due to command and sequencing. Induces more weak contact than whiffs, but is able to miss bats. Soon as hitters start sitting on the secondaries, he'll blow the fastball by them -- keeps hitters on their toes. More confidence in change could lead to more strikeouts. Expect above-average WHIP help and just barely below average strikeouts. League size is key here. In my 20-team league, I felt this was a strong pick up given his proximity. In my 16-team league, he might be one of the first to get churned out if he starts off slow.
Blaine Crim, 1B (TEX), High-A
League Size: 20-teams, min. 500 prospects
The deepest name here, I picked up Crim in the P365 Experts League. Dart throws are key there and this one definitely qualifies. Crim is a 5-foot-11 first baseman in High-A who’s off to a fast start with four home runs. He’s such a deep name that he didn’t even make our Rangers 2021 list, though that’s more commentary on how far we think his profile can go rather than the bat. That bat will need to stay hot to stay relevant, even in dynasty circles. He’s tracking as someone with a fringe-average hit tool with above-average power, so the upside is capped. But this is exactly the guy you ride for a couple of weeks and revisit to see if he’s still worth a spot. Wouldn’t roster in leagues with 350 prospects or less.
Davis Wendzel, 3B (TEX), Double-A
League Size: 16 teams, min. 320 prospects rostered, 14 teams, min. 280 prospects rostered
Why: OBP managers, take notice. Since his days at Baylor, Wendzel has been a double-digit walk rate guy and in his meager 12-game pro career (8 of which are in 2021) it’s at 12/11 BB/K. Geoff Pontes gave him a 50 hit/50 power in our Rangers 2021 List. So the potential for a .350 OBP, 19-23 HR bat is here. The intriguing thing is his stellar defense. Josh Jung is the heir apparent in Texas, so might Wendzel shift to shortstop? If so, it makes the profile more attractive. Given the defense and relative proximity, Wendzel is a solid prospect that should help fill the gaps of your fantasy squad when he debuts.
Matt Tabor, RHP (ARI), High-A
League Size: 14 teams, min. 280 prospects rostered
Why: Tabor came out firing in 2021, pitching into the 7th inning with 10 Ks, 0 BB and 2 BB. Tabor is an ideal pitching prospect to pick up because he already has a strong command and control base. In our Diamondbacks 2021 List, Matt Thompson, who’s seen Tabor multiple times, gave him 55 control and 50 command, which is pretty strong for a 22 year old. Arizona has worked with him to conform him to their pitching style (high fastball, slider as the primary out pitch) and so far he’s taken well to instruction. The downside is his fastball velo which sits 90-93, not ideal when the average velo for a starter in 2021 is 93 mph. Still just in High-A, he’s someone to pay close attention to as he climbs the ladder. Don’t be afraid to sell if he strings together another good 2-3 starts.
Roansy Contreras, RHP (PIT), Double-A
League Size: 16 teams, min. 320 prospects rostered, 14 teams, min. 280 prospects rostered
Why: After Alec Marsh, Contreras is the name you’ll want to pick up if you’re chasing pitching. Traded to Pittsburgh in the Jameson Taillon deal, Contreras is apparently touching the high 90s, which would be a big development. At the time of this publishing he leads MiLB with 22 strikeouts in just 11 innings. He’s one of four 21 year olds in Double-A, so his early performance is even more eye-opening. Is a true breakout incoming? Pick him up now and ask questions later.
Evan Carter, OF (TEX), Low-A
League Size: 16 teams, min. 320 prospects rostered
Why: The 50th overall pick in 2020 is playing very well, which is impressive given that he’s just 18 and already playing full-season ball. You already know my penchant for OBP and he has seven walks in 30 PA, albeit with 10 Ks as well. The growing pains will be there, as I can already tell he’s leaning into pull tendencies early on. But this is a profile you want to get in on now. His 6-foot-4 frame is ripe for growth and more power. Ian Smith slapped 50 hit/ 55 power grades in our Rangers list where Carter clocked in fourth overall.
Osiris Johnson, SS (MIA), Low-A
League Size: 20-teams, min. 500 prospects
Why: Osiris was one of the first adds I made in the season, picking him up in one of my deepest leagues after his slam and legs to open the season. He missed 2019 with a leg injury and then 2020 was a lost season, so in a way we’re getting reintroduced to the former second-round pick. The first thing that stuck out was how much shortened his swing but how much pop can he could still get off with it. His hit tool was his weakest one, but I have renewed hope that he can change the grade with the new look. He’s slowed down since his early hot start but in a league as deep as this, I’m happy to hang on for a while.