Fantasy Baseball Players To Watch For The Week Ahead (April 29 - May 5)

Well, that's it, another week in the books. That means another week of baseballs mashed by Marcell Ozuna, another week of baseballs not getting mashed by Jose Abreu, and of course... more injured pitchers (i.e. Jesus Luzardo). At least we got one back last week (Jordan Montgomery) and we'll get a few more within the next week or so (Kyle Bradish, Nick Pivetta, Justin Steele).

We'll touch on some intriguing hitters below, both for DFS and season-long, including one who's about to make his big league debut. We'll also discuss some pitchers that are off to masterful starts but may be pitching over their heads right now. I've got my eye on these guys, and perhaps you should, too.

Also, for those keeping track of last week's topics, Willson Contreras' hit streak came to an end last Monday (and he's already riding another five-game streak), Will Smith is still hitting LHP, and Amed Rosario cooled off somewhat. Jose Berrios pitched well but took the loss in this week's start and it appears Hector Neris is the closer of choice in Chicago, not Mark Leiter Jr.

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Players to Watch: Hitters

Alec Bohm

What I'm watching: Hit streak

With a 3-for-5 day at the plate Sunday, Alec Bohm extended his league-leading hit streak to 12 games. During that span, the 27-year-old is 25-for-48 (.521) with 10 doubles, three home runs, 16 RBI, and 11 runs scored. So far he's exceeded expectations after being ranked on RotoBaller as the seventh-best third baseman for fantasy but currently sitting behind only Gunnar Henderson (and Elly De La Cruz since he's eligible at 3B).

TWO three run home runs for Alec Bohm. 🔥pic.twitter.com/SQoNV72zcN https://t.co/4YDE2sx4Q2

— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) April 19, 2024

Bohm is coming off two seasons in a row where he hit for nearly the same batting average (.274 and .280) and had the exact same xBA of .290. So while his average may drift down from the current level of .354, it should end up at a very respectable level, especially given that he's increased his Contact% each year since 2021. His Contact% this year is currently at a career high and among the league leaders at 88.3%. Perhaps more impressive is that it's not all singles, as his ISO currently stands at .242.

The Phillies have a three-game set with the Angels next where he faces Griffin Canning, Tyler Anderson, and Patrick Sandoval. Canning has been very hittable this season, so too has Sandoval, but even though Tyler Anderson has been decent, he's also a lefty (as is Sandoval) and Bohm actually has better splits against LHP so far this year. This streak very well may last into next weekend, as his next formidable opponent doesn't come until next Sunday against the Giants' Logan Webb.

Willi Castro

What I'm watching: Highest wRC+ versus left-handed pitching

Believe it or not, Willi Castro has the highest wRC+ against left-handed pitching so far this season. The sample size is limited, but the 27-year-old is 8-for-18 (.444) off LHP thus far with four singles, three doubles, a home run, and two walks. Need a DFS play for Monday? Next up, LHP Garrett Crochet who Castro is 3-for-4 off of in his career with a double and a home run. Crochet had three good starts to begin the year, but since then the lefty has had three stinkers (11 2/3 IP, 16 H, 17 ER, 4 HR).

Joey Loperfido

What I'm watching: MLB debut on Tuesday

#Astros are calling up top prospect Joey Loperfido, according to @AriA1exander #Relentless pic.twitter.com/6gbK1dWyql

— Astros Future (@AstrosFuture) April 29, 2024

The Astros must have finally had enough of Jose Abreu's lack of production that they finally called up the hot-hitting Joey Loperfido. The lefty slugger had a nice spring and has carried it into the Triple-A regular season, leading all hitters with 13 home runs. The 24-year-old is also a capable base-stealer, swiping 27 bags across three levels of the minor leagues in 2023. It's possible Loperfido also sees time in the outfield, where he's already eligible on Yahoo, so when he achieves first base eligibility he'll be all the more appealing for fantasy.

Key Matchups: Hitters

These hitters caught my eye when looking over batter vs. pitcher matchups. These guys are already rostered in most leagues, so you aren't running out to snag them off the waiver wire, but they could be targets for your DFS lineups. While sometimes there isn't enough matchup history worth looking at, there is frequency with these, and with frequency comes familiarity. These pitchers likely don't have any more tricks up their sleeves versus these batters.

Andrew Benintendi vs. Joe Ryan - Monday, April 29
6-for-14 (.429), on HR, four XBH, zero K

Aaron Judge vs. Dean Kremer  - Tuesday, April 30
4-for-10 (.400), three HR

Bryce Harper vs. Tyler Anderson - Tuesday, April 30
6-for-10 (.600), three HR, six XBH

Byron Buxton vs. Chris Flexen - Wednesday, May 1
6-for-8 (.750), two HR, five XBH, zero K

Andrew McCutchen vs. Ross Stripling - Wednesday, May 1
6-for-11 (.545), two HR, three XBH, zero K

Dansby Swanson vs. Joe Ross - Thursday, May 2
5-for-13 (.385), one HR, three XBH

Justin Turner vs. Patrick Corbin - Friday, May 3
16-for-39 (.410), two HR, six XBH, only 4 K

Freddie Freeman vs. Charlie Morton - Friday, May 3
10-for-20 (.500), three HR, six XBH

Jose Altuve vs. Logan Gilbert - Saturday, May 4
10-for-22 (.455), one HR, six XBH

 Mike Trout vs. Carlos Carrasco - Sunday, May 5
5-for-14 (.357), one HR, four XBH

Players to Watch: Starting Pitchers

Reynaldo Lopez

What I'm watching: Can he make it five straight Quality Starts?

The Braves needed a pitcher to step up after losing Spencer Strider for the season and when Max Fried had given up 10 earned runs on 12 hits over five total innings in his first two starts. That pitcher was Reynaldo Lopez. Each of the 30-year-old's first four starts have been quality starts, posting a 0.72 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and a 17.4% K-BB% so far. The righty gets a juicy matchup on Tuesday against a Seattle team that has the highest K% to this point in the young season.

Shota Imanaga / Ranger Suarez

What I'm watching: Continued dominance?

Like Lopez above, both Shota Imanaga and Ranger Suarez are having incredible success to begin the year. Both were expected to be quality pitchers, but probably not of this magnitude. Imanaga takes a 0.98 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, and 23.1% K-BB% into his next start Wednesday in New York against the Mets. Suarez likely gets the Giants next weekend in Philadephia with his 1.32 ERA, 0.63 WHIP, and 24.3% K-BB%.

Seth Lugo

What I'm watching: Another QS?

Staying on topic, did you know the Royals' Seth Lugo is tied with the league leaders in quality starts with five? It's true! The veteran will get his next chance to keep the good times rolling in Toronto this Wednesday. Lugo carries a 1.66 ERA and 1.11 WHIP into the contest against the Jays who are scoring runs at the fourth-worst clip per game in the entire league.

My Filthiest Pitches from Yesterday

Mason Miller 😯
Seth Lugo 🌪️
Ryan Walker 🤢
Chris Sale
Aaron Nola
Shōta Imanaga

And more

Watch and Subscribe!
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— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 27, 2024

Players to Watch: Relief Pitchers

Kirby Yates

What I'm watching: Is he one of the best closers right now?

There are two closers with five or more saves on the season who have a 0.00 ERA. They are the Yankees' Clay Holmes and the Rangers' Kirby Yates. Yates may have been flying under the radar because he was not the team's closer to begin the year, Jose Leclerc was. With Leclerc relinquishing the role, supposedly only temporarily, Yates has run away with it.

Over 11 appearances (12 IP), the veteran reliever has allowed just three hits, no runs, three walks, and has struck out 14. He has posted a 0.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP, and 29.7% K-BB%. At this rate he'll reestablish himself as one of the best closers in the game this season, harkening back to 2019 when he recorded 41 saves for the Padres with a 1.19 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 36.2% K-BB%. He's still only rostered in 77% of Yahoo leagues, grab him if he's still available in yours.

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