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Rookies and prospects who have recently been called up to the Major Leagues. Andrew Erickson evaluates the most relevant rookies for Week 1 of the 2020 fantasy baseball season.
As we wait oh-so-impatiently for star Angels prospect Jo Adell to get the call and delay our anticipation for top Blue Jays pitching prospect Nate Pearson, there are still plenty of noteworthy rookie performances to examine from this past weekend's action.
We're going to take a look at the most notable performers and look at their fantasy rostered percentages to see whether they should be added in more leagues this week.
For more coverage on upcoming prospects who could make their way onto this column soon, check out Hot Prospects to Watch.
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Dustin May (RP/SP, LAD)
Dustin May was called upon to start the Los Angeles Dodgers's first game of the season on Thursday against the San Francisco Giants after veteran Clayton Kershaw (back) was placed on the Injured List shortly before the game. May made 14 appearances with the Dodgers last year, but only four starts. He performed well with the team in 2019, posting a 3.63 ERA and 1.096 WHIP with 8.3 K/9.
There was a lot to like about May's 2020 debut. The surface numbers don't scream at you. He pitched 4 1/3 innings and allowed seven hits, no walks and one earned run while striking out four. However, on the more promising front, he allowed an exit velocity of just 82.2 and a launch angle of just 4.4. Last year, he allowed an exit velocity of 86.8 and a launch angle of 7.9. Additionally, his hard-hit rate on Thursday was just 18.8%, compared with 33% last year. Granted May was facing an extremely weak Giants lineup, but the improved metrics is encouraging nonetheless.
May is owned in about 50% of fantasy leagues right now, which needs to go up. His usage is certainly a big question going forward as the Dodgers have a bit of a logjam at starting pitcher and are notoriously cautious with the usage of their rookie pitchers. However, at the very least, May should be added for short-term help while he maintains a rotation spot. Plus, even if he is relegated to long relief, he could be of help in many rotisserie and categories leagues by posting solid ratios. All in all, it's likely he'll find himself with several starts throughout the year solely due to the frequency of pitcher injuries. He's currently slated to make his second start against the Astros on Wednesday.
Brady Singer (SP, KC)
In his MLB debut against the Cleveland Indians on Saturday, Kansas City Royals pitcher Brady Singer went five innings and allowed three hits, two walks and two earned runs while striking out seven. It was an impressive debut, to say the least. He induced a sturdy whiff percentage of 45.2% in the start. His slider was his most dominant pitch, inducing a whiff percentage of 58.8% while averaging 41.8 inches of drop, over three inches more than league average.
Owned in about 10% of fantasy leagues, Singer needs to be added in far more leagues. He should be owned in all deep leagues and added for at least this week in more shallow leagues as he faces a dreadful Detroit Tigers lineup in his next start on Thursday. It's no guarantee Singer stays in the rotation throughout the year, but if he keeps pitching like this, it'll be impossible for manager Mike Matheny to take him out.
Luis Robert (OF, CWS)
Highly-touted Chicago White Sox prospect Luis Robert made his MLB debut this past weekend and certainly didn't disappoint. In his first three games, Robert went 4-for-11 with a home run, a double, two runs and two RBI. He hit out of the seventh spot in the lineup in all three games, but if he keeps hitting like this, that will certainly change.
Robert's exit velocity of 96.3 this past weekend is an example of the elite power potential he has. He hit 32 home runs and had a 1.001 OPS over 122 minor league games in 2019. Robert should be able to deliver somewhere around 15 home runs in the shortened 2020 season.
Robert is almost universally owned in fantasy leagues at this point. There aren't really many actions owners can or should take with him at this point. If he's on your roster, hold onto him and enjoy the ride.
Carter Kieboom (SS, WAS)
Dealing with a groin issue right now, Washington Nationals shortstop Carter Kieboom only made one start in the team's first series. He played designated hitter in the game and batted seventh, going 1-for-4 with a run. Kieboom appeared in 11 games for the Nationals in 2019 and despite hitting two home runs, he struggled overall, slashing .128/.209/.282.
His road to playing time isn't 100% clear right now as Trea Turner of course holds down the shortstop position. He could have a chance to emerge as the team's primary second baseman, as the team's current starter Starlin Castro doesn't figure to be the strongest roadblock. The existence of the DH in the National League this year should certainly help as well.
Kieboom is one of the Nationals' top prospects. He slashed .303/.409/.493 in Triple-A last year. He is only owned in about 10% of leagues right now and he can remain un-owned in most formats, however, make sure to keep an eye on him. If he gets hot, he could certainly be a difference-maker.
Jesus Luzardo (RP, OAK)
Oakland Athletics pitcher Jesus Luzardo had a solid showing in his first action of 2020, a relief appearance on Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels. Luzardo pitched three innings and allowed one hit, one walk and no runs while recording two strikeouts.
Luzardo, one of the game's top pitching prospects, is yet to make his first big league start. He made six relief appearances for the Athletics last year, posting a 1.50 ERA and 0.67 WHIP with 16 strikeouts in 12 innings.
The 22-year-old is currently owned in about 90% of fantasy leagues, which is about the right amount. If the Athletics announce he'll be joining the rotation, that number should go up to 100%.
William Contreras (C, ATL)
A surprise inclusion on this week's list, Atlanta Braves catcher William Contreras found his way onto fantasy radars after a three-hit day on Sunday. Well, maybe he entered fantasy radars just by being the younger brother of stud catcher Willson Contreras.
The younger Contreras only made one start over the weekend as Alex Jackson started at catcher for the Braves on Friday and Saturday. However, Jackson went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts while Contreras was 4-for-6 with a double and an RBI over the weekend. The team is without starting catcher Travis D'Arnaud (COVID-19 recovery) for the near future so anyone in deep leagues in need of immediate catcher help can consider adding Contreras. He's only owned in about 1% of fantasy leagues as of this writing.
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