Joakim Soria has been a solid stop-gap for the Tigers while Joe Nathan recovers from injury
A week into the season we’ve seen several high-profile injuries, changes in the bullpen and player’s stock skyrocket and plummet. With fantasy free agency well underway we will take a look at some of the changes in depth charts, for both teams and fantasy owners, in this weeks Depth Chart Review.
Remember to utilize the Fantasy Pros Depth Chart as a resource for your team.
Bullpen Shake-Ups
- Detroit Tigers closer Joe Nathan (elbow) was put on the DL, and Joakim Soria took over the role. The veteran has done a nice job. He could be a solid pickup for fantasy owners in need of temporary help. Nathan could be back next week, so his fantasy owners should be seeing the Tigers’ closer soon enough, although skipper Brad Ausmus hasn’t made it official that the right-hander will resume the role upon his return.
- Toronto Blue Jays closer Brett Cecil was demoted to setup man after blowing his first save opportunity of the year. His value has decreased, but he does have value with a high strikeout rate in deeper leagues.
- New York Mets reliever Jenrry Mejia received an 80-game ban for testing positive for Stanozolol, and is worthless until mid-summer. Jeurys Familia has taken over the closer role, and converted saves in three consecutive nights. He is owned in 67% of ESPN leagues, so grab him now if you need closer help.
Starter’s Value Rising/Falling
- Trevor Bauer has gone from 11% owned to 91% owned following two solid outings to start the year. He has allowed just four hits over 12 innings while striking out 19. He has walked nine, but his low hit total has kept his WHIP low. If you are in one of the few remaining leagues where he is available, go grab him now.
- Tigers starter Shane Greene has pitched 8.0 innings in each of his first two starts, earning a win in both appearances. He has only allowed seven hits while striking out eight and walking one. He went from less than 3% owned to over 80%. He’s another guy to grab if available.
- Taijuan Walker of the Seattle Mariners, one of the players who was a hot pickup in Week One, has been dropped by numerous owners after two poor starts. Walker has allowed 13 earned runs over just 7.1 innings. He’s owned in just 61% of leagues now, as compared to 97% last week. He has a tremendous skill set and should turn it around, hopefully sooner than later. Buy low on him or make a waiver claim if you have room to spare on your bench.
- Ian Kennedy got bit by the injury bug and hurt his hamstring in the third inning of his first start of the season. He is expected back in early May at this point, and is owned in just 74% of ESPN leagues to date. I’d take a flier on him in the next week to ten days if you need starting pitching help.
Others
- Khris Davis was another hot commodity in Week One, but has struggled to start the year, driving in just one run and scoring three in the first 10 days of the season. He is expected to have a big year for the Brewers and could be had on the cheap or picked up off the waiver wire.
- Chicago Cubs second baseman Arismendy Alcantara is batting just .091 with with one RBI through the first 10 days of the season. As a result, he’s been dropped all over. He is owned in just 29% of leagues.
- The Yankees Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira have supplied power numbers for the Bronx Bombers. Rodriguez has hit two home runs and added seven RBI, while Teixeira has hit three home runs and added five RBI. Rodriguez is owned in 57% of leagues while Teixeira is owned in 32%. Both could provide decent help for owners lacking in the home run and RBI departments.
- Devon Travis and Kevin Pillar have been fantastic for the Toronto Blue Jays early in the year. Both guys are owned in few leagues, and could be deep sleepers this season. Travis has done very well at 2B, while Pillar has filled in tremendously while Michael Saunders has been sidelined. Pillar will see his at-bats drop with Saunders’ return, but if he continues to hit the ball, he will earn playing time.
- Cleveland Indians catcher Yan Gomes is expected to miss 6-8 weeks with a moderate MCL sprain and in his absence, Roberto Perez will take over as the Indians mainstay behind the dish. Perez doesn’t provide huge value, but could fill in admirably for the Indians and fantasy owners with regular work.
These are just a few of the many ups and downs that mark MLB and the fantasy world. Keep an eye for changes on the Fantasy Pros Depth Chart as they occur. Stay tuned for next week’s edition of the Depth Chart Review.
Dan Lucia is a correspondent at Fantasy Pros. To read more from Dan, check out his archive and follow him @DmanLucia.
