Mr George Bissell attacked me with Shane Baz and Drew Thorpe this weekSo here are my three remaining favorite pickups at the moment.
Spencer Arrighetti – SP Astros – Listed in 13 percent of Yahoo leagues
Arrighetti’s ERA has had nowhere to go but drop after he gave up seven runs in three innings in his major league debut on April 10, and it has been trending steadily, even if it still sits at 5.33 now. In his last three starts, he has allowed two runs in 14 2/3 innings.
Needed sooner than expected this year due to Houston’s injury concerns, Arrighetti likely wasn’t ready initially. Even now, he is still being held back by an incredibly high .359 BABIP and a 12% walk rate. The latter is a real concern, while the former seems like a fluke. Arrighetti’s exit velocity numbers are all average or slightly better. Statcast thinks the league should hit .243 against him, which is a bit below the .269 mark he actually sports. His .359 BABIP is 76 points higher than the Astros’ team mark.
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Walks have always been an issue for Arrighetti, so while he’ll likely improve a bit there in the short term, he won’t quickly transform into the type of starter who works deep into games. Still, his strong array of breaking balls has led to a 26% strikeout rate thus far, and outside of a likely start against the Orioles next week, he should benefit from a fairly forgiving schedule in the coming weeks. He assesses at least a short-term recovery.
Noelvi Marte – 3B Reds – Listed in 19 percent of Yahoo leagues
Before Marte received an 80-game PED suspension this spring, he was a very intriguing fantasy pick facing an internal logjam in Cincinnati. Of course, that all disappeared after Matt McLain needed shoulder surgery and Christian Encarnacion-Strand injured his wrist. Marte’s return, scheduled for June 27, could see him installed as a regular third baseman, with Jeimer Candelario moving to first and Spencer Steer returning to left field.
Long a top prospect, Marte thrived in his major league debut last season, batting .316/.366/.456 with three home runs and six steals in 35 games. He’s still growing into his power — and was apparently trying to speed up the process — but he could have something to offer in all five fantasy categories, especially if he carves out a spot in the top half of the Reds’ lineup after returning. There’s a chance he could struggle during his minor league assignment after all the time out and end up being benched for a spell rather than being reinstated to the active roster once his suspension is over, but that’s not how the Reds want it. happen. outside. If all goes well, he will offer fair fantasy value over the final three months.
Jeffrey Springs – SP Rays – Listed in 16 percent of Yahoo leagues
Springs already had a setback in his return from Tommy John surgery, leaving his second rehab start last month with shoulder stiffness, but he’s back pitching again now, having worked two scoreless innings and struck out three for Triple-A. Durham on Wednesday. With the Rays slowly bringing him back, he probably won’t be a candidate for the major league rotation until right after the All-Star break. Still, he could make a big impact when he returns. After all, this is a pitcher who went 11-6 with a 2.26 ERA and a 168/35 K/BB ratio in 151 1/3 innings between 2022 and the start of 2023 (he made three starts in April before get hurt).
Of course, as with anyone returning from Tommy John surgery, Springs is hardly a certainty at this point. Any type of significant setback could cause the Rays to shift focus and focus on preparing him for next year. Even if everything goes as expected, Springs will likely face some quick hooks upon his return and will often have extra days off between matches. Still, this is a pitcher who looked like one of the best in the league down the stretch in 2022 and early last year. It’s the right time to hide it and hope it pays off next month.
