There are no big prospects or interesting names this week, but here are three guys worth picking to round out the list. I will be posting the August rankings next week after the trade deadline.
Sal Frelick – OF Brewers – Listed in 15 percent of Yahoo leagues
I may have started with Garrett Mitchell here, but I just recommended him a few weeks ago. He’s my favorite of the Brewers’ currently healthy outfielders, but with Christian Yelich on the IL and his status seemingly uncertain for the rest of the year due to his latest round of back issues, Frelick also appears to be worth rostering on most rosters. formats, despite their lack of power.
Frelick has hit just two homers in 343 games this season after totaling three in 223 games as a rookie last year, but the Brewers are mostly hitting him at fourth and fifth anyway. I don’t fully understand this given the alternatives, but as long as it continues, Frelick should be a more suitable source of runs batted in. He hit .266, scored 45 runs and swiped 14 bases, then made modest contributions in three categories. His fantasy upside is nowhere near Mitchell’s, but given that he’s so adept at making contact, his average could increase a bit as the year goes on.
Alex Cobb – SP Giants – Listed in 4 percent of Yahoo leagues
Cobb is finally on track to make his debut in 2024 after being delayed by a shoulder issue that arose as he was completing rehab from hip surgery. The Giants are debating whether to have him begin more rehab or bring him back Sunday to face the Rockies. He threw five scoreless innings for Triple-A Sacramento last time out, although since that only took 60 pitches, one more minor league start would make sense.
The complication is that the Giants may want to sell before Tuesday’s deadline, and a strong showing at the majors would help Cobb’s value on the trade market. He would be attractive to candidates despite all the wasted time; he was an above-average starter in every season from 2020-23. His fastball velocity was down about 1 mph from last year in his most recent rehab start, but that still put him at 93.6 mph on average, which is harder than he’s ever thrown before 2022. One would think he’ll probably still get a little stronger as he accumulates a few innings. Whether he stays with the Giants or goes elsewhere, he will likely be worth using in shallow leagues in the future.
Josh Bell – 1B Marlins – Listed in 22 percent of Yahoo leagues
This might be where I recommend Devison De Los Santos, the infielder the Marlins acquired from the Diamondbacks for AJ Puk on Thursday. Instead, I’m recommending the veteran who I assume will be traded next week to make more room for De Los Santos in the Marlins lineup. Bell has been a disappointment this year as he has hit just .234/.299/.377 thus far, but he will almost certainly be more valuable on another team provided a deal can be reached. He likely would have hit lower in a contending lineup, but that could still lead to more run and RBI opportunities than he is getting with the Marlins. As discouraging as this year has been for Bell, he’s definitely been shooting the ball better lately.
In Baseball Sage:
Quick strikes
— Tyler Ferguson got Oakland’s first save after Mason Miller went on the injured list on Thursday, but Lucas Erceg still appears to be the team’s closer for now. There’s a legitimate possibility he could be traded next week, likely lowering his value, but those with an open roster spot and a need for defensive backs could take a shot.
– It’s still a given that the Marlins are trading Tanner Scott, but now it won’t be Puk taking over as Miami’s closer. That would seem to put Calvin Faucher next in line for saves in Miami; he’s been getting most of the eighth-inning work lately and has been effective in accumulating a 3.11 ERA. Andrew Nardi can also factor in when matchups favor a lefty.
