Kepler is batting .434 with a 1.247 OPS and more hits than strikeouts in 16 games since returning from injury. He’s been destroying left-handed pitching this season, so there’s no fear of a platoon (Kepler has started all but one game since he came off the IL).
Despite a 1-for-20 start at the plate while trying to play through a leg injury, Kepler owns a 169 wRC+ that would rank in the top 10 among qualified hitters. Kepler’s maximum exit velocity is at top 2% in the league, and he’s currently cleaning up the Twins’ lineup. Kepler doesn’t run, but he can hit.
Kepler remains available in many fantasy leagues.
Puk has recently worked consecutively in the youth and could return to Miami this weekend. He failed badly as a starter after a dominant spring (1.32 ERA), but is expected to return to the bullpen. Puk was strong in that role last season, recording a SIERA (2.66) and a CSW (35.3%) that ranked in the top five out of 162 qualified relievers.
Puk has what it takes to close, and the Marlins have one of the worst bullpens in the league with a collective ERA of 4.74. Tanner Scott has improved after a rough start and remains the current favorite for Miami saves, but he has the second-worst BB% (21.2) among 200 relievers this season and is also a commercial candidate.
Grab Puk now, before he gets any closer to Miami.
Chris Paddack, SP/RP, Minnesota Twins (15%)
Paddack looked good during his brief return (out of the bullpen) from Tommy John surgery late last season, but he disappointed in spring training and owned an 8.36 ERA after three starts to open 2024. Since then, Paddack has won four-game winning streak starts, posting a 1.93 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP with a 28:3 K:BB ratio in 23.1 innings. He classifies top 10 among starters in K-BB% over the last three weeks.
Paddack had a 0.98 WHIP in 26 starts as a rookie and introduced a slider this season. While his innings are limited and we’re buying a small sample size of four games here, pitching for the Twins in the AL Central is a real advantage.
Paddack’s recent stretch makes him worth adding in deeper fantasy leagues.
Pham is off to a strong start (137 wRC+) despite missing spring training. His K% (18.0) is a career best, and Pham was moved to the leadoff spot in Chicago’s lineup. He totaled 38 home runs/stolen bases in just 426 ABs last season while playing more than half of his games at one of the league’s best pitchers’ parks (Citi Field). The guaranteed rate field in Chicago is favorable for right-handed batsmenand Pham’s expected batting average is in top 2% in the league right now.
Pham is an underrated hitter which is capable of going 20/20 and shouldn’t be available on more than 90% of Yahoo! leagues.
García has improved his launch angle and nearly doubled his Barrel% this season. His Expected Batting Average, Expected Hits, and Hard Hit% are all in top 10% in the league. García is third against righties and is perfect in his stolen base attempts. García has a 1.330 OPS so far in May, and is quietly on pace to record 90 RBI and 32 steals while ranking in the top 15 in batting average this season.
García needs to be drafted in every fantasy league.
Doyle totaled 32 home runs/steals in less than 400 at-bats last season, despite posting a horrendous 43 wRC+ (Tim Anderson had the lowest wRC+ – 60 – among qualified hitters) and not taking advantage of Coors Field. Doyle has lowered his K% (still high at 29.2) this season while continuing to provide power/speed (eight HR/SB). He has a .960 OPS and a 140 wRC+ in Colorado this year, and Coors Field will become even more hitter-friendly when it heats up during the summer.
Put another way, Doyle’s pace at home would translate into 18 home runs, 27 steals and 108 runs scored with a .333 batting average over a full season. Doyle’s strong defense will keep him in Colorado’s lineup, and Coors Field remains a long way off baseball’s most favorable hitter park.
Doyle is worth drafting even in superficial fantasy leagues if you can play him exclusively at home.
