We’re about 20-25 games into the young season and it’s never a bad time to tweak your rosters while trying to uncover some ‘diamonds in the rough’. Here are this week’s pickups…
Alcides Escobar-SS-Royals- 23% Owned- Talk about getting in a groove, Escobar has been doing just that! He has had five multi-hit games over his last eight starts and for the season is now batting .317 with a homer, 8 runs scored and 3 stolen bases. Escobar plays at a position which, in deeper leagues especially, is a rare commodity so the little owned speedster should be checked out.
Alcides Escobar, shown shattering his bat here, has had 5 multi-hit games over his last 8 and should be considered a viable pickup this week. Photo: Tim Umphrey/Getty Images North America:
Tom Koehler-SP,RP-Marlins- 6% Owned- We like his control so far this season as Koehler has given up no more than 2 runs in his last four starts which has kept his ERA at a fantasy compatable 2.13 with a 1.11 WHIP. He’s fanned 18 batters in just 25 1/3 innings so for now the little owned starter, who will face the Mets on Saturday, should be considered in all mixed leagues.
Marcell Ozuna-OF-Marlins- 34% Owned- The 24 year old undrafted Dominican, now in just his second year in the major leagues, has gotten off to a productive start. After 20 games, Ozuna has collected 10 RBIs, has hit 3 home runs and scored 12 . Along with a .329 batting average, he currently is the 89th highest ranked player in all of Yahoo! Fantasy Sports. He should be owned in all mixed leagues until, and unless, he cools off dramatically.
Dallas Keuchel-SP,RP-Astros- 3% Owned- This is a ‘good news’/’bad news’ entry. The good news is that Keuchel has struck out 24 batters in 24 innings and has only walked 6. The bad news is that the 26 year old has only started 42 games in his career and carries with him a combined 5.03 ERA. Perhaps now as an everyday starter he will get more into synch but he also is pitching for one of baseball’s doormat teams and as such qualifies more for those in deeper leagues at least for the time being. Keuchel will face Oakland next on Saturday.
Alfredo Simon-SP,RP-Reds-42% Owned- Simon, known primarily as a reliever throughout most of his career, has been an unexpected surprise for the Reds’ pitching staff this young season. He’ll face the Cubbies on Monday who he beat handily on April 18th giving up just 4 hits over 6 innings and then will get a second start on Saturday. He is currently 3-1 and has a microscopic 1.30 ERA. Simon is still available in almost 60% of leagues.
Alfredo Simon will have a two-start week next week and is must add in mixed leagues. Photo: Tom Banks/USA Today Sports
FANTASY FURNACE 