This week we saw some interesting rookie debuts. Most notably, we saw an epic matchup involving two guys named Miller. Both Bryce Miller and Mason Miller impressed, with Mason throwing seven innings of no-hit baseball and Bryce taking a perfect game into the sixth inning. We suggested Mason two weeks ago, and he’s still high on our list. Bryce is listed below as a priority. Both Gavin Stone and Brandon Pfaadt also made their debuts this week -- both with disastrous results. I’d avoid both pitchers for now. Instead, if you need a starter, consider pivoting to Drew Smyly or even Patrick Sandoval, who is somehow still available in more than 50% of ESPN fantasy leagues.
In addition to those below, Brent Rooker and Connor Joe, who we mentioned previously, remain hot and should be added if available.
O.K., without further ado, here are five players that can help fantasy managers right now:
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Bryce Miller, SP (SEA)
Miller took a perfect game into the sixth inning in his major-league debut before allowing a pair of hits to the A’s. Yes, it was the lowly A’s, but Miller also did not issue a walk and threw 57 of his 81 pitches for strikes. The No. 2 prospect for Seattle should be a priority add this week with the rocky fantasy starting pitching landscape.
Matt Mervis, 1B (CHC)
The Cubs will call up their No. 6 prospect for Friday’s game. Many had thought he would start the season with the club, but after the Cubs signed Eric Hosmer, Mervis started the season at Triple-A. Mervis has been hitting .286 with six home runs and a .982 OPS in the minors. He’s a power bat with excellent contact skills. If you lost Jake Burger to the IL, Mervis could be a good corner infielder replacement.
Brett Baty, 3B (NYM)
Baty has been heating up for the Mets and now owns a .455 OBP across the past two weeks of play. He’s hit two homers since joining the club on April 17 -- one of them coming vs. a lefty, which was something Baty has struggled with in the past. The No. 2 prospect for New York looks like he should be sticking around.
David Peralta, OF (LAD)
With J.D. Martinez hitting the IL this week, Peralta will have more opportunity, and he looks like he could be heating up. Peralta not only hit a 3-run homer vs. the Phillies on Monday, he also stole his first base of the season on Wednesday. He’s still hitting around the Mendoza line, but he has eight RBIs this week and his hard-hit rate and strikeout rate are both in the 86th percentile of the league. Statcast says his xBA is .260, well above the .205 he’s actually hit. If you’re in a deeper league, I like Peralta’s upside.
LaMonte Wade Jr., OF (SF)
Wade has been on quite a hot streak lately with five homers and a .412 OBP across the past two weeks. Not only is Wade swinging the bat well with a barrel rate in the 87th percentile and a SLG in the 91st percentile, he’s in the 99th percentile for walks. More time on base means more opportunities to score -- even in a mediocre San Francisco Giants offense.
