Bernie on the Scene: NL Roster Fillers

No, these guys aren't household names, but they are getting playing time on big league clubs in this most unusual "sprint" season. I don't know how good they are, because the depth and breath of their service time is rather limited.

It make sense to scour the waiver wire to see if players who are getting at-bats or innings on the mound surface. If they're on the wire, determine if they are an upgrade for your team. In some cases, it's too late and they are already gone. That said, think of next year. If these guys played now, they could be viable for the future.

Chadwick Tromp, C, Giants, RHB

That's Tromp, not Trump.

When Buster Posey opted out of the 2020 season, it threw the Giants into a tizzy. (I love the word tizzy.)  Top prospect Joey Bart was not deemed ready for prime time. And first-round draft pick Patrick Bailey was even behind Bart. What to do? They began the season with spring training non-roster invitee Tyler Heineman behind the plate.

Heineman played with Miami last year and at least had 12 plate appearances in the big leagues. For the Giants he has proven to be extremely meh!  He started out all right, but quickly went south and is barely in the .200 batting average and .300 on-base percentage range as I write this.

Enter one Chadwick Tromp. That's Tromp, not Trump. Tromp is getting playing time and is extremely meh!  As I write this, he is hovering around the .200 batting average range and .250 on-base percentage area. Meh indeed.

He has, however, hit a couple of homers. And if you are hurting at catcher, he should see enough at-bats for you to at least put someone in that position on your NL-only roster. I think I prefer him to Tyler Heineman in a lesser-of-two-evils equation.

Tromp is still only 25. He's built like a catcher at 5-foot-8, 221. 

The Cincinnati Reds signed Tromp as an international free agent from Aruba in 2013.  The Giants picked him up last January.

Jake Cronenworth, INF, Padres

This guy came out of nowhere, but he's making an impact. He may just win a job for the future with San Diego. Or he may just be a flash in the sun.

He went to the University of Michigan where he was an infielder and pitcher. Actually, he was a closer for the Wolverines.

The Rays picked Cronenworth in the seventh round of the 2015 draft. In December 2019, he was traded to the Padres along with Tommy Pham in the deal that brought Hunter Renfroe to the Rays.

This short season, Cronenworth has played first base, second base, shortstop and third base. Could we ask for anything better? And he has hit. He makes contact and has some pop. He won't steal bases, but he'll give fantasy owners a quality at-bat.

A left-handed hitter, Cronenworth has taken over the second base role on what looks to be a full time basis. Grab him if you can.

Magneuris Sierra, OF, Marlins

I'm looking at players on teams that have lots of games to make up as potential fantasy options. Miami fits that bill.

A Left-handed hitter, Magneuris Sierra is a speedy outfielder capable of stealing bases with much better than average speed. He might not get that many at-bats on a regular basis, but he'll come in to pinch run in late innings.

Sierra is still only 24. He was signed by St. Louis out of the Dominican Republic and traded to the Marlins in a blockbuster deal for Marcell Ozuna. The Cardinals gave up Sandy Alcantara and Zac Gallen (since traded to Arizona) in that deal.

Sierra is a good outfielder, which means he may get late-game defensive chances. That could bring him to the plate. He doesn't have much power, but he could walk his way on base and then try to steal. He's worth a flyer in an only league or in the right league compilation.

Edwin Rios, 1B/3B, Dodgers

A sixth-round 2015 draft pick out of Florida International University, Edwin Rios' playing time this season has surprised me. Even though he did see big-league action last year, I'm still a bit shocked the Dodgers have given him this outstanding opportunity.  That said, he was a solid minor league hitter with a .366 on-base percentage in parts of five seasons.

A left-handed batter, Rios is an aggressive hitter with power. He is strong and powerful.

He has already flashed that power this season with the Dodgers.

Because he isn't that great a defender, one still has to wonder how much he will play late in games. But the Dodgers have been more than happy with what he brings to their offense.

Don't look for batting average or stolen bases with Rios. Do, however, expect some home runs and RBIs from his rather potent bat.

Alec Mills, SP, Cubs

When I take questions on Twitter, I am asked frequently if Alec Mills is the real deal? I think so.

He's been around a while with the Cubs, but he never has had a chance. Now, at age 28, Mills is part of their rotation. He should keep his job even when Jose Quintana returns.

Until this season, Mills has never gotten more than four starts in a season. That was last year with the Cubs. He should exceed that this year.

Mills was a 22nd-round pick by the Royals in 2012. He debuted with them in 2016, pitching out of their bullpen. The Royals traded him to the Cubs in 2017 for the ever-famous Donnie Dewees. Note, that is not Dom DeLuise (I'm aging myself here.)

Mills was a walk-on at Tennessee Martin, but proved to be a reliable pitcher. While he doesn't throw hard, he knows how to pitch. When I have seen him throw, he has worked hard to keep the ball away from the barrel, using the edges of the plate with good command and control. Because he doesn't throw hard, hitters will make contact off him, and he can be hittable.

But to date, I've been satisfied with his performance on my fantasy teams. He hasn't been hit hard at all.

Luis Guillorme, INF, Mets

Luis Guillorme was a 10th-round pick of the Mets in the 2013 draft out of Coral Spring Charter High School in Florida.

I got to see him play in the 2017 Arizona Fall League. I was really impressed with his defense at shortstop. He hit .289 with a .333 on-base percentage that fall. But he showed no power.

Guillorme will be a utility infielder for the Mets this season. He is mentioned here because he makes solid contact and can hit the gaps. He is having a good run at the plate, but he is strictly a singles hitter. Know that, but realize that he has the eye of the Mets brass.

Guillorme is a sneaky runner. He isn't fast, but I think his instincts are so good that the club will let him try to steal when the opportunity presents itself. That's one reason he could be both useful and helpful as a roster stash.

Guillorme could become a bit pull happy, and at the age of 25, he may be able to gain a bit more power in his shorter, more measured and improved approach at the plate.

HEADING TO THE DUGOUT

• I know we are approaching football season, and I get it. But baseball is having a fine run with exciting pennant races and multiple chances for teams to get into the postseason. 

Frankly, I dislike the fantasy world turning to football with such vigor while pushing baseball to the back burner. We still have fantasy baseball seasons to win. Take advantage of guys in your league who have given up the ghost.

I look for the NFL to take some Saturday dates and start times that would have gone to college football.

• As Yogi was fond of saying, "it's getting late early." And it really is getting a bit late for some heavy hitters to find their groove. Remember what I said about the numbers of off-speed and breaking balls increasing? Pitchers are using their changeups, curves and sliders in traditional fastball counts. Big hitters are having trouble adjusting. And that will continue until they figure it out. I'm not sure they all will.

• I take questions on Twitter a few times a week. Feel free to chime in. Follow me @BerniePleskoff. 

• And read my work at Forbes.com. Here is last week's post.