This article is part of our NL FAAB Factor series.
1. Identify likely free agents and discuss their strengths and weaknesses.
2. Estimate how much of your $100 starting free-agent budget you should bid on them.
This year, we are again using grids into the FAAB articles, so users can easily see at a glance how certain players stack up against others and how much they should command in a variety of formats.
The grids, which are sortable by column (click on the header), include a very basic "player grade" column. This serves as a reflection of a player's skills and role on an A-E scale. Cody Bellinger would have been an "A" grade player last year -- that mark will be reserved for similar high-impact prospects stepping into an everyday role.
As always, if there is a player that was not discussed in the article that you would like to know about, feel free to ask about the player in the comments.
1. Identify likely free agents and discuss their strengths and weaknesses.
2. Estimate how much of your $100 starting free-agent budget you should bid on them.
This year, we are again using grids into the FAAB articles, so users can easily see at a glance how certain players stack up against others and how much they should command in a variety of formats.
The grids, which are sortable by column (click on the header), include a very basic "player grade" column. This serves as a reflection of a player's skills and role on an A-E scale. Cody Bellinger would have been an "A" grade player last year -- that mark will be reserved for similar high-impact prospects stepping into an everyday role.
As always, if there is a player that was not discussed in the article that you would like to know about, feel free to ask about the player in the comments.
STARTING PITCHER
Robert Stephenson, Reds: Stephenson was called up to start Wednesday against the Mets, replacing Tyler Mahle in the Cincy rotation. He allowed three runs on three hits and five walks while striking out four over four innings but is expected to remain in the rotation moving forward. Stephenson posted a 1.61 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 68:22 K:BB in 56 innings over his last nine outings at Triple-A Louisville to earn another chance. Walks have been an issue in the majors, as Stephenson now has a 5.5 BB/9 in 125.2 innings at the big-league level, but the hope his recent strides in that department in the minors carries forward. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7
Jacob Nix, Padres: Nix was promoted from Triple-A El Paso to start and make his major-league debut Friday against the Phillies. He earned the callup, posting a 1.84 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 44:9 K:BB across 58.2 innings and 10 starts between Triple-A and Double-A San Antonio. Nix struggled at High- and Double-A last season after missing the start of the season but has put it all together this year. He has always been viewed as a pitcher with excellent stuff, but the production never matched the talent, and his inability to miss bats consistently may make him a reliever in the future. But he gets a chance to start, possibly for the rest of the season, in San Diego. Nix got off on the right foot Friday, tossing six scoreless innings, allowing just four runs and two walks with four strikeouts. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5
Corey Oswalt, Mets: Oswalt will remain in the rotation for at least one more turn with Steven Matz (forearm) not yet ready to return. After a rough outing on June 29, in which he allowed six runs in 2.2 innings (with all six scoring in the second after cruising the first two frames), Oswalt has been much better his last five starts. During that span, Oswalt has a 3.81 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 118:6 K:BB in 26 innings. If New York decides to finally pull the plug on Jason Vargas as a starter or Matz remains sidelined, Oswalt should remain in the rotation. If nether occurs, look for Oswalt to get spot starts but work out of the bullpen. Last season, he notched a stellar 2.28 ERA in 24 starts for Double-A Binghamton but projects to a No. 4 or 5 starter in the majors. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5 (up if he remains in the rotation)
Touki Toussaint, Braves: Toussaint will be promoted to start a game in Monday's doubleheader for Atlanta. The 22-year-old right-hander, who was acquired from Arizona in 2015, has a 2.01 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 32:13 K:BB in 31.1 innings during his first five starts at Triple-A Gwinnett. Toussaint will be sent down after the outing, but with several Braves starters on the disabled list, he could be in line for a handful of starts down the stretch if the need arises. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5 (September stash candidate)
Ty Blach, Giants: With the Giants missing several starters, Blach made his 13th start of the season but first since May. In this role, Blach has posted a 4.90 ERA in 60.2 innings, but he's notched a 3.18 ERA in 33.2 frames as a reliever. Blach's hold on the role may last only until/if Jeff Samardzija is able to return from his shoulder injury. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $4
Injury activations/updates
Hyun-Jin Ryu, Dodgers: Ryu, sidelined since May 2 with a strained groin, moved his rehab from Double to Triple-A on Tuesday. He allowed one run on five hits in five innings with three strikeouts and no walks, throwing 71 pitches. Ryu will not make another minor-league rehab start and could be activated this week. Kenta Maeda is moving to the bullpen for the next month with Kenley Jansen sidelined, and the Dodgers might use a six-man rotation, periodically resting Ross Stripling and/or Walker Buehler -- though that depends on the health of each starter, including Alex Wood. Prior to being sidelined, Ryu had pitched extremely well, posting a 2.12 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 36:10 K:BB in 29.2 innings pitched. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14 (upped early spec return bid)
Zach Davies, Brewers: Davies, who is in the middle of yet another rehab assignment and recently returned from another setbacks, made his third start at Triple-A Colorado Springs on Monday, tossing 79 pitches in 4.2 innings, a rise of 26 from his last outing. Sidelined since June 1 with both a shoulder and a back issue, Davies started for Double-A Biloxi on Saturday, at which point, he will be either rejoin the Brewers or require an additional rehab start. After a poor first half of 2017, Davies finished strong, showing that his 2016 numbers were no fluke. Once/if healthy, he should provide solid across-the-board numbers save for a middling strikeout rate replacing either Wade Miley or Freddy Peralta in the Milwaukee rotation, though this isn't set in stone. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7
Julio Urias, Dodgers: Urias kicked off a rehab assignment last Saturday in Arizona, striking out four of the six batters. He hit 95 mph during a rehab appearance at Rancho Cucamonga on Friday, and with Kenley Jansen out, Urias could be brought back sooner than expected to pitch in high-leveraged spots out of the bullpen. He projects to be a starter not a reliever in the future, but this is the quickest path to the majors this year. Los Angeles' top pitching prospect when he was promoted in 2016, Urias showed flashes of what made him so special in his 77 innings pitched that season. After opening 2017 in the minors, Urias got the nod early in the year, pitching well his first few starts. But after he struggled and was sent to the minors, shoulder soreness shut him down, and Urias underwent successful left anterior capsule surgery June of last season. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (same bid as prior)
Adam Wainwright, Cardinals: Wainwright, who last pitched on May 13, tossed a simulated game Friday and is close to embarking on a minor-league rehab assignment, possibly kicking one off this week at High-A Palm Beach. He will need several rehab appearances before he is ready to rejoin the Cardinals, which likely will occur when the roster expand in September. Given his struggles since the 2015 season, don't expect much from Wainwright if he is able to return. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4
Chad Bettis, Rockies: Bettis, sidelined since July 3 due to a blister on his right middle finger, was activated off the disabled list to start Tuesday. After navigating the first three innings, the wheels fell off in the fourth and fifth, with Bettis allowing nine runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out three over 4.2 innings against the Pirates. Prior to being sidelined, Bettis posted a 5.10 ERA and 1.40 WHIP with a 69:38 K:BB over 95.1 innings; having any sort of confidence in him moving forward is difficult. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $3
Bryan Mitchell, Padres: Mitchell, out since June 20 with right elbow impingement, allowed three runs (two earned) across four innings during his second rehab start for High-A Lake Elsinore on Tuesday. He likely will be ready to rejoin the Padres after 1-2 more rehab starts. Prior to the injury, Mitchell posted a 7.08 ERA and 23:35 K:BB across 48.1 innings and will be brought back as a starter when he is activated. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $3
RELIEF PITCHER
Drew Steckenrider/Tayron Guerrero/Adam Conley, Marlins:Kyle Barraclough's struggles since the All-Star Game cost him the closer job in Miami this past week. Prior to Monday, he has given up 11 runs over his last 4.1 innings (five appearances), blowing three saves and serving up three home runs over that span. Barraclough allowed two hits and a run Monday, and after losing the closer role, he responded by surrendering two runs in an inning Wednesday and landing on the disabled list Friday with lower back stiffness. His ERA rose from 0.99 at the start of July to 3.75, opening the door for Steckenrider to close. Steckenrider has been brilliant since May 20, allowing just six runs on 24 hits with a 30:11 K:BB and 11 holds in 30 innings. Many have felt that Steckenrider was a better option that Barraclough to close since he possesses better swing-and-miss and strikeout stuff along with a higher first-pitch strike frequency. Manager Don Mattingly may also use Guerrero, who recently returned from a month on the disabled list, or Conley, when a tough lefty is at the plate, in save situations, but the betting money is on Steckenrider. Steckenrider - 12-team Mixed: $9; 15-team Mixed: $18; 12-team NL: $27; Conley - 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4; Guerrero - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $3
Jeremy Jeffress, Brewers: Jeffress, formerly one of Corey Knebel's setup men, could replace the embattled Milwaukee closer in that role. Knebel struggled again Thursday and will work in low-leverage situations for the time being. Joakim Soria might have been next in line, but he is dealing with a strained right groin, which might sideline him. Josh Hader is an option, but he has been extremely valuable in a long-relief, high-leverage role, so manager Craig Counsell may be reluctant him to move him from that spot Jeffress has posted a 1.29 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 63:18 K:BB with four saves and 17 holds in 55.1 innings, rebounding to his 2013-2016 form. He has experience closing in Milwaukee, serving in that role in 2016. 12-team $4; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $16 (up bid if you think he is the full-time closer)
Scott Alexander, Dodgers:Kenley Jansen is sidelined with an irregular heartbeat, the first time he has dealt with this issue since undergoing heart surgery for a similar issue in 2012. With Jansen sidelined for at least a month, Los Angeles may try and find a closer in the trade market. But until then, Alexander might be the favorite to step into the closer role, at least in the short term. He notched the save Thursday but was replaced in the ninth Saturday by JT Chargois, who blew the save and took the loss. Maeda, who filled a similar role last postseason, will join Alexander in the bullpen and might be next in line. Pedro Baez, John Axford, Dylan Floro and Caleb Ferguson also might factor in, but it's hard to bank on one of them. Even with his removal Saturday, Alexander's skills hold up the best. 12-team $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14 (up bid if you think he is the full-time closer)
Ryan Madson/Koda Glover, Nationals:Kelvin Herrera was placed on the disabled list this week with right shoulder inflammation, creating a hole at closer for Washington. Herrera was filling in for the injured Sean Doolittle (toe), and Washington will now turn to Madson. His overall numbers – 4.32 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 36:15 K:BB in 43.1 innings -- leave a lot to be desired, but Madson has allowed just one run in his last 11 appearances since July 8. Manager Dave Martinez may also turn to Glover, who returned from his own shoulder injury to allow just two runs on seven hits and a pair of walks with 10 strikeouts and a pair of saves in eight innings for Triple-A Syracuse. Herrera is already throwing, though, and Doolittle will throw this week, so Madson's hold on the job may be short-lived. Madson - 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $18; Glover - 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7
Seung Hwan Oh, Rockies: Colorado lengthened its bullpen before the trade deadline, acquiring Oh from the Blue Jays. After a brilliant start and then flaming out in St. Louis, Oh resurrected his career in Toronto, posting a 2.68 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 55:10 K:BB in 47 innings. With Wade Davis and Adam Ottavino slumping, Oh, who notched a save on Aug. 5 and hold on Aug. 6, could get a shot. That said, Oh surrendered a two-run, home run to Cody Bellinger in the eighth inning Thursday, triggering the Rockies' collapse. It may be a mix-and-match approach for manager Bud Black in Colorado, possibly resulting in Bryan Shaw getting a chance as well. Ottavino got the save Friday, though, so he clearly is next in line if a change is made. 12-team $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7
Jesse Biddle, Braves: Biddle resurrected his career, moving from starting to relieving in 2017 after missing all of 2016 with injury. He excelled in that role in Double-A Mississippi, and after opening the year at Triple-A Gwinnett; Biddle was promoted at the end of April. Since then, in 38 relief appearances this season, he owns a 2.22 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 46 strikeouts and six holds over 44 innings. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7
Injury activations/updates
Hunter Strickland, Giants: Sitting on the 60-day disabled list with a broken right pinkie finger, Strickland kicked off a rehab stint last weekend with the Giants' Arizona League affiliate. He moved to High-A San Jose and should continue to move up the ladder until he is eligible to return on Aug. 18. Manager Bruce Bochy only uses Strickland for an inning at a clip, so he should be able to return when eligible without too much of a problem. Prior to being sidelined, Strickland, who replaced Mark Melancon as the Giants' closer, was 13-for-17 in save chances with a mediocre 29:13 K:BB and 2.84 ERA over 31.2 innings. Will Smith has been stellar as San Francisco's closer, which may result in Strickland sliding back into a setup role when he is activated. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7
CATCHER
Chris Iannetta/Tony Wolters, Rockies: Iannetta and Wolters once again make up the Colorado duo behind the plate with Tom Murphy sent down to Triple-A to work on his defense. After notching solid across the board numbers in Arizona last season, Iannetta signed a two-year, $8.5 million contract with the Rockies in December of 2017, which came with a $300,000 signing bonus and $750,000 buyout in 2020. His production so far has greatly lagged from last year, resulting in Colorado promoting Murphy earlier in the season and the team giving Wolters some starts. Wolters hasn't been much, so even though two is company and three's a crowd, relying on either Colorado backstop may be a futile endeavor. Iannetta - 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7; Wolters - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $3
Aramis Garcia, Giants: Garcia could get the nod if Nick Hundley's possible concussion lands the backstop on the disabled list. If promoted, Garcia will back up Buster Posey, picking up the occasional start. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2
FIRST BASE
Peter Alonso, Mets: Alonso, promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas in mid-June after slashing .315/.442/.574 with 15 home runs and 52 RBI over 269 plate appearances for the Rumble Ponies, has rediscovered his stroke at the plate after some initial struggles. As we noted in our Aug. 8 note, after hitting just .165 through his first 26 games in the Pacific Coast League, Alonso posted an 1.199 OPS while homering seven times and driving in 26 runs in his next 18 games through August 9. Unfortunately, in the Mets' eyes, at least for now, Alonso is behind Dominic Smith in the first base pecking order. But if he continues to excel at the plate and his defense becomes even passable, he could be a September call up and possible future option at the position. But as of now, there is a good possibility that Alonso will not be promoted since he does not need to be added to the 40-man roster until after the 2019 season. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5
SECOND BASE
Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks: Marte, acquired in the offseason after the 2016 season, failed to impress Arizona in the spring and was sent to the minors. Fine numbers at Triple-A Reno coupled with injuries at the parent level opened the door for Marte's promotion. He posted passable numbers, similar to what he had produced this year prior to the All-Star break. Since the midsummer classic, Marte has been red-hot, posting an OPS near 1.000 and he now sits with career-highs in home runs (10) and RBI (45) with a strong SLG and hard-hit-ball percentage. Marte's play has been a big reason why Arizona is in contention to win the NL West. 12-team Mixed: $33; 15-team Mixed: owned; 12-team NL: owned
Jeff McNeil, Mets: McNeil has not looked out of place since he was promoted from Triple-A Las Vegas. He saw minimal action initially but took over as the starting second baseman after Asdrubal Cabrera was dealt to the Phillies on July 27. McNeil was promoted to Las Vegas in mid-June following a dominant run at Double-A Binghamton. He hit .327/.402/.626 with 14 home runs and 43 RBI over 57 games for the Rumble Ponies to earn the callup. McNeil showed those numbers were no fluke, batting .368/.427/.600 with five home runs and 28 RBI in 31 games to earn the callup. A 12th-round pick back in 2013, McNeil should start at second the remainder of the season, as he tried to convince the organization that he can man the keystone in 2019. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $18
Adam Frazier, Pirates: Frazier has been in fire since he was called back up to the Pirates in late July. He is 19-for-41 (through Thursday's game) with nine doubles, seeing most of his playing at second base. Prior to his promotion, Frazier slashed.239/.323/.355 with three home runs and eight runs batted in during his 58 game with the parent club earlier in the season. He wasn't much better at Triple-A Indianapolis, but he appears to have regained the stroke that made him a .300 hitter in 2016. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11
THIRD BASE
David Freese, Pirates:Josh Bell is back from his strained oblique while Colin Moran is still the starting third baseman in Pittsburgh, but if Freese continues to rake, manager Clint Hurdle will find a spot for him in the lineup at either corner. Since June 29, through Friday's games, Freese was 30-for-85 with five home runs and 21 runs batted along with a .353/.391/.612 slash line. At a minimum, Freese plays third against lefties with Moran sitting, but he has shown he warrants the additional playing time has been received. 12-team Mixed: $4; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $16
Patrick Wisdom, Cardinals: Wisdom was promoted Saturday to provide the Cardinals with another backup infielder with Yairo Munoz landing on the disabled. He posted a .289/.363/.479 slash line with 14 home runs in 103 games at Triple-A after hitting 31 long balls there last season. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $3
Injury activations/updates
David Wright, Mets: Wright, who has played in just 75 games since the start of the 2015 season and none since 2016, will kick off a rehab assignment at High-A St. Lucie on Sunday. Once on pace to be a possible Hall of Famer, spinal stenosis and other assorted injuries short-circuited what was once an excellent career. Wright will require a lengthy rehab and could possibly rejoin the Mets at the end of the month or in September, though that is far from certain. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5 (early spec return bid)
SHORTSTOP
Nick Ahmed, Diamondbacks: Ahmed's surprising power spike shows no signs of dissipating, as the shortstop is now up to 16 home runs on the season. Add in 57 runs driven in and 50 runs scored along with a .459 slugging percentage, all of which are career highs, and you can look past the low batting and on-base percentages. Ahmed is ensconced as the D-backs' shortstop with Ketel Marte manning second and Eduardo Escobar locked in at the hot corner, replacing the injured Jake Lamb. 12-team Mixed: $22; 15-team Mixed: owned; 12-team NL: owned
Adeiny Hechavarria, Pirates: Hechavarria, who was designated for assignment by the Rays, was dealt to the Pirates along with cash considerations in exchange for minor-league pitcher Matt Seelinger. He hit 258/.289/.332 in 61 games for the Rays, but his value to Pittsburgh, as it was to Tampa, is in his excellent infield defense. Look for Hechavarria to back up Jordy Mercer at shortstop. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $3
Injury activations/updates
J.P. Crawford, Phillies: Crawford, out since late April with a Grade 1 right flexor pronator strain, was activated in early June. After less than two weeks of play, Crawford suffered a fractured left hand when a pitch hit him, which was to sideline him 4-to-6 weeks. Crawford kicked off a rehab assignment last Monday and, after moving up through the ladder, was activated Friday. With Philly obtaining Asdrubal Cabrera prior to the trade deadline and Maikel Franco entrenched at third, Crawford will see minimal playing time. There is the possibility that Crawford, who slashed just .194/.312/.333 before he was sidelined, is demoted, but that may depend on whether Scott Kingery is sent down. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4
OUTFIELD
Hunter Renfroe/Franmil Reyes, Padres: Renfroe and Reyes were each profiled last week following the placement of Wil Myers (foot) on the disabled list on Aug. 4. Each player has made the most of this opportunity, and Myers took groundballs at third base during his recovery and will play the position during a one-game minor-league rehab appearance, possibly paving the way for a position switch, at least part time, enabling Renfroe in left and Reyes in right field to remain in the lineup almost daily. Renfroe hit safety in all seven games from Aug. 2-9, homering in each of the last four games, driving in 11 during that span. Reyes received his first taste of the major leagues in early May following a hot stretch at Triple-A El Paso. Reyes, since his callup on Aug. 4, is 9-for-15 with two doubles, three homers and five RBI, carrying his hot bat from the majors to the minors. Bids below are based on both players remaining in the lineup almost daily, with Reyes having the greatest risk of losing playing time when Myers is activated Monday. Renfroe - 12-team Mixed: $8; 15-team Mixed: $14; 12-team NL: $22; Reyes - 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14
David Dahl, Rockies: Dahl was somewhat surprisingly called up last Sunday a little more than a week after he was activated following a completion of rehab stint after recovering a broken right foot that occurred in late May. Over his past six games at Triple-A Albuquerque, Dahl went 9-for-26 with a home run and four doubles, and he has carried that bat up to the majors. Dahl homered Wednesday and is 5-for-13 with that homer and a stolen base since his promotion. If Dahl continues to produce, it wouldn't be surprising to see him push either Carlos Gonzalez or Gerardo Parra for an everyday role. He hit .315/.379/.500 with seven home runs and five stolen bases in 237 plate appearances after his promotion in July 2016 and looked primed to take the next step forward last year. A stress reaction to his rib in spring training sidelined the outfielder nearly all season, making it a wasted year. The return of CarGo to Colorado along with presence of Geraldo Parra meant that Dahl started the year in the minors. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14
Austin Jackson, Mets: Jackson was signed at the end of July with the Mets' outfield thin due to Yoenis Cespedes (heel) being out for the year and Jay Bruce sidelined for who knows how much longer. After slashing .242/.309/.295 with 13 RBI, eight extra-base hits and two stolen bases in 59 games with the Giants, Jackson was traded to the Rangers in early July. After the deal, he was designated for assignment and subsequently released. Jackson, who is known for his defense and has a fan in manager Mickey Callaway (they were both in Cleveland last season), has made the most of his playing time in center field, starting nearly every day and going 14-for-32 with two home runs and eight runs driven in, albeit with a 9:3 K:BB. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14
Isaac Galloway/Rafael Ortega, Marlins: Galloway, profiled last week, gets another mention due to the trade of Justin Bour. Derek Dietrich will see most of his playing time at first base, opening up left field for Galloway and Ortega. Galloway was slashing .262/.315/.429 with nine home runs, 30 RBI and 20 stolen bases at Triple-A New Orleans the time of his promotion. With Cameron Maybin in Seattle, Magneuris Sierra is the starter in center fielder, backed up by Galloway, who should see some time at the position. Ortega, who has bounced around from organization to organization, batted .275/.375/.404 with two home runs, 28 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 92 games at Triple-A New Orleans. He will likely be utilized as a fourth outfielder while with the big-league club, backing up Galloway in left while possibly seeing some time in right. Galloway – 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7; Ortega - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $4
Adolis Garcia, Cardinals: Garcia, who signed with the Cardinals for $2.5 million in February 2017, finished last season at Triple-A Memphis. As we noted in our preseason outlook, "Garcia's plus speed is his best fantasy tool, and he has the potential to hit .270 with 15-to-20 homers over a full season." Garcia lived up to that potential and then some, hitting .348/.370/.765 with 12 homers in his last 30 games at Memphis to earn his first promotion to the majors. Injuries to Dexter Fowler (foot) and Tyler O'Neill (groin) have opened the door for Garcia, who will see sporadic playing time until O'Neill returns. His main weaknesses are a lack of plate discipline and poor instincts on the basepaths, which necessitates additional development times in the minors. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5
