For the past five-plus years, I’ve contributed The Week Ahead and Impact Report at Rotoworld. Those articles included a look at two-start pitchers, streamers, waiver pickups, and injuries. Many readers planned their week and FAAB deadlines around those articles, so my plan is to contribute something similar weekly throughout the 2023 season in this space.

If there’s something else you’d like to see, please let me know in the comments section.

 

Two Start Pitchers

American League

Strong Plays

Joe Ryan: NYY, KC

Chris Sale: @BAL, CLE

Sonny Gray: NYY, KC

Nestor Cortes: @MIN, @TEX

Logan Gilbert: @PHI, @TOR

Drew Rasmussen: HOU, @CHW

 

Decent Plays

Kyle Bradish: BOS, @DET

Taj Bradley: HOU, @CHW

Lance Lynn: @TOR, TB

Jose Urquidy: @TB, PHI

Brady Singer: @ARI, @MIN

Nathan Eovaldi: @CIN, NYY

Martin Perez: @CIN, NYY

Matthew Boyd: @MIL, BAL

Brad Keller: @ARI, @MIN

Chris Bassitt: CHW, SEA

 

At Your Own Risk

Jose Suarez: OAK, @MIL

Jhony Brito: @MIN, @TEX

Mike Clevinger: @TOR, TB

Ken Waldichuk: @LAA, CIN

Dean Kremer: BOS, @DET

Spencer Turnbull: @MIL, BAL

 

National League

Strong Plays

Spencer Strider: MIA, @NYM

Nick Lodolo: TEX, @OAK

Justin Steele: SD, @MIA

 

Decent Plays

Sandy Alcantara: @ATL, CHC

Alex Cobb: STL, @SD

Charlie Morton: MIA, @NYM

Jordan Montgomery: @SF, @LAD

Jose Oviedo: LAD, @WAS

Noah Syndergaard: @PIT, STL

Josiah Gray: @NYM, PIT

Edward Cabrera: @ATL, CHC

Bailey Falter: SEA, @HOU

 

At Your Own Risk

Colin Rea: DET, LAA

Tommy Henry: KC, @COL

Austin Gomber: @CLE, ARI

 

Streamers

These are pitchers I’m considering as single-start streamers this week in a 12-15 team mixed league that are available in at least 50% of leagues.

American League

Griffin Canning: OAK (4/25)

 

National League

Ryne Nelson: KC (4/25)

Eric Lauer: DET (4/25)

Steven Matz: @SF (4/26)

Joey Lucchesi: WAS (4/27)

Rich Hill: @WAS (4/28)

 

Player Notes

• Oakland youngster Mason Miller was the talk of the week, as the suddenly top prospect was promoted by the A’s and had an excellent first outing against the Cubs while hitting triple-digits on the radar gun. It was be an interesting FAAB showdown for his services, with big upside but also some short-term red flags. Miller has only thrown 28.2 minor league innings, due in part to injuries, but he’s been spectacular over that time with 53/6 K/BB in 28.2 innings. The former third-round pick will likely have his innings heavily limited this season due to the injury history and throwing only 14 innings all of last season. He also won’t win many games with a conservative pitch count and a horrific supporting cast in Oakland. Though, the upside is undeniable, especially in keeper leagues. However, for redraft leagues I’d strongly prefer to wait on a Bailey Ober or prospect with a higher innings cap like Tanner Bibee.
• The other Logan Allen is set to make his MLB debut today, with Cleveland in dire position due to starting rotation injuries. Allen has plenty of minor league season after being drafted in 2020 out of college, and has bounced back nicely in three starts at Triple-A Columbus early this season after struggling in 14 starts last year. Despite his past struggles, Allen has consistently missed bats with an 11.8 K/9 for his pro career and 12.6 K/9 this season, The only big question is how his control will fare, as it’s been far from perfect as he’s moved up (3.5 BB/9 last season, 3.1 BB/9) this year. The lefty also has a short leash with Bibee and a host of other interesting arms waiting in the wings, but there is certainly potential for Allen to be a difference maker this season.
• He’s far less romantic, but Joey Lucchesi could be an interesting find. The veteran left-hander is back from Tommy John surgery, and threw seven scoreless innings in his start last week. We shouldn’t forget what’s been a pretty solid track record from the soft-tosser, with a career 4.24 ERA and 9.3 K/9 for his career between San Diego and the Mets. The numerous injuries in the Mets rotation, along with Max Scherzer’s suspension, should allow Lucchesi to stick around a while, and potentially earn wins on a strong squad.
• It’s taking everything I have not to jump back on the Jarren Duran bandwagon. I felt he was one of the most underrated fantasy prospects before last season, but Duran looked lost with the Red Sox when he was given an opportunity to play. There was a clear difference in his readiness in the brief time he played in Spring Training, and that’s carried over to the majors with a hot start. While in a platoon, Duran has clear 20/20 upside and could slide up the batting order in a thin Red Sox lineup if he continues to hit. Still, there should be some concern with his strikeout rate, which has continued at 30% so far.
• For a catcher fill-in, look no further than Matt Thaiss. The Angel played catcher in college at Virginia but didn’t play a game as a pro until 2021, five years after he was a first-round pick. He could be sit to be a starter for a while, depending on the severity of Logan O’Hoppe’s shoulder injury, and hit a key home run on Saturday. Thaiss’ MLB performance at the plate has been poor overall, hitting only .200-12-24 in 298 career plate appearances, but the minor league stats are quite intriguing. He has a career .838 OPS in over 1,500 plate appearances at Triple-A, and could be a viable second catcher in fantasy leagues.