Expert League FAAB Report - Week of 6/2
Not many FAAB dollars were spent this week but I was more busy than usual.
Every Monday throughout the season, I’ll be reviewing some of the top purchases along with my own buys in the Tout Wars Mixed Draft alternate category league and the LABR Mixed league. Note that the Tout Wars season budget is $1000 with $0 bids allowed while the LABR season budget is $100 with a minimum bid of $1.
TOUT WARS MIXED DRAFT WITH IP & SAVES+HOLDS
TOP BUYS
Jacob Melton ($87) - Melton, one of the Astros’ top prospects, made his big-league debut yesterday and figures to get fairly regular at-bats, at least in the short term. He can play all three outfield positions and provides Houston with a much-needed left-handed bat. Of course, the 24-year-old will have to produce to avoid a trip back to the minors, but the leash will likely be long. Judging from his minor-league numbers, fantasy managers can hope for a steady dose of steals, a helpful OBP and a bit of power. Interest in Melton was limited to the winning bidder, so there’s plenty of doubt regarding his ability to make an immediate mixed-league impact.
Daniel Palencia ($69) - Closers are obviously devalued in this league but Palencia’s current fantasy appeal isn’t all about the saves. Through 19 appearances this season, the young righty boasts a 1.74 ERA and a 0.77 WHIP while striking out more than a batter per inning. I’ve always believed that Ryan Pressly would eventually reclaim the Cubs’ ninth-inning job but I’m not nearly as sure now as I was a week ago.
MY BUYS
Jorge Mateo ($22) - Mateo has his flaws as a fantasy player, most notably a woeful batting average and OBP. But one thing he can do is steal bases, and he’s already swiped 14 bags this year in just 30 games. I’m in last place in steals in this league, so any help I can get in that category would be welcome. The Baltimore utility man is also in the midst of an overall hot streak, posting a .357 OBP with one homer and six runs scored over his last 12 games. He will soon return to being a one-category specialist and probably won’t be a reliable long-term option for me due to his inconsistent playing time. But for 22 FAAB bucks, that’s fine. Mateo received one other bid, an $11 offering. It’s reassuring to know that I wasn’t the only manager who had the crazy idea to acquire him.
David Fry ($12) - Fry made his long-awaited return from off-season elbow surgery yesterday, striking out in his lone at-bat. This is a somewhat risky pickup as he will be limited to DH duty for the rest of this season but Fry is still eligible at three positions (catcher, first base, outfield) for fantasy purposes. After enjoying a career year last season, the Guardians will try to fit him in their lineup as often as possible. The catcher position is so thin that even if Fry plays two or three times a week, he could outproduce most backstops.
LABR MIXED
TOP BUYS
Ryan Yarbrough ($7) - Yarbrough has pitched extremely well as a rotation fill-in for the Yankees, registering a 2.08 ERA and a 0.81 WHIP in five starts. The veteran southpaw has often served as an opener in recent years but with the Bombers short in starting pitching, it doesn’t seem like he will be removed from his current role anytime soon. Seven bucks is an aggressive bid for him but far from unreasonable in a deep mixed league.
Coby Mayo ($4) - Perhaps Mayo will find more success in his second big-league stint this season than he did in his first. The top prospect should receive everyday at-bats while Ryan Mountcastle is on the IL and could stick around in the majors for good if he proves he belongs. For the price of $4, he’s worth a shot.
MY BUYS
Jorge Mateo ($3) and Nathan Lukes ($2) - My outfield in this league is a mess with both Yordan Alvarez and the underachieving Jordan Walker sidelined due to injury and Adolis Garcia struggling so mightily that the Rangers are giving him several days off to clear his head. Let’s see if Mateo and/or Lukes can provide me with the boost I desperately need.
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