The Week 5 loaded schedule for some teams tilts Monday’s column “Three up” more towards pickup candidates than rebound. There are still many options for adds, so don’t panic!
The first is Coors Field’s only visiting team for the week, and he’s a hotshot rookie who appears to be coming out of an early-season slump.
Bobby Witt Jr., SS/3B, Kansas City Royals:Witt began his big-league career batting.128 (5 for 39) with no home runs and one stolen base. He also had 13 strikeouts, 36 swings at the non-strikes, and his rostered percentage dropped below 90%. Witt is now picking up the pace. Witt has a batting average of.308 (16 for 52) with one home run, three out of five on stolen base attempts and a.326 performance in 14 games. However, he still needs to improve his chase rate. Coors games can be very helpful for hitters. Witt and the Royals also get the added benefit of a Monday game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Baltimore OriolesThis makes up for Saturday’s postponement. Witt is now 4-of-7 against left-handed starters. In 2021, Witt slugged.353/.415/.681 and had a 7.4% home run average between Triple-A and Double-A ball. Witt should be in every lineup, considering the favorable Week 5 schedule. He’s also in good shape to keep the Royals on the right track for the next 16 games.
Sheldon Neuse, 2B/3B, Oakland Athletics:Neuse is the second-most-added middle infielder on ESPN leagues. He still appears in 82.3% leagues as Week 5, presumably because he is one of many relative unknowns with the rebuilding Athletics. The 2016 second rounder was not even close to being ranked on any prospect lists. He also spent one year with the Athletics. Los Angeles DodgersNeuse, who has been with the A’s for a few seasons, is now a regular No. This season, Neuse has been a starter and a 2 hitter. He is not a single hitter. eliteHis skill is above-average — Statcast lists his career big league hard hit rate at 44.7%. He has managed fastballs efficiently enough to keep the job. This week’s timing is perfect for an Athletics Regular, with the team having nine games scheduled. Neuse is also scheduled to play 16 games in the 17 weeks following Week 5. This means that he could be a short-term, volume-driven option, even in shallow mixed leagues. However, the pitching matches can get more difficult during those times, so he should probably be available for sale exactly one week from now.
Juan Yepez, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals:Yepez was recalled this week after hitting.279/.323/.651 and nine home runs in 22 games for Triple A Memphis. In each of their five games Yepez has been in fifth place. Yepez also hit safely in four of the multi-hit games, including a memorable Mother’s Day run. He was long considered a power-only prospect. However, his contact rates at higher competitive minor league levels have improved significantly in 2021. Yepez also changed his swing to be more fly-ball-oriented. Yepez had nine homers in the minor leagues in 114 games played at Triple-A Memphis this season. The Cardinals are committed to giving Yepez a chance to be their regular designated hitter and occasionally in the outfield (important for eligibility for positions). Given his power, significance, and recent performances, he’s well worth the pick.
Week 5 Notes:
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Ryan Pressly’s slower fastball velocity has been a major topic this year. But, it’s worth noting his season-high of 93.8 mph with the pitch during his May 7 save conversion. It is another step towards his recovery of his 2021 form. And with the Houston Astros’ schedule being favorable on both sides, he must be activated in every format immediately.
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The Royals aforesaid were defeated Edward OlivaresRookie – a former leadoff hitter, succumbed to a quadriceps problem on Sunday. This tempers his enthusiasm despite the team’s fantasy-friendly schedule. Rookie MJ MelendezIn a catcher/DH tandem, has seen increasing time with Salvador PerezMelendez is another Week 5 rebound candidate and Melendez warrants No. Melendez is a left-handed hitter and deserves to be the No. 2 catcher in any league that exceeds ESPN’s standard. Melendez is a left-handed batter, so it’s difficult to imagine him making the big league. AllSix of the six team starts were made during Week 5.
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The Forecaster mentions that the Toronto Blue JaysHave one of the worst fantasy schedules in Week 5. The healthy return to Teoscar HernandezHowever, this does not improve their overall lineup’s production. Your top five hitters must still be in your lineup. Santiago Espinal’s performance in recent games of any league that has 14 or more teams is noteworthy. He appears to have replaced the regular second baseman. He’s a.315/.393/.556 batter with two homers in his 17 previous games.