Got Injuries? BABS is here to help

by Doug Gruber

It happens every year. Injuries, a plethora of them, to start the season. For whatever the reason…the intensity of real games, foul weather, bad luck… Fantasy rosters that looked deep coming out of our drafts now have swiss cheese-like holes to be filled after only two weeks.

BABS pointed out the injury risks for several of these players. We might be upset, but we cannot say that we were not forewarned. David Dahl, Jake Lamb, Rich Hill, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Andrew Heaney, among others, are certainly no strangers to the IL. Others such as Trea Turner, Miguel Andujar, Corey Dickerson, Matt Olson, Mike Clevinger, Jon Lester…well, freaky stuff happens in this game.

Fortunately, BABS is always here to help. Let’s look at several replacement players that BABS states bring valuable skills worthy of your open roster spots who should be available in many leagues.

Starting with the offense, for extreme power (P+), Eric Thames, Dan Vogelbach and Tyler Austin are all designated as P+ by BABS yet went mostly undrafted. After a pair of pinch-hit 3-run HRs, Thames has earned more playing time in Milwaukee, and could get more given Jesus Aguilar’s current struggles. Vogelbach has hit 6 HRs in the past week and seems to have secured the 1B job for the red-hot Mariners. The trade of Austin to the Giants brings a much-needed power bat to that lineup. Austin has started and hit either 2nd or 3rd in each of his first three games for his new team, while playing both 1B and OF.

Both Ji-Man Choi and Clint Frazier bring (PW) skills and are now regular members of their respective lineups. Choi has been in the middle of the Rays order for 10 of its first 11 games. Frazier hit three home runs in his first two games as a Yankee starter as he plays in place of the injured Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Hicks. BABS lists Rowdy Telez as having both power and batting average skills (p,a), and he now gets a path to full time ABs with Toronto’s trade of Kendrys Morales.

Other overlooked players with moderate power skills (p) who are receiving consistent playing time include Chad Pinder, Brandon Lowe, Justin Bour and Scott Schebler. This quartet has already delivered eight long balls between them.

BABS identified Chris Owings as a rare triple asset player, in the same class (p,s,a) as Tommy Pham and Austin Meadows. Outfield-only eligible to begin the season, Owings has already logged eight games at 2B and three games at 3B, while starting nearly every game to date. He has two SBs in the run-wild Royals lineup, and his slow start in the other categories make him a buy low candidate.

Three double-asset speed and batting average players make for priority free agent targets. With his (SB,AV) skill set, Raimel Tapia now has a huge opportunity in Colorado, with injuries to Dahl, Ryan McMahon and Daniel Murphy. Jeff McNeil (SB,a) remains under-appreciated despite his .367 start to his Mets season. Meanwhile, Manny Margot (SB,a) may continue to get valuable ABs from the Padres lead-off spot.

Jarrod Dyson is a familiar name who possesses extreme speed (S+) and has now earned more playing time in Arizona due to Steven Souza’s season-ending injury. Dyson is literally running with the opportunity, having already contributed a steal and a game-winning walk-off HR.

Other players who bring speed assets and are generally available include Richie Martin (SB), Wilmer Difo (SB), Leury Garcia (s) and Steven Duggar (s).

In need of more batting average? Willians Astudillo and Wilmer Flores both bring (AV) skills. In the very shallow catching pool, Astudillo continues to get playing time at several positions for the Twins, further enhancing his value. Flores should soon add 2B eligibility in Arizona to go with his CI position. Other players such as Jason Heyward, Yandy Diaz and Robbie Grossman bring (a) skills and are off to great starts.

On the pitching side, two (e,k) arms in the Angels rotation have been overlooked by most owners. Trevor Cahill was the opening day starter and has logged six quality innings in each of his three starts. Felix Pena has been the beneficiary of Heaney’s injury, and BABS says he has the skills to perhaps remain in the LAA rotation.

The Yankees have two adept starters who have been in the rotation to begin the season, given the issues with Luis Severino and C.C. Sabathia. BABS rates the skills of Jonathon Loaisiga (e,KK) slightly higher than Domingo German (KK), but both pitchers are attractive options. Similarly, BABS says Atlanta lefty Max Fried has the skills (e,KK), and is not surprised with the two quality starts that he has logged so far. She also says keep a close eye on fellow Braves teammates Touki Toussaint (e,k) and Mike Soroka (ER).

Other skilled hurlers who could be available include a pair of Marlins in Trevor Richards and Pablo Lopez, Phillies 5th starter Vince Velasquez and Tampa Bay swingman Yonny Chirinos.

It would be an understatement to say that the closer situation remains a mystery for several teams even after the first two weeks. BABS says there are some high-quality arms who might add value, even in a shared closer capacity. Pitchers such as A.J. Minter (e,KK), Hector Neris (ER,K+) and Taylor Rogers (ER,k) all make for attractive free agent RP targets who could see more 9th inning save opportunities.

Injuries happen. But BABS says “No worries” because these roster holes can be filled with players who bring the assets and now have the playing time opportunity.