10. Michael Massey
2B - Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals second baseman Michael Massey has seemingly taken over the full time role bumping journeyman Adam Frazier to more of a utility role. Massey was dealing with a back injury but has returned with a very hot bat carrying a slashline of .400/.423/.720 over his last seven games.
Massey sits around 3% rostered in both Yahoo and ESPN fantasy leagues while hitting .292 with a .785 OPS over 48 at bats so far this year. He could end up being a very good option for a notoriously thin position.
9. Cooper Criswell
P - Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox pitcher Cooper Criswell is off to the best start of his young career. The Red Sox really need pitching help and Criswell has stepped up posting a 1.74 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over five games so far this season.
Criswell has a 16:4 strikeout to walk ratio but the main issue has been him not going deep into games as he has not gone over 5 innings once this year. He sits around 12% rostered in Yahoo and ESPN fantasy leagues going into a somewhat tough matchup against the Washington Nationals later this week.
8. Kyle Manzardo
1B - Cleveland Guardians
Cleveland Guardians prospect Kyle Manzardo is making his long awaited debut this week after a great start to his minor league season. Manzardo posted a .303/.375/.642 slashline and 9 bombs through 109 at bats.
Manzardo is already up to around 25% rostered and depending on his performance in the following weeks could either prove himself as a mainstay in the Cleveland lineup or be sent back down if he struggles. If he stays, he should offer solid power numbers with the ability to get on base as he posted over an 1.015 OPS in three of his four minor league seasons with two of them being over 1.040.
7. Ben Lively
P - Cleveland Guardians
32 year old Ben Lively has been an unexpected surprise for Cleveland this year, posting a 2.08 ERA and lowest of his career 1.02 WHIP. Lively has a 24:6 strikeout to walk ratio while also only allowing 2 HRs across 21.2 innings. Lively is still around 17% rostered in Yahoo and ESPN leagues and has a projected next start against the Detroit Tigers later this week.
6. JJ Bleday
CF - Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics center fielder JJ Bleday will be more of a short term streaming option this week while his bat is hot. Bleday has had an okay year so far but over his last 7 games posted a .333/.500/.944 slashline to go with 3 HRs, 7 RBIs, and 6 BBs.
At only 4% rostered, Bleday should be an available option in most leagues for short term depth and injury help.
5. Garrett Cleavinger
RP - Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays reliever Garrett Cleavinger has been elite in his 14 games played this year. He currently sits at 3-0 with a 2.03 ERA, 2 saves, and 20 Ks over 13.1 innings pitched.
Coming off of a 60 day IL stint, if Cleavinger stays healthy this year he could be due for some big numbers. Cleavinger is only 9% rostered in Yahoo and ESPN leagues, could be a sneaky good add.
4. Mike Tauchman
OF - Chicago Cubs
Another player off to the best start of his career, Chicago Cubs veteran Mike Tauchman has gotten hot especially over the last two weeks. In his last 15 games, Tauchman is hitting .314 with 3 HRs, 7 RBIs, and 11 BBs.
Tauchman has always been prone to chasing pitches and this year is no different with 22 strikeouts already collected. Still, Tauchman can be a decent option for fantasy teams at only 21% rostered.
3. Chris Paddack
P - Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins pitcher Chris Paddack has been okay this year but makes this week's list as more of a streaming option. In two of his last three starts he's gone 6 or more innings while allowing no runs.
Paddack lines up this week against a Seattle Mariners team that leads the league in strikeouts. Paddack is around 9% rostered in Yahoo and ESPN leagues and should be a decent play for at least this week.
2. Luis Garcia Jr
2B - Washington Nationals
23 year old Washington Nationals second baseman Luis Garcia Jr. is in the middle of a breakout year that is not being talked about. The Nationals young core has really impressed this year and Garcia Jr. is a part of that with a ridiculous .337/.381/.510 slashline over 98 at bats.
Garcia Jr is already up to 21% rostered and should be rising quickly, if your team needs infield help he may turn out to be a very good option.
1. Jeff Hoffman
RP - Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies reliever Jeff Hoffman is looking to improve on a very good 2023 season and shows no signs of slowing down. Hoffman is in the 98th percentile for Whiff% and K% along with a 2.08 xERA.
The Phillies are always looking for bullpen help and Hoffman is quickly turning into a very reliable option in big moments. At only 19% rostered, Hoffman is 2-0 with 2 saves, a 1.13 ERA, and 24 strikeouts over 16 innings pitched.