Sheldon Neuse- 3B- OAK- Rookie- Neuse returned to the A's via the waiver wire during spring training after he had been traded to the Dodgers in a minor deal in 2021. Neuse slashed .169/.182/.323 with 3 homers and a whopping 39.4% K% in 66 PAs with LA. He has performed much better so far in 2022, slashing .310/.370/.429 with 2 homers in 96 PAs. Neuse has reduced his K% to 27.2 and increased his BB% from 1.5% to 6.3%. He has shown power in the minors, slugging 27 homers in 2019 and 13 in 349 PAs at AAA Oklahoma City last year. Neuse has been helped significantly by a .424 BABIP this season. His EV of 91.9 and HardHit% of 49.2% show that the power is likely to increase and be more like last year's rate in a small sample size. Neuse's average is likely to fall as regression to the mean kicks in. He has gotten some playing time at 1B and 2B as well as the hot corner so has versatility in a lot of leagues.
Bryson Stott- SS- PHI- Rise Value- Stott was called up from AAA Lehigh Valley when Didi Gregorius was placed on the IL. Stott had been filling in as a utility IF when he made the club out of spring training. In his 9 games with the Phillies he only slashed .133/.161/.167 and was sent down to AAA. Stott slashed .333/.375/.611 with 2 homers in 40 PAs before being called back. His BABIP in the majors was .200 and at AAA was .400, so luck had an impact at both places. Stott had a 32.3% K% with the Phillies so could have been pressing a bit in his first MLB experience. He will have a chance this week to show that he has gotten over some nervousness. Stott's profile is one where he doesn't do any one thing very well, but also isn't very deficient anywhere. His moderate average and power, along with versatility, could make him an option in deeper leagues.
George Kirby- P- SEA- Rookie- Kirby will make his MLB debut today when he starts for the Mariners. He will be making the jump to the majors from AA Arkansas, where he posted a 1.82 ERA with 32 Ks and 5 walks in 24.2 IP. Kirby's control is excellent, in contrast to Matt Brash, whose rotation spot Kirby is taking. He has also increased his velocity since being drafted in 2019, with his fastball now in the 95-98 mph range. In keeper leagues, Kirby is a solid pickup and he has a good chance to give immediate help.
Max Fried- P- ATL- Hot- Fried tossed his fourth straight quality start, allowing 1 run on 4 hits and a walk while striking out 8 in 7 IP. He now has a 2.68 ERA, 2.56 FIP, and 8.51 K/9. His 12.4% SwStr% is only below his 12.8% in 2018 in his career. Fried has had an ERA near or below 3.00 for the two seasons prior to this one. His velocity has also increased from 93.3 to 94.7 in that span as well. Fried is establishing himself as a solid starter.
Max Fried- P- ATL- Hot- Fried tossed his fourth straight quality start, allowing 1 run on 4 hits and a walk while striking out 8 in 7 IP. He now has a 2.68 ERA, 2.56 FIP, and 8.51 K/9. His 12.4% SwStr% is only below his 12.8% in 2018 in his career. Fried has had an ERA near or below 3.00 for the two seasons prior to this one. His velocity has also increased from 93.3 to 94.7 in that span as well. Fried is establishing himself as a solid starter.
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