And just like that, with the snap of our fingers, we already find ourselves one month into the 2023 MLB season. With the calendar set to flip over to May in the coming days, the dog days of Summer are set to approach at a hastened pace.
Fantasy baseball managers likely have an idea of their team’s potential by now, and certain players across the league are regularly beginning to separate themselves from the pack. Shoutout to the teams in the basement that need a boost to get back on track quickly. This week’s Depth Chart Review is for you.
Fantasy Baseball Depth Chart Review
Now is the perfect time to go swipe Haniger off waivers in whatever leagues he remains there in. The 32-year-old veteran missed a month of action with an oblique injury, and just made his debut with the Giants on April 24th. Now seemingly healthy, Haniger should slot right into the heart of the San Francisco lineup as one of their ringer bats.
Haniger should still possess plus-power, exemplified by his 50 combined homers over the past two seasons as well as his 73rd percentile max exit velocity in 2022. This season he will also be spending his home games at Oracle Park, which is not the friendliest for hitters but is still an upgrade over the confines of T-Mobile Park, where he spent the last five seasons.
Despite looking like a real-deal-breakout candidate for nearly a full month now, many may still be unaware who Rooker even is thanks to the team he plays for. Rooker is the lone bright spot amongst this year’s collection of misfit Athletics, and he deserves both recognition and fantasy ownership for his contributions.
Rooker is a sixth-year 28-year-old veteran that bounced around on three different teams before signing with Oakland for 2023. Formerly a true utility guy, Rooker is now getting a chance to shine on a team completely devoid of talent. Through 16 games and 48 plate appearances so far, Rooker is sporting a .333/.441/.729 line with six homers and 14 RBI. He has regularly been moved into the three and four-hole for the Athletics, and should continue to garner at-bats there regularly. He is the type of bat that fantasy managers should be able to ride while it stays hot.
In a rare non-closer relief pitcher appearance on this list, we take a look at Yennier Cano, a second-year Oriole pitcher that has been dominant out of the gate. Through April 24th, Cano has thrown seven total innings in 2023 and has yet to allow a HIT. In addition, he has not thrown a single walk and he holds a 9:0 K:BB ratio. Cano also recorded his first career save against the Boston Red Sox.
Felix Bautista is the nominal closer for Baltimore right now, but he has also blown two of his seven save opportunities just 22 games into the campaign. The Orioles currently sit second in the AL East at 15-7, and it is looking like their offense is going to continue to provide them with winning aspirations as the year moves along. As of now Cano should be the clear-cut candidate to bump into the closer role if Bautista continues to struggle or gets hurt. Keep an eye on this guy.
Anderson is nearing a return from a knee injury he suffered back against Minnesota on April 10th. He could begin a rehab assignment as early as next week and could be back with the White Sox in the first week of May. The 29-year-old was off to a fast start for Chicago this season, slashing .298/.327/.404 with five doubles and five steals across 47 at-bats.
Once back, Anderson should return to the leadoff spot for the White Sox where he will continue to compile ample steals and runs batting ahead of Luis Robert and company. He needs to be picked up in any fantasy leagues he may have been dropped in following the mid-April injury.
Quick Hitters Notes:
- The Angels lost breakout catcher Logan O’Hoppe to a torn shoulder labrum last week. Matt Thaiss and Chad Wallach should be filling in the void in the interim.
- Dodgers’ SP Tony Gonsolin is ramping up for a return from an ankle injury this week. It is looking like his season debut could come against the Pirates on Wednesday.
- The Shintaro Fujinami starter experiment looks to be over at least for now. The Athletics have relegated him to bullpen duties following an abhorrent 14.40 ERA and 2.07 WHIP to begin the season.
- Braves’ outfielder Michael Harris looks set to return to the lineup for the Braves as early as the weekend series of April 28th against the Mets.
- Brewers’ rookie outfielder Garrett Mitchell is likely set to miss the remainder of the 2023 season with a significant shoulder injury. In slightly better news, outfielder Tyrone Taylor is nearing a return from an injury of his own, and could become available to fill Mitchell’s void in the coming days.
If you want to dive deeper into fantasy baseball, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Baseball Tools as you navigate your season. From our Lineup Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup, based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant – that allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team, and by how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy baseball season.
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