Before diving into Week 5’s depth chart review, let’s debrief on the MLB standings as the calendar flips over to May. There are quite a number of surprises here that could ultimately end up affecting depth charts as the season rolls on.
The Rays have continued to dominate the league, holding the best record at 23-6. The AL East, in particular, looks like it will be a tight overall race deep into the Summer. No team in the division sits under .500, with only the Orioles holding an even record.
Surprisingly and impressively, the Twins sit atop the NL Central ahead of the 14-15 Guardians. Meanwhile, this division holds two teams with some of the worst records in the MLB, the White Sox at 8-21 and the Royals at 7-22. A two-headed race between Minnesota and Cleveland is looking like a near certainty.
The Rangers and Astros are just over a game apart while heading the NL West in what should make for another interesting divisional race. The Angels sit a game above .500, and the Mariners are just 12-16. Seattle still feels like a team that will improve as the campaign pushes forward.
The NL as a whole is less surprising sans the central. The Braves expectedly lead the east, and the Dodgers currently top the west. The unforeseen mindblower is certainly the Pirates in the NL Central. They currently have the MLB’s second-best record at 20-9, while the reigning central champs, the Cardinals, dwell in the basement at 10-19. Baseball, man.
Fantasy Baseball Depth Chart Review
Brett Baty (3B – NYM)
Brett Baty is here, and he is here to stay. The Mets’ 23-year-old top prospect ascended through the Minors rapidly, and it looks like he is set to become a star in the Big Apple for years to come. Baty was recalled by the Mets on April 17, and he has quickly worked his way into the everyday lineup.
The rookie is slashing .333/.381/.538 with two homers across 39 at-bats. Since his call-up, he ranks in the top 30% in max exit velocity, and his launch angle has increased by 6.3 points since 2022.
His sole struggle point has been strikeouts, as he has whiffed 12 times since joining the major league lineup. Still, fantasy owners that would like a piece of the budding superstar need to acquire him before it is too late. The Mets look to have a real gem on their hands.
Justin Steele (SP – CHC)
The Cubs have a winning record so far, and a huge chunk of that can be attributed to the achievements of the 27-year-old southpaw Justin Steele. Steele was a fantasy offseason sleeper candidate following a solid 2022 campaign, and he has promptly followed it up with a near-immaculate start this year.
Steele is currently 4-0, leading the NL with a 1.49 ERA through six starts, and holds a 32:11 K:BB ratio. He is also topping the MLB leaderboards in allowed average exit velocity and hard-hit percentage, amongst high ranks in additional alternate categories. In essence, he has been posting true ace-like numbers just over one month into the season. His season-long prospects are approaching Cy Young candidacy territory.
Esteury Ruiz (OF – OAK)
We’ve already touched on this ideology a few times across these early-season articles, but the Oakland Athletics actually present some unique cheap options for fantasy production that make sense. This time we are looking at the Athletics’ 24-year-old rookie, Esteury Ruiz.
Ruiz has quickly become known as one of the fastest players in the Majors. He is tied for second in the MLB in steals with 11 across the team’s first 29 games. He is also top 50 in at-bats, meaning he is getting and should continue to get a ton of playing time.
Ruiz has regularly been jumping back and forth between hitting leadoff or ninth for Oakland, and he continues to be a threat on the basepaths anytime he gets on. His .255 batting average and .336 OBP can improve, but his playing time is not going anywhere. Likely still available on numerous fantasy waiver wires worldwide, Ruiz could be a decent addition for teams in need of an uptick in the steals department.
Quick Hitters:
- Ronald Acuna Jr. was removed from the game on May 1 following a hit by pitch on his left shoulder. He is considered day-to-day, but Michael Harris would likely get bumped way up in the order if Acuna Jr. is forced to miss any time.
- Aaron Judge has been placed on the 10-day IL with a hip strain, and Franchy Cordero was recalled from AAA in a corresponding move. Harrison Bader is also expected to make his debut for the Yankees on May 2, and he should be the ultimate beneficiary of Judge’s injury.
- Max Scherzer completed his 10-game suspension and should return to start and face the Tigers on May 3.
- Enmanuel Valdez looks like he could become a regular in the Boston lineup going forward. The 24-year-old rookie has gone 8-for-24 with one homer, three doubles and a steal since being called up on April 19.
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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