It took a little longer than some people expected but AJ Reed was called up to the bigs Saturday and now looks ready to be an everyday option for the Astros. His performance in the minors this year doesn’t make me instantly expect success, but he is a hitter who can get hot and do some serious damage. And when that happens you will want to own him. After I cursed Mallex Smith last week by making him my headline boy I will understand if AJ Reed owners are a little unhappy that AJ Reed is now at risk of being cursed.
I have tried to identify for each player here some guys who are owned in a greater percentage of leagues at their position that I would replace these guys with. Send your fantasy baseball questions to @60ftpodcast and check out Fake Pigskin’s 60 Feet 6 Inches podcast on iTunes and Stitcher for more updates and help winning your fantasy baseball league.
For more help winning your fantasy baseball league check out Fake Pigskin’s 60 Feet 6 Inches podcast on iTunes and Stitcher
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Russell Martin, C, TOR
Martin has had a pretty poor season by his standards, but he has turned things around over the last month or so and is now right back as a usable catcher who offers power upside. In the last 30 days Martin has hit 0.290 with four home runs, 14 runs and 17 RBI just underlying how both he and the Blue Jays are starting to get loose offensively.
Players I would drop for him: Yadier Molina, Stephen Vogt
Derek Norris, C, SD
Norris is another catcher who is turning round a tough start to the season. Hitting 0.231 on the season, he has been hitting at 0.275 in the last month with six home runs, three steals, 16 runs and 19 RBI. He has still got some BABIP regression to come it feels and so he should continue to keep batting at the improved average.
Players I would drop for him: Yadier Molina, Stephen Vogt
AJ Reed, 1B, HOU
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The Astros called up AJ Reed Saturday and thrust him straight into the line-up as a designated hitter. So far this season the slugger has 11 home runs at AA, having hit 34 between high A and AA last season. Reed will get the chance to play most days in the near future and has a real chance to be a 15-20 home run guy this season. His 0.266 average and 23% strikeout rate this season are a concern but given the options I am likely dropping I think it is worth the gamble.
Players I would drop for him: Byung Ho Park, Ryan Zimmerman, Matt Adams
Justin Bour, 1B, MIA
Justin Bour is absolutely on fire having hit 0.419 with four home runs, eight runs and 13 RBI over the last two weeks. He is now up to 14 home runs on the season and even though he isn’t playing every day he is seeing enough time to make him useful even in shallow roto leagues.
Players I would drop for him: Byung Ho Park, Ryan Zimmerman
Devon Travis, 2B, TOR
Travis seems to be coming alive with the bat as he settles into an injury hit season. Travis has three home runs in the last two weeks and has combined that with six runs and 12 RBI whilst hitting over 0.400. Hitting low in the Blue Jays order isn’t great but this is an order full of decent hitters so Travis should keep getting plenty of opportunities.
Players I would drop for him: Brandon Philips, Jurickson Profar
Scooter Gennett, 2B, MIL
Gennett is having a really under the radar season mainly thanks to his season having been broken up by a trip to the DL. Three home runs in the last two weeks have seen him get to seven on the season with three steals 29 runs, 21 RBI and a 0.270 average. Gennett was my big breakout gamble last season and it looks like I may have just been a year early. Milwaukee clearly trust him hence their desire to start him regularly near the top of the order and he is rewarding their faith.
Players I would drop for him: Brandon Philips, Jurickson Profar, Kolten Wong, Chase Utley
Rajai Davis, OF, CLE
Rajai Davis once again makes the article as my steals man this week after stealing seven in the last 15 days. He had a two-day break earlier in the week which may have caused people to hesitate picking him up but when he is in the line-up he is extremely productive.
Players I would drop for him: Denard Span, Billy Hamilton
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