As we flip our consideration to the standard second half of the fantasy baseball season (which begins at 2:20 p.m. ET on Friday with the Chicago Cubs internet hosting the Boston Red Sox), it is a efficiency that concluded the season’s first half that ought to seize our deal with the free agent pickup entrance.
Eury Perez, the 22-year-old budding ace of the Miami Marlins, tossed an absolute gem on the primary half’s concluding Sunday, shutting out the Baltimore Orioles on three hits and no walks whereas placing out six. It was good for 26 fantasy factors utilizing ESPN scoring, matching his profession excessive from Aug. 19, 2023.
With the efficiency, Perez has now posted three consecutive outings with at the very least 20 fantasy factors, marking the second time in his profession he has achieved such a feat. The underlying metrics in his seven begins since coming back from Tommy John surgical procedure have been eye-popping. The suitable-hander’s common fastball velocity has elevated by a noticeable margin, going from 97.5 mph in 2023 to 98.1 this yr, and the pitch has the second-highest spin price of anybody’s four-seam fastball (2,662). He has shortly developed it into one of many sport’s hardest particular person pitches to hit.
Statcast displays a 2.37 anticipated ERA for Perez, placing him mere proportion factors behind Zack Wheeler (2.37) for the lead amongst starters and forward of All-Star Sport starters and extensively regarded Cy Younger Award favorites Tarik Skubal (2.43) and Paul Skenes (2.48). Moreover, no beginning pitcher (no matter minimal outings) has finished higher than Perez’s .181 anticipated batting common in opposition to.
As play resumes, Perez must be excessive in your record of potential pickups, as his uncooked stuff is electrical. Whereas his Marlins would possibly decide to rein in his innings, his 56 ⅔ IP mixed between the majors and minors up to now point out that he ought to have the ability to throw with out a lot limitation by way of August. Finest but, he is accessible in a whopping 72.4% of ESPN leagues.
Sticking with the theme of high-ceiling, extensively accessible gamers so as to add because the season’s second half dawns, listed below are 4 extra choices to contemplate in customary leagues:
Ceddanne Rafaela, OF/SS, Boston Crimson Sox (accessible in 56.3%): Beforehand extra priceless in rotisserie leagues than factors leagues, Rafaela’s winter changes have made him sufficient of a menace along with his bat to now warrant common rostership. He centered particularly on bettering his method in opposition to breaking pitches, and the outcomes are stark. He’s hitting .312, slugging .578 and has a .386 wOBA in opposition to them this yr, after posting solely .262/.380/.252 such charges in 2023. Rafaela has additionally vastly improved his contact in opposition to each breaking balls (a 6% discount in whiff price) and fastballs (a ten% discount) — one other key ability for points-league success.
Nick Kurtz, 1B, Athletics (accessible in 76.0%): One of many sneakiest uncooked energy sources in baseball, Kurtz has hit 16 residence runs since Could 20. To place that into perspective, that is greater than some other rookie has hit the total season, and it is fourth-most amongst hitters of all expertise ranges since that date. Kurtz’s bat velocity ranks among the many sport’s quickest, and once more for some perspective, his 77.5 mph mark is eighth-best amongst any hitter who has taken a swing — properly throughout the vary of Dwelling Run Derby contestants Oneil Cruz (78.6) and Junior Caminero (78.0) and sooner than Aaron Judge‘s (76.9).
Kurtz does have the look of an “all or nothing” slugger, putting second in strikeout price amongst hitters with at the very least as many as his 235 plate appearances (33.2%), however he is additionally extra selective than you would possibly assume. His chase price (proportion of swings at non-strikes) locations within the 76th percentile.
Noelvi Marte, 3B, Cincinnati Reds (accessible in 83.3%): Though he missed 80 video games in 2024 on account of a PED suspension and almost two months of this yr on account of an indirect harm, Marte is turning into a trusted member of the Reds’ common lineup heading into the second half. They launched Opening Day third baseman Jeimer Candelario in June and demoted Christian Encarnacion-Strand to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday, signaling the Reds’ religion in Marte having the ability to deal with third base.
Since his return from the IL, Marte has three homers and a .952 OPS over 9 video games. For the season, he has made massive strides when it comes to contact, slashing 5% off his whiff price in comparison with 2023. If Marte might get a little bit extra raise on the ball (48.9% profession ground-ball price) or hit breaking pitches higher (.296 wOBA, 36% whiff price), he might take off within the hitter-friendly atmosphere in Cincinnati.
Trevor Rogers, SP, Baltimore Orioles (accessible in 68.1%): Featured on this area as a deeper-league pickup a little bit over per week in the past, Rogers’ development has swiftly moved him into common rostership territory. He has made enormous strides — particularly in opposition to right-handed hitters — due to a changeup that has held them to a .188 BAA and a .206 wOBA. His sinker has delivered .211/.274 such charges, and Rogers continues to pepper the strike zone (55.5% zone price). Rogers’ rotation spot additionally appears safe, with the Orioles anticipated to be energetic over the subsequent two-plus weeks main as much as the commerce deadline.