Fantasy Baseball Stock Watch 2024: Colton Cowser, Luis Robert Jr. & More
Now that the dust has settled from the MLB trade deadline and players are getting back into their normal routines, it’s time to check in with this week’s Fantasy Baseball Stock Watch to see whose value is rising and whose is on the decline. If you find yourself in contention for your league’s championship, it’s probably been a chaotic week for you on the fantasy baseball waiver wire. While we didn’t see much in the way of marquee talent traded, there were plenty of smaller deals made which have altered the landscape.
Teams that added talent should certainly have players on the rise in value, but even more importantly, teams that sold assets now have to fill those roster spots with potential talent from within their farm system. That, obviously, opens the door for plenty. While I am always in favor of minor tweak deals, you can also look at this new influx of talent as a potential asset for your own league’s trade deadline and the first step in actually acquiring a player with more star power.
Check your league rosters and all the teams who are vying for the title this year. Some of them missed out on waivers last week. Some of them are still looking to fill some holes. So, if you have the roster space to continue maneuvering, this could be a great opportunity to add a couple of guys and put together a nice package deal for someone. With that, let’s play a little ‘3 Up, 3 Down’.
Fantasy Baseball Stock Watch: Risers
- Colton Cowser, OF Baltimore Orioles
- Gavin Lux, 2B Los Angeles Dodgers
- Luis Garcia, 2B Washington Nationals
Fantasy Baseball Stock Watch: Fallers
- Spencer Steer, OF Cincinnati Reds
- Luis Robert Jr., OF Chicago White Sox
- Ha-Seong Kim, 2B/SS San Diego Padres
Player News
The Pirates are planning to place Endy Rodríguez on the IL and recall Chase Shugart prior to Tuesday’s game,
Rodríguez suffered a finger laceration last night. The Pirates have been going with an extra position player since Joey Bart hurt his back, so Shugart’s addition will put them back up to 13 pitches. If Rodríguez hadn’t gotten hurt, Henry Davis probably would have returned to Triple-A within the next couple of days.
Orioles signed C Chadwick Tromp to a minor league contract.
Some Triple-A depth for Baltimore. Tromp opened the season as Atlanta’s backup catcher, but he was DFA’d and opted for free agency after the Braves chose Drake Baldwin over him with Sean Murphy back. The 30-year-old Tromp has hit .224/.235/.385 in 162 plate appearances over parts of six major league seasons.
Ronny Mauricio, who hasn’t played since suffering a torn ACL in Dec. 2023, is set to DH in extended spring training beginning Tuesday.
He’s not yet ready to play the field, but at least he’ll be back hitting. While most make it back from torn ACLs in 12 months or a bit less, Mauricio has struggled to overcome the injury he sustained playing winter ball. He could get a look as a utilityman in the second half if he shows he’s healthy.
Orioles optioned RHP Colin Selby to Triple-A Norfolk.
The move makes room for waiver claim Scott Blewett on the active roster. Selby gave up two runs in an inning in his lone appearance for the Orioles.
Luisangel Acuña will get another start Tuesday after going 2-for-3 with a walk and a steal against the Twins on Monday.
It will be his third straight start against a right-hander. No word for sure on if it will come at Brett Baty’s expense, but that seems the likeliest scenario. As things stand now, Acuña probably has the better chance than Baty of sticking around once Jeff McNeil returns.
According to the MLB transactions page, Francisco Alvarez (hand) has had his rehab assignment moved up to Double-A.
Alvarez went just 1-for-10 in three games with Low-A St. Lucie, but he stayed healthy and caught 20 innings, and that’s all that matters. He’ll get in a few rehab games at Double-A, and then the Mets will decide if they want to activate him or give him some time at Triple-A.