Javier Baez (UTIL-CHC): Baez (thumb) returned to the lineup with a bang, knocking out 2 hits in 4 AB's and scoring 1 run to provide more than enough support to Jake Arrieta. Baez was 4 for 17 with 1 HR during his AAA rehab stint. While Baez brings a 32% career hard hit rate into the season, he also brings his horrific plate discipline with his 38% K-rate and 6% BB-rate and his Spring and AAA performance haven't given me reason to believe he's ready to take the next step. The potential is still there with Baez, but given his discipline issues and the crowded Cubs roster, leave him to 15+ team leagues for now. Perhaps he can catch fire and increase his trade value, which would in turn lead to a spike in his fantasy appeal.
Trea Turner (SS-WAS): Danny Espinosa went 0 for 3 with 2 more K's while Trea Turner went 3 for 4 with 3 runs, 3 RBI, and 1 SB. The young speedster has posted a .500/.600/.714 line (not a typo!) through 28 AAA AB's with 4 steals and 1 HR and has nothing left to prove. While the Nats may call Turner up at any time, they will likely wait until mid-May to gain another year of control. If he's available in your league and you have a bench slot, go grab him now and avoid the FAAB frenzy. This is the kind of player that can play difference maker.
Corey Seager (SS-LAD): Seager hit his 1st homer of the season, a 2-run shot, to bust out of a mini-slump, but the Dodgers still fell short to the Giants. While you may see the Dodgers move the young SS down in the lineup, it shouldn't impact your confidence in his fantasy prospects. His contact rate is a solid 82% so far and while he's making weak contact and chasing more than he did in 2015, look for him to make the adjustments and to start raking. At $3300 on FanDuel, he makes for an intriguing contrarian play today against the Shark.
J.J. Hoover (RP-CIN): Hoover allowed 2 more earned runs but somehow escaped with his 1st save of 2016 to preserve the win for a wild Brandon Finnegan. Hoover now has walked 4 batters and has allowed 6 hits in 3 and 2/3 innings. Thanks in part to a fastball that's down 2 MPH, Hoover has only struck out 2 batters and isn't fooling anyone with the game on the line. Thankfully for him Jumbo Diaz and Tony Cingrani have endured their own issues, the darkhorse, Ross Ohlendorf, doesn't bring a ton of upside to the table, and the MiLB threat, Stephen Johnson, is scuffling at AAA. Bryan Price seems to prefer Hoover, but at this point, I envision a committee emerging until one of them can string together a pair of solid outings.
Patrick Corbin (SP-ARI): At $7100 on FanDuel, Patrick Corbin makes for an intriguing tournament play with a matchup against the Padres today in Petco. His low K-rate to begin the season and the Padres early-season success against righties likely led to his low pricing, but I see this start as worth the price and one that can free up spending for stacks against Mike Fiers, Charlie Morton, and Jhoulys Chacin.
