Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles Dodgers - The Dodgers decided to steal all the headlines this week as they called up top prospect Cody Bellinger to the majors after placing outfield Joc Pederson on the disabled list. NOW ALERT! Bellinger likely only has 1B eligibility in most leagues (at least he does in ESPN standard) so look at you league rules to figure out when you'll be able to play him in the outfield. This pickup isn't nearly as much of a must add as Urias because when everyone is healthy I don't know where Bellinger plays UNLESS he proves he can hit lefties at the big league level because LA has a glaring need for anyone who can hit southpaws. He started in LF and hit 8th in his debut, going 1-for-3 at the plate.
Julio Urias, Los Angeles Dodgers - OH HALLELUAH! It was announced the other day that Julio Urias would be joining the big league rotation this week (scheduled to start Thursday) but even more importantly he'll be staying in the rotation beyond the lone star. He's an immediate must add in all formats with that news and he was borderline all formats even without that news. While not technically a prospect anymore, Urias has FAR more upside than anyone you'll see on a prospect list right now. Last year as a 19 year old he posted a 1.8 WAR in 77 innings with over a strikeout per inning and a 3.39 ERA. The walks are a bit concerning at close to 4 per nine, but it's able to be looked past with all the secondary skills he has. Add him now.
Gerrit Cole, Pittsburgh Pirates - After a less than stellar debut against the Red Sox opening day, Gerrit Cole has now turned in four straight quality starts and Tuesday's was the best of them all throwing 7.0 innings with one unearned run and 8 strikeouts. He's lowered his ER every game this year and has also upped his strikeout totals in each game and has had 8 in two straight games which has slowly risen up towards 8 per nine. His numbers in the K/9, BB/9 and BABIP are resembling his season in 2.15 where he posted a 2.60 ERA and a 5.4 WAR. The only difference is his swinging strike rate in about 2% lower than that incredible 2015 season. Cole has just been a bit homer prone this year with a 15.6% HR/FB compared to his career rate hovering around 8%.
Eric Thames, Milwaukee Brewers - Things you can count on in life: Death, Taxes, and Eric Thames dropping tanks on the Cincinnati Reds. I can't explain what's happening. You can't explain what's happening. Thames can't describe what's happening! No literally, he said he can't explain it. Eight of Thames' 11 homers have been against the Reds and 13 of his 19 RBI have come against the Reds as well. Now he's not just damaging the Reds as he's triple slashing .382/.482/.929 with a 259 wRC+. This is still so weird to me, but we have to ride this until the wheels falls off.
Jason Heyward, Chicago Cubs - Jason Heyward and his no good very bad swing seems to be more of a thing of the past as he's slashing .282/.329/.437 with three homers, well on his way to passing his total of seven last season. While Heyward is still struggling against lefties, he crushing right handed pitching to a .321 clip with a 143 wRC+. All three of his homers have come off righties and he's driven in 15 of his 16 RBI against them as well. Tyler Glasnow is pitching for the Pirates Wednesday and consistency has been a big issue for him this year, so Heyward makes for a nice DFS target at $3,400.
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