Sandy Alcantara, SP, MIA
Alcantara continued his solid 2021 start Tuesday, holding the Diamondbacks to two runs (one earned) over six solid innings with a 6:1 K:BB to lower his ERA to 2.95. He now has a 42:12 K:BB In 42.2 innings while averaging just over 97 mph with his fastball and posting an elite 14.5% swinging strike rate, up from last year's pedestrian 11.4% mark. He's getting better, including in the area of his control. Alcantara has received some heat for being more of a pitch-to-contact guy in the last couple years, which has worked somewhat given his groundball tendencies, but he's now missing more bats and with his pure stuff, he can be a top-20 fantasy starter.
Alex Wood, SP, SF
The Dodgers could certainly use Wood back right now. The lefty tossed another solid game for the Giants Tuesday, allowing just two runs over five innings in Coors Field no less, putting his ERA at 1.96 with a 22:5 K:BB in 23 innings. He's yet to allow more than two run in any of his four starts and appears locked in like he was in 2017-2018 with the Dodgers. He's throwing as hard as ever, averaging 91.5 mph with the fastball, his highest mark since 2017. Wood has flashed quality stuff in the past when healthy, though injuries and ineffectiveness have been more prevalent than sustained success. Tread lightly, but he's rolling pretty good right now.
Sam Coonrod, RP, PHI
Sometimes scanning box scores you see an unfamiliar name notching a save, and as I'm not a Phillies fan, I was surprised to see a "Conrood, S(2)" in Tuesday's Phillies-Brewers game. Coonrod also recorded a save on Friday and now has a 1.23 ERA and 17:2 K:BB in 14.2 innings a year after he put up a 9.82 ERA in 14.2 frames. Coonrod is still behind Hector Neris who has six saves and a 1.88 ERA, but after Neris pitched 1.2 innings on Monday, Coonrod got the call and appears to be next in line should Neris implode. Neris had a 4.57 ERA in 2020, so he's no lock to keep the job all year.
Amir Garrett, RP, CIN
Perhaps Garrett isn't out of the closer mix after all. Last week I touted Tejay Antone as a potential closer option, but after recording his first save on April 30, Antone's next opportunity was a disaster - four runs on two hits and two walks plus a blown save in 1.1 innings. He was brought on in the seventh to protect a lead, possibly suggesting the Reds will continue to go with a committee approach. Meanwhile, Lucas Sims has allowed six earned runs over his last four innings, including five walks. He's probably not an option for the time being. Garrett has had a rough start, posting a 10.38 ERA and 2.08 WHIP over 8.2 innings. Garrett though has not been scored upon in his last three appearances, not even allowing a hit. If you are desperate for saves, he may be available in your league. Late edit: the seven-game ban was ridiculous and is being rightfully appealed.
Josiah Gray, SP, LAD
With injuries to David Price, Tony Gonsolin, and Dustin May, the Dodgers' vaunted pitching depth has taken an early hit in 2021. Both Price and Gonsolin project to return in the next three weeks or so, and it sounds like the Dodgers can get by with four starters until then, with perhaps a bullpen game or two. With the injuries, the buzz around Gray has increased, as he's the team's #1 pitching prospect and one of the top prospects in the game. Manager Dave Roberts, however, said Tuesday that Gray would begin the year at Triple-A and work his way into the picture later this year. Gray has just 39.1 innings above A-ball, but he was probably big league ready last year and is 23-years-old. Look for him later this summer unless the big club is hit with another injury.
