Fantasy baseball managers are always on the lookout for the next big add, and the elite leagues are no exception. With entry fees ranging from $2.5K to $15K, these leagues are a hotbed of activity, with managers vying for every edge they can get. This week's 'Big Kid Adds' highlights some of the players who have been added in five or more leagues, offering a glimpse into the strategies and priorities of these high-stakes managers.
One player who has been a popular add is Lars Nootbaar. With a full season ahead, Nootbaar has the potential to be a 20 HR, 10 SB, and .250 AVG guy. His recent surgery on both heels has raised some concerns, but so far, he's shown no signs of struggling, with a 91% Contact% and a 1.2 mph increase in bat speed. His .700 OPS against lefties and .765 OPS against righties suggest a potential for platooning, and his first day off was against a lefty, adding another layer of intrigue.
Another player who has been added in multiple leagues is Jared Young. With a 3 HR and .271/.353/.475 line in just 68 PA, Young is a solid add for those seeking power and batting average. However, his being platooned is a concern, as he's only faced right-handed starters so far this season. His career splits are relatively even, so the reason for the platooning is unclear.
Michael Massey is another player who has been added in several leagues. With an Isolated Power tripling from .069 ISO to .199 ISO, Massey is on pace for 25 HR. His Bat Speed, Average Exit Velocity, and Hard Hit% are all career highs, making him a strong add for those seeking power.
Kyle Higashioka is a weekly stream add, providing some power (4 HR in 117 PA) while not being a batting average sink (.236 AVG). His weekly projections stand out, and he's likely to get playing time until Danny Jansen returns from the IL.
Jacob Gonzalez is another player who has been added in multiple leagues. With a .467 BABIP and a .333/.429/.458 line, Gonzalez has shown promise. While he only has one fewer home run than Fernando Tatis Jr., he led AAA with 19 HR. His 29% K% with a 79% Contact% suggests that he's just being passive, which is easy to fix.
On the starting pitcher front, Jack Perkins has been a popular add. With a 4 IP, 3 ER, 4 K, 3 BB start, Perkins has the potential to be a great starter. His fastball velocity didn't drop over the stretch, and he throws a slider, change, and cutter. His 7.71 ERA (3.54 xFIP) and 1.11 WHIP suggest that he's worth adding while available.
Hunter Dobbins is another pitcher who has been added in multiple leagues. With a 4.77 xFIP and 6.7 K/9 in AAA, Dobbins has struggled. However, his strikeouts (9.7 K/9) haven't been a problem in the majors. His 4.9 BB/9 and 1.31 WHIP are concerns, but he could see some upside if he cleans up his repertoire and throws more strikes.
Andrew Alvarez is a lefty pitcher who has been added in multiple leagues. With a 3.70 ERA (3.15 xFIP), 1.44 WHIP, 56% GB%, and 9.6 K/9, Alvarez has shown promise. His 92 mph fastball and backwards pitching style suggest that he could be a strong add for those seeking a left-handed starter.
In the reliever category, Alex Lange has been a popular add. With three Saves before FAAB ran in them, Lange has one Save since the weekend. His 5.2 BB/9 and 1.45 WHIP suggest that he could be a blow-up potential add.
Yoendrys Gómez is another reliever who has been added in multiple leagues. With a 3.90 ERA, 5.23 xFIP, 1.36 WHIP, 4.7 BB/9, and 8.9 K/9, Gómez is not a good reliever. However, he's the team-leading reliever with 5 Saves on the season, making him a solid add for those seeking a reliable arm.
The table below shows the most added players in NFBC 'Elite' leagues, with their respective leagues, max winning bid, and min winning bid.
