Rotoworld’s brand-new Pickups of the Day column is designed to help fantasy managers uncover a handful of widely-available targets over the course of the season. It could be a breakout candidate, a prospect stash, an injury replacement, a pitcher with a favorable matchup or week, a player who is due some better luck, or any other number of scenarios. If there’s value to be found on the waiver wire, we will find it and bring it your way. Today’s edition focuses on a pair of players who are stepping into prominent roles due to injury and have a chance to make an impact for fantasy managers for the remainder of the year.
Taj Bradley, SP, Rays
Available in 72 percent of Yahoo leagues
With Tyler Glasnow (oblique), Zach Eflin (back) and Jeffrey Springs (arm) on the injured list, Rays top pitching prospect Taj Bradley has an opportunity to step into the spotlight over the next few weeks, and if he performs like he did on Wednesday night in his major league debut against the Red Sox, there’s a chance he sticks around for the remainder of the year. The 22-year-old right-hander, who compiled a stellar 2.56 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 141/33 K/BB ratio across 133 1/3 innings (28 starts) last year between Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham, limited Boston’s lineup to just three runs on five hits over five innings on Wednesday evening at Tropicana Field. More importantly for fantasy managers, he racked up a whopping eight strikeouts and only handed out one free pass. He threw 52 of 78 pitches for strikes, generated nine swinging strikes and finished with a robust 35 percent CSW. He’s in line for a tasty road matchup early next week against a lackluster Reds’ offense and is worthy of a speculative pickup in all fantasy formats. Once he comes back up, he likely won’t be shipped back to Triple-A Durham if he continues to excel in the majors over the next few weeks.
Jon Berti, 2B, 3B, SS, OF, Marlins
Available in 56 percent of Yahoo leagues
Here we go again. Berti came out of nowhere last year to make a significant impact for fantasy managers, leading the majors with 41 stolen bases in a career-high 102 games. The versatile 33-year-old speedster opened the 2023 campaign in a super-utility role, but an injury to starting shortstop Joey Wendle (oblique) has created a path to everyday at-bats, and Berti is making the most of his opportunity. He’s recorded three stolen bases in his last four contests and should have the green light on the bases moving forward. There’s no reason he should be on the waiver wire in deeper mixed leagues, especially with all of the recent injuries to superstar-caliber contributors at the shortstop position.
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