This article is part of our NL FAAB Factor series.
Starting Pitchers:
Jake Arrieta: Arrieta took a tough no-decision in his 2014 debut, but picked up right where he left off in 2013. Over his last six starts, Arrieta is 3-1 with a 2.57 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP, and has struck out 19% of the batters he has faced. He struck out 7 of the 22 St. Louis batters he faced in his debut this season. He struck out 19% of the batters he saw in 2013 and 22% of the guys he saw in 2012. There is some ratios risk with him, but the Cubs did a good job with Jason Hammel and could do the same here with Arrieta. Mixed $1, NL $4.
Stephen Fife: Fife came up to replace Hyun-Jin Ryu in the rotation who had to be placed on the disabled list with shoulder tendonitis. Fife has pitched in 17 big league games and has a 4.29 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in those games. This year in Albuquerque, he allowed 40 baserunners in 20.1 innings of work while striking out just 11 batters. He is up to make three starts for the Dodgers, but should not make a start for you unless you are very desperate for an arm. Mixed $0, NL $1.
Yusmeiro Petit: Petit had to make a spot start for Matt Cain and held his own. Petit has now made 17 appearances for the Giants over the past two seasons and has struck out 67 batters in 69 innings of
Starting Pitchers:
Jake Arrieta: Arrieta took a tough no-decision in his 2014 debut, but picked up right where he left off in 2013. Over his last six starts, Arrieta is 3-1 with a 2.57 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP, and has struck out 19% of the batters he has faced. He struck out 7 of the 22 St. Louis batters he faced in his debut this season. He struck out 19% of the batters he saw in 2013 and 22% of the guys he saw in 2012. There is some ratios risk with him, but the Cubs did a good job with Jason Hammel and could do the same here with Arrieta. Mixed $1, NL $4.
Stephen Fife: Fife came up to replace Hyun-Jin Ryu in the rotation who had to be placed on the disabled list with shoulder tendonitis. Fife has pitched in 17 big league games and has a 4.29 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in those games. This year in Albuquerque, he allowed 40 baserunners in 20.1 innings of work while striking out just 11 batters. He is up to make three starts for the Dodgers, but should not make a start for you unless you are very desperate for an arm. Mixed $0, NL $1.
Yusmeiro Petit: Petit had to make a spot start for Matt Cain and held his own. Petit has now made 17 appearances for the Giants over the past two seasons and has struck out 67 batters in 69 innings of work with a 3.28 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. He continues to get by with more deception than he does velocity, but remains a valuable long man for the team in case one of their starters has to miss time. Mixed $0, NL $1.
Gavin Floyd: Floyd will make his 2014 debut on Tuesday in place for Ervin Santana who will have a start skipped due to a bruised right thumb he suffered while hitting. Floyd made five rehab starts in Triple-A this season and worked just 19.1 innings allowing 17 hits, striking out 11 and walking 9. He also allowed three homers, which was always an issue for him in Chicago. He is only guaranteed this start and may have to work out of the pen for a while. Mixed $0, NL $1.
Jacob Turner: Pitched against the Dodgers on Saturday and was roughed up for six runs and nine hits in just four innings of work. He worked in 20 games for the Marlins last season, but is a prototypical back end starter that relies on location to get results. When his location is off, the results are not pretty. Mixed $0, NL $1.
Jeff Locke: Locke will make his 2014 debut on Monday against San Francisco. Locke won 10 games and struck out 125 with smoke and mirrors last season but limped to the finish line last season with a 2-5 record and a 6.12 ERA and a 1.87 WHIP over his final 12 starts. He is a matchup start that should be left on the bench more often than not. Mixed $0, NL $1.
Doug Fister: If you play in a league where he's still available, he will make his debut this Friday against Oakland. He will have a good defense behind him and should enjoy pitching without having to face the DH most starts. Mixed $10, NL $15.
Relief Pitchers:
Vin Mazzaro: Mazzaro came in as a reliever on Saturday, facing 10 batters and allowing three hits, including a home run to Jose Bautista. He did not strike out any of the 10 batters he faced, which is what his limitation is. He does not allow many homers, but also does not strike out that many. These types of pitchers are a dime a dozen in any league format. Mixed $0, NL $0.
Hector Rondon: Rondon may be the Cubs closer, for the time being. So far this season through 60 batters faced, he has struck out 26.7% of them and has held them to a .196 batting average and 0 home runs. Last season, he did not strikeout this many, walked more, and had some issues with home runs. He's a closer, and he's getting saves. Therefore, you must invest. After all, Kevin Gregg got 33 saves last season after taking over the role in Chicago. Mixed $10, NL $20.
Infielders
Skip Schumaker: Schumaker was called up to replace the released Roger Bernardina. Schumaker helps a bit in the average category but with little else. If Billy Hamilton has to go to the disabled list with his hand issue, Schumaker would see a spike in playing time. Mixed $0, NL $1.
Greg Garcia: The Cardinals brought up Garcia who was hitting .267/.357/.535 in 99 plate appearances in Triple-A Memphis. He has shown gap power and decent speed in the minors with decent plate patience. He can play both middle infield positions and was ranked the 14th-best prospect in the St. Louis system by Baseball America. Mixed $0, NL $1.
Jordan Pacheco: Pacheco will be the team's primary catcher with Rosario on the disabled list. Pacheco is a terrible catcher, but is batting .278/.325/.444 so far this season. Mixed $0, NL $2.
Outfielders
Chris Coghlan: Coghlan's Law - this guy isn't good. He doesn't do anything productive on a fantasy roster outside of occupying a position. He does not hit for average, he does not run well, and he doesn't hit for power. Unless you are in a Hacking Mass league, you can pass. Mixed $0, NL $0.
Logan Schafer: Schafer is expected to see a lot of playing time while Ryan Braun is on the disabled list. Schafer has gap power and a little speed. He stole 16 bases in each of his last two full seasons in the minor leagues but has only stolen 7 bases in 169 major league games. He has a window of opportunity to produce a bit here while Braun is out. Mixed $0, NL $2.
Juan Lagares: Lagares came back off the disabled list a few days ago and Terry Collins has said Lagares will be the everyday center fielder. Lagares des not hit well enough to merit that label, but the defense helps is cause. Mixed $0, NL $2.
Randal Grichuk: Grichuk was promoted after hitting .310/.351/.529 in Triple-A to help kick start a sputtering offense. Last season, he hit .256/.304/.474 with 22 home runs in Double-A. The Cardinals have made a conscious decision to sacrifice some defense for offense, perhaps as a placeholder for Oscar Taveras who is heating up in the minors. Mixed $0, NL $2.
Alfredo Marte: Arizona added Marte for outfield depth after demoting Tony Campana. Marte was hitting .342/.409/.468 in the bandbox in Reno, but had just seven extra base hit and no steals in 88 plate appearances. He hit 20 homers in Double-A in 2012, but has hit just eight homers over his past 421 plate appearances in Triple-A. Mixed $0, NL $1.
Ryan Wheeler: Wheeler was hitting just .247/.286/.402 in Triple-A Colorado Springs to replace Josh Rutledge on the team who came down with the same virus that put Wilin Rosario on the disabled list. Wheeler doesn't have enough offensive skill for any sustainable value. Mixed $0, NL $0.
Caleb Gindl: Gindl fits in the outfield rotation for the Brewers while Braun is out. Gindl could be used in a platoon situation with Khris Davis who continues to struggle against righties. Davis is batting just .179/.207/.321 against righties while Gindl has hit .230/.319/.413 against them. Mixed $0, NL $1.
