Let’s start this off by saying happy Memorial Day to everyone! It is hoped that all are enjoying a top quality weekend. Before going any further, it is appropriate to pay tribute to all those courageous men and women who have selflessly sacrificed their lives in defense of this great country. Given that Memorial Day is the unofficial beginning of Summer, baseball is about to get down to serious business. Fantasy managers need to do the same and those needing help with their rosters need look no further. This fantasy baseball key pickups will give the information needed to make difficult decisions. Let’s get right into it, shall we?

Luis Garcia, SP, Houston Astros, 25.9% Owned

Last week, Luis Garcia was featured in this very article and he more than justified the selection. Facing the defending champion Dodgers after they lit up Zack Greinke the night before, Garcia pitched the game of his young career. He limited Los Angeles to no earned runs on just two hits with seven strikeouts and a walk. It was the third straight win for Garcia.

In his last four starts, Garcia has surrendered six earned runs while striking out 27 and walking seven. For the year, he is 3-3 with a 2.93 ERA and an outstanding 1.02 WHIP. Garcia’s WHIP has been one or below in his last two starts. There are quite a few pitchers coming back to the team from injury but there is no question that Garcia will be kept in the rotation for the foreseeable future. His next start is against Boston and if that goes well, his ownership rate will soar and he will vanish from the wire. Act before that happens.

Vince Velasquez, SP, Philadelphia Phillies, 12.3% Owned

Vince Velasquez goes to the mound on Memorial Day against the Reds. If this start goes anything like what he has produced the entire month of May, his fantasy managers couldn’t possibly be more pleased. This month, Velasquez has only allowed three earned runs in 24.1 innings. In his last start, he limited the Marlins to just three hits in six shutout innings. In addition, Velasquez has also pitched into the sixth inning in four of his last five appearances.

For the year, he is 2-0 with a 2.95 ERA and a 1.282 WHIP. Even more impressive for Velasquez is his 45 strikeouts in just 36.2 innings. At the beginning of the season, Philadelphia was not sold on him as Velasquez made four appearances out of the bullpen. There are no such worries now, though, and there shouldn’t be for fantasy managers, either. It is tough to find a pitcher throwing this well that is so widely available. That won’t last long, however. Any manager with pitching issues may not have many options so get onboard the Velasquez express today.

Brady Singer, SP, Kansas City Royals, 23.7% Owned

Obviously, there is nothing coming out of the last start by Brady Singer to recommend him for this space. After all, the sizzling Tampa Bay Rays lit Singer up for six runs on four hits and two walks in just 2.2 innings. It is was Singer did before that start that pushes him up the waiver ladder. In his previous two starts, Singer pitched 6.1 innings in each, allowing five runs on five hits and 13 strikeouts.

If his season pattern holds, Singer will indeed be a valuable pitcher coming into June. In his first start of 2021, Singer was bombed by the Rangers to the tune of five earned runs in just 3.1 innings. However, he only gave up three earned runs the rest of April. Singer pitches against the hitting poor Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday and a top quality streak should begin anew. His availability will soon vanish due to his inclusion on this fantasy baseball key pickups edition. Therefore, act now.

Giovanny Gallegos, RP, St. Louis Cardinals, 40% Owned

Most of us have heard about the controversy surrounding Giovanny Gallegos. He was called in to pitch against the White Sox in the seventh inning when umpire Joe West forced him to switch caps. This was done because Gallegos had a substance on his hat. However, Gallegos was allowed to stay in the game. Whatever one thinks of the controversy, what one can’t argue about is the success that Gallegos is having this season. For the year, Gallegos is 2-1 with a 2.03 ERA, 37 strikeouts in 31 innings and has earned a save.

Managers in fantasy leagues requiring relief pitchers on their roster would do well to add Gallegos as he has been able to put the controversy aside and pitch brilliantly lately. In his last six appearances, Gallegos has allowed just a single earned run in 7.2 innings. He has 12 strikeouts against just two walks. Most importantly, between May 22 and 29, Gallegos made five appearances. He has been used on a consistently high basis by the Cardinals. He will do the same for his fantasy managers. Add him before your fellow managers get wise and the cupboard is bare.

Ryan Yarbrough, SP, Tampa Bay Rays, 24.9% Owned

No question, the Tampa Bay Rays are hot. Equally without doubt is that Ryan Yarbrough has been a key component as the Rays have built the best record in the American League entering Monday. Known more for his coming in after another Ray has started the game, Yarbrough is the now the one throwing the first pitch this season. Best of all, Yarbrough isn’t just pitching an inning or two, he has pitched into the sixth three times in his last six appearances.

For the year, Yarbrough is 2-3 with a 4.26 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. Not overwhelming numbers, to be sure, but much of that is due to a five run explosion Houston put on him April 30. Since then, Yarbrough allowed nine runs in the entire month of May. In his last start, he gave up two runs on three hits with eight strikeouts against Philadelphia. Yarbrough lines up to face the Yankees on Thursday. New York’s offense has disappeared in recent days and there may not be a better time to face them. Get in on the fun before it is too late.

Ty France, 2B/DH, Seattle Mariners, 26.5% Owned

It almost feels silly to include any hitter from the Mariners on this fantasy baseball key pickups edition. Just the other day, Seattle was hitting just .199 as a team. However, that won’t stop Ty France from getting his due. Since returning from an injured list stint on May 24, France has been a hitting machine. He has hits in four of his last five games, including two games with two hits. On Saturday, France drove in three runs against the Rangers.

Additionally, France has limited his strikeouts, keeping any negative points for his fantasy managers to a minimum. That is an important consideration in any league that assigns a negative to strikeouts, as most do. For the season, France is hitting .252-3-19 with 22 runs scored. The fact that he qualifies at both first and second base only increases his value. It looks like France is playing in relative obscurity in Seattle, but rest assured, managers are aware of him. Anyone with infield issues needs to get to wire yesterday.

Evan Longoria, 3B, San Francisco Giants, 31.2% Owned

Don’t look now, but here come the San Francisco Giants. They lost four straight to Los Angeles. After beating Arizona, S.F. then lost the first game on the road against the Dodgers. However, they won the last three of the series. Unquestionably, Evan Longoria is a big reason why the Giants accomplished the feat. Illustrating this, Longoria enters Memorial Day on a seven game hitting streak and nine out of ten.

Most significantly, Longoria has four home runs in those games along with 13 RBIs. He has also kept the strikeouts down with only 41 in 176 plate appearances. For the season, Longoria is hitting .265-8-27 with 25 runs scored. It is obvious that Longoria has not given into father time just yet. Managers with issues at the hot corner would do well to check out Longoria to add to their rosters.

Garrett Cooper, 1B/OF Miami Marlins, 28.5% Owned

Speaking of hot hitters, Garrett Cooper certainly qualifies. Cooper has hits in 12 of his last 13 games. He homered in three straight games earlier in May. He is playing on an every day basis and has eligibility at both first and the outfield. Except for in the largest of leagues, Cooper should be available. What more could a fantasy manager ask?

For the year, Cooper is hitting .265 with five homers and 21 RBIs. Hitting streaks can cool without warning, so managers need to act quickly to get in on this wave. Without question, Cooper’s performance qualifies him for inclusion on this fantasy baseball key pickups edition.

Mitch Garver, C, Minnesota Twins, 39% Owned

Up until now, there haven’t been many catchers featured in these articles. The reason is simply that there just aren’t many worth picking up. If a manager has the good fortune of having a solid backstop on the roster, that manager should be grateful. Everyone else needs to scan the horizon for the faintest ray of hope. Fortunately, that hope has been found in Mitch Garver.

Garver was 0-1 with a walk on Sunday. That broke a eight game hitting streak. Garver also drew nine walks during that stretch. Additionally, he has had a strikeout in only one of his last six games. The Twins and Garver started the year slowly, but both he and the club have managed to turn things around of late. Minnesota is 7-3 in its last ten. This team can hit and once it does so to capacity, Garver will have plenty of scoring opportunities. He will certainly improve on his .230-8-17 mark thus far. Without a doubt, managers will want a part of that. Act quickly before Garver vanishes.

Thanks all for joining me for this fantasy baseball key pickups Memorial Day and beyond edition! As always, input and suggestions are welcome. Have other players to include? Disagree with the selections? Let’s discuss! Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea, and be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports and Picks for all the latest MLB and sports news!

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