This is the week that we have all been waiting for! Major League Baseball Opening Day is this Thursday! For sure, almost everyone that is having a fantasy draft has it finished by now. Even so, there are a few notable injuries and shiny new rookies making their roster debuts that make some waiver moves necessary. Because that is the case, this fantasy baseball post-draft pickups is presented so all teams can be complete before the first pitch.

Of course, discussion and debate is encouraged. As a note, all ownership percentages are provided by ESPN.

Trevor Rogers, SP, Miami Marlins, 8% Owned

Of all the players looking to bounce back in 2023, none has the furthest to climb than Trevor Rogers. Of that, there can be no doubt after looking at his stats from last season: 23 games, 4-11 won-loss record, 107 IP, 5.47 ERA, 106 strikeouts, 45 walks, 1.505 WHIP, 8.9 K9, 3.8 BB9, 4.35 FIP.

No question, those are scary numbers. However, recall that just one season before, Rogers pitched in the All-Star game, and had stats of 2.64 ERA, 1.150 WHIP, 10.6 K9, 3.1 BB9 and a 2.55 FIP. Those numbers are a lot easier to digest from a real and fantasy perspective, yes?

Of course, there is no guarantee that Rogers will get back to what he was in 2021. Even so, how many pitchers on the waiver wire have ever pitched in an All-Star game? We can be sure that he will pitch near the top of the Miami rotation and if a manager is unhappy with the starting pitching currently on the roster, Rogers provides an excellent fallback position.

Carlos Carrasco, SP, New York Mets, 11.5% Owned

The most veteran of all the players on this fantasy baseball post-draft pickups edition is Carlos Carrasco. Without question, he should be a consideration for anyone looking for pitching before the season starts. As evidence, just look at his 2022 stat line: 29 games, 152 innings, 15-7 won-loss record, 3.07 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 152 strikeouts, 41 walks, 9.0 K9, 2.4 BB9 and a 3.53 FIP.

Seeing as Carrasco was coming off an injury plagued 2021 season, those numbers were impressive. Expecting him to match that win total is probably asking a bit much, but the fact remains that Carrasco is pitching for a team that will put up runs. Even if a couple of wins are subtracted from his win total this season, that would still have placed Carrasco in the top 20 in victories in the majors in 2022.

Obviously, Carrasco knows how to pitch. He has won 15 or more games three times in his career. He is in an excellent situation and so will any manager that takes a chance on him in 2023.

A.J. Minter, RP, Atlanta Braves, 22.2% Owned

In any league that uses holds as a counting stat, managers should target A.J. Minter. The reason is simple: no player had more holds in 2022 than Minter with 35. In fact, the next closest pitcher in the National League was Devin Williams with 26. More importantly, Minter is first in line as the closer with Raisel Iglesias starting the season on the IL with an inflamed shoulder.

Apparently, Iglesias won’t be down very long, but all that is known is that he won’t throw for seven days. Even if he does return quickly, any time spent as the closer for Minter increases his already substantial value. Last season, he pitched 70 innings and had a 5-4 won-loss record with a 2.06 ERA, and a 0.91 WHIP. Additionally, Minter struck out 94 while walking 15, finishing with an incredible 12.1 K9, a miniscule 1.9 BB9 and a 2.13 FIP.

As stated, those managers in leagues that value holds need to move quickly on Minter. His ownership percentage won’t stay low for long, and in fact, has already gone up in the past 24 hours. There isn’t a single relief pitcher that could possibly get a higher recommendation on this fantasy baseball post-draft pickups edition.

Spencer Torkelson, 1B, Detroit Tigers, 11.6% Owned

For those that drafted Rhys Hoskins, I am sure that by now everyone is aware of the severe injury he suffered on Thursday. Obviously, those managers are going to need a replacement, and it certainly doesn’t help that the position was thin to begin with. However, this is where Spencer Torkelson steps in.

For sure, this recommendation is not based on anything that Torkelson accomplished last season. In fact, he was so unremarkable he was sent to the minors for a time. However, in September, Torkelson had hits in six straight games and had five hits in two games in October.

After starting off the spring 3-18, he went through a 7-19 stretch, including a homer. Torkelson certainly has the talent to take a big step forward in his second season. Those that drafted Hoskins or are simply looking for a first baseman with fantasy upside should look Torkelson’s way before his ownership percentage goes through the roof.

Gabriel Moreno, C, Arizona Diamondbacks, 12.8% Owned

Unlike previous years, the catching position is fairly deep. Perhaps a manager went into the draft with the idea that a talented backstop would fall late in the draft. If that didn’t happen and you are unhappy with the catcher on the roster, take a glance toward Gabriel Moreno. That is especially true now that starter Carson Kelly suffered a fractured forearm after getting hit by a pitch last Tuesday.

The Diamondbacks traded for Moreno from Toronto in the offseason. It is fortunate that they did, as he now has the starting job all to himself for the foreseeable future. On Thursday, Moreno showed what he is capable of by going 2-4 with a home run. Moreno has demonstrated that he can swing the bat: in the minors, he was a .310 hitter with a .365/.477/.844 slash line.

Further, he has surprising speed for a catcher with 22 minor league stolen bases. In a 25-game trial in the majors last season, Moreno hit .319 with a .356 OBP and hit a home run. Now that he is the starting catcher for a team with an improving lineup, Moreno has tons of upside sitting on the waiver wire. Any manager looking to make a move with the position, adding Moreno is a must.

Michael Conforto, OF, San Fransisco Giants, 9.4% Owned

After having already written an article on Michael Conforto as one of the fantasy baseball outfielder values for 2023, it is appropriate to mention him again here. The Giants have Conforto starting in right field and batting leadoff for them in the spring. He is healthy and, batting in that position, should give any manager looking to pick him up the confidence to do so.

After all, Conforto is a player that hit 27, 28 and 33 homers in back-to-back-to-back seasons before getting hurt in 2021. If there is any chance of that happening again and a manager has an open roster spot, adding him could have all kinds of fantasy benefits in 2023.

The Shiney New Rookies to be Excited About:

Anthony Volpe, SS, New York Yankees

It seems like it has been forever since the Yankees have had a true rookie phenom on the Opening Day roster. Look no further, because he has arrived, and his name is Anthony Volpe. On Sunday, the Yankees announced that Volpe had made the team out of spring training. He will be their starting shortstop.

Looking at his numbers in exhibition play, it is easy to understand how they came to the conclusion they did. In 51 at-bats, Volpe hit .314-3-5, with a .417/.647/1.064 slash line. Additionally, he stole five bases without getting caught. For certain, Volpe isn’t coming out of nowhere, as he hit 21 homers with 65 RBIs with slashing .342/.460/.802 in two minor league stops last season. Most incredibly, he stole 50 bases while being caught just seven times.

Most likely, he will hit near the bottom of the batting order, at least to start. That is good enough for fantasy purposes, as New York will have an excellent lineup in front of him. This guy is pure excitement and anyone looking to add to shortstop on the roster needs to move on Volpe immediately.

Oscar Colas, OF, Chicago White Sox, 8.8% Owned

Perhaps, you don’t need a shortstop just now. With the position being as deep as it is, no one would fault you for coming to that conclusion. However, if a roster spot is open, consider Oscar Colás, as the White Sox announced he made the Opening Day roster. He will start in right field.

Much like Volpe, Colas had an excellent spring: in 63 at-bats, he hit .281-3-6. He is coming off a monster season in the minors, having hit .314-23-79 with a .371/.524/.895 slash line. He will have to strike out less and walk more than he did a year ago to avoid the usual rookie pitfalls.

If he can do that, he will be a truly valuable addition to any fantasy roster. Of all the rookies making their debut this season, Colas will be under the least amount of pressure, as Chicago has a lot of young players. He will be able to relax and just play ball. Adding him is a highly recommended move on this fantasy baseball post-draft pickups edition.

Jordan Walker, 3B, St. Louis Cardinals, 39% Owned

Without question, the rookie that made the Opening Day roster generating the most buzz is Jordan Walker. In fact, his ownership percentage has gone from below ten percent to almost 40 percent in a matter of hours. If a manager wants him, acting immediately is the only way to get him off waivers, if he is even available at all.

Like the previous two players, Walker had an impressive spring: in 63 at-bats, he hit .286-3-9. In two minor league seasons, he was truly impressive with a .310 batting average with a .388/.525/.913 slash line. Further, he has speed, as he stole 36 bases and was caught seven times.

ESPN lists Walker as a third baseman. Of course, he will not be starting there, as a player by the name of Arenado will be stationed at third for quite some time to come. At the same time, he will not be at first, as the defending National League MVP calls that his home. St. Louis announced he will be a starting outfielder.

Once he gains that OF eligibility, Walker will have major value. The 3B and outfield positions are not particularly deep this year and having a player like Walker that qualifies at both will be a major coup for any manager that adds him. As mentioned, though, act now or he will surely be on a competitor’s roster.

The Final Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy baseball post-draft pickups edition! As always, I welcome any and all suggestions, comments and input from my readers. Let’s discuss! Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news! The Sports Stove Fantasy Baseball Show will have a live fantasy draft this coming Sunday night at 8 eastern. Make sure to tune in!