Emerging Baseball Stars: Top MLB Player Exchange Picks

Say hello to Player Exchange Probe, a regular series where I delve into my top opt-ins and opt-outs on the player exchange for all MLB weeks. The idea itself is quite simple. Every week, I provide adds based on either a recent surge in performance or a shift in role. When I mention a player, I pinpoint the area where he is likely to excel or the immediate reason for his inclusion. To make it onto this list, the player should be ON fewer than 40% of the rosters in Yahoo! formats. These players can still be found in over 60% of leagues, and some in 98% of leagues, hence, they are widely attainable. Introducing desired Player Exchange Batters Jeremiah Jackson – SS/OF, BAL: 34% rostered (CONSISTENT STARTER, ON A ROLL) Jackson’s performance has been consistently impressive, reflected in the steep rise in his roster rate over the last few weeks.

At the age of 25, he posted .313/.343/.537 in 85 games across Double-A and Triple-A this season, boasting 15 home runs and 11 steals. Known primarily as an infielder, Jackson has spent a significant portion of his time playing right field for the Orioles and regularly takes the second spot in the batting order. After 31 games, he is hitting .316, accumulating four home runs, 15 runs, and 17 RBI. His stole base count this season isn’t as high as it was in 2023, so don’t expect much there, but his contributions make him a worthy add as Baltimore also gains momentum. Veteran alternatives include Jeff McNeil – 2B/OF, NYM (19% rostered), with a batting average of .283 in 41 games since the All-Star break, chalking up three home runs, 19 runs, 19 RBI, and two steals. McNeil has essentially become an everyday player for the Mets, providing stats worthy of deeper league consideration.

Nathaniel Lowe – 1B, BOS: 34% rostered (TEAM IMPROVEMENT, COUNTING STATS APPRECIATION) Following his move to Boston, Lowe has made a successful transition in his first 14 games, recording a 13-for-46 (.305) with two home runs, and nine RBI. Take note that he will not play against left-handed pitchers, however, he is expected to bat in the middle of the lineup against all right-handed pitchers, which should give a boost to his counting stats. Not a traditional pull batter, Lowe’s career pull rate stands at just 30%, hence, he could thrive on oppo hits off the Green Monster, similar to Rafael Devers. An alternative option in the corner infield is Kyle Manzardo – 1B, CLE (17% rostered); Manzardo has three home runs over this past week and 10 since the 40-game break, and he is averaging .265 with 26 RBI in the same period. Manzardo’s performance in the second half of this season is commendable.

Examining Jared Triolo – 1B/2B/3B/SS, PIT: 33% rostered (STEADY PLATE APPEARANCES, ON A TEAR) Triolo’s performance since his recent recall in August warrants our attention. The 27-year-old boasts a batting average of .313 after 33 games, accumulating two home runs, 20 runs, 10 RBI and five steals. It’s important to note the dreary lineup surrounding him will limit his counting stats. However, he is now swinging at less and connecting more than he ever has, hinting at a potential later career upturn. A multi-position choice for deeper leagues could be Curtis Mead – 1B/2B/3B, CWS (1% rostered), who’s getting regular game-time with other White Sox hitters sidelined by injuries. Mead might not be setting the stage aflame, but since the All-Star break he is hitting .286 over 28 games, with 11 runs and nine RBI.

Moving onto Samuel Basallo – C/1B, BAL: 19% rostered (NEW PROMOTION, POWER POTENTIAL). During his time in the minors, Basallo’s performance was exceptional, registering .270/.377/.589 in 76 Triple-A games with 23 home runs, and 67 RBI. He has found the transition to the major leagues challenging, which is to be expected given he is only 20 years old. However, Basallo boasts a power display that can work in any ballpark, and in the absence of Rutschman, the Orioles plan to keep him in the lineup. As the most talented player likely to be promoted from here onwards, he is worth a punt as a bench stash. Perhaps Kyle Teel – C, CWS (21% rostered) makes for a better choice for redraft leagues, as he has already found his grip against major league pitching. Since the All-Star break, he’s averaging .325 over 36 games with six home runs, 21 runs, and 22 RBI.

Let’s not overlook Daulton Varsho – OF, TOR: 18% rostered (RETURNED FROM IL, POWER POTENTIAL) Upon his return from the IL in August, Varsho has averaged .281 in 25 games, belting out 10 home runs, 27 RBI, and 18 runs. His current prowess is deserving of roster consideration in many more formats. Having only stolen two bases this season, his once-possible 20/20 season outlook no longer seems viable. Instead, he appears to be prioritizing power this season, which may cause his average to fluctuate. Another outfielder to consider is Austin Hays – OF, CIN (10% rostered), who is making the most of his reinstated regular game time. In his last 12 games, he’s 14-for-46 (.304) and boasts three home runs, 11 RBI, and two steals.

Caleb Durbin – 2B/3B/SS, MIL: 15% rostered (PERFORMANCE BOOST IN ELITE TEAM CONTEXT, SPEED POTENTIAL) Throughout his inaugural season, Durbin has been competent, causing him to drift between fantasy rosters. Recently, he’s shown a spark…