N.L. Gearing Up: April 30 - May 6

Rising Up

Ross Detwiler (15% owned this week, 52% owned next week)

Here is a quick reminder: you read about Detwiler here first back on April 13.  While I was not bullish on Detwiler, I did point out he would be effective so long as he was healthy.  Well, he is both healthy and also effective.  He is a must start in NL-only leagues and is probably better than just a streaming option in mixed leagues right now. ()

Nate Schierholtz (9% owned this week, 25% owned next week)

Schierholtz has appeared in the FAAB log every year since 2007, and made Gearing Up 4 different times last year.  Once again, Schierholtz appears in my column, and once again I recommend picking him up.  He is once again a (relatively) full time outfielder, and is putting up a .291 average with a .582 slugging percentage.  I still do not like him as a player, but if he is still floating around in your free agent pool, you need to get him on your squad.  He is now mixed league relevant as well.

Kirk Nieuwenhuis (9% owned this week, 23% owned next week)

Speaking of suddenly mixed league relevant, Nieuwenhuis has certainly outperformed my expectations.  With Jason Bay and Andres Torres still down (though Torres will be back on Monday), Nieuwenhuis should see continued regular at bats.  While his numbers are good (.333, 2HR, 5RBI), keep in mind he has struck out 19 times already.  He is not perfect, but he is giving the Mets a shot in the arm and belongs in your fantasy lineup.

Up From the Minors

Bryce Harper.

Welcome to the show.  Perhaps Crash Davis can sit down with him and run through the mandatory quotes.  Harper really lit it up in Syracuse with that .704 OPS (sorry for the sarcasm), but the Zimmerman injury puts him on the big league roster, and I think it will be to stay.

Chris Schwinden.

Schwinden projects as a fifth starter, though he increased his overall stock with a solid 2011 in the minor leagues.  He replaces Mike Pelfrey in the rotation for now, and is worth a look-see in NL-only leagues.

Welington Castillo.

Just before going to press this morning, Enrique Rojas reported Castillo is being called up today.  I went to the Phillies/Cubs game last night, and the only thing I saw is an awful Geovany Soto (no injuries, etc.).  Is it possible the Cubs are going to cut bait on Soto?  I think it is unlikely.  Castillo started strong in the minors this year and deserves a look in NL-only keeper leagues.

Injuries

Ryan Zimmerman.  Jason Bay. Chris Narveson (lost for the season).  Mike Pelfrey (likely lost for the season).  Brad Lidge (Henry Rodriguez is your full-time closer). Jeremy Guthrie (freak bicycle accident).

Possible Waiver Claims

There are 17 pitchers in my NL-only league striking out more than 10 batters per 9 innings.  Sean Burnett is red hot, with 10 Ks and 0 BBs in limited innings so far.  Jason Grilli, Ernesto Frieri and the just recalled Scott Maine are also worth a look.