Buy Buy Buy - Kris Bryant, 3B, Chicago Cubs
You had to know this one was coming. As expected by every single person on the planet, the Cubs have recalled Bryant from Triple-A to make his major league debut today. The 23 year old has absolutely monstrous power, and you've probably stopped reading this already, haven't you? There's honestly no need for me to explain anything about this kid, but just as a reminder, here's what he provided across Double- and Triple-A last season: .325/.438/.661, 43 homers, 325 total bases, and a dazzling smile. He tore through Spring Training, but was sent back to the minors to work on his defense. Apparently, his defense improved so swiftly that it only took juuuuust enough time to ensure that the Cubs will control Bryant through 2021 instead of 2020. Coincidence? You be the judge. While you'll need to expect a ton of strikeouts to go with all the extra-base hits, is that really going to stop you from making a play for him? If you own him, you're not selling. If he's a free agent in your league, you're playing in a league with absolute morons, including you. God (or Theo Epstein) said, "Let there be light-tower power", and He saw that it was damn good.
Sell Em If You Got Em - Tim Beckham, 2B, Tampa Bay Rays
It feels kinda crummy to advise selling Beckham (on the slim chance he's actually owned in your league), since the former first overall draft pick has had a very difficult road to the majors. Beckham, 25, had a cup of coffee back in 2013, but this is his first year starting at the keystone after the trade that sent Ben Zobrist and Yunel Escobar to Oakland. While he's performed at an acceptable rate through the first handful of games, he's already struck out 9 times in 21 at-bats. He doesn't walk much either, which will kill you in OBP. Is the power worth it? Considering that he's never hit more than 6 homers in a season (and that was back in Triple-A during the 2012 season), I'd have to say no. Beckham has the speed and potential to steal 15 bags in the bigs, but he hasn't swiped a single base yet. In fact, he's only stolen 18 total since the 2013 season began. I know that keeping him off your roster may seem like a given, but you'd be surprised how deep some leagues are. There isn't a league deep enough to justify having Beckham as your second baseman, though...except MLB, I suppose.
Hurlers In The Stream - Drew Hutchison, SP, Toronto Blue Jays
He may not have the same nominal recognition of rotation mates Mark Buehrle, R.A. Dickey or Marcus Stroman, but Hutchison is as vital a cog in the Blue Jays as any of those pitchers. In 184 2/3 innings last season, the 24 year old had a strong left-on-base percentage of 71.2. That's going to be crucial as the Jays take on the Braves at home. While the Atlanta crew has gotten off to a scorching offensive start, something few anticipated, it isn't sustainable: guys like Nick Markakis, Cameron Maybin and (gulp) Alberto Callaspo aren't slugging machines, but they all have the ability to put the ball in play and beat it out. Therefore, having a guy like Hutchison on the bump makes a lot of sense as far as holding the running game. If he mixes his offspeed stuff in more frequently, as he's done in small samples this year, it should be enough to cross up a depleted lineup like the one coming to the Great White North from the South.
Weekend Warrior - Billy Butler, DH, Oakland Athletics
For the first time in his career, Butler will play on the Royals' home field, Kauffman Stadium, as a visitor after signing with the A's this past offseason. Although Kauffman is murder on right-handed sluggers, Butler's OPS is almost 90 points higher there than on the road, .851 to .767. He's off to a fairly hot start this season, something that could boost his chances of having a big weekend. This part is purely sentimental, but he turns 29 tomorrow, and players often reach back and try a little harder on their cake day. I'm not saying you should expect Country Breakfast to steal 5 bases over the course of this series, but a couple of long balls and some timely hits should be in the pipeline for the big man's return to the Midwest.
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