2025 NFBC Main Event Free Agent Report (9/21)

The final week of the baseball season is a challenge on all fronts in the high-stakes market. Most stats categories have gaps, but tight ERA and WHIP races can turn on a dime. Pitchers all get scratched all week, making it difficult to pick up wins and strikeouts. The key to success hinges on your team playing well.

Catcher

Moises Ballesteros, Chicago Cubs

Over the past week, Ballesteros has led all free agent catching options in at-bats in the NFBC Main event, while being a free agent in 63% of main events. He has eight hits over his past 24 at-bats with five runs, two home runs, and three RBIs. At AAA this season, Ballesteros played well over his 447 at-bats (63/13/76/4).

Other Options: Patrick Bailey, Riley Adams, Victor Caratini

First Basemen

Sal Stewart, Cincinnati Reds

Since his September call-up, Stewart has 12 hits over 45 at-bats (.267) with nine runs, four home runs, and six RBIs. He remains in the free agent pool in 47% of main events. Over 437 at-bats at AA and AAA this year, he hit .309 with 78 runs, 20 home runs, 80 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases.

Blaine Crim, Colorado Rockies

Crim played well over the past two weeks for the Rockies, leading to seven hits over 25 at-bats with four runs, three home runs, and nine RBIs. He brings a journeymen profile, highlighted by his 1,478 at-bats at AAA over the past four seasons (.283/247/63/261/12).

Other Options: Wilmer Flores, Bryce Eldridge

Second Basemen

Javier Sanoja, Miami Marlins

Heading into Saturday, Sanoja has a four-game hitting streak (7-for-16 with three runs, one home run, three RBIs, and one stolen base. His bat was quiet over his first 11 games in September (.129 over 31 at-bats with six RBIs and one steal). His starting opportunity could be limited over the final week due to Connor Norby's return from the injured list.

Cody Freeman, Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers gave Freeman a starting job over the past three weeks. He responded with 13 hits over 52 at-bats with six runs, two home runs, eight RBIs, and one steal heading into Saturday’s action. Over 384 at-bats at AAA this year, Freeman posted an edge batting average (.336), with 75 runs, 19 home runs, 71 RBIs, and eight stolen bases.

Other Options: Gabriel Arias, Tristan Gray, Christian Moore

Third Basemen

Connor Norby, Miami Marlins

After missing over six weeks with a quad injury, Norby returned to the Marlins' starting lineup this week. His swing has been on point in his four-game hitting streak (7-for-19 with two runs, one home run, and one RBI), giving the fantasy market hope that he could be a helpful bat over the final week. Norby has a balanced skill set while finding his way at the major league level.

Nate Eaton, Boston Red Sox

For a team looking for some help in speed, Eaton fits that profile. Over the past three weeks, he has 16 hits over 42 at-bats with 10 runs, one home run, three RBIs, and five stolen bases. Boston should have Wilyer Abreu back on Sunday, potentially pushing Eaton to the bench on more days. The Red Sox could choose his bat over Masataka Yoshida down the stretch.

Other Options: Nacho Alvarez, Brady House

Shortstop

Denzer Guzman, Los Angeles Angels

The Angels lost Zack Neto this week, giving Guzman his first opportunity in the majors. Between AA and AAA this year, he hit .241 with 64 runs, 16 home runs, 73 RBIs, and 14 steals over 464 at-bats. Over his first seven games with Los Angeles, Guzman smashed two home runs over 23 at-bats with three runs and two RBIs, but he whiffed 13 times while posting a losing batting average (.174).

Other Options: Miguel Rojas, Ryan Ritter

Outfielders

Dominic Canzone, Seattle Mariners

Over the past three weeks, Canzone found his rhythm at the plate. He has 13 hits over his last 32 at-bats with seven runs, three home runs, and nine RBIs. All of his power came in one game on Tuesday night. His bat played well over the past four seasons at AAA (.308/176/52/198/21 over 882 at-bats), suggesting another gear in his game in the majors.

C.J. Kayfus, Cleveland Guardians

An injury to Nolan Jones points to Kayfus seeing more playing time over the final week. He played well this year at AA and AAA (.300/51/14/54/4 over 317 at-bats) while trailing in his development with Cleveland (.215 over 107 at-bats with 16 runs, four home runs, 16 RBIs, and three stolen bases). Over his last seven games, Kayfus has six hits across 18 at-bats with three runs, two home runs, six RBIs, and one steal.

Austin Martin, Minnesota Twins

The Twins placed Matt Wallner on the injured list over the past week, clearing a better window for Martin to start. He has 16 hits over his last 51 at-bats with eight runs, four RBIs, and three steals. Over his previous 424 at-bats at AAA, Martin hit .285 with 65 runs, eight home runs, 54 RBIs, and 27 stolen bases. He offers a speed out down the stretch, with some help in batting average.

Other Options: Miguel Andujar, Everson Pereira, Troy Johnson

Starting Pitching

Mick Abel, Minnesota Twins

With Pablo Lopez placed back on the injured list, Abel should get one final start in the majors. He pitched well over his final two starts at AAA (two runs, 10 baserunners, and 12 strikeouts over nine innings). He finished his minor league season with a 7-2 record, 2.20 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 114 strikeouts over 98.1 innings. On the downside, his right arm has been a disaster so far in his majors (7.76 ERA, 1.76 WHIP, and eight home runs over 29.0 innings with 24 strikeouts). He lines up to pitch in Texas midweek.

Trey Yesavage, Toronto Blue Jays

After a great major league debut (one run and five baserunners over five innings with nine strikeouts), the fantasy market will fight for Yesavage one start over the final week of the year. He pushed his way through four levels of the minors in 2025, resulting in a 5-1 record, a 3.12 ERA, and a 0.97 WHIP over 98.0 innings, with 160 strikeouts. Yesavage averaged only 3.9 innings per start over his first 25 games.

Kyle Harrison, Boston Red Sox

The long-awaited promotion to the Red Sox came over the 10 days. Harrison allowed one run and nine baserunners over nine innings with seven strikeouts. Over his 18 starts at AAA, he posted a 3.66 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, and 88 strikeouts over 76.1 innings. His start will come at home against the Tigers.

Joe Boyle, Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa gave Boyle nine games this summer to prove his worth in the majors, but he lost his confidence and command over 31.2 innings (22 runs, 30 hits, six home runs, and 19 walks with 32 strikeouts). Boyle had growth this year at AAA (8-4 with a 1.78 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 114 strikeouts over 86.0 innings). The Rays gave him a spot start last week, and he responded with six shutout innings with three hits, no walks, and five strikeouts. Tampa doesn’t have him lined up to start next week, but Boyle should take the mound at least once, most likely pigging backing Drew Rasmussen.

Stephen Kolek, Kansas City Royals

Over his last six starts in the majors, Kolek has a 2.33 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and 26 strikeouts over 38.2 innings. He has outperformed his minor league resume (4.69 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and 461 strikeouts over 481.2 innings). Kolek faced the Angels on the road next week.

Other Options: Bryce Elder, Chad Patrick, Mike Burrow