Deep Sleepers - NL East
Last minute deep sleeper series!
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Nationals
Abimelec Ortiz
Ortiz came to the Nationals in the MacKenzie Gore trade. He’s 5’10’’, 230 pounds - so he’d better have some pop. But he does.
Big time power fScores with the 127 fPower and the 149 age-to-level adjusted wRC+. He struck out just 22% of the time last year (555 PAs in AA-AAA) with a .479 SLG and a .222 ISO. Ortiz homered 25 times in 555 PAs with an EV90 at 106.7.
The Nationals are a lineup that shouldn’t be tough to crack. Ortiz plays first base and outfield, so there are options here.
Outside of James Wood, there’s no reliable power hitter in this Nats lineup. Ortiz will get a look, and who knows - he might have a bust-out 2026 season down in the swamp.
Andre Granillo
A reliever “super spec” here. Granillo pitched a bit out of the bullpen in St. Louis last year and had just a 20% K%. However, with a 15.5% SwStr% and a big 32% K% in the minor leagues, there are strikeouts coming. Granillo posted a 17% SwStr% on his 1,526 tracked pitches last year. He led with a nasty slider (22.8% SwStr%) and a mid-90s four-seamer.
There won’t be many saves overall for the Nats this year, but there’s nobody in the bullpen to clearly take what’s there. Look out for Granillo in that Nats bullpen!
Marlins
Griffin Conine
A 28-year-old journeyman, but he’s found a home with the Marlins. He’s been hitting in a power spot in this lineup in camp, and he did show pop in the minor leagues.
A 123 fPower score to go with a .482 SLG these last two years in the minor leagues. He has crushed right-handed pitching down there (.277/.381/.533), so I think he’ll get a good look from the Marlins.
Maybe a Brent Rooker like late-career breakout? A super light version of that?
Bonus hitter pick: Joe Mack for a mid-season pickup to help you with some bombs from the catcher position. It might even be sooner than that. If Agustin Ramirez is really crushing them defensively, Mack is their next best guy. We have no idea if he can hang against MLB pitching, but at least he showed power in the minors (114 fPower).
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