Carlos Cortes is hitting .692 with an .831 wOBA and 102.5 mph average exit velocity over the last seven days — and he's still available in 76% of leagues. That's the headline. But he's not the only signal lighting up the board this Thursday morning. Ten rising trends surfaced overnight, headlined by three players who warrant immediate action and a deep watch list that could shape your roster through May.

Today's Top Adds

Carlos Cortes (OF, ATH) — 24% Owned

This is a genuine breakout, not a blip. Cortes posted an .831 wOBA over the past week against a .495 mark over 30 days — that's not a modest uptick, that's a completely different hitter. The underlying quality is real: 100.0% hard-hit rate, 102.5 mph exit velocity, and a walk rate that climbed to 12.5% from 10.1% over the past month. Ownership has surged 22 percentage points in seven days, which tells you sharper leagues are already moving. The window is closing fast. In leagues where he's still on waivers, he's the top priority add of the morning.

Nick Gonzales (2B/3B/SS, PIT) — 8% Owned

Gonzales is swinging a scorching bat — .464 average, .452 wOBA — and he's doing it with everyday playing time (30 plate appearances in seven days). His 54.2% hard-hit rate supports the surface numbers, and the multi-position eligibility (second, third, short) makes him a roster construction dream. His 30-day wOBA sat at .332, so this week represents a significant jump in production. Ownership ticked up six points in a week, but at just 8% rostered, you have time — barely. Grab him in 12-team leagues and deeper.

Ryan Jeffers (C, MIN) — 20% Owned

Catcher is a wasteland, and Jeffers is offering an oasis. His .456 wOBA over the past seven days tops his .403 monthly mark, fueled by a .389 average, a homer, and improved plate discipline — strikeout rate down to 13.6% from 16.2%, walk rate up to 18.2% from 17.5%. He's seeing consistent time with 22 plate appearances in the last week. At 20% owned with a steady upward trend (+3% in seven days), Jeffers is the best catcher add available in most formats. If you're streaming the position or stuck with a sub-.300 wOBA backstop, make the swap now.

Watch List

Zack Gelof (2B/OF, ATH)

Gelof's strikeout rate cratered from 26.5% over 30 days to 17.6% this week, while his walk rate doubled from 2.9% to 5.9%. The .333 wOBA and 93.6 mph exit velocity suggest real contact improvement. He's at 0% ownership, so there's zero urgency — but if the K-rate stays below 20% for another week, he becomes actionable.

Miguel Andujar (3B/OF, SD)

A .433 wOBA with improved walk rate (6.2% vs. 3.2% over 30 days) and a declining strikeout rate (18.8% vs. 19.4%). The power showed up with a homer this week. At 2% owned, he's a deep-league stash only — monitor for sustained playing time in San Diego.

Marcelo Mayer (2B/3B, BOS)

Zero strikeouts in 20 plate appearances this week. Read that again. Mayer hit .421 with a .423 wOBA, and his 30-day wOBA of .299 suggests this is a new gear, not his baseline. The 84.8 mph exit velocity is the concern — the contact quality needs to catch up to the contact rate. But a zero-K week from a talented young hitter in consistent playing time deserves your attention.

Joey Ortiz (SS, MIL)

The walk rate explosion — 20.0% this week versus 10.9% over 30 days — paired with a strikeout rate drop to 13.3% signals a potential approach change. His .314 wOBA is modest but climbing from a dismal .191 monthly number. Hard-hit quality at 66.7% and 95.0 mph exit velocity suggest he's squaring balls up when he swings. Still an early signal at 1% owned.

Miguel Amaya (C, CHC)

Another catcher worth tracking. Amaya slashed his strikeout rate from 21.8% to 9.1% while posting a .470 wOBA with a homer. The 91.0 mph exit velocity and 41.6% hard-hit rate are decent for the position. At 1% owned, this is a speculative add in two-catcher leagues and a firm hold-and-watch everywhere else.

Kyle Finnegan (RP, DET)

Finnegan's strikeout rate surged to 40.0% over seven days (up from 17.0% over 30 days), translating to a 14.59 K/9 with a 2.43 ERA. Early signal — only five games — but if he's carving out high-leverage work in Detroit, the ratios could be league-winning. Worth a speculative add in holds leagues.

Gavin Sheets (1B/OF, SD)

Two homers, a .463 wOBA, and 95.3 mph exit velocity with a 50.0% hard-hit rate. His strikeout rate dropped to 14.3% from 18.5%. At 3% owned, Sheets is a power-upside flier in deeper formats — the San Diego lineup context helps.

Stream of the Day

No streaming-specific pitching signals surfaced today, so let's pivot to the best short-term bat play: Gavin Sheets fits the streaming mold perfectly at 3% ownership. Two homers, a .308 average, and a .463 wOBA over his last five games with legitimate exit velocity backing (95.3 mph). If you need a power injection for the weekend without burning a high-priority waiver claim, Sheets is the play. His declining strikeout rate (14.3% this week) suggests he's making better swing decisions, not just getting lucky.

Ownership Movers

  • Carlos Cortes (24%, +22% in 7 days): The biggest mover on the board, and the data fully supports the rush. An .831 wOBA with elite exit velocity is not a mirage — the ownership surge is justified and probably still behind the curve.
  • Nick Gonzales (8%, +6% in 7 days): A six-point jump on the back of a .452 wOBA week with everyday playing time. The move is warranted. He should be rostered in all 12-team leagues by Sunday.
  • Ryan Jeffers (20%, +3% in 7 days): A slower climb, but the underlying profile — improving discipline, solid power, everyday reps — justifies more aggressive action. Catcher scarcity alone makes this a justified add.
  • Zack Gelof (0%): Completely off the radar in rostered leagues despite a real swing-and-miss correction. The lack of ownership movement means you have time, but be ready if this continues.
  • Miguel Andujar (2%, +0% in 7 days): Flat ownership despite a solid week. The market isn't buying yet, which makes him a pure speculative play with no cost to acquire.

Quick Hits

  • Marcelo Mayer posted a 0.0% strikeout rate over 20 plate appearances this week — down from 12.3% over 30 days. Even if regression is inevitable, that kind of contact ability from a young middle infielder in Boston's lineup is worth monitoring closely.
  • Carlos Cortes' 100.0% hard-hit rate this week is the most eye-popping quality metric in today's data. Small sample, yes — but when every batted ball is hit hard and the exit velo averages 102.5 mph, the production is backed by real force.
  • Kyle Finnegan more than doubled his strikeout rate — from 17.0% over 30 days to 40.0% in the last seven. That's the kind of swing that can indicate a new pitch mix or mechanical tweak. Worth digging into for those in deeper leagues.
  • Joey Ortiz walked in 20.0% of his plate appearances this week, nearly doubling his 30-day rate of 10.9%. Combined with 66.7% hard-hit quality and 95.0 mph exit velocity, the contact he's making is authoritative. Milwaukee's lineup needs production — if he keeps earning plate appearances, the counting stats will follow.
  • The catcher position delivered two watch list signals today — Miguel Amaya (.470 wOBA) and Ryan Jeffers (.456 wOBA) both flashing improved plate discipline alongside power. In a position starved for production, both deserve roster consideration in different league depths.