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Roto Roundup: Jesse Chavez, Nathan Eovaldi, Anthony Rendon and others

Ray highlights some of the top fantasy performers from Wednesday's roto action, including Jesse Chavez, Nathan Eovaldi, Anthony Rendon and others.

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

What prospects should be on your radar?

Now that the Astros have called up prospect George Springer, are you looking for who the next top prospect to be called up and possibly impact your fantasy roster? Well, Jason Hunt has you covered in his weekly Buy and Hold series.

Every Saturday morning, Jason updates his top 10 prospects who are nearing a call up. So, if you are in a league where you can roster a prospect in your bench spot, you need to check out this piece every Saturday morning. Here is his latest:

Buy and Hold: Week 4

In addition, new Fake Teams writer Kylan Easterling published his thoughts on which prospects are next in line to be called up for each MLB team:

Team by team: Next prospects in line

Spencer Silva breaks down Blue Jays pitching prospect Marcus Stroman, as he could called up to the big leagues in short order.

Young Guns: Marcus Stroman is beating down the door

Jesse Chavez: A's know pitching

The A's have had some very bad luck with injuries to their pitching staff this season. Both Jarrod Parker and A.J. Griffin have gone under the knife with Tommy John surgery, but the A's are still in first place in the American League West, thanks to the A's ability to find pitchers like Jesse Chavez. Chavez is a 31 year old right-handed pitcher who has bounced around the majors since 2006, but has been one of the best pitchers in the AL in April.

Last night, he shut out the struggling Rangers lineup over seven innings, giving up just one hit, a walk and eight strikeouts in the A's 12-1 thrashing of the Rangers. Chavez  moved his record to 2-0 in his six starts, with a 1.89 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and a 41-8 strikeout to walk rate in 38 innings. He has given up one run or less in five of his six starts thus far in 2014. He is still available in 15% of leagues right now, so grab him if he is still available.

For more on Chavez and the surging A's, check out Athletics Nation, SB Nation's A's fan site.

Nathan Eovaldi: Fantasy Ace?

Marlins starter Nathan Eovaldi has to be, along with Jesse Chavez, one of the bigger surprises among starting pitchers in 2014. Eovaldi, the owner of a 96 mph fastball, worked on perfecting his other pitches in the offseason and in spring training, and the extra work is showing up in his performances in April.

Last night, Eovaldi limited the Braves to just one run on three hits, a walk and five strikeouts in the Marlins 9-3 win. Eovaldi needed 94 pitches to earn his second win of the season. He is now 2-1 with a 2.58 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and a sparkling 35-5 strikeout to walk rate in 38.1 innings. He has given up just two runs over his last three starts, covering 19 innings, with a 16-4 strikeout to walk rate. His 7.00 K/BB rate ranks seventh in the majors, and puts him in the same company as teammate Jose Fernandez, Zack Greinke, and Masahiro Tanaka. Those three are already aces. Is Eovaldi ready to join them in 2014?

For more on Eovaldi and the Marlins, check out Fish Stripes, SB Nation's Marlins fan site.

Round'em Up

Cardinals outfielder Allen Craig has been a huge disappointment to his owners this season, but he might be on the cusp of turning things around at the plate. Yesterday, he went 4-5 with a home run, two doubles, a run, and three RBI in the Cardinals -3 win over the first place Brewers. Craig raised his slash line to .220-.277-..367 with three home runs, 11 runs scored and 11 RBI. He has now hit in five straight games, going 9-21 with two home runs and six RBI. The time to buy low on Craig may be nearing an end, but give it a shot. He is a much better hitter than he has shown thus far in 2014.

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo struggled in his first full season in the big leagues in 2013, but he is off to a fast start to the 2014 season. On Wednesday, Rizzo went 1-1 with a home run, four walks, three runs scored  and three RBI in the Cubs 9-4 win over the Reds. Rizzo is now hitting .283-.407-.457 with four home runs, 16 runs scored, 16 RBI, a stolen base and an elite 18-18 strikeout to walk rate in 92 at bats this season. Could he be Joey Votto-lite in 2014?

This season, Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon is showing us the potential many saw in him when he was still in college. Rendon had a big night at the plate on Wednesday, going 4-5 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBI in the Nationals 7-0 shutout of the Astros. Rendon is now hitting .316-.352-.544 with four home runs, 19 runs scored and 20 RBI in 114 at bats in 2014. Every time I see him have a big game, I kick myself for dealing him for Homer Bailey in one of my home NL only keeper leagues.

A's catcher Derek Norris was one of the top catching prospects in the game a few years back, but his inconsistencies at the plate has led to disappointing results in his first few seasons in the big leagues. They say catchers take time to develop at the plate since they have so much to learn when behind the plate, calling games, handling the running game, etc., so it's possible Norris is finally becoming more consistent at the plate in 2014. Norris went 3-5 with an RBI and two runs scored in the A's 12-1 win over division rival Rangers last night. Norris upped his slash line to .386-.444-.579 with two home runs, eight runs, 12 RBI and a solid 8-6 strikeout to walk rate in 57 at bats this season. If he keeps hitting like this, he should earn more playing time in Oakland. Somehow, he is still available in 99% of leagues right now.

Are there that many one catcher leagues out there?

Fantasy Rundown

For more fantasy baseball (and football) news and rankings, make sure you check out Fantasy Rundown, your one stop for all the fantasy news you need on a daily basis.