After a week of uncertainty filled with postponed games for various reasons, we look ahead to a more normal week. The trade deadline is passed Monday at 4:00 PM EST. It’s important to keep track of all the moves as there are many fantasy implications, especially on fantasy baseball waiver wire moves.
This week is crucial for fantasy owners to win with the playoffs beginning soon. The following recommended players are less than 50% owned in ESPN Fantasy Leagues.
Pitchers
Elieser Hernandez
The Miami Marlins have surprisingly found themselves in the thick of a playoff race. Despite all they’ve been through this short season, the starting pitching has been exceptional. Elieser Hernandez has contributed more than many expected. His 28.9 K-BB% is good for fourth in all of baseball. He has an astonishing 32 Ks compared to only 4 walks over 23 2/3 innings. In addition, Hernandez has a 3.04 ERA. His ownership has skyrocketed to 43% so jump on him if you still have the chance.
Sixto Sanchez
Another article praising the young Marlins prospect, Sixto Sanchez is an exciting talent to watch. Only two starts into his career, Sanchez has been making headlines. In his last start against a good Tampa Bay Rays offense, the 22-year-old tossed seven scoreless innings, striking out ten while only walking one. He is a starter who’s fastball reaches 100 mph occasionally. Sanchez’s ownership is also at 43% and increasing fast.
Kwang-Hyun Kim
The closer turned starter for the St. Louis Cardinals is owned in 37% of leagues. In his first two starts since being added in the rotation, Kwang-Hyun Kim has pitched 12 scoreless innings. His ERA this year is 1.08 in 16 2/3 innings pitched. This will likely climb as he gets more starts, but he looks good as of late. However, he doesn’t provide many strikeouts, with only seven this year. If he continues to be in the rotation, he can be a sneaky addition to fantasy teams.
Hitters
Jonathan Schoop
A young player who has bounced around since his time with the Baltimore Orioles may have found a home with the Detroit Tigers. Jonathan Schoop has been one of the bright spots for a developing team that is managing a .500 record. The everyday second basemen is showcasing his ability to hit for power and average. He has eight home runs and 19 RBI while still batting over .300. Get him while he’s still available. His ownership has climbed up to 43%.
Brandon Belt
The San Francisco Giants veteran is having quite the comeback of late. Brandon Belt noted that his knees are feeling the best they have in three years. Owned in 19% of leagues, he is batting .313 with a .400 OBP. He hasn’t shown much power in recent years, but he currently has five homers in 83 at bats. Belt has been on fire this past week with a .520 OBP and .905 slugging.
Deeper League Options
Alex Young
Since being called up last year, Alex Young has been very consistent for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He is overlooked by Zac Gallen and Robbie Ray, but he has better stats than both of them this year in certain categories. The Diamondbacks rely heavily on Young. They have lost Merrill Kelly and now traded Ray so that trend should continue. Young is owned in only 2% of leagues. Last year, his rookie season, Young had 3.56 ERA in 81 innings. This year, the twenty six-year-old has a mediocre 4.70 ERA in 23 innings. However, he is boasting 24 strikeouts against only five walks.
Raimel Tapia
Colorado Rockies outfielder Raimel Tapia is by no means a household name. With that being said, he should be owned in more than 8% of leagues. Where he lacks power, he definitely doesn’t lack speed. In addition to his four stolen bases so far, he has a .407 OBP. It is questionable if he can keep up this rate over a full season, however he is definitely worth a deep league flyer.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
