Heading into the last month of fantasy baseball, you should look for any edge. Whether it is DFS or a season-long fantasy league, you should take advantage of trends. While most of these players will be taken in your league or will end up being the chalk for your DFS tournament, here are some historically dominant players in September.
Historically Dominant Fantasy Pitchers In September
Blake Snell, SP, San Diego Padres- Snell has taken home Pitcher of the Month for September twice in his career, 2023 and 2018. Snell has continued to improve throughout his return this season, which includes a no-hitter. As we head into September, Snell is sporting a 28% hard-hit rate on the season. Look for Snell to have another big September.
Blake Snell tosses the 18th no-hitter in @SFGiants history! pic.twitter.com/KVS3tml6CR
— MLB (@MLB) August 3, 2024
Tarik Skubal, SP, Detroit Tigers- While Skubal watches the World Series from his couch, he will most likely be your American League Cy Young winner. Skubal has been dominant all season long, and if his 2024 September is anything like last season, he will solidify his Cy Young Candidacy. Skubal took home pitcher of the month in September 2023, posting a 4-0 record with 43 strikeouts and only three earned runs in five starts.
Tarik Skubal of the @Tigers is the first pitcher to 15 wins.
He also leads MLB with a 2.58 ERA and is tied for the lead in strikeouts with 193. pic.twitter.com/Cp7xnZXP7j
— MLB (@MLB) August 25, 2024
Clay Holmes, RP, New York Yankees- The ninth inning has been shaky this season in New York, but Holmes has held on to the closer spot. In 2023 Holmes had eight saves in eight opportunities. The closer struck out 11 in 12 innings and gave up one earned run during the month. In 2022, it was much the same for Holmes, who was perfect in save opportunities and struck out 11 in 12 innings again. Before getting the closer spot, Holmes was lights out in September of 2021. Holmes worked 14 innings and struck out 21 while yielding three runs. Yankee fans would love to see this pitching down the stretch as we close out 2024.
Recent Big Fantasy Pitching
Frankie Montas, SP, Milwaukee Brewers- Montas took home Pitcher of the Month honors in 2021. While with Oakland, Montas put together a 3-0 record and struck out 40 in six games in September of 2021.
Jack Flaherty, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers- Flaherty has seen a resurgence this season, splitting time between the Detroit Tigers and the Dodgers. Flaherty was the September 2019 National League pitcher of the month, putting together a 2-1 record with the St. Louis Cardinals and striking out 53.
Historically Dominant Fantasy Players In September
Eugenio Suarez, 3B, Arizona Diamondbacks- Suarez is already heating up heading into September. The Snakes’ third-baseman has 47 RBI and 14 home runs over the last two months. Suarez has scored double-digit fantasy points seven times in August. Historically, Suarez slashed .355/.446/.790 in September of 2021 with seven home runs. In September of 2019, Suarez won the National League Player of the Month, slashing .337/.455/.747 with 10 home runs and 18 RBI.
Eugenio Suarez, since July 1st; leads MLB in RBIs (47)
Dbacks since July 1st; best record in baseball (34-13)
Coincidence, I think not. Geno’s turnaround has been an absolute movie pic.twitter.com/4q8rUI6sfA
— Dalton Feely (@dfeely14) August 26, 2024
Aaron Judge, OF, New York Yankees- One of the obvious choices here but since Judge entered the league he has been a monster in September. The current MLB home run leader has won American League Player of the Month for September in 2017 and 2022. Judge has hit double-digit home runs three times in September, including 15 long balls in 2017. The Yankees captain has been doing it all season long, expect more of the same this September.
Aaron Judge is coming for the AL Triple Crown 👑👀 pic.twitter.com/SkYhVLnTPH
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 26, 2024
Freddie Freeman, 1B, Los Angeles Dodgers- If Freeman has a best month, it may very well be September. The former Atlanta Brave won the National League Player of the Month award in September 2022, 2020, and 2016. Freeman hasn’t batted under .320 since 2019 in September. This would warmly welcome fantasy owners who have seen Freddie struggle (by Freddie standards) down the stretch this season.
Recent Big Fantasy Septembers
Jose Ramirez, 3B, Cleveland Guardians- American League player of the month in 2020. JRam was a monster in the Covid-shortened season, slashing .366/.453/.841 with 10 big flies and 24 RBI.
Yordan Alvarez, OF/DH, Houston Astros- American League player of the month in 2023. Yordan slugged eight home runs and drove in twenty last year.
Royce Lewis, 3B, Minnesota Twins- American League rookie of the month in September of 2023. Despite only playing in 2/3 of the games, Royce swatted six home runs and drove in 23 runs last September.
Main Photo Credits: Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sports
