Though some of you have been concentrating on fantasy football since June, the rest of you still are focusing on baseball like Tim Tebow, even if you remain a long shot for fantasy, or any kind of, glory (like Tebow).
If your concentration remains squarely on baseball, chances are you’re in the playoffs, and chances are, you still are looking for players to help you claim the hardware later this month. Good news: There’s plenty of help available.
Despite being a highly touted prospect who has thrived in the minors (.302, 39 homers, 182 RBIs, 101 stolen bases, .881 OPS over 325 games), Byron Buxton has been a highly touted disappointment in the majors (.219, seven homers, 32 RBIs, 11 stolen bases, .640 OPS over 116 games).
Well, until now. Since returning to The Show on Sept. 1, the 22-year-old seems to be figuring things out.
Over his first eight games, he is 13-for-30 (.433) with five homers, 12 RBIs, 12 runs scored and a 1.518 OPS. Surprisingly, though, the speedy outfielder has failed to record a stolen base since being back. But, that will come — as will some regression (it’s going to be tough to maintain that .471 BaBIP). But that shouldn’t stop you from grabbing a player who can help your playoff run in multiple categories and could be a solid piece for dynasty leagues.
Buxton is owned in just 40 percent of ESPN leagues (just 42 percent of Yahoo). Here are some other waiver-wire gems, owned in 50 percent or less of leagues, who can give your team categorical boosts:
Power
Being sent to the minors during a season is not a death sentence. St. Louis’ Randal Grichuk, who was demoted twice, is proof. Since being recalled on Aug. 11, the outfielder is 30-for-98 (.306) with 10 homers, 22 RBIs and 15 runs scored. He does strike out a lot and walks about as often as Halley’s Comet appears, but his power is worth his shortcomings.
Yasiel Puig hit .400 with two homers, five RBIs, four runs scored in his first five games back in the majors. It’s a small sample, but if Puig produces to his capabilities (remember 2013?), he is a major asset to have on your side.
Other power hitters likely available: The Angels’ C.J. Cron (five homers since returning from the DL on Aug. 11), Kendrys Morales (six homers and 17 RBIs since Aug. 30) and Atlanta’s Adonis Garcia (.300, eight homers, 27 RBIs since the All-Star break).
Speed
Jarrod Dyson is fast. He is also available in 85 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues, so not many are taking advantage of his speed. He has stolen 14 bases in the second half and eight since Aug. 26.
Also keep an eye on Colorado’s Raimel Tapia (two thefts in his first seven big-league games) and Texas’ Carlos Gomez (three steals since joining the Rangers).
A hot start to the month has Tampa Bay’s Kevin Kiermaier on the fantasy radar. Over his first eight games this month, he hit .394 with four homers, eight RBIs, nine runs scored and three stolen bases. He has struck out just five times in that span and is available in 80 percent or more of all leagues.
Wins/ERA/Ks
Pitching assistance always is welcome, and you could do a lot worse than adding the Orioles’ Kevin Gausman (5.2, 2.40 ERA, 56 punchouts over his past eight starts) or the White Sox’s Carlos Rodon (5-0, 1.85 ERA, 40 strikeouts over his past seven starts). Also consider adding the Mets’ Seth Lugo, who is 3-0 with a 1.50 ERA, 13 strikeouts and a .200 opponent average over his past three starts, and has a favorable schedule the rest of the way.
Saves
Forget what Andrew Bailey did earlier this season in Philadelphia (especially the unsightly 15.88 ERA he posted in July) and focus on what he will do over the next few weeks as the Angels’ closer. In his first three appearances in L.A., the 32-year-old has collected two saves and allowed no runs. He has 91 career saves (most of which came with the A’s from 2009-11), and that’s all the more reason to grab him.
Atlanta’s Jim Johnson, Milwaukee’s Tyler Thornburg and San Diego’s Brandon Maurer are other options to pick up cheap saves.
Big hits
Bartolo Colon SP, Mets
Has suffered just one loss since Aug. 4, going 4-1 with a 2.25 ERA and a 27:7 strikeout:walk ratio over his past seven starts. Though opponents were hitting .282 against him before taking the mound Saturday, Big Sexy allowed just 11 earned runs in that span.
Jose Abreu 1B, White Sox
Has raised his average from .268 to .299 after going 55-for-143 (.378) with 12 homers, 33 RBIs and 22 runs scored since Aug. 2.
Rougned Odor, 2B, Rangers
Over his past 10 games before Saturday night’s action, he was 18-for-44 (.409) with six homers, 17 RBIs, one stolen base and a 1.310 OPS.
Jung Ho Kang 3B/SS, Pirates
In five games since coming off the disabled list on Monday, he has gone 7-for-16 (.438) with three homers, seven RBIs and five runs scored.
Big whiffs
Brandon Moss OF, Cardinals
Has recorded just two hits in 12 games since Aug. 27, hitting .044 with no homers, one RBI, 13 strikeouts and just one run scored.
Doug Fister SP, Astros
After going 4-2 with a 3.66 ERA in his first eight starts since the All-Star break, the righty is 0-3 with a 10.95 ERA, a 3:5 strikeout:walk ratio and .426 opponent average over his past three starts (just 12 1/3 innings).
Dexter Fowler OF, Cubs
Since going deep on Aug. 19, the 30-year-old is 14-for-70 (.200) with no homers, one RBI, 22 strikeouts and just one stolen base over his past 18 games.
Dee Gordon 2B, Marlins
In 17 games since Aug. 23, his average has dropped from .289 to .253 after going 11-for-62 (.177) with no homers, one RBI, just two walks and two stolen bases.
Quick hits
- How hot is Brian Dozier? Well, as you were reading this, he just hit another three homers! Over his past 10 games, he is hitting .386 with nine homers, 15 RBIs and three stolen bases. Before Saturday night, he was 72-for-224 (.321) with 25 homers, 50 RBIs, seven stolen bases and a 1.115 OPS in the second half. He may be on a team going nowhere, but he is carrying your fantasy squad toward the promised land.
- Two-start pitchers to be mindful of this week: San Francisco’s Albert Suarez and Jeff Samardzija, the Angels’ Alex Meyer, Detroit’s Matt Boyd, Pittsburgh’s Ivan Nova and Kansas City’s Danny Duffy.
- It’s easy to make fun of James Shields, which is exactly why we’re going to continue to do so. The veteran hasn’t won since July 26, and is 0-5 with a 12.07 ERA and a .384 opponent average over his past seven starts. He has allowed 38 runs, 51 hits, 15 homers and 15 walks in that span.
- Giancarlo Stanton has about as much fantasy value as a pinch-hitter as Tim Tebow … or Shields.
Team name of the week
This Little Miggy Had Roast Beef