As the fantasy baseball season reaches its mid-point, it's time to assess the players who are making waves and those who are quietly rising to the top. This week, we're focusing on the Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB) leagues, where smart moves can make all the difference. Let's dive into the players who are worth targeting and the strategies to maximize your team's potential.
The Hot Hands
In the realm of fantasy baseball, timing is everything. Players who are on a hot streak can provide a significant boost to your team, and right now, there are a few names that stand out. One such player is A.J. Ewing, an outfielder who has been on fire lately. His combination of solid contact skills, discipline, and sneaky pop makes him a must-roster player, yet he's still only 33% rostered on Yahoo. Pick him up now, before someone else does.
Another player to watch is Heliot Ramos, a streaky outfielder who has been absolutely scorching hot since returning from injury in late June. With a 167 wRC+ in July, he's been the lone bright spot in many Giants games. If you add Ramos and he keeps producing, he could be a huge addition to your team.
Garrett Mitchell, an outfielder from Milwaukee, is also on fire, with a .993 batting average over his last thirty games. His main strength is his exit velocity, and while his batting average might take a hit, more home runs are likely to come from Mitchell as the season goes on.
The Rising Stars
While some players are already making waves, others are quietly rising to the top. Charlie Condon, a Rockies prospect, has been absolutely mashing of late and may get a call-up by season's end. With a .289/.414/.584 slash line in AAA Albuquerque, he has seen a major surge in his numbers in recent weeks. In deep leagues, he could be a difference-maker once he's called up, especially with the home games at Coors Field.
Anthony Seigler, a 27-year-old second baseman/third baseman, has been proving himself to be a valuable piece for the Red Sox. His excellent discipline and ability to hit the ball in the air make him have a pretty high floor, though it's likely he will cool down a bit. With a 137 wRC+ on the season, he's a player worth targeting.
The Streaming Arms
In the realm of pitchers, streaming arms can provide a significant boost to your team. Ian Seymour, a left-handed arm with a great fastball/changeup mix, is looking like a hold right now. While his command can be a touch spotty, he looks to be helpful in the four major starting pitcher categories. With 53% of leagues already picking him up, now may be your last chance to get the boost from Seymour that your team needs.
AJ Smith-Shawver, an Atlanta pitcher, is another streaming arm worth considering. While he's not the highest-ceiling guy, he looked like a solid streaming arm before going down with an injury. Atlanta, while cold as of late, is an overall good enough team that he should be a candidate for wins, especially if they choose to run an opener before him.
The Relievers
In the realm of relievers, Jacob Webb is a solid option to get saves. With a fastball/changeup mix, he's serving as the interim closer for the Cubs with the injury to Daniel Palencia. While they are doing a bit of a committee thing in Chicago, it seems like Webb is most likely to get the highest leverage spots. Pick him up if you can, he's a solid option to get saves and he shouldn't hurt your ratios in the process.
Jordan Romano, on the other hand, is a bit of a desperation move at reliever. With a 5% roster rate on Yahoo, he's struggled a lot since leaving the Blue Jays, and the Rockies aren't a great team for pitchers to play for. However, if you keep losing in the saves category, you may want to pick him up with the knowledge that it may not last (and your ratios may take a slight ding).
The Takeaway
As the fantasy baseball season reaches its mid-point, it's time to assess the players who are making waves and those who are quietly rising to the top. With smart moves and a keen eye for the hot hands and rising stars, you can maximize your team's potential and make a run at the league title. So, keep an eye on the players mentioned above and be ready to make the right moves at the right time.
