I get it. It’s September. I have fantasy football drafts coming up too. So this week we’ll start off with some guys who could actually help you and be available, then highlight the bigger picture at the end for those of us who are always thinking about the fantasy landscape for the future.
SEPTEMBER SUGGESTIONS
Alec Bohm is available in a lot of places and really shouldn’t be. The 1b/3b has a .951 OPS since the calendar flipped to August. Much of this is due to his .381 batting average in that time. While he has just one home run in that span, he’s still start-worthy in most leagues. Even if he just hits his normal .280 with a few home runs, the great Philadelphia hitting situation he’s in will give him runs and RBI. Not a league-winner, but if you have an anchor on your squad, Bohm is a good place to look. Don’t let his early struggles and full-season stats affect how you view him. He’s back to reliable.
Vinnie Pasquantino: 68% rostered, .317/.404/.634 since return
Vinnie has been a streaky and second-half hitter the past two seasons. While he was on the shelf for much of it, there’s a chance he can propel you guys to some championships. I’m currently in first in my home league with Vinnie at first and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (gasp!) catching some splinters. Somehow, you can still buy low on a trade (got him and Steven Kwan for Manny Machado, go me!) and this makes up a bit for cutting the NL Rookie of the Year.
Royce Lewis: 44% owned, .291 with 3 HR in August
No, I can’t……won’t…..write this, but stats are the stats. You do you here. I’ve been burned too often. Every time I say get him, he goes one for his next thirty.
Connor Norby
He’s hitting nearly .300 with close to a .400 OBP since moving to Colorado. These are stats you can’t ignore. I scooped him up for second base, but he can play the corners too. Ride the heater, he’s only rostered in 16% of leagues. Could be a post hype guy. He wouldn’t be the first to find his way in Colorado after leaving the Miami ecosystem. I’m riding it until he cools off.
Welcome Back Big Bats
Jac Caglianone: Caglianone is the top bat in fantasy over the past month. .392 in August with a 1.102 OPS will do that for a ranking. Caglianone is a true breakout. He’s not a walks guy, true, and might be streaky for a while (.222 in July) given the swing and miss in his game. But the streaks are sublime. What he’s got is prodigious power, so don’t go the Wrong Way and underrate him next season. Draft him confidently in the top 30. This is the next…….
Pete Alonso: The Polar Bear bashed ten HR in August, batting .363 in the month. Okay fine, I was too low on him. After hitting .198 in April, I thought the batting average risk was manifesting. Silly me forgetting about adjusting to a new situation! He’s been over .261 every month since and is comfortably in the top four 1B now. Kudos if you didn’t fade him.
Alex Bregman: I’m a Math teacher, teaching rational and irrational numbers. Bregman was my example. Irrational fans thought his slow start was an early decline, disastrous contract, anchor on the team, and deserves banishment to the Gates of Hades. Rational was the adjustment thing, and he’ll likely have a good streak to balance it out. Well, .571 SLG and 10 HR in August? Score one for the rational folks! He’s gonna end up the fourth rated 3B by the end, just watch. Now what can he do to stop these darn slow starts?
Matt Shaw: gonna play all around the diamond, watch for his role (OF? DH? 1B?):
If Shaw takes off, you’re going to have another 3B eligible bat to play with next year. The Cubs do have two OF entering free agency, and Shaw is hoping to score one of those full-time jobs. There’s a real chance that he’s a good value at around pick 200 next year. Don’t pick him up, but long term seekers should keep an eye on him.
Alec Burleson: 6th overall in Player Rater, equal to Miguel Vargas, .932 OPS August 21 HR, .288/.355/.476 and may be drafted highly next year.
I didn’t realize Burleson was all that. What a great season, and if he had a lineup he’d be even higher rated. Gonna get a lot of draft helium in March. For me, if I miss out on the top 1B in the first rounds, and don’t get Vlad in every fourth, Burly is a good option.
Thanks for reading this, both this specific one and all season. It’s an honor that anyone actually does, to tell you the truth. Was wondering, did I help anyone specifically? Or screw you up? Hit the comments!
