Tampa Bay Rays super-utility man Joey Wendle, FAAB 2-4%, is posting one of the quietest stand-out stat lines of the past 30 days. He currently sits 14th on the wOBA leaderboards during that time with only 3 HR and 1 SB. However, those counting statistics couple with a 6% BB%, 8.4% K%, .233 ISO, and an overall profile that entices anyone hoping for a hot streak. Wendle provides a safe floor to hold on to with injuries popping up at the end of the season. He also possesses an intriguing ceiling that could include a lot of power with decent speed to close out the fantasy year.
Hunter Renfroe, OF, San Diego Padres
FAAB: 5%
Even if you wandered into the fantasy baseball realm this season, you know Renfroe does one thing and one thing only; he hits dingers. It’s something that went missing from his game during early season struggles. It seems all of the upside prospect pieces the Padres stocked for their outfield this season were MIA at one point or another. Manny Margot saw his share of cold streaks, Franmil Reyes (great pickup where available) took time to solidify himself, Franchy Cordero cut his season short with an injury, and spring training stud Jose Pirela continues to provide little to no value. Adding to Renfroe’s success throughout this stretch is an improvement against fastballs. He is consistently catching up to the heater more often than ever and whiffing much less. Overall the power upside is incredible, and if your team can sacrifice batting average, he is an immediate add wherever available.
Austin Hedges, C, San Diego Padres
FAAB: 1-2%
I don’t always like to suggest picking up catchers unless it is extremely pertinent. This position is the biggest wasteland in the entirety of fantasy sports. Hedges is a player who showcased an ability to take off on a ridiculous hot streak and help fantasy teams for significant stretches. He strikes out a ton, doesn’t walk much, and will hurt your average. However, finding a catcher to provide 5 HR and 3 SB in 30 days is more impossible than a Tom Cruise mission. His defense will keep him in the lineup until Francisco Mejia is primed and ready. All of these aspects make Hedges a catcher that may be able to add something to a fantasy team to end this season.
Anthony DeSclafani, SP, Cincinnati Reds
FAAB: 2-3%
This Reds right-hander is a player who always seems to succeed when pitching. The results may not be magnificent, but they are always solid and fantasy relevant. In 2018, it is looking to be much of the same for DeSclafani. Once again returning from injury, he is posting nearly identical numbers to what he has in the past. His 21.7% whiff% is in line with the 21.8% career average and all of his pitches are in line with their previous effectiveness. The only thing DeSclafani is waiting for is the swing-and-misses on his curveball. Feel is something that requires more reps, so this is not an issue that makes me worry. DeSclafani will be a fine addition to end this fantasy season providing nearly a strikeout per inning and more upside when the curveball comes back.
Derek Holland, SP, San Francisco Giants
FAAB: 2-3%
I’m not going to be the one banging the drum for Holland. Dying on a hill is something I do quite often, but it will not be the case for the San Francisco Giants starter. However, I can’t deny the improvements he is making in the strikeout department. His slider is getting more whiffs on higher usage, and he completely wiped out his four-seam fastball which previously was the worst offering in his repertoire. This change does not explain everything, and a lot of it is good luck in a good pitcher’s park, but it is an indicator that things may be slightly different for the lefty in 2018. The past 30 days are showing the success that I never expected and I can no longer deny adding him where you need pitching the most.
Lonely ONLY-League Targets
Cedric Mullins, OF, Baltimore Orioles (Interesting power/speed prospect. Not standout anywhere. High floor.)
Trevor Richards, SP, Miami Marlins (Very good changeup, intriguing K:BB over the past 30 days.)
Edwin Jackson, SP, Oakland Athletics (If he’s still available, I think it’s time to take the plunge until the tank runs out.)
