After producing disappointing results over the first four months of the 2016 season, it was pretty clear that the Los Angeles Angels would be sellers prior to this year’s trading deadline. The problem was that, outside of Mike Trout, there didn’t appear to be too many desirable players to sell off to contending teams. Jered Weaver and Huston Street have been absolutely terrible. Garrett Richards and C.J. Cron are currently injured. Perhaps Kole Calhoun could be moved for something of value, though it’s unlikely that any serious contenders would view him as a significant upgrade for their teams. Getting another team to take on even a fraction of Albert Pujols’ massive contract would be an effort in futility. Outside of Trout, the Angels have basically been the Bad News Bears of Major League Baseball. However, there has been one bright spot for the Halos recently. This week’s most added fantasy player, 25-year-old starting pitcher Tyler Skaggs (37.4% owned; +28.4% over the past week), looks to be a potential building block for the Angels going forward. Since returning from Tommy John surgery earlier this summer, Skaggs has looked like a different pitcher from the one that he was pre-injury. The velocity on his fourseam fastball has spiked to a career high 93.46 mph, and his curveball looks as good as ever. He’s followed up seven dynamite rehab starts in triple A (12.53 K/9, 1.67 ERA) with two scoreless outings (0 ER and 13 Ks in 12.1 IP) following his big league promotion just over a week ago. The big southpaw has always kept the ball on the ground (46.4% career GB%), and he’s only allowed 2 homers in 51.2 combined innings across all levels this season. If you’re looking for an upside arm down the stretch, take a flier on Skaggs.
Here are a couple of other interesting adds/drops in fantasy baseball over the past week:
Aaron Altherr: 7.6% owned; +6.5%
Entering the 2016 season, Altherr looked like an interesting sleeper after producing an impressive 25/5/22/6/.241 line in just 39 games for the Phillies last season. He appeared to be ticketed for everyday at-bats this season too until an unfortunate wrist injury suffered in spring training derailed those plans. Fast forward four and a half months later and Altherr is back in business. After 13 impressive rehab games at various minor league stops, Altherr rejoined the Phillies on July 28th and promptly went 3 for 4 with a home run against the Braves in his first game back in the big leagues. He stole his first base of the season the following day as well, showing off that same power/speed combo that he displayed in his MLB stint last season. Altherr does have a tendency to strike out a decent amount (25.7% K% in 183 MLB plate appearances) which limits his potential to hit for a high average, but this is a guy who can fill up the stat sheet in a hurry. Fantasy-wise, he reminds me a little of a prime Chris Young from his Diamondback days. If you’re looking for a decent power/speed player on the cheap, Altherr fits the bill. TREASURE.
Jason Heyward: 73.9% owned; -4.4%
I remember the optimism like it was yesterday. Heyward signed his massive free agent deal with the Cubs, and was ticketed to score boatloads of runs while hitting in front of Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant. At 26 years old, Heyward appeared to be in the middle of his prime and had smashed double digit homers in six consecutive seasons and stolen 20 or more bases in three out of the previous four seasons. His K-rate had fallen for three consecutive years (all the way down to 14.8% in 2015), and his walk rate had been above average for his entire career. Four months into the season and Heyward has been outperformed by the likes of Scooter Gennett. His .094 ISO ranks 150th out of 157 qualified hitters, and sits below noted sluggers such as Billy Hamilton and Adeiny Hechavarria. Since June 22nd, Heyward has slashed .211/.290/.293 with one homer and one steal in 138 plate appearances. Unless you’re in an OBP format, kick this schmohawk to the curb. TRASH.
