Category: MLB

Undervalued- Starling Marte

Starling Marte posted a .257 batting average with 5 home runs and 12 stolen bases in just 47 games with the Pirates last year.

Analysis: Marte’s tools are comparable to Cameron Maybin, Carlos Gomez and Desmond Jennings’ tools. He won’t be a high average guy and he strikes out a lot but he is a cheap power/speed roto option. Most projections have him hitting 13-15 HR with 25-30 SB this year while hitting in the .275 range(ESPN- 9 HR/18 SB). His batting average may dip into BJ Upton territory because of his low contact rate but he will steal 30 bags this year if he plays in 145 games.

Marte is the 64th outfielder being taken in ESPN leagues at the moment. Considering Desmond Jennings is being taken as the 21st outfielder and Cameron Maybin the 56th, there is quite a bit of value drafting Marte over those guys. If he is to reach his projections this year he will have to walk at a higher clip so watch him closely early on. Marte should stay with the Pirates all year even if he does struggle at the plate because his fielding is Gold Glove caliber.

Power Bats On The Wire

There isn’t much left on the waiver wire at this point in the season but there are a few power bats to help get you home.

Analysis: Oakland’s Chris Carter is a first baseman to watch. Carter has hit 14 home runs in just 51 games played this year. He’s went yard four times with nine runs batted in over his last eight games played. Carter is available in well over eighty percent of leagues and is one of the most underrated bats on the wire at the moment.

Another option out there is Jesus Montero. Montero suffers greatly from playing at Safeco Field but he is the real deal. He’s only hitting .259 at the moment but keep in mind his BABIP is an unusually low .290. Montero has 15 homers this year with 53 RBI. He’s available in forty percent of leagues because much of his hype has died down.

A few must owns who are available in a small, small percentage of leagues include: Alex Rodriguez, Garrett Jones(23 HR) and Pedro Alvarez(27 HR).

Stock Rising- Wilin Rosario

Wilin Rosario is second among all major league catchers with 23 home runs this year. Despite the power from the twenty-three year old, he remains available in seventy percent of fantasy leagues.

Analysis: Wilin Rosario is second in homers, tenth in runs batted in and eighth in runs among major league catchers. He’s putting up great fantasy numbers for a catcher yet he remains available in tons of leagues. It may be that he plays in Colorado or that he still qualifies as a rookie but he does not get much love in the fantasy world. He is on a tear right now, Rosario has homered in three consecutive games and has raised his slugging percentage up to .545 in the process.

I understand that many owners have given up at this point in the fantasy season but putting the best fantasy roster together should remain a priority regardless of the standings. At this point in the season only nine catchers have more than fourteen home runs, so it doesn’t make any sense to stick with a guy like Alex Avila who is owned in more leagues despite trailing Wilin in all five roto categories.

Mike Minor Is Surging

Despite a 5.18 ERA, Mike Minor is one of the hottest starting pitchers in the National League.

Analysis: Mike Minor has not allowed more than two earned runs in a start over his last four starts. He is also averaging just one walked batter per start during this hot streak. His ERA may not be ideal but he has put together a few very solid weeks here. His 1.29 WHIP is very respectable in roto leagues while his 7.81 K/9 is more than enough as well.

Minor is available in over half of fantasy leagues primarily because his five plus ERA scares many owners. His xFIP is sitting at 4.41 which is not all that bad considering his previous struggles. Minor is not a high velocity starter but he does have four quality pitches and when he is locating he gets results like we have been seeing over the past few weeks. Picking the lefty up can be a gamble but it just may be worth it. His walks are extremely low and his WHIP is solid, you just have to hope the wins and run support will be there for him.

Last Call On Chris Davis

Baltimore’s Chris Davis is one of the few power bats left on the wire as the fantasy baseball season is nearing the home stretch.

Analysis: Chris Davis has hit three home runs in his last six games to bring his season total up to eighteen bombs. Davis is available in about forty percent of fantasy leagues so pick him up before it is too late. The biggest benefit of having a guy like Davis on your squad is multi position eligibility. Chris Davis is eligible at first base, at third base and the outfield. His fifty-three RBI in just ninety games played is just another example of the under the radar production that Davis is capable of.

The trade deadline can see many ballplayers hyped but Davis remains a solid power bat who will not murder your batting average in roto leagues like a Carlos Pena type of hitter. Davis could stand to lower the strikeouts and draw more walks but he is who he is… a modern day slugger. With multiple position eligibility and protection from Adam Jones it is last call on Chris Davis.