A little extra flavor never hurts. Especially when puttin’ together a fantasy squad.
When I’m in the kitchen I make moves. If something aint selling, I take it off the menu. If a staff member isn’t doing their job, they’re gone. That’s how I run my fantasy teams.
Each week I will hit you with the players moving up the rankings that you NEED to know about. I don’t care if it is the No. 8 hitter on the Cubs or the No. 4 starter for the Astros. If they are producing, you’re gonna know about it.
With the first week of the football season upon us, I will be takin’ my services over to the gridiron after this week. With that said, I will focus on some young players that have either already been promoted or on the cusp of making the big leagues following the expansion of rosters back on September 1. If anyone is in further need of assistance down the stretch, feel free to reach out to me for personnel decision help or lineup decisions the rest of the way.
The Hackers
Maikel Franco, 3B (PHI)--Although Franco has already been promoted to the big leagues, he is still only owned in less than 10 percent of leagues throughout the major providers. Through 521 at-bats for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Franco blasted 16 home runs and 78 RBI while slashing .257/.299/.428, which is much better than that of Cody Asche, who he will now split time with at the hot corner. Those in both keeper an dynasty leagues will want to make him a consideration for the stretch run as he will provide great power upside over the final month of the season.
Joc Pederson, OF (LAD)--The Dodgers labeled Pederson “untouchdable” while trying to improve their team heading into the trade deadline and have now called up their top prospect to the big leagues. He has just two hits over his first eight at-bats with the Dodgers, with five strikeouts, but he provides great upside if nothing else. Through 445 minor league at-bats in 2014, Pederson slashed .303/.435/.582 with 33 home runs, 78 RBI and 30 stolen bases, which gives him Mike Trout upside if he lives up to his full potential. The Dodgers outfield is going to continue to be crowded down the stretch, but Pederson is someone to at least have as a bench player when given the starting nod as his team tries to secure a playoff spot.
Domingo Santana, OF (HOU)--Santana may be 0-for-17 in his brief stint in the big leagues this season, but a September call up should be in store for him in the upcoming weeks. He is slashing .296/.384/.474 with 16 home runs and 81 RBI for Triple-A Oklahoma City through 443 at-bats, which makes him deserving of another shot at the next level. For now, he should only be a NL-only add moving forward, although if he see regular at-bats for the Astros could be a mixed league add if his power numbers translate to the final stretch of the season.
Christian Walker, 1B (BAL)--Walker has been tearing up minor league pitching in 2014, smacking 26 home runs while driving in 96 RBI between two levels in the Orioles farm system. Although the team may not need much power, he could be an essential piece off the bench or in the starting lineup to keep the Orioles near the top of the heap in the American League. Those in AL-only leagues will want to keep a close eye on him over the upcoming days as he has the type of power that could really translate to the big league level if given the chance.
Dilson Herrera, 2B, SS (NYM)--With Daniel Murphy out of action, the Mets have turned to Herrera to fill the void left at second base and he has already made an impact in his first six games. Herrera has already smacked his first career home run while driving in five RBI over 26 big league at-bats, although at 5’10”, 150 pounds he is unlikely to flash much power long term. Those in NL-only leagues will want to make him a consideration down the stretch if Murphy continues to struggle getting back on the field, considering the lack of middle infield options available on the waiver wire at this time.
The Hurlers
Daniel Norris, SP (TOR)--The Blue Jays top pitching prospect has been promoted to the big leagues, but has yet to make an appearance in a game. Norris posted a 12-2 record with a 2.53 ERA and 1.11 WHIP through 25 starts between three minor league levels while maintaining a 163:43 K:BB rate over 124.2 innings. He has been arguably the best pitcher in all the minor leagues in 2014, and even if he is used out of the bullpen, he makes for a solid pickup for the stretch run, especially for those in AL-only leagues.
Matt Barnes, SP (BOS)--Although Barnes’ season has not gone completely as planned (8-9 with a 3.95 ERA), the Red Sox will likely be forced to give him a shot in the big leagues before the end of the season. In order to protect Barnes from the Rule 5 Draft, they will have to add him to the 40-man roster and if that happens that ensures him a promotion to the Red Sox at some point. Those in deep AL-only leagues will want to monitor his progression over the next few weeks, as it appears almost imminent that he will get a start or two down the stretch.
Taijuan Walker, SP (SEA)--Walker was supposed to have a breakout season in 2014, but a spring training injury and inconsistent performances landed him in the minor leagues through most of the 2014 season. However, the Mariners promoted Walker to the big leagues on Monday, and he made a relief appearance in which he logged five strikeouts over six shutout innings of relief, making him a solid add down the stretch. Although he may not be in the starting rotation, if he provides solid long relief for the Mariners as they make a playoff push, he could turn into a solid mixed league add in September.
Brandon Finnegan, RP (KC)--Finnegan is the first player to reach the big leagues from the 2014 MLB Draft, and for good reason. The 17th overall pick posted a 1.33 ERA and 0.88 WHIP through 27.0 innings while maintaining a 26:4 K:BB rate over 13 appearances. Although he was fast-tracked Finnegan will provide the Royals will a great arm out of the bullpen down the stretch, which could translate to fantasy success if given the opportunity. For now he should only be a AL-only add until we see how he is used, but clearly he has great upside at the age of 21.