It’s Friday, meaning it’s time to get serious & dig into some names worthy of a pickup in your FAAB runs this weekend. Whether you gauge it by hottest bat of the week, 2 good starts, or just someone to get me by until so-and-so is healthy it can be a make or break moment.
Here’s 4 Players to kick off your search to inject some life into your fantasy baseball squads from the Front Office Writing Staff (ESPN % Owned):
Joey Lucchesi – SP – 18% Owned
Looking for strikeouts? He has only 2 pitches. But with a funky over the top delivery, Joey Lucchesi creates unique pitch called a churve that hitters aren’t used to seeing. That means strikeouts.
In his five August starts, Lucchesi has a K/9 of 11.4. Only 10 starters were better during the month. His impressive strikeout rate is driving quality results overall. An ERA of 3.18 is right in line with his FIP (2.94) during the period. The main knock on Lucchesi is his performance the 3rd time through the order. Prior to August, facing a batter the third time (47 plate appearances) resulted in a FIP of 6.26. In the last month, he improved that number to 3.34 across 28 batters.
Lucchesi is lightly owned and is scheduled for two starts next week (@ARI, @CIN).
Tyler O’Neill – OF – 14% Owned
Tyler O’Neill still has some major contact issues, but when he makes contact it’s with authority causing major damage. Over the last 15 days he’s mashed 4 HR, collected 8 RBI, scored 10 R, and even stole a base. The Cardinals outfield configuration will lead to some shared playing time, but as long as he’s mashing at his 43% Hard Contact rate then his .345 wOBA will play well down the stretch. For those out of the running this year, it may be time to stash him for 2019.
Hunter Renfroe – OF – 23% Owned
Hunter Renfroe has been electric the last 15 days, cranking 5 HR & collect8ng 13 RBI in the last 15 days. He’s been a base hit machine batting .367 over the last week. He’s won out the timeshare since Myers moved to 3B, showing what he can do with everyday time in that young Padres lineup. Ride the San Diego wave while you can heading into your playoffs.
Tyler White – 1B – 31% Owned
Tyler has been a one man wrecking crew with a game winning homer & 3 jacks in 4 games against OAK/LAA. The first baseman has had most of his starts since his July call up at DH, doubtful to relinquish it when McCann comes back off the DL this weekend. In the last 30 days White has been a force batting .338, impressive plate discipline (28% O-swing) & high contact rate in the zone (91%) have lead to a .467 wOBA. His 38% hard contact & 46% pull rate has helped him crush 8 HR. He’s collected 23 RBI, scored 14 R, and should have a nearly everyday slot in that dangerous Astros lineup ROS.
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