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Pierre Camus analyzes some National League players to target as fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups & adds in Week 17. These NL-Only targets can be sleepers.
The trade deadline is nearly upon us and many names are bound to switch leagues. Taking that into consideration, here are some names that are not expected to become irrelevant in NL-only formats the following week. Of course, I say that and half of them will probably wind up on the Red Sox by Sunday afternoon.
This list represents players who haven't yet garnered a great deal of attention in mixed-leagues, streaming options suitable only for deeper leagues, or category specialists who may fill a specific need on your NL-only roster. Fantasy owners needing help should be on the lookout for these potential additions in the coming week. The following players are owned in 25% or less of Fleaflicker leagues.
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National League Waiver Wire Targets
Hitters
David Dahl (OF, COL) - 29% owned - Technically he is just above the 25% threshold, but it's close enough that I can cheat a little. Dahl is the flavor of the week for offensive call-ups and has seen his ownership jump significantly since he joined the team on Sunday. Dahl is a toolsy player that has increased his power this season, with 18 HR and 61 RBI in 350 AB between Double-A and Triple-A. Dahl knocked his first homer of the year on Wednesday and has recorded a hit in each of his first three games. He's the type of player that is worth a bench stash at the very least. Playing in Coors Field gives him a slight edge over other prospective rookies playing in other parks like, say, Petco.
Alex Dickerson (OF, SD) - 12% owned - Petco Park would seem to be an unlikely location for the propagation of home run streaks, but that's why they play the games. First it was Ryan Schimpf, now Alex Dickerson has emerged as an unlikely rookie going on a power tear for the Padres. Dickerson has single-handedly kept San Diego's consecutive games home run record alive, with a homer in four straight games. In the last week, he is batting .417 with four HR, eight RBI and six R. He is hitting .303 in July and is up to .286 on the season. So, yeah you might want to add him even in mixed leagues.
Cesar Hernandez (2B/3B/SS, PHI) - 14% owned - Hernandez isn't a hot new prospect, but he has started to be productive again lately. In the past week, Hernandez is hitting .304 with four RBI and three SB. His ceiling is certainly limited, but he has maintained a high average all season and is up to 10 stolen bases. His biggest asset is the ability to play nearly all infield positions. He has done nearly all of his damage against RHP, including 20 of his 25 RBI and all 10 of his SB. He can be a good spot start or injury fill-in for deep NL owners.
Hernan Perez (2B/3B/OF, MIL) - 9% owned - I told you about Perez two weeks ago and he is keeping up his hot hitting ways since Aaron Hill's departure. In the last two weeks, he is hitting .333 with a homer, eight RBI and four stolen bases. Perez has swiped three bags and driven in three runs in the past week alone. He resembles fellow Venezuelan Cesar Hernandez in many ways and will contribute similar value.
Mac Williamson (OF, SF) - 1% owned - The Mac... is not worth making a silly pun about. He may be worth adding in NL-only leagues, though, as he smacked two homers and drove in six runs this past week with a .364 average. The Giants are struggling since the break, but until Hunter Pence returns, Mac will keep seeing plate appearances and has a chance to show some of the power he displayed in the minors where he slugged .490.
Trea Turner (2B, WAS) - 24% owned - Now that he has stopped being trendy and is owned is less than a quarter of leagues, he is finally producing. Isn't that always the way? Turner is hitting .279 in 43 AB and has put his speed on display, with five steals and three triples. Turner never surpassed 30 SB in a minor league season, so he doesn't have Billy Hamilton type speed, but he can be a modest contributor for steals while hitting for a high average, as evidenced by his .316 average over three MILB seasons. Don't expect any power - he never even reached double-digit HR in a season - but his run-scoring potential in the Nationals lineup makes him a worthy add.
Pitchers
Andrew Cashner (SP, SD) - 24% owned - They may as well have packed his bags and left them at the foot of his locker after Tuesday's start because everybody and their mother is expecting Cashner to be traded. He acquitted himself well in his final audition for potential suitors, registering a quality start in Toronto. He has allowed just five ER in his last three starts, striking out 23 in 17.2 IP. If he moves, it will certainly be to a less pitcher-friendly venue, but his chance to earn victories will increase. He is best left on the wire until his fate is determined, as he could soon be an AL-only add.
Braden Shipley (SP, ARI) - 4% owned - Big league debuts don't always go as planned. The Diamondbacks' first-round pick from 2013 went 5.1 innings and allowed six runs on eight hits, with three balls leaving the yard completely. Keep an eye on Shipley to see how he responds if given another shot. Remember Zach Eflin's first start? Shipley has the talent to be a #2 starter for many years once he figures out Major League hitters. He carried a 3.70 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 5.8 K/9 in Triple-A before his recall.
Jose De Leon (SP, LAD) - 13% owned - We've already established that every single person who has thrown a pitch for the Dodgers has or will get hurt this year, so it may be time for Jose De Leon to get the call. Julio Urias is not likely to see many more starts due to an innings limit, but De Leon has only thrown 44.2 IP in Triple-A this season and could be put into the rotation if Cy Young Clayton Kershaw is out for extended time and the Dodgers don't make a major move for Chris Archer or a similar young starter. De Leon has an impressive 13.1 K/9 this season and is ranked as a top 30 overall prospect by all major publications.
Tom Koehler (SP, MIA) - 19% owned - Koehler has flat out dominated in his last two starts, allowing just one run in 14 innings. He is steadily improving his K/BB ratio as the year progresses and is keeping his spot in the Marlins rotation safe. With the fish actually contending for a wild card spot, Koehler has the potential to help deep league owners with victories and healthy ratios. He has a 3.33 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in the last month of play.
Boone Logan (RP, COL) - 3% owned - With Jason Motte going on the DL, more hold opportunities will come Logan's way. If he stays in Colorado, that is. His name has been involved in trade rumors, although that could be said for half the league at this point. Even so, Logan has been a valuable setup man lately, recording his 19th hold on Wednesday. He holds a 2.48 ERA and 0.86 WHIP over 29 innings this season.
Blake Treinen (RP, WAS) - 4% owned - Yes, it seems we fantasy types have been trying to replace Jon Papelbon all year, but it might actually happen... eventually. After Papelbon blew consecutive save chances, Treinen got the call and earned his first MLB save. Not saying he is a closer-in-waiting, but he could be. Or not. Treinen has a 2.01 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 8.4 K/9 and 12 holds on the year, so he could help in deep leagues that count holds anyway.
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