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Buy or Sell - Underowned and Overowned Players for Week 20

Football season? What's that? While many of us start to get engrossed in training camp reports and exhibition game snap counts, the true die-hard baseball fans are still working the waiver wire to find late-season gems. Trade deadlines have already passed in many fantasy leagues, so I'll focus more on lesser-owned players to assess their value, rather than potential buy-low or sell-high candidates. If your league doesn't cut off trading in August, remember that it's never too late to take advantage of a desperate owner trying to stay out of the basement.

Scouting players who may be undervalued and re-assessing players who may be overvalued is a weekly exercise that you should pursue. Fortunately, I have you covered. Here are a few players who are good buy or sell candidates based on their current performance compared to ownership levels. This could mean scooping them off waivers if possible or actively seeking a trade to acquire or discard certain players in order to maximize value.

I will include one player at each key position group (Infield, Outfield, Pitcher). Ownership levels are taken from Yahoo! Fantasy Sports.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Underrated Players - Week 20

Cesar Hernandez (2B, PHI) 33% owned

Hernandez just saw his 13-game hitting streak snapped, but responded the next day with a pair of hits, including a home run. He doesn't stand out with elite tools, but he's producing across all categories just as he did before his oblique injury. Hernandez is currently hitting .293 with 12 steals and 58 runs scored over 81 games played. 10 HR and 20 SB may be his ceiling, but combined with a high average that makes for a nice MI pickup that's readily available.

Brian Goodwin (OF, WAS) 5% owned

Goodwin has been the starting center fielder for the division-leading Nationals most of this season, yet he's managed to stay completely off the fantasy radar. It might shock you to discover that Goodwin would be on pace for a 30-homer season if he logged a full 600 at-bats, which won't happen. He's scored 40 runs in 72 games, which shouldn't be shocking since he's on one of the best offensive teams in the league. His .248 average may be turning people away, but it hasn't stopped Logan Morrison, Ryon Healy and Scott Schebler from being widely owned. The difference is they got off to hot starts and have been starting from day one of the season. Goodwin is a nice value if you still need power in a fourth outfielder or utility player.

Parker Bridwell (SP, LAA) 35% owned

This former Orioles farmhand is making a name for himself in the Angels rotation with a slew of quality starts. He's 6-1 with seven QS in 10 tries so far. Bridwell certainly doesn't dominate batters; he's struck out more than five just once in a game and holds a 15.8% K% this season. He's been effective at keeping runners off the base paths and stranding them when they do reach (86.6% LOB%). Naturally there could be regression to the mean in that respect, but that would be more of a concern if it were earlier in the year. Bridwell's fantasy success may be living on borrowed time according to his peripherals, but he may be able to squeeze out a few more decent starts over the remaining weeks. Other than a three-day visit by Houston, the Angels play a relatively weak schedule the rest of the way.

 

Overrated Players - Week 20

Jonathan Lucroy (C, COL) 83% owned

As if he hadn't disappointed fantasy managers enough this season, Lucroy's move to Coors Field served to prolong the pain. A change of environment and spot in the Rockies lineup immediately gave bitter Lucroy owners a glimmer of hope that he could provide some value throughout August and September, but it just isn't happening. He's batting a mediocre .250 with no homers and a handful of games missed in the last two weeks. Sure, there's plenty of time left, but Lucroy just hasn't looked like the same player since he left Milwaukee.

Gregory Polanco (OF, PIT) 65% owned

It just isn't his year. The WBC will prove to be the highlight of Polanco's 2017 it seems. After yet another DL stint for a hamstring strain, Polanco teased with an impressive three-run homer on August 4, but hasn't driven in a run ever since. The surprising speed he was providing early in the season is gone and won't return as he tries to keep his hamstring from getting injured again. His .256/.313/.409 slash line is almost identical to his career averages, so he isn't really underperforming as much as it seems. The question that should be asked is why he was being drafted as a top-20 outfielder in the first place.

Jose Berrios (SP, MIN) 81% owned

His impressive rookie campaign has been tarnished a bit since the All-Star break. Berrios has been alternating dominating and disastrous starts, culminating in a 2-3 record and 4.81 ERA since the second half got underway. Fatigue could certainly play a part, as he's within 30 innings of matching his previous high in a season. With the Twins still in the thick of the divisional race, Berrios will stick in the rotation, but could take more lumps if he continues on his current path. His ground ball rate and strikeout percentage have both dropped in the second half - not good signs for a young pitcher who could lose his way. Berrios is an undeniable talent and is not overrated in any way as a player, but his fantasy ownership indicates he is being started in most mixed leagues every week. If you are in the race for first place in your fantasy league, depending on a rookie starter down the stretch could be a mistake.

 

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POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

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Import Your Leagues
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All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Nick Nash

Unlikely to Make Falcons Active Roster
Lane Johnson

in No Rush To Retire
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Blake Corum

has "Gotten His Speed Back"
Jarquez Hunter

Picking Up Rams Offense Quickly
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Kirk Cousins

Feels Misled by Falcons
Bijan Robinson

Says Falcons Have "Outlandish Goals" for the Running Game
Luther Burden III

Bears Expect Luther Burden III to be Ready for Training Camp
Cole Kmet

an Unlikely Trade Piece
Tony Pollard

Titans Hope to Balance Rushing Attack With Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears
Byron Buxton

Sitting Thursday
Quentin Johnston

Not Assured of Starting Role
Cordarrelle Patterson

on the Roster Bubble in Pittsburgh?
Shedeur Sanders

Not Assured of Roster Spot in Cleveland?
Wan'Dale Robinson

Hoping For More Downfield Opportunities
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Dominick Barlow

Inks Two-Way Deal With 76ers
Jordan McLaughlin

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
Dylan Harper

Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Homers Twice on Wednesday
Mike Trout

Homers Twice in Win Over Rangers
Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Leads Yankees to Victory
Salvador Perez

Crushes Two Homers in Win
Cleveland Browns

Greg Newsome on the Trade Block?
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Zach Tom

An Extension Candidate in Green Bay
Devin Booker

Agrees to Extension with Phoenix
Trevor Williams

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery
Kyren Williams

Rams Not Willing to Pay Kyren Williams Top-Market Money?
Byron Buxton

Exits After Hit-by-Pitch, X-Rays Negative
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Playing on Wednesday
Alex Bregman

has "Really Good Chance" to Return Before All-Star Break
Christian Kirk

the No. 2 WR in Houston?
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Expected to Return on Friday
Jerome Ford

the Likely Starter for Cleveland to Begin 2025
Chig Okonkwo

"Poised" for Best Season of Career
Xavier Watts

Falcons High on Xavier Watts
Xavier Restrepo

Training With Star Wideouts
Walter Clayton Jr.

Leads Jazz to Summer League Win
Carter Bryant

Struggles in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Drops a Double-Double in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Oklahoma City Thunder

Malevy Leons Logs Impressive Summer League Outing on Tuesday
Dalton Knecht

Collects 25 Points in Lakers Summer League Win
Los Angeles Lakers

Darius Bazley Drops 27 Points in Summer League on Tuesday
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Chet Holmgren

Agrees to Rookie Max Extension
Alex Bregman

Not Returning Wednesday
Jhoan Duran

Unavailable Due to Illness
Shane McClanahan

Tosses Clean Frame in First Rehab Appearance
Jacob Wilson

Day-to-Day After HBP
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. to be Reassessed Wednesday
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Malaki Branham

Traded to Washington
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Blake Wesley

Moves to Washington
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Kelly Olynyk

on the Move Again
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Anthony Davis

Recovering From Eye Surgery
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Cal Raleigh

Continues Historic Homer Pace Tuesday
Jacob Wilson

Exits Early On Tuesday With Left Hand Contusion
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
Luis Garcia

Fans Four in Rehab Outing
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Anthony Santander

Hoping to Hit Soon
Luis Robert Jr.

Returning in Short Order
Alex Bregman

Could Return Later This Week
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
Sonny Milano

on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Jakub Dobes

Signs Two-Year Deal with Canadiens
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
WAS

Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
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