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Tony Peters analyzes some American League players to target as fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups & adds in Week 22. These AL-only targets can be sleepers.
With the final full month of baseball about to begin, it's time to scrap up together the best roster one can muster to either hold off or fuel any last minute runs at the crown or to prepare for the impending fantasy playoffs.
Here are some names to consider before the big prospect rush when rosters expand Thursday. All are owned in 25% or less of Flea Flicker leagues.
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American League Waiver Wire Targets
Hitters
Leonys Martin (OF, SEA) - 12% Owned
Though his fantasy value may have peaked earlier this season, outfielder Leonys Martin is getting back on track as the season comes to an end. Since August 14th, he's hitting .281 with one home run, four RBI and five stolen bases in 63 at-bats going into Tuesday. Martin's hits haven't been coming together in bunches often enough, but he's been consistently able to collect at least one with an eight-game and five-game hitting streak within that time. With the Mariners fighting for a playoff spot and Martin needing to further make his case to stay a starter next year, he'll have plenty of opportunities to help fantasy teams.
Trevor Plouffe (1B/3B, MIN) - 12% Owned
Since returning from the disabled list August 8th, infielder Trevor Plouffe has really come alive at the plate in a way he hasn't for much of the year. In the 13 games he's played in since being activated, he's slashing a silly .340/.390/.528 with two dingers and 13 RBI. With the Twins' offense as a whole playing much better during the second half, Plouffe has had plenty of chances to drive in runners, something that will last through the end of the season. Infielders with run-producing power aren't easy to come by, especially on the waiver wire this late into the season.
Ryon Healy (3B, OAK) - 2% Owned
Rookie third baseman Ryon Healy went through a readjustment spell after a hot start to his MLB career that saw his production dip down below startable. But unlike some young players, he's made the necessary changes and has come back around to fantasy awesome. Since August 5th, he's hitting .312 with three home runs and seven RBI in 80 at-bats, including a 14-game hitting streak. The Athletics have been aggressive in prompting Healy since he put himself firmly on the prospect map earlier this season with his best minor league numbers yet, and he just keeps succeeding with flying colors. September isn't shaping up to be any different.
Tyler Saladino (2B/SS/3B, OAK) - 1% Owned
The owner of one of the best mustaches in the game, infielder Tyler Saladino's stat line is beginning to catch up with his awesome lip cover. After hitting .225 with four home runs and eight stolen bases in 236 at-bats as a rookie last year, he's hitting a much more palatable .265 with eight home runs and 10 stolen bases in 230 at-bats this season. Saladino has been especially great in August, hitting .293 with three home runs, 10 RBI and five stolen bases. He's still growing into his power, but the speed is already here and strong enough for him to deliver five stolen bases before the season closes.
James McCann (C, DET) - 5% Owned
Decent fantasy catchers on the waiver wire this late into the season are basically impossible to find, and James McCann might not buck that trend. But he has been decent at times over the second half, especially as of late. Though he's hitting only .239 during that time, he does have six home runs and 19 RBI in 99 at-bats. August has been McCann's best month of the year yet, hitting .271 with three home runs and 11 RBI in 59 at-bats. Injuries have kept McCann from getting as firm of a hold on the starting catcher job as was initially envisioned, so he'll have extra incentive to keep his bat solid through till the end.
Pitchers
Kendall Graveman (SP, OAK) - 17% Owned
Though he lacks that strikeout punch fantasy owners prefer in their starting pitchers, there's no denying right-hander Kendall Graveman's results so far this season. For the month of August, he's 3-1 with a 3.31 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 16 strikeouts in 35.1 innings as he's been getting better as the season progresses. Take his road stats on the season, for instance. Despite being 5-4 with a 4.98 ERA when pitching for the away team, he's 3-1 with a 3.18 ERA over his last five road starts. Deep league head-to-head owners should especially take note here.
Jason Grilli (RP, TOR) - 16% Owned
Though the "save Roberto Osuna's arm" job swap promised when the Blue Jays originally traded for Jason Grilli has yet to manifest itself, Grilli's been so great it almost hasn't mattered (almost). Until finally getting bit Tuesday against the Orioles, he had yet to allow a run during the month of August. So instead of zeroes, he finishes the month 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA, 0.69 WHIP, 17 strikeouts and one save in 13 innings. If he never sniffs another save chance, there's still a lot of good a repeat month could do to help fantasy owners with their last push to the promised land of victory.
Dillon Gee (SP, KC) - 2% Owned
Right-hander Dillon Gee has had some rough, rough months in 2016, including a brutal July that included a 0-3 record and a 6.04 ERA in 22.1 innings. But he has brought things around full circle in August, going 3-2 with a 3.69 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 25 strikeouts in 31.2 innings. With a final schedule that's almost entirely division rivals that Gee has mostly had success against this year (minus the Tigers, whom he'll face twice), he's a low-end gamble for those desperate for anyone who can keep their fantasy head above water these final weeks.
Joaquin Benoit (RP, TOR) - 6% Owned
Another addition to the "case of new scenery" success collage, right-hander Joaquin Benoit has shined as a member of the Blue Jays in a way he failed to as a Mariner earlier this season. In 13.1 innings since being traded, he's 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 10 strikeouts in 13.1 innings. Benoit had a 5.18 ERA with Seattle, so that piping hot bowl of zero is a big deal. His FIP of 2.77 during his scoreless time is a firm indicator he's getting a bit lucky, but results are results. Benoit is a known veteran commodity on a team fighting for a playoff spot, so the possibility of vulture wins during September is trending upwards with his continued greatness.
Joe Biagini (RP, TOR) - 0% Owned
While he is another Toronto reliever, right-hander Joe Biagini is quite a bit different than his fellow bullpen mates. The rookie reliever has adapted to the Majors nicely so far, going 4-2 with a 2.28 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 7.8 K/9 in 55.1 innings this year. Exclusively a starter in the minors, he found only limited success. But Biagini's really coming into his own in the Blue Jays' bullpen, especially as of late. For the month of August, he's 1-0 with a 1.76 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 12 strikeouts and three holds in 15.1 innings.
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