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Dynasty Review: Deep Fantasy League Advice for Week 20

We're into the final quarter-season of fantasy baseball. Teams are starting to dig deep as they try to get a read on the future of their franchise. Fantasy owners will need to remain nimble. Whether you're a contender or a rebuilder, snagging quality players off the waiver wire is an important part of August and September.

Last week, Francisco Mejia appeared in this column for the second time this season. Generally, I try to avoid repeats unless some bit of news demands attention. In Mejia's case, it was a long hitting streak. It ended on Sunday night at 50 games. The Indians catching prospect did draw a walk in the game so his on base streak continues at 51 games.

Editor's Note: Purchase a full season NFL Premium Pass (including Draft Kit + DFS Premium), and also get MLB Premium + DFS for free through October. Premium DFS lineup picks, expert lineups, tools and more - seven days a week. You can see screenshots of our NFL Premium and MLB Premium and DFS tools. What are you waiting for?

 

Dynasty Advice for Week 20

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - Toronto Blue Jays

Yep, that Vladimir Guerrero. One of the highest profile players to come out of the Dominican Republic in recent years, Guerrero is tearing through rookie league as a 17-year-old. He's batting .275/.361/.472 with seven home runs, 15 steals, and nearly as many walks as strikeouts - all while transitioning to third base.

I've been sitting on a Guerrero write-up for awhile. In my deepest dynasty league, I drafted him while he was still a 15-year-old. He's anywhere from three years to half a decade away from major league action. In that time, his profile will probably change considerably.

He already has a mature body which is easy to see in this video of him sending a ball a long way with a bad swing. The speed plays fine on the bases in rookie ball, but he'll be hard pressed to take bags in the upper minors and majors. Plan for him to be a power-first prospect with 30 or more home run potential. The club currently has him learning third base, and it's too soon to say whether he can stick there. Most likely, he'll wind up in the corner outfield or at first base.

This Guerrero doesn't share his father's ability to put the barrel on pitches anywhere within five feet of the plate. Expect Junior to be a classic power hitter with typical walk and strikeout rates.

Teoscar Hernandez - Houston Astros 

While Carlos Gomez stole the headlines out of Houston this week, the club quietly called up a meaningful prospect in Teoscar Hernandez. The outfielder already has his first major league home run after belting 10 in 481 plate appearances split between Double- and Triple-A. Hernandez also stole 34 bases, although his steal rate dropped dramatically upon reaching Triple-A.

Prior to this season, Hernandez struggled with high swinging strike rates which prevented him from actualizing his talent. He seemingly adjusted in the minors this year. Although 13 major league plate appearances are far too few to draw any conclusions, it's not encouraging to see his whiff rate spike to a career worst. Keep an eye on it.

Since Jake Marisnick has been terrible at the plate this season and only league average defensively, Hernandez has an opportunity to snatch the starting center fielder job in Houston. The best case scenario includes five home runs and 10 steals over the rest of the season. We're more likely to get two to three blasts and five swipes. Barring a terrific September and October, the 23-year-old is unlikely retain the starting job beyond this winter.

The Astros have every reason to purchase an external solution while their club remains competitive. Hernandez's profile fits in that 3.5 outfielder mold - he's good enough to start (at least based on his profile), but you'd rather he be your top bench guy. As such, his dynasty value is difficult to gauge - there are a lot of "if's" in play.

 

Rapid Fire

Bobby Bradley - Cleveland Indians

Bobby Bradley Boom. The first base prospect has homered in three consecutive games, bringing his season total to 25 taters in 489 High-A plate appearances. Bradley is one of several prospects in the minors with big home run potential and questionable contact skills. When the profile comes together, you wind up with players like Chris Davis and, uh, Khris Davis. Bradley is only 20 years old, so he still has a few years to make more contact.

Jahmai Jones - Los Angeles Angels

Jones is a fine prospect, but he'd rank in the latter half of most team top 10 lists. He's arguably the best the Angels have - 2016 first-round pick Matt Thaiss is also a candidate for top Angels prospect. Having increased visibility is usually good for a career. There's real value to being the top prospect in your system, even if there's relatively little competition for the title. Jones is a speed-first guy with decent discipline and contact skills. He recently turned 19 and should debut in Low-A next season.

Yoan Moncada - Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox are signalling that they believe Moncada is nearly ready for a call-up. When a prospect's position is blocked in the majors - as Moncada is blocked by Dustin Pedroia - the last thing a team will do is train them at a new spot. Moncada made his debut at third base on Sunday, and the team has announced he'll play there in the Arizona Fall League too.

For those hoping to see him this season, prepare yourself to wait until late-April 2017. Boston doesn't need to put him on the 40-man roster now, and they have plenty of names to protect. The Red Sox will probably give Pablo Sandoval and Travis Shaw one more "chance" to take the third base job next spring. It'll be pure coincidence that the Sox will also gain a full year of club control over Moncada by waiting a few weeks into the season.

T.J. Rivera - New York Mets

Rivera, a 27-year-old utility man, may have a chance to carve out a role for himself with the Mets. The righty has an aggressive, line drive oriented approach at the plate which helped him produce high BABIPs in the minors. It remains to be seen if that skill will translate to the majors. He showed career best power at Triple-A with 11 home runs in 406 plate appearances. His profile doesn't check any of the boxes scouts love, but it hasn't stopped him from conquering every minor league assignment.

Josh Lowe - Tampa Bay Rays

Lowe, 18, was the Rays top draft pick this past June. He earned his first promotion last week to the GCL (a higher level of rookie ball). He may have a chance to open the 2017 as one of the youngest players in Low-A. Lowe has performed well through his first 142 plate appearances with five home runs, a couple walks, and a solid walk rate. He's struck out more than I'd like to see, but it's too early to worry about that lone blip in his profile.

 

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Aaron Jones Sr.

Injures Hamstring During Sunday Night Football
Darren Waller

Not Expected to Play in Week 3
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
Jameson Williams

Records Long Touchdown in Week 2, Still Limited to Downfield Role?
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Jayden Daniels

Considered "Day-to-Day" with Knee Injury
Carlos Estévez

Carlos Estevez Exits with Back Tightness
Jonathan Taylor

Tops 200 Yards From Scrimmage in Week 2 Win
Joe Burrow

Could Miss Three Months if he Requires Toe Surgery
Davante Adams

Headlines Rams Receiving Corps Sunday
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
Luis Arraez

Takes a Seat on Sunday With Head Injury
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia Activated, Starting on Sunday
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
Bryan Woo

Records Career-High 13 Strikeouts
Max Muncy

Exits Early on Saturday
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Salvador Perez

Reaches 300 Home Runs, 1,000 RBI
Jose Altuve

Exits Early With Foot Discomfort
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Won't Play Against Georgia
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks
CFB

Dylan Edwards Slated to Return on Friday
Adam Lowry

Aims for Early-Season Return
P.J. Washington

Officially Signs Contract Extension
Lauri Markkanen

Big at Both Ends as Finland Books Place in EuroBasket Semis
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Notches 39 Points in Losing Effort
NBA

Cam Reddish Expected to Move to Europe
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Trey Lyles Joins Real Madrid
Charles Bassey

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Hawks
Sacramento Kings

Terence Davis Waived by Kings

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