MLB Possible Fantasy Pickups-Sleeper Central-June 28
It was a day of offensive explosions across Major League Baseball yesterday as there were seven teams acros the Bigs with double-digit output. According to a tweet from @ESPNStatsInfo that’s the first time that’s happened since July 20, 2010. The exception to the trend was in Houston where two underrated pitchers dueled to a 1-0 final (see below for details.)
With that many runs pouring in, there were definitely some standouts who are undervalued and available in most leagues. In our daily Sleeper Central lineup, you can find a full team of players who contributed and are owned in less than 50% of ESPN leagues. You can decide who fits best into your team based on your league rules and team needs.
Sleeper Starting Lineup
C– Michael McKenry – Pit: (0.0%) Thrust into regular time with Rod Barajas dealing with a knee bruise, MeKenry is hitting .310 for June after going 2-4 last night. He had four RBI to go with a home run, his second in the last two games. He has five home runs in 80 at-bats to go with nine runs scored and 12 RBI. If you need a bargain catcher in any format, he’s worth a look while he’s swinging a hot bat and getting the playing time although his long-term value still appears to be minimal. If Barajas lands on the DL, his potential would expand a bit.
1B– Ike Davis – NYM: (32.4%) Still hitting just .201, Davis joined in on the Mets thrashing of the Cubs doing 3-5 with three runs, two doubles, four RBI, and his 10th home run of the year. He’s hit in three straight and has four home runs in his last eight games with 13 RBI over that span. He had potential coming into the year, and he may be starting to realize it after a rough and rocky start.
2B– Ryan Theriot – SF: (13.0%) Extending his hitting streak to five games, Theriot went 2-4 with a double and two runs scored for the Giants in their 3-0 win over LA. He now has five runs scored in his last four games and has raised his average on the year to .273. He and Gregor Blanco are the catalysts at the top of the Giants order and Theriot can be counted on for runs, average, and occasionally a stolen base or two. He’s worth a look if you need help in those categories and can sacrifice power stats (home runs, RBI).
3B– Chipper Jones – Atl: (26.8%) In his 41 games, Jones has hit .290 with six home runs and 28 RBI. He’s hit in five games in a row after going 1-3 with a two-run blast last night against the D-Backs. He doesn’t play everyday in this his final season, but he has shown he can still contribute as a top 15-20 third baseman.
SS– Brian Dozier – Min: (0.6%) After struggling in the middle of the month, Dozier has hits in his last two starts including his third home run of the season yesterday against Chicago. He went 1-3 with a home run, two runs scored, and two RBI. He’s still hitting just .227 but he’s an everyday player who can contribute countables in deep leagues.
OF– David Murphy – Tex: (10.2%) Due to injuries, Murphy may be in line for extra playing time going forward and yesterday he looked ready to contribute. Against the visiting Tigers he went 4-5 with a pair of home runs and five RBI while scoring three runs as well. He’s now hitting .283 on the year with nine home runs and 30 RBI. When he gets the opportunity, he can contribute in a potent Rangers lineup.
OF– Tyler Moore – Was: (0.5%) Yesterday Moore actually started at first base but he carries eligibility in the outfield as well increasing his value and versatility. He’s been forcing his way into the Nats everyday lineup this month and yesterday went 3-5 with a home run, double, two RBI, and two runs scored. He’s been crushing the ball this month and in his last eight games has four home runs and 10 RBI. He’s still in a platoon role, but that should change if he keeps mashing.
OF– Quintin Berry – Det: (14.7%) In the slugfest with the Rangers, Berry went 3-6 with a triple bringing his average back up to .318. He’s still hitting second and playing left field making him a great pickup if you need average, steals, and runs scored.
OF– Norichika Aoki – Mil: (2.9%) For the past two weeks Aoki has taken over as the Brewers primary leadoff hitter. He went 2-4 yesterday to extend his hitting streak to five games and raise his average to .284 on the season. In the past five games he has five runs scored, three extra-base hits, a home run, and five steals (four in one game). If he flourishes in his new role, he could be a great second-half pickup.
AL Starting Pitcher– Jarrod Parker – Oak: (47.3%) Just before he crosses into “too-owned-for-sleeper-status” territory, Parker went seven strong innings against the Mariners last night while striking out nine and allowing just one run on three hits. He’s one of the hottest pitching pickups in the league right now sporting a 4-3 record and a 2.57 ERA to go with a 1.21 WHIP and a .205 BAA in his first 12 starts.
NL Starting Pitcher– Lucas Harrell – Hou: (1.9%) The only qualifier in Harrell’s gem last night is that it was against the light-hitting Padres. With that statement out of the way, he dominated allowing just six hits and four walks while striking out seven and completing his first shutout and complete game of his career. He was coming off a great start against the Indians his last start out and has now allowed just eight hits, and one earned run over 16 innings in his last two starts with seven walks and 16 strikeouts. He’s a spot starter going forward and could emerge as a solid option in the second half of the season.
Relief Pitcher– Sergio Romo – SF: (12.6%) Romo actually picked up his fourth save of the year last night against the Dodgers getting four consecutive outs including a strikeout to finish out the Giants shutout for the series against LA. In 28 games for San Fran, he has allowed just two runs while striking out 29 in 21.2 innings. He’s one of the best setup men in the game and would be next in line should closer Santiago Casilla struggle. With Casilla, Romo, and Brian Wilson (when he returns from injury next year), the Giants ‘pen in among the best in the Bigs.