Fantasy Baseball Late-Season Pickups-Sleeper Central August 19

Saturday had a full slate of Major League Baseaball and the Cubs and Reds played two giving us a total of 16 games to scour the boxscores of and dig up fantasy baseball nuggets. With all those games and the season starting to wind down there is definitely still value to be had on most league’s waiver wires.

In our daily Sleeper Central post (Archive here), we highlight a lineup of players owned in les than half of ESPN leagues that would make good pickups if your team has a need at a position or in a certain category. Not all these players are good moves in every situation, but this list gives you an idea of where to start your research to reach your ultimate decision. If you have specific questions hit me up on twitter @FantasyCPR or ask them in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

Here’s today’s lineup of waiver wire options:

Sleeper Awakening

Tyler Greene – SS – Houston Astros: On August 9 of this season, the Astros acquired the 28-year old Greene from St. Louis for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Greene was a first-round draft pick in 2005 who was cuaght in the middle infield logjam in St. Louis. He has played a variety of position shis season including 2B, SS, and even a little outfield. He has played well since joining Houston with four multi-hit performances in his six games with multiple at-bats on his way to a 10-27 start to his Astros career. He’s raised his average on the season from .218 to .238 and has a stolen base, two home runs, two doubles, four RBI, and six runs scored since coming to Houston. He hit yesterday in the two-spot and could have serious value if he stays there. He’s owned in less than one percent of ESPN leagues but is definitely worth a pickup if you need SS or middle-infield help. Greene’s role may be slightly adjusted with Brad Mills out as manager but he should get a long look the rest of the season as the Astros try and figure out who stays and who goes in the rest of their house-cleaning over the next few months.

Sleeper Starting Lineup

C– Jonathan Lucroy- Mil: (20.9% ownership in ESPN leagues) 2-4, R. Lucroy is definitely not scorching the ball like he was before his DL stint, but he’s still got value if you need help in batting average. He’s hitting .323 on the year with six homers and 35 RBI. If you can add him you can afford to take on a batting average liability like the next guy on the list.

1B– Ike Davis – NYM: (41.e%) 2-4, R, 2 RBI, HR. Davis has 22 home runs on the year and two in his last two starts while driving in four and scoring three. His batting average is still just .219 but if you can counter-balance him with a high-average player he can definitely provide some significant thump from a non-elite 1B.

2B– Dustin Ackley – Sea: (45.9%) 3-4, RBI, BB. Ackley has hit in four straight and raised his average to .230. He’s batting leadoff for the Mariners and  has 12 steals and nine home runs to go with 41 RBI and 65 runs scored. If someone in your league dropped him, he’s worth a look for the rest of the year especially if he can keep his average from killing you.

3B– Luis Cruz- LAD: (0.8%) 1-4, R, RBI, HR. Cruz looks to be establishing himself as LA’s normal 3B with a pair of three-hit contests in his last five games, a home run last night, and five RBI and four runs scored in his last five games. He’s hitting .279 on the season but is 11-24 in his last six. Cruz is a solid defender as well and worth a look if you need help at the hot corner.

SS– Tyler Greene- Hou: (0.6%) 2-4, R, 2 RBI, HR. Could we have an Astro hitter worth owning not named Altuve? See above for Greene’s story.

OF– Tyler Colvin – Col: (11.4%) 3-5, R, 3 RBI, 2B. Colvin was almost universally owned at one point but has slumped and lost some playing time lately He does seem to be turning it back around though with hits in seven of his last eight games. Carlos Gonzalez is on the bereavement list and Colvin could get some additional playing time as a result.

OF– Chris Young – Ari: (41.3%) 4-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2B, HR. CY is a notoriously streaky hitter and may be about to start mashing once again. He’s 7-17 in his last five games with two home runs, three doubles, and five RBI. If you need to inject some instant offense and he’s been dropped in your league, consider adding Young until this hot streak tails off.

OF– Michael Saunders -Sea: (6.1%) 2-4, 2 R.  Saunders is the Mariners everyday CF and is now back to .240 after struggling a bit earlier in the month. He has 10 homers and 16 steals and can contribute runs and RBI since he’s in the lineup everyday. His only potential liability is his average, but he can help your team short-term if you monitor him closely.

AL Starting Pitcher– Bruce Chen- KC: (0.7%) 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 5 K, W. Chen is 9-10 after winning two of his last three starts but still has a 5.45 ERA on the season.

NL Starting Pitcher– Aaron Harang- LAD: (10.2%) 6.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 5 BB, 8 K, W. Harang has three straight starts with three earned runs or fewer in six-plus innings of work. He’s 9-7 on the season with a 3.65 ERA and 112 strikeouts in 143 innings.