Pick up Juan Francisco and Curtis Granderson if you need homers
By Mike Marteny
Over the next ten days, we will be taking a look at players that can help you in each individual category for those of you that play in roto or H2H category leagues. This installment will focus on the players that can help you in home runs.
I will provide three players for each position. One for standard leagues, one for moderate leagues, and one for deep leagues.
Keep in mind that a lot of these players will be one category wonders. Also, most power hitters still on the wire struggle to hit for average as well, so you have to decide if the risk is worth the reward.
For players that can help you in batting average, go here. For runs scored, go here.
May 19, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher Evan Gattis (24) hits a single against the Milwaukee Brewers in the third inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Catchers:
Standard:
Evan Gattis, Braves: Gattis is leading all catchers with eight home runs on the season. The power is certainly there, but he is prone to slumps. You kind of have to pick your spots with him, but you never know when he will go off.
Moderate:
Yan Gomes, Indians: Gomes has three homers in the last 12 days, and is getting regular at bats behind the plate for the Tribe. The production should keep up as long as he in in the lineup
Deep:
John Jaso, Athletics: Yep, Jaso is on this list too. Three of his four homers on the season have come in his past seven games. He is on a great hot streak right now, and has started six straight. Keep riding him as long as Oakland decides to.
May 18, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Juan Francisco (47) singles during the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
First Basemen:
Standard:
Juan Francisco, Blue Jays: He has five homers in the last two weeks. And if you have been following this series, you know he is producing everywhere else as well. The Jays are starting to get healthier, but they will find ways to keep Francisco’s bat in the lineup.
Moderate:
Justin Smoak, Mariners: He went three weeks without a homer after his hot start, but he is finally coming around again, with two homers in the last week. He is worth picking up to see if it turns into another hot streak.
Deep:
Chris Carter, Astros: As I mentioned yesterday, Carter is starting to come around. We know he has power – he smacked 29 homers in his first full season last year – but it always comes with a low average. His average is .245 over the last two weeks, so that is tolerable if he is going to knock a few out.
May 9, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres second baseman Jedd Gyorko (9) hits a grand slam during the sixth inning against the Miami Marlins at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports=
Second Basemen:
Standard:
Jedd Gyorko, Padres: Gyorko has power, as shown by his three homers over the last two weeks. But it comes with a price. He is hitting just .145 in that span.
Moderate:
Gordon Beckham, White Sox: People have started to warm up to Beckham again. With good reason. He has three homers with a much more pleasant .305 average in the last couple of weeks.
Deep:
Danny Espinosa, Nationals: Well, it was bound to happen. Espinosa is mired in a dreadful slump, hitting just .116 over the last two weeks. But he has three homers. Hey, if you’re desperate…..
May 14, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford (35) jogs in for a run against the Atlanta Braves during the fifth inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Shortstops:
Standard:
Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians: I also mentioned Asdrubal yesterday. After a disapponting year last year and a lackluster start to this one, many had written him off. He might be worth looking at again with this three homers over the last two weeks.
Moderate:
Brandon Crawford, Giants: Crawford has four homers in the last two weeks, but his average is a bit disappointing at .222. However, as you can see from other names on this list, .222 is not horrible…..
Deep:
Brandon Hicks, Giants: Hicks has seven homers on the year, which is nice from the middle infield. But you would have to take on that measly .195 batting average.
May 18, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Yangervis Solarte (26) rounds the bases to score on a hit by New York Yankees catcher John Ryan Murphy (no shown) during the second inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Third Basemen:
Standard:
Yangervis Solarte, Yankees: Solarte has been blistering hot over the last fortnight. Four of his five homers on the season have come during this hot streak, and he has a .370 average over that span. The number of leagues that he is available in is shrinking fast, so good luck to you!
Moderate:
Chase Headley, Padres: He has gone deep twice since coming off of the disabled list on the 10th. He is out there if you need some power.
Deep:
Mike Olt, Cubs: Olt has five home runs in his last 11 games. And he is still out there in 95 percent of leagues. The power is legit. The average could hurt you (.211).
May 18, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Oakland Athletics right fielder Josh Reddick (16) rounds the bases after hitting an RBI double during the seventh inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Outfielders:
Standard:
Curtis Granderson, Mets: Grandy was so bad in April, that he was cut in more than half of ESPN leagues. It might be time to go get him. He has three homers in the last two weeks, and the average is even starting to come around (.239).
George Springer, Astros: I mentioned yesterday that he is starting to figure it out. Three homers in 11 games is evidence of that.
Moderate:
Seth Smith, Padres: Smith is even starting to play against lefties (finally!), making him all the more valuable. He has homered in two straight games, and is hitting a blistering .452 in the last two weeks. He should be owned in a lot more leagues than he is.
Josh Reddick, Athletics: Reddick had a dreadful April, but is now showing signs of life. He is hitting .300 with three homers over the last week. Pick him up while he is hot!
Deep:
Corey Dickerson, Rockies: Beggars can’t be choosers, and let’s face it. If you are trolling deep league waiver wires for homers, you are a beggar. Dickerson has three homers in the last two weeks, but has only 29 at bats in that span. He will sit quite a bit with everyone and their mother hitting well in the Rockies’ outfield. When he plays, he is producing. Just make sure you have a backup for the three days he gets off per week.
David DeJesus, Rays: His recent hot streak has even come with a pair of homers. DeJesus is not known for his power, but he might sneak a few more over the wall before this is over.
Come back tomorrow for the RBI portion!
If there is a category outside of the standard 5×5 that you would like to see covered, just leave your suggestion in the comments, and I will do it after the standard ones are done!