Brandon Moss and Marlon Byrd provide good value in roto leagues
By Mike Marteny
The All Star Break provides time for reflection, and a chance to look at just where your team has gone wrong. Or right, if the case may be.
As all of you fantasy veterans well know, you can never be too comfortable in first place, or too far out in last. Not with more than two months left of the season. That said, now is the time to start looking for those players that can help you gain elusive points in category leagues.
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That is where I come in. I will provide players that can help in each 5×5 category at each position. Some of these guys may be one-category wonders, but if you need that category, is it really such a bad thing?
Most of these guys you will have to trade for. Trades are not a bad thing. They are often the only way you can get your team back into contention.
Would you trade him for
Billy Hamilton? Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
In one of my leagues for example, someone just traded Carlos Gonzalez for Billy Hamilton. Straight up. He was miles ahead in runs and homers, but near the bottom in steals. So he went out and got the one guy who can net him upwards of five points in that category for the rest of the season. Some in the league complained, but I thought it was brilliant. There is no one else that can give him what he needs like Hamilton.
This piece will focus on outfielders. The catchers are here. The first basemen are here. The second basemen are here. The shortstops are here. The third basemen are here.
For once, I will not be offering my opinions here. You can tell by the standings what your team needs to stay in contention.
For the outfield, we will do things a little differently. There are so many more players, so I will include the top ten in each category.
The numbers should speak for themselves.
Pence has been crossing home plate a lot this season. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Runs:
Hunter Pence, 67
Mike Trout, 65
Michael Brantley, 63
Jose Bautista, 58
Carlos Gomez, 58
Jayson Werth, 57
Andrew McCutchen, 57
Denard Span, 57
Nelson Cruz, 56
Melky Cabrera, 56
Brett Gardner, 56
Sleeper: Kole Calhoun. He is averaging a run per game in July!
Cruz has been doing an awful lot of trotting this year. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Home Runs:
Nelson Cruz, 28
Mike Trout, 22
Brandon Moss, 21
Giancarlo Stanton, 21
Chris Carter, 19
George Springer, 19
Marlon Byrd, 18
Jose Bautista, 17
Andrew McCutchen, 17
Justin Upton, 17
Sleeper: Curtis Granderson. His average may hurt you some, but he still has power. Aside from his dreadful first six weeks, he has had a good year.
Can Brantley’s career year carry over into the second half? Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
RBI:
Nelson Cruz, 74
Mike Trout, 73
Brandon Moss, 66
Michael Brantley, 63
Giancarlo Stanton, 63
Andrew McCutchen, 61
Yoenis Cespedes, 56
Justin Upton, 55
Jayson Werth, 54
Marlon Byrd, 54
Jose Bautista, 54
Adam Jones, 54
Sleeper: Torii Hunter. He is averaging an RBI a game in July, and he is in a very potent lineup. He could have a huge second half.
Houdini Hamilton at his best! Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Stolen Bases:
Billy Hamilton, 38
Ben Revere, 26
Eric Young Jr., 25
Rajai Davis, 24
Jacoby Ellsbury, 24
Starling Marte, 21
Jarrod Dyson, 18
Charlie Blackmon, 18
Leonys Martin, 18
Carlos Gomez, 17
James Jones, 17
Sleeper: Sam Fuld. The Twins are going to let him play and let him run. He won’t do much else, but he can boost your steals.
McCutchen. How Pittsburgh spells MVP. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports
Batting Average: (minimum 100 at bats)
Stephen Vogt, .358
J.D. Martinez, .346
Eric Campbell, .340
Danny Santana, .328
Brock Holt, .327
Corey Dickerson, .325
Andrew McCutchen, .324
Michael Brantley, .322
David Peralta, .321
Steve Pearce, .316
Sleeper: Chris Coghlan. He is playing nearly everyday for the Cubs, and hitting .341 since June 15th.
Most of the usual suspects are on these lists, which makes the outfielders a little different than other positions. There are still some finds here though. You dont hear Moss and Byrd mentioned among the elite fantasy players, but as you can see from this list, they are providing a lot of value.
Next up, the pitchers!