Fantasy Baseball: Searching the Minors for 2nd Half Impact
By Craig Bozic
Fantasy Baseball: Top Minor League targets
Regular season baseball might be down for a few days as we all enjoy the All Star activities but that doesn’t mean your fantasy baseball team should be taking a break as well. The smart owner should be using the down time to assess their teams performance, identifying their team’s needs, and using all the information given by FantasyCPR to give themselves that edge over the competition to make a second half push for the playoffs and ultimately a championship.
You will hear much talk over the next few days across the web of those players who traditionally slow down over the second half, as well as those that have that tendency to improve performance post All star break. In this article however, I will be looking at those players who are currently playing their baseball in the minor leagues that could have a direct fantasy impact on your fantasy team in the second half of the season, and dependent on the format you play, could come at a bargain price.
Whatever the weakness in your team FantasyCPR is here to help you address those needs in identifying those under owned impact players that could make all the difference.
Next: The Power Option
The Power Option: Hunter Renfroe (Padres)
With the trade deadline fast approaching, and with many a trade rumor surrounding San Diego’s right fielder Matt Kemp, look no further than Hunter Renfroe to be a candidate to take up full time outfield duties at some point in the second half of the season. After a somewhat mediocre year in 2015 the Padres outfield prospect has taken his game to another level, a level which has seen the former Mississippi State star deliver 21 HR’s while triple slashing an impressive .335/.362/.611 over 84 games for AAA outfit El Paso Chihuahuas.
What makes this more impressive is that not only have we seen an increase in isolated power this year, but a significant decrease in strikeout rate. The one floor currently in Renfroe’s game is his decreasing walk rate, which might leave him wanting at the next level. But with increased power, decreasing strike rate and an improved contact rate the former first round pick is a guy worth taking a gamble on as a second half contributor whose opportunity may come sooner rather than later.
Next: The Speedster
The Speedster: Manuel Margot, (Padres)
Sticking with the Padres here but another guy who could well make a second half fantasy difference is Manuel Margot, the center fielder for the very same El Paso Chihuahuas of AAA.
Acquired in the off-season as part of the trade that sent Craig Kimbrel to Boston, the speedy outfielder has not disappointed in his first season as part of the Padres minor league organisation hitting .299/.349/.422 whilst swiping 23 bases in 81 games. Fresh from coming off a futures game performance, Margot also has the defense to hold steady as a major league regular even at the tender of age of just 21 years old. Although sometimes overly aggressive early in counts Margot also has sneaky power, which combined with his speed could translate to a large number of extra base hits and a potential spot at the top of a Padres lineup, which is likely to have many second half changes post trade deadline.
Next: The All-Around Contributor
The All-around Contributor: Alex Bregman, (Astros)
A case can be made that no player in the 2016 minor league season has made more noise than Alex Bregman, with many speculating that a call up is just around the corner for the former LSU star.
Coming into the season there were some question marks in regards to the infielders ability to hit for power, question marks that the 2nd overall pick has answered with 19 HR’s, 19 doubles and 2 triples over his 70 games in 2016 between AA and AAA.
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Add to this an impressive triple slash line of .309/.416/.603 and an incredible walk to strikeout ratio of 44:33 lead to all signs pointing towards the top Astros prospect being a future fantasy star. The biggest hurdle in Bregman’s second half fantasy impact is not his ability with the bat, but how the opportunity will come, especially with the current hot play of Astros current third base
.
Whether playing third base or in a utility role, one thing is for sure that Bregman should not be left on any waiver wire as the potential rewards in the second half far outweigh the risk in playing time. Let us also remember Carlos Correa only played 24 games in 2015 at the AAA level, Bregman currently sits at 8.