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Fantasy Baseball 2018: 3 Hitters to add for batting average

By Bill Pivetz

Fantasy Baseball: ST PETERSBURG, FL - JUNE 13: Mallex Smith #0 of the Tampa Bay Rays hits a double in the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays on June 13, 2018 at Tropicana Field in St Petersburg, Florida. The Rays won 1-0. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Fantasy Baseball: ST PETERSBURG, FL - JUNE 13: Mallex Smith #0 of the Tampa Bay Rays hits a double in the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays on June 13, 2018 at Tropicana Field in St Petersburg, Florida. The Rays won 1-0. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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As more hitters sacrifice contact for power, high-average hitters are harder to find in fantasy baseball. Here are three widely available options.

Baseball is changing. Hitters are choosing to hit for power and not contact, making it harder for fantasy baseball owners to find hitting for average. As a result, we are experiencing the highest strikeout rate in all of baseball. Sports Illustrated has a piece about the high strikeout rate (here) and its effect on baseball. The Daily Herald reported that the leaguewide batting average is .245, the lowest in 46 years.

We have the obvious guys like Mike Trout, Mookie Betts and the like. But, if you go further down the draft boards, these hitters are your cheap power with very little high-average options.

Yet, the majority of fantasy baseball leagues use batting average as one of the main hitting categories. I don’t. I switch it up and use on-base percentage to boost the value of those batters that like to take a walk every once in a while

But, if you are in a league that uses average or even total hits, here are three hitters worth adding to help you in those categories.

Scott Schebler, CIN

Schebler has been consistent at the plate for most of the season. He’s making good contact and has some power. But it’s these last couple of weeks that put him on this list.

In his last 15 days, he is hitting .377 with two homers and five RBIs. He has a hit in all but one game in that span, including seven multi-hit games. Hitting in the second-half of the Reds batting order, Schebler is still given plenty of opportunities to see good pitches and make contact.

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Though, Schebler has led off for the Reds in the last eight games. He’ll have a lot of at-bats to show his worth to not only the team but to fantasy owners. He’s owned in just 23.9 percent of ESPN leagues. Great American Ballpark is a very hitter-friendly park, boosting Schebler over the other two hitters on the list.

Yan Gomes, CLE

Gomes has had an up-and-down career. Only once has he played over 130 games. He hit 21 homers and .278 in that season. Gomes hasn’t hit over .232 in each of the next three seasons.

This season, though, he seems to be turning it around. In 49 games, 175 at-bats, Gomes is hitting .251 with nine homers and 21 RBIs. Over his last 15 games, 33 at-bats, he is hitting .333 with three homers and eight RBIs.

Gomes isn’t a consistent starter for the Indians, he’s splitting time with Roberto Perez but is getting the majority of starts. With how poorly the catcher position is this season, Gomes is a nice backup to have on your team.

He’s available in close to 90 percent of ESPN leagues.

Mallex Smith, TB

The Rays speedy outfielder got off to a hot start but struggled in May. Smith’s picked it up in June, hitting .306 in 49 at-bats. He doesn’t provide power. Smith has zero home runs, though he has 11 doubles and four triples. Smith can also provide you with some steals. He has 12 for the season.

The Rays are clearly in a selling mode, as they traded Alex Colome and Denard Span last month and Brad Miller last week. Smith is the Rays starting center fielder, giving him consistent playing time.

Though, he doesn’t have a permanent spot in the batting order. He’s hit first, last and everywhere in between. He’s spent the majority of the season in the bottom half of the order.

Smith is owned in 19.4 percent of ESPN leagues. He’ll be more valuable in AL-only or deeper leagues. Despite the team around him not being that good, Smith can still perform.

Next: Fantasy Baseball Rookies: 2018 Impact

These hitters are on a hot streak at the plate, recording a hit in almost every game. There is the downside that they can cool down and go on a hitless streak. You have to take advantage of their performance now and move on before it’s too late.

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