Fantasy Baseball 2018: Greg Allen Needs to be Owned

Greg Allen has put up a strong August and should be owned in more fantasy baseball leagues. If you need help with average or speed, pick him up.

The Cleveland Indians are running away with the American League Central. Even with injuries to outfielders Tyler Naquin, Lonnie Chisenhall and Leonys Martin, the team has a solid group. Melky Cabrera can still hit but it’s the success from Greg Allen that fantasy baseball owners talking about.

Allen’s played in 59 games this season. Between May and July, he hit .226 with one home run, five RBIs, 17 runs scored and a 35:6 K:BB ratio. However, over his last 12 games, things look completely different.

In that span, Allen is hitting .375 with one homer, six RBIs, eight runs scored, four strikeouts and two walks. The big is that he’s swiped five bags in 12 games. With steals being a premium, he could make a difference in any head-to-head or roto league.

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The downside is the lack of power. He has a total of two home runs this season. However, you can find someone to compliment his speed and contact with their power.

Allen is in the middle of a 14-game hitting streak (not counting his pinch-hit appearance). He has five multi-hit games as well. The Indians have almost a complete lineup with Francisco Lindor, Michael Brantley, Jose Ramirez and Yandy Diaz as the top four hitters. Allen getting on base at a .300 clip gives those batters chances to drive him home.

The Indians have a favorable month-plus left of the season. They have 10 games against the Kansas City Royals, six against Tampa Bay, six against the Chicago White Sox and a couple against the Detroit Tigers. Those are all hitter-friendly matchups to end the season.

Allen has been getting a lot of love over the last couple of weeks. His ESPN ownership has gone up seven percent over the last week. He’s still available in 92 percent of leagues. As a part-time player in standard leagues over the final month, he can be a difference maker.

As long as Allen can stay hot, I expect him to stay in the Indians lineup. Once he cools down, the Indians could put him back on the bench. Martin should be back within a couple of weeks but I think Allen’s taken over his job for September.