RADIO
This is it. We are one week into the playoffs in head-to-head leagues. Roto leagues are only three weeks from the end. It is time to do another in-depth analysis to find out exactly what you need to make yourself competitive or move up in certain categories.
The corner infield positions traditionally offer power with the potential for high averages. However, at this stage of the game, to get power, you'll likely get a mediocre batting average. The other route is to get players that are a little more well-rounded. In this piece, I'll identify waiver wire targets for first base and third base in week 24 who should be able to contribute in multiple categories. These players are owned in 50% or less of Yahoo! leagues.
If you have any questions on corner infielders or any dynasty question for that matter, message me directly on Twitter @EllisCan2.
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- Who should I start? Fantasy baseball comparisons
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- MLB Props finder tool
- Fantasy baseball closer depth charts
Week 24 Corner Infield (CI) Waiver Wire Targets
Luke Voit (1B, NYY) 30% owned
Luke Voit looks like a downright steal by the Yankees. They acquired him from the Cardinals at the deadline for a couple of pitchers in a trade that slipped by the attention of most fantasy analysts, as Voit appeared to be just a backup to Greg Bird. With Bird in a terrible slump, Voit was given the opportunity and seemingly has zero desire to give the job back. Since the trade to New York, Voit is batting .317 with seven homers and 15 RBI. He also has a .651 slugging and a 46.5% hard-hit rate. There was a period where he had three straight games with a home run, and four in a six-game stretch.
Voit heads to Minnesota for a series before returning home to take on the Blue Jays to end the week. The schedule is for him to face five righties and one lefty this week, which is great since he is hitting .302 with six homers and 10 RBI in 43 at-bats against righties. He may not be the best dynasty option at first base, but for now, he is playing well enough to carry the position.
Tyler White (1B, HOU) 46% owned
White has supposedly struggled the last couple of weeks, at least for our liking. During that time he hit three homers and 13 RBI with a .265 batting average. If nothing else, he has demonstrated he is human and will have stretches where he won't have super-elite production. Of course, when looking at the underlying stats you notice that he had a BABIP of .243, meaning he isn’t underperforming as much as we thought. To support that he still has a lowly 13.7% strikeout rate and is still smashing the ball with a .489 slugging. Regardless, this production is still tremendously better than most first baseman manning the position on fantasy rosters. As such, he should be owned in more leagues.
White should look to continue his solid production this week with a semi-favorable schedule. He will start the week on the road in Detroit before returning home to face the Diamondbacks. White faces three left-handed pitchers and three righties this week, which is no issue as he is hitting .319 and .284 against them, respectively
Ryan O'Hearn (1B, KC) 6% owned
O’Hearn was drafted in the eighth round of the 2014 draft. His minor league performance was just as spectacular as his selection in the draft. Well, to be honest, he did show power in the minors, just nothing else to brag about aside from a double-digit walk rate. However, since he has been in the majors, he has demonstrated a quality that is useful in fantasy. O’Hearn has proven to be a pure streaming pick against right-handed pitchers for those in need of power. He has a .620 slugging across 105 plate appearances, which is based, in part, on a 50% hard-hit rate.
O’Hearn not only has a full schedule but also very favorable matchups at home this week against the White Sox and Twins. Fortunately enough he faces at least four righties this week, with the possibility of a fifth once a TBD starter is identified. In 63 at-bats against righties this year, O’Hearn is hitting .348 with eight homers and 22 RBI.
Trey Mancini (1B/OF, BAL) 40% owned
Some people are waiting for the 2017 Mancini to return. It is likely that will be one of his career-best performances. However, the performance he had in the first half this year is also not indicative of his true talent. The skill he has displayed in the second half is more likely to be the player he becomes. He has a .345 wOBA with an improved hard-hit rate (39%). He is one short of matching his RBI output from the first half with over 150 fewer at-bats. In the last 14 days, Mancini has three homers with 11 RBI and a .321 batting average. Unfortunately, some people are looking at his struggles in the last seven days and avoiding him. Keep in mind that last week was on the road, where he has a .226 batting average this season.
Mancini remains under-owned, particularly considering the advantages he provides this week. The near-term schedule is beautiful for Mancini and the Orioles; they play at home in the friendly confines of Camden Yards. Mancini, although not great, has a better batting average at home this year (.259). The Orioles also have favorable matchups against the Athletics and White Sox. All six of the starters they face are right-handed pitchers, which Mancini has hit 17 homers against this year.
Matt Duffy (2B/3B, TB) 11% owned
Duffy has been overlooked all season yet continues to excel at what he is capable of providing; he is a batting average guy. In the last two weeks, he has seven runs, seven RBI, one stolen base, and a .300 batting average. I have repeatedly recommended him in the past. Of all times to finally initiate movement on that guidance, this week is NOT the time to blindly obey.
Duffy finds himself playing at home against the pitching staff of the Indians before having, potentially, a slightly easier time with the Athletics. One positive note is that he faces off against a schedule comprised solely of right-handed pitchers, which surprisingly he does better against -- .301 batting average.
Johan Camargo (2B/SS/3B, ATL) 45% owned
It has taken forever for people to realize that Camargo is the third baseman for the Atlanta Braves and is more than a low-budget fill-in. He continues to earn not only your attention but also a place on your fantasy roster. His game all along has been about batting average. Recently, he is trying to change that narrative as well. In the last 14 days, Camargo has hit four homers with eight RBI and a .340 batting average. Currently at 17, he has a chance to reach 20 HR this season as well. Though Camargo’s hard-hit rate has reduced in the second half (32%), he is still finding more success with 14 doubles, eight homers, and a .322 average. It likely stems from his increase in line drive rate (24%).
Even the Braves are realizing the caliber of player they have on their hands and have moved him up to the two-hole in the lineup for the last two games. He routinely hits fifth in the order. Camargo has a series on the road playing the Giants before returning home to face the Nationals this week. He will face four righties and two lefties. Though he is weaker against right-handed pitchers, he is still batting .275 against them. Camargo deserves to be owned in more leagues.
