Outfielder is one of the deeper positions in fantasy baseball, but losing quality players this late in the season can be detrimental to a playoff push and subsequent postseason run.
This week, two big fantasy options went down. Atlanta’s Jason Heyward is out 4-6 weeks with a broken jaw after being hit by a pitch from the Mets’ Jon Niese on Wednesday. Toronto’s Jose Bautista left Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Yankees with left hip soreness and was placed on the disabled list with a bone bruise.
We won’t start to pretend Heyward was having the breakout season many (including Roto Files) predicted. A .253 batting average with 13 homers, 37 RBIs and a .771 OPS is far from what was expected. But, these numbers can be attributed to a slow start (which included an appendectomy that cost him nearly a month of his season). But, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish, and Heyward was on his way to a strong finish.
Before the All-Star break, Heyward was hitting .227 with seven homers, 21 RBIs and a .695 OPS. However, since July 23, he was hitting .317 with six homers, 16 RBIs and an OPS of .960.
No matter what kind of disappointment he was for a good portion of the season, you were benefitting, at the right time, from those numbers.
Bautista, on the other hand, was enjoying a productive season. Despite his .259 batting average (he’s a career .254 hitter, so you knew what you were getting), the 32-year-old had 27 homers, 73 RBIs and a .856 OPS.
Since the All-Star break, Bautista was hitting .274 with eight homers, 18 RBIs and a .890 OPS. While he’s only on the 15-day DL, with the Blue Jays out of the playoff picture, it’s hard to believe Bautista will be rushed back. from any injury that could potentially linger, and that could cause problems for fantasy owners.
Since Heyward and Bautista went down, there was a rush on outfielders (six of the top 13 most added players on ESPN, as of yesterday morning, were outfielders). It’s tough to duplicate Bautista’s or Heyward’s numbers, but has you make a final push, you have to pull out all the stops and find any player who can add value to the roster spots left vacant by these untimely injuries.Here’s a look at a few options:
Marlon Byrd, Mets: If he’s available (owned in 63 percent of Yahoo, 98 percent of ESPN), grab him! He’s the best all-around option (and he’s hitting .293 with four homers and 10 RBIs this month).
Khris Davis, Brewers: Since July 23, the 25-year-old is hitting .370 with six homers, 13 RBIs and an .OPS of 1.195. He also has scored 16 runs and has one stolen base. He is quickly being added to rosters, so get him while he’s hot.
Jon Jay, Cardinals: Hitting .351 this month with a .939 OPS. If he’s available, he’s worth a look.
Wil Venable, Padres: Since being recommended by Roto Files on Aug. 10 to take Ryan Braun’s roster spot, Venable is hitting .327 with three homers, six RBIs and a .927 OPS. He’s still available in 61 percent of Yahoo leagues, but only eight percent of ESPN. Told ya!
Nate Schierholtz, Cubs: Since being recommended with Venable, Schierholtz has hit .283 with three homers, 12 RBIs and a .813 OPS. Solid option, and he’s still available in 30 percent of ESPN and 62 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Emilio Bonifacio, Royals: He was the 11th most added player in ESPN leagues (21.6 percent spike in ownership) this week, but outside of his speed (six stolen bases since being traded to the Royals on Aug. 15), he’s not very valuable.
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