2B Gavin Lux, Los Angeles Dodgers (58%)
Gavin Lux has been red hot since returning from the All-Star break. He is riding an eight-game hitting streak and has a hit in 11 of his past 14 games played, with several multi-hit performances. Lux has also hit as many home runs during this short period (three) as he had hit over the first three months of the season and has been showing better plate discipline to boot.
While he has been mostly awful since returning from his ACL tear, it’s encouraging that Lux is finally showing some signs of life. It is normal to take a while to get back to full health after such a serious injury, and Lux is still just 26 years old, after all. The former top prospect could be turning a corner here and is worth consideration for fantasy owners needing a second baseman.
2B/3B/SS/OF Dylan Moore, Seattle Mariners (44%)
Moore is a player whose bat heats up and cools off with regularity and whose playing time follows suit. He has been hot and playing regularly since returning from the break and has been exhibiting much better plate discipline, walking nine times and striking out twelve since July 20th.
While he does have 9 homers, his primary value (aside from qualifying at four different positions) is undoubtedly his speed, as Moore already has 20 steals this year. He is a far better option in OBP leagues, as his .321 OBP is much more palatable than his .209 batting average.
OF Matt Wallner, Minnesota Twins (41%)
Matt Wallner’s hitting profile is bananas. He ranks fourth in the majors (among hitters with at least 25 batted ball events) for average exit velocity, sandwiched between Giancarlo Stanton and Oneil Cruz with an average exit velo of 94.9 mph. Unsurprisingly, he has 6 homers already in just 72 at bats- good for an insane .583 slugging percentage.
However, this all comes with an equally insane strikeout rate of 42 percent. He is essentially Joey Gallo 2.0. This guy can certainly help fantasy teams in need of the long ball, but his services come at the cost of batting average and speed. In short, while Wallner has been hitting very well since his most recent callup and can be a difference-maker down the stretch, he is best utilized in OBP formats due to his high K rate and decent walk rate.
OF Jake McCarthy, Arizona Diamondbacks (35%)
McCarthy has quietly been very good for the Diamondbacks this year. While he doesn’t have power, his season slash line is now at .289/.365/.410 after a few impressive multi-hit performances recently. The real value McCarthy provides, however, is with wheels. He is up to 16 steals after swiping three bags this past week. If you need speed, here is a guy who can help you.
OF Alex Call, Washington Nationals (7%)
Call was recalled from AAA on July 29th and has been swinging a hot bat. He has a hit in four of the five games since his recent callup, with 4 walks (compared to one strikeout), 4 RBI, and 2 steals. Call does not hit the ball hard but provides some power and speed. If he can keep up the good plate discipline, he should be a nearly everyday player for the rest of the season for the Nats. He makes for a nice little play in deeper leagues.
Honorable Mentions
OF Pedro Leon, Houston Astros (22%)
Has both power and speed and is worth keeping an eye on.
3B/SS/OF Addison Barger, Toronto Blue Jays (20%)
Playing regularly after the Justin Turner trade and has been heating up.
OF Jerar Encarnacion, San Francisco Giants (7%)
Already hit a bomb and could make some noise if given playing time.
SP Matthew Boyd, Cleveland Guardians (7%)
He is working his way back from Tommy John surgery and pitching well.
