RP Ben Joyce, Los Angeles Angels (55%)
Joyce isn’t officially the closer yet for the Angels, but it seems like it’s just a matter of time for the young fireballer. He is averaging nearly 102 mph on his fastball, and although he hasn’t been dominant this year (due partially to a fairly high walk rate), he does have an impressive 2.10 ERA and a solid 1.169 WHIP. Hunter Strickland, the other option for saves in the bullpen, has been shaky lately and blew back-to-back opportunities earlier this month. In contrast, Joyce got the opportunity to save the second of those two games when the Angels staged a comeback and successfully converted it. This was the last opportunity for the Angels, which bodes well for Joyce moving forward. He is worth scooping up in leagues in which he is unowned.
RP (SP) Nick Martinez, Cincinnati Reds (34%)
Martinez has successfully converted back into a starting pitcher and will likely stick there for at least the remainder of the season. He’s allowed just one run over his past 24 innings while striking out about a batter an inning during that time. Martinez has been a pretty darn good starting pitcher in the past, and it looks like he’s returning to form, with good peripherals to back him. He could be a nice pickup for those needing a solid SP.
2B, 3B, OF Whit Merrifield, Atlanta Braves (31%)
Merrifield is starting every day for his new team and has hits in eight of his past ten games. It seems like he’s found his groove over the second half, especially since being traded, and half of his 14 steals this year have come since the beginning of July. He should be an excellent source of runs and steals for fantasy owners down the stretch if he continues to start regularly for Atlanta. He is always a better asset in batting average leagues than in OBP leagues.
3B Zach Dezenzo, Houston Astros (24%)
It’s only been over a tiny sample size, but Zach Dezenzo has been swinging a hot bat since his major league debut on August 6th. He’s hitting .313/.353/.563 with a home run already over 16 at bats. He’s also averaging 91 mph on balls hit (though again, over an extremely small sample), backed by a very good 27.8% hard hit rate over his 147 minor league at bats this year. If you need a 3rd baseman in deeper leagues, Dezenzo seems like he could be someone who helps fantasy owners down the stretch.
RP Calvin Faucher, Miami Marlins (13%)
Faucher has a scary 1.455 WHIP this year but has found his way into the closer seat in Miami. His 11.7% walk rate is comical, and he will almost certainly come back to bite the hand of fantasy owners who pick him up, but Faucher’s had three straight save opportunities and has successfully converted two of them. Saves aren’t growing on too many trees, and he could still be worth adding for owners desperate to climb a bit in that category.
Honorable Mentions
1B Justin Turner, Seattle Mariners (64%)
Starting every day for his new team.
SP Jeffrey Springs, Tampa Bay Rays (64%)
Has not yet looked like his old self but is worth monitoring.
SP DJ Herz, Washington Nationals (37%)
Has enough upside to keep an eye on.
2B, OF Miguel Vargas, Chicago White Sox (34%)
Has the playing time now, but looks like a goldfish just tossed abruptly into a new tank.
C Joey Bart, Pittsburgh Pirates (21%)
Has really started to heat up. Could be a breakout.
