Each week we identify seven hitters who are rostered in fewer than 15% of fantasy baseball leagues who should be on your radar. For the most part, the players included in this article are best suited for inclusion in deeper leagues (12 teams or more). However, with the multitude of injuries creating holes in fantasy baseball rosters, you may need to eventually rely on some of the players referenced in this article in order to field a complete and competitive fantasy lineup. We reference Fantasy Pros’ roster percentages (as of Sunday afternoon) in this article.
Corey Dickerson, OF, TOR (6%)
We’ve previously featured Corey Dickerson in this column, but that was when he was with the Marlins. Dickerson, who possesses a plus hit tool, is in line for regular at-bats against right-handed pitching with George Springer on the IL. In his last 12 games for the Jays, Dickerson is batting .323/.382/.613 with two HR and six RBI. In his career, Dickerson has been a much better hitter against right-handed pitching (.287/.332/.514) compared to when he faces left-handed pitching (.267/.305/.406).
Jake Meyers, OF, HOU (5%)
Jake Meyers had been raking at Triple-A Sugar Land (.343/.408/.598 with 16 home runs, 51 RBI, and 10 stolen bases in 68 games) before being called up to the big leagues and has been swinging a hot bat heading into Sunday’s action. With the Astros trading Myles Straw and Kyle Tucker on the COVID-19 IL and Chas McCormick dealing with a hand injury, Meyers has been getting everyday at-bats of late. As this article is being written he’s started nine straight games and has a .333/.361/.636 triple-slash with three home runs and 10 RBI. He’s likely a short-term add but can give your fantasy team’s lineup a boost while he’s still getting regular playing time.
Jorge Mateo, 2B/3B/SS/OF, BAL (3%)
Unfortunately, it’s wait-until-next-year for the Orioles, and it’s time to determine who’ll be in their starting lineup in April of 2022. Jorge Mateo is making his case for an everyday job next season. Unfortunately, the power-hitting speedster hasn’t hit a home run in his last 18 games, but he has batted .339 with three stolen bases during that time frame. Overall, Mateo has nine stolen bases this season. Mateo has been playing just about every day since he was traded to the O’s, batting .333 with three stolen bases as an Oriole.
Alejandro Kirk, C, TOR (3%)
Alejandro Kirk was a catcher that fantasy baseball managers who played in deeper leagues often sought after earlier in the season. He’s a contact hitter who has struck out just 14% of the time this season however, he got off to a slow start and spent a big chunk of time on the IL due to a hip flexor strain. Kirk is back in the bigs, and he’s been getting increased playing time over the Blue Jays’ other slumping catcher, Reese McGuire. Prior to Sunday’s action, Kirk had a .310/.362/.429 triple-slash in his last 15 games.
Phil Gosselin, 1B/3B/OF, LAA (2%)
Phil Gosselin has been batting in the middle of the Angels’ lineup of late (most recently from the third spot) and he’s been paying dividends for that other team from Los Angeles. In his last 10 starts for the Angels, Gosselin is batting .333 with two HR and seven RBI. He’s a good cheap option to use when he’s facing left-handed pitching. Gosselin is batting .312/.373/.430 against southpaws this season.
Riley Adams, C, WSH (1%)
Riley Adams is the latest of the Nationals’ rotating catchers to be featured in this column. Since he was acquired from the Blue Jays, his production has made him a catcher who should be monitored and possibly even started in two-catcher fantasy baseball leagues. He’s been playing nearly every day over the past couple of weeks, batting .400 with two HR, seven RBI, and six runs scored in his last 11 games. Adams could also be used as an inexpensive filler at the catcher position when he’s starting against a right-handed pitcher (.286/.394/.464 triple-slash vs righties, and a .167/.194/.333 triple-slash vs southpaws).
Matt Duffy, 2B/3B, CHC (1%)
Matt Duffy spent just about two months on the IL due to a back injury and it’s taken him a while to get his swing back, but he’s starting to come around. Duffy has posted a .333 BA and a .370 OBP in his last 15 games. He’s spent most of the season playing third base but has also played some shortstop and outfield this season. He’s multi-position eligible (2B/3B) in Yahoo Leagues.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter and @justinparadisdesigns on Instagram)