Each week, we will be looking at players who are rostered in fewer than 15% of leagues (according to Fantasy Pros as of Sunday afternoon). Typically, these would be players to consider mostly in deeper leagues, but in 2020 we know nothing is normal, so there is a good chance you will have to look deep into the waiver wire in your leagues to fill your lineups every week. I’ll do my best to highlight players from multiple positions as well each week.
If you are reading this, then hopefully that means you are either in the playoffs for your head to head leagues or battling it out for a top spot over the last two weeks of your points or roto league. Heading into the playoffs looking to fill a hole in your lineup is not ideal, so if you need to add a bat, you’ll need to make the most of every opportunity, so let’s look at the list this week.
Jesús Aguilar, 1B, MIA (14%)
If your lineup is missing a critical power bat, then I would recommend looking at Aguilar, who has six home runs on the year and is hitting .294/.357/.493 after a solid weekend series against the Phillies in which he went 5-for-7 with a home run, two doubles, and five RBI.
Jackie Bradley Jr., OF, BOS (11%)
This is the third time I have featured Bradley on this list this season, and I’m going to push him once again because his last couple of weeks have been excellent. He has gone .304/.396/565 in September, with three home runs and 6 RBI. I know that JBJ has been up and down throughout his career, and he started hot in July this season before having a cooler August, but he’s worth a look as a hot hand in the final stretch.
Willi Castro, 3B/SS, DET (8%)
Castro is not a name that has been on my radar until now but his .337/.370/.512 slash and 137 wRC+ caught my eye. He did not make his 2020 debut until August 12th and has been in the lineup almost every day since then. Castro was the 9th-ranked Tigers prospect on our Pitcher List preseason rankings, and it appears that in 2020 he has fulfilled some of that promise he showed in the minors with his excellent batting average. He is certainly worth a look if you are hurting in that category in deep leagues.
Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B, PIT (8%)
I included Hayes in last week’s list, and since he continues to produce so, I felt it necessary to list him again. He went .286/.375/.429 this past week and has a .344/.400/.594 line for the season. He will continue to play the rest of the season consistently since he is a crucial piece to the Pirates rebuild. While I don’t know about his fantasy value heading into 2021, he’s shown that in this shortened season, he can contribute to fantasy lineups (he’s getting on base and hitting for average).
Miguel Rojas, SS, MIA (7%)
I’m surprised that Rojas is still so widely available because he has had an excellent season, despite missing almost a month due to the Marlins COVID outbreak. His line of .359/.438/.551 with a .421 wOBA and 168 wRC+ is outstanding, and 16 RBI in only 25 games is fine as well. I could see managers shying away from his .192 ISO and two home runs, but he is a player you can plug into your lineup and expect production right now.
Ty France, 2B/3B, SEA (6%)
France should have your attention with his .330/.404/.557 line that is good for a .409 wOBA and 162 wRC+. His numbers are even more impressive since he joined the Mariners, .379/.455/.690, and he’s been doing the most with his opportunity to play every day. France could be that player who gives you the edge in these final two weeks if he can continue this hot streak.
Garrett Cooper, 1B/RF, MIA (5%)
I should call this article Marlins Hitters Under 15% because Cooper is the third Miami player on this week’s list. He’s another guy having an impressive run in this surprising Marlins team push to the playoffs. He ended Sunday with a .279/.338/.485 line that has a 122 wRC+. He’s making solid contact with an 82.3 Zone Contact% and 8.8 Barrel%. He’s another player from the Marlins that might be able to help you out down the stretch.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@freshmeatcomm on Twitter and @justinparadisdesigns on Instagram)
Hi Mike, thanks for this list! Would you drop Gallo or Carpenter? I need extra points in my redraft league
Hey Trent, thanks for reading. I have avoided adding Carpenter to this list for the entire season (he’s been below the 15% threshold every week I have checked) because I don’t think he is worth rostering, even in deeper leagues. So I think you can definitely do better than him. If I had to choose between the two I would stay with Gallo because you at least know his power can help you out in a points league (and he can go on a power streak at any time).