No Matter The Koss
Christian Koss (SFG): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI.
With the San Francisco Giants having a record of 59-84, they have the opportunity to try things out with players who have something to prove.
Christian Koss is getting that opportunity right now in San Francisco, especially with regular shortstop Willy Adames currently on the IL.
The 28-year-old infielder isn’t a highly-rated prospect by any means.
Last year as a rookie, in 191 plate appearances, Koss hit .264 with a .677 OPS and three home runs. This year, he’s regressed a bit in his sophomore season. In 154 plate appearances, he’s hitting .254 with a .563 OPS. The defense is still solid, as he has a +2 OAA at shortstop and +2 OAA at third base this year. However, the strikeout rate is high (26%), and he’s not hitting the ball all that hard either (29.1% hard-hit rate).
On Saturday, however, the former UC Irvine product showed flashes of what he can bring to the Giants lineup in their 9-5 win over the New York Mets.
Koss had two hits, both home runs, scored two runs, and collected three RBI. The multi-homer game tied his home run total from a year ago and helped boost a slugging percentage that was under .300 going into Saturday’s contest.
With fantasy playoff season in full swing, fantasy managers desperate for a hot stretch at shortstop could pick up Koss, especially if the waiver options are shallow. Adames is expected to be out for at least a couple more weeks, and it’s unlikely that the Giants will rush him back during a lost season. Thus, Koss will get plenty of opportunities to put up productive nights like the one he had on Saturday.
He’s not a long-term option in dynasty formats, but in redraft playoffs? Riding Koss as the hot hand may not be a terrible strategy.
Let’s see how the other hitters did Saturday
Riley Greene (DET): 4-5, 2B, 2 HR, 3 R, 4 RBI.
The Tigers are fading from the postseason hunt, but Greene is helping fantasy managers in their own playoffs. The Tigers outfielder had four hits and collected his 17th and 18th home runs of the year in a 6-0 Tigers win over the Guardians. Injuries have taken their toll on Greene this year, as his HR total is half of his 2025 total. That said, the averages and OPS are up, so perhaps Greene could be due for a big 2027 if healthy.
Rafael Devers (SFG): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI.
Devers hit two home runs on Saturday, with his second being his 35th of the year. That ties his home run mark from 2025, but he did it this year in 118 fewer plate appearances. With a hot stretch to close out the season, Devers could hit the 40-HR mark. That would be a nice number for a player in fantasy who’s been pretty dependable, even if the teams he’s played for haven’t.
Kyle Schwarber (PHI): 2-3, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB.
It was going to be tough for Schwarber to match his 56-HR total from 2025, but he’s still been incredibly productive this year. On Saturday, he hit his 41st home run of the year and his OPS is solid at .876. It’s unlikely that he reaches the 50-HR mark this year, but 45-48 home runs is not bad for a fantasy hitter who doesn’t offer much value on the batting average end (his .240 average matches his 2025 mark).
Griffin Conine (MIA): 1-2, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 3 BB.
The second half has been kind to Conine in terms of home runs. After five in 91 plate appearances in the first half, the son of former Marlin Jeff has 10 in 160 plate appearances after the All-Star Break. Saturday was a vintage Conine performance with a lot of walks and a big fly to top it all off. That said, Conine’s strong performance was not enough for the Marlins to overcome the Cubs.
Jonathan Aranda (TBR): 2-5, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI.
The average (.278) and OPS (.790) are down from 2025 (.316 and .882). However, Aranda hit his 19th home run of the year, and he’s due for 20+ home runs this year as long as he stays healthy. The Tampa Bay first baseman may not be quite the fantasy darling that he was in this year’s drafts, but he’s still barreling and hitting the ball hard this year. Perhaps next year the average and OPS bounce back.
Ivan Herrera (STL): 2-5, HR, R, 3 RBI.
The Cardinals couldn’t win Saturday’s slugfest, falling 10-7 to the Rockies at Coors Field. However, Herrera did his best to help St. Louis keep pace. He had two hits, three RBI, and launched his 16th home run of the year. His .248 average is 36 points down from a year ago, and his OPS is 97 points down, not great trends. However, he should have his first 20+ home run season this year if he stays healthy, which is a nice consolation.
Manny Machado (SDP): 1-2, HR, R, RBI, 2 BB, SB.
The Yankees batted around Robbie Ray in San Diego, leading to a 5-1 win. That said, the best fantasy performer in the game may have been Machado, who homered and stole a base in the Padres’ four-run loss. Machado does have 25 home runs, which is good, but the average is bad at .217, and the OPS is mediocre at .717. Those are both significant declines from a year ago (.275 and .795). At 34, this may be who Machado is going forward.
Max Muncy (ATH): 2-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI.
It’s been a great week for the “other” Max Muncy. The A’s third baseman homered in his second straight game and increased his HR total to nine, tying his home run total from his rookie year. Injuries have limited him to just 263 plate appearances, but he’s hitting .375 with a 1.162 OPS in September. Maybe a strong last month of the year can get him going fantasy-wise in 2027.
Bryan Reynolds (PIT): 3-3, HR, R, RBI, BB.
Losing to the Angels is embarrassing, but Reynolds can at least sleep well knowing that he did all he could for Pittsburgh on Saturday. He had three hits and collected his 16th home run of the year, tying his mark from last season. It’s been a nice season for Reynolds, whose average (.267) and OPS (.802) are both up from 2025 (.245 and .720). He likely will surpass his 2025 home run total too and could make a run at the 20-HR mark, which he hasn’t reached since 2024.
