I realize some of you have turned your attention elsewhere. You may be lamenting the Week 1 performances of your top two Fantasy Football draft investments -- yes, we're looking at you Odell Beckham and C.J. Anderson! You may be submitting your waiver claims or even preparing your Week 2 DFS lineups. For those of you who are still invested in the 2015 Fantasy Baseball season, welcome to the Home Stretch.
With three weeks left, there's still plenty of baseball to be played. That means your 10-point lead in your 5x5 Rotisserie league might not be as safe as you think it is. I recently experienced this first-hand when my NFBC Online Championship entry was enjoying a "comfortable" league lead on September 1, only to slip to third place a week later. Now the top three teams in my league are within six points of each other as we fight tooth-and-nail over prize winnings that are awarded only to first and second place. One of us will walk away with nothing, which is why baseball must remain my top priority over the next three weeks despite a tempting lure to the gridiron.
Don't be as naive as I was. Check up on your closest competition and see which categories will help them make up the most ground in your league standings. You've all heard it before -- keep your friends close and your enemies closer. And as Vlad advised several weeks ago in this column, STAY FOCUSED. Continue to attack
I realize some of you have turned your attention elsewhere. You may be lamenting the Week 1 performances of your top two Fantasy Football draft investments -- yes, we're looking at you Odell Beckham and C.J. Anderson! You may be submitting your waiver claims or even preparing your Week 2 DFS lineups. For those of you who are still invested in the 2015 Fantasy Baseball season, welcome to the Home Stretch.
With three weeks left, there's still plenty of baseball to be played. That means your 10-point lead in your 5x5 Rotisserie league might not be as safe as you think it is. I recently experienced this first-hand when my NFBC Online Championship entry was enjoying a "comfortable" league lead on September 1, only to slip to third place a week later. Now the top three teams in my league are within six points of each other as we fight tooth-and-nail over prize winnings that are awarded only to first and second place. One of us will walk away with nothing, which is why baseball must remain my top priority over the next three weeks despite a tempting lure to the gridiron.
Don't be as naive as I was. Check up on your closest competition and see which categories will help them make up the most ground in your league standings. You've all heard it before -- keep your friends close and your enemies closer. And as Vlad advised several weeks ago in this column, STAY FOCUSED. Continue to attack your weak categories to gain points in the standings. There's no mercy rule in Fantasy Baseball. Dominate your opponents to make damn sure that you're the one walking away with extra money in your pocket in October.
RISERS
Kyle Seager (3B, SEA) - The elder Seager brother is one of the hottest hitters in baseball, slashing .311/.371/.571 with eight home runs, 21 RBI, two steals and 21 runs scored over the last 30 days. Hitting second in the Mariners' lineup in front of Nelson Cruz and Robinson Cano, Seager's RBI are down this season but the rest of his numbers -- .274/.332/.462 and 24 home runs -- are in line with his career-best totals from last year (.268/.334/.454 and 25 home runs). Drafted as the sixth third baseman off the board in NFBC leagues with an ADP of 60.92, Seager ranks eighth at the position this year while ranking 67th overall. The 27-year-old may have gotten off to a slow start this season, but he's certainly turned the corner at the right time for his fantasy owners.
Corey Seager (SS, LAD) - The younger Seager brother, arguably baseball's top prospect prior to his big league call up on September 3, hasn't stopped hitting since his promotion. In 10 games with Dodgers, he's hit .412/.524/.647 with five doubles, a home run, seven RBI and two stolen bases with eight runs scored. The 21-year-old has reached base multiple times in six of his nine starts with Los Angeles, while displaying excellent plate discipline (8:4 BB:K ratio). Out of all players with at least 25 plate appearances over the last seven days, Seager ranks second in baseball with a 1.430 OPS. If the early returns are a sign of things to come, look out.
Carlos Rodon (P, CWS) - Rodon will be skipped the next time through the White Sox rotation as the team attempts to conserve his innings. Arguably Chicago's best starting pitcher over the last 30 days -- yes, that includes Chris Sale -- Rodon has gone 3-2 with a 1.76 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 41:15 K:BB ratio over 41 innings during that span. He's given up two earned runs or less in six straight starts, and while he's battled control problems all season (4.66 BB/9), his 9.38 K/9 ranks second among rookie pitchers who have tossed at least 100 innings. Drafted as the 131st pitcher off the board in NFBC leagues with an ADP of 329.2, Rodon's ADP should skyrocket next season while ranking among the top 100 pitchers.
Justin Verlander (P, DET) - After going 15-12 with a 4.54 ERA and 1.40 WHIP for the Tigers last season, Verlander didn't make his 2015 debut until June 13 after a nagging triceps injury held him out for the first few months of the season. He was shaky initially, allowing six earned runs or more in three of his first six starts, but rebounded with two strong outings to close out July. The 32-year-old veteran went on to lower his ERA over a point-and-half throughout the month of August, which included a complete game one-hitter against the Angels on August 26. Drafted as the 75th pitcher off the board in NFBC leagues with an ADP of 197.65, Verlander should again rank among the top 100 pitchers as we look ahead to 2016 drafts.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Alex Gordon (OF, KC) - Gordon has played 10 games since being activated from the disabled list on September 1 and he's proceeded to hit .314 (11-for-35) with three doubles, three RBI and four runs scored during that span. Royals manager Ned Yost recently deployed the 31-year-old outfielder in the leadoff spot over Ben Zobrist, which suggests he's close to 100 percent recovered from the groin injury that cost him nearly two months of the season.
Kevin Jepsen (P, MIN) - Jepsen has been phenomenal as the Twins' closer in the absence of Glen Perkins (back). Over the last month, Jepsen has earned seven saves while posting a 0.55 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB ratio over 16.1 innings. Perkins is not expected to reclaim the Twins' closer role immediately upon his return from injury, so you can feel comfortable deploying Jepsen in your lineups for at least another week.
Aaron Nola (P, PHI) - The seventh overall pick of the 2014 draft, Nola has shown poise in the big leagues, winning three of his last four starts for the rebuilding Phillies. Granted, those wins were against the Braves, Padres and Marlins, but he was impressive nonetheless, allowing only one run over 22 innings. Fantasy owners should anticipate a skipped start for Nola in the coming weeks as Philadelphia monitors his innings, but with upcoming tilts against the struggling Nationals and Stanton-less Marlins, keep rolling with heralded rookie.
Domingo Santana (OF, MIL) - Thanks to a fresh start and increased opportunity with the rebuilding Brewers, Santana has hit .277/.395/.569 with five home runs, 11 RBI and 10 runs scored over the last month. He's earned starts in all three outfield spots for Milwaukee, displaying versatility on defense as he makes his case for a starting role in 2016.
OTHER RISERS
Javier Baez (SS, CHC), Mark Canha (1B, OAK), Anthony DeSclafani (P, CIN), Raisel Iglesias (P, CIN), Jung-Ho Kang (3B/SS, PIT), Lance McCullers (P, HOU), Josh Tomlin (P, CLE), Tom Wilhelmsen (P, SEA), Ben Zobrist (OF, KC)
FALLERS
Johnny Cueto (P, KC) - Cueto has not been the ace the Royals thought they were acquiring when they dealt away three left-handed pitching prospects for a few months of his services. The 29-year-old has gone 1-5 with a 7.60 ERA and 1.75 WHIP over the last month, including his most recent loss against the Orioles on Sunday Night Baseball. The impending free-agent is likely still adjusting to pitching in the American League, but he'll need to show significant improvement before the Royals enter the postseason.
Lance Lynn (P, STL) - Lynn has endured a few blowups recently, which has led to a 2-4 record and a 5.02 ERA and 1.74 WHIP over the last month. He endured an ankle injury during a start on August 29 and has allowed nine runs over 8.2 innings since then. The 28-year-old right-hander owns a 3.05 career ERA in September/October, however, so it's possible a turnaround is coming if he's healthy. Don't be surprised if St. Louis gets his some extra rest in the coming weeks.
Joc Pederson (OF, LAD) - Prior to Saturday's three-hit outburst against the Diamondbacks, which included his 25th home run of the season, the 23-year-old rookie had struggled to make contact, hitting just .203 over the last month. He did draw 19 walks during that span, attributing to an excellent .388 OBP, but he also whiffed in 36 percent of his at-bats. Pederson struck out at a 27 percent clip at Triple-A in 2014, so his lack of contact isn't too surprising, but his lack of speed has left fantasy owners a bit puzzled. After two consecutive seasons of 30-plus steals in the minors, Pederson only has three stolen bases this year. Drafted as the 42nd outfielder off the board in NFBC drafts with an ADP of 165.97, Pederson will likely maintain a similar draft position in 2016 due to his power potential.
George Springer (OF, HOU) - After missing two months with a broken wrist, Springer's return to the Astros on September 4 was met with much anticipation by his fantasy owners. Unfortunately, in seven games back with Houston, the 25-year-old outfielder has hit just .179/.281/.214 with seven strikeouts in 28 at-bats. Springer's power/speed combo is enticing, but his recent wrist injury could affect his power for the remainder of this season. Drafted as the 13th outfielder off the board in NFBC drafts with an ADP of 34.8, Springer could be a value pick in 2016 since he's likely to fall to the fourth round or later.
DISHONORABLE MENTIONS
Trevor Bauer (P, CLE) - In his second full season, Bauer has yet to establish any real consistency in the majors. The 24-year-old right-hander is still young, but every quality outing he delivers is usually followed up by a dud. His 8.73 K/9 is promising, but his 3.98 BB/9, 2.19 K/BB and 1.3 HR/9 are terrible. On Sunday, he walked three while giving up six earned runs on seven hits over three innings against Detroit.
Brian Dozier (2B, MIN) - Over the last month, Dozier has hit just .205/.295/.342 over 117 at-bats. A decreased contact rate (76 percent) and increased strikeout rate (21 percent) are likely to blame, but the 2015 All-Star has maintained his above average counting stats hitting atop the Twins' batting order.
Jason Kipnis (2B, CLE) - Kipnis has struggled over the last 30 days, hitting just .209/.269/.329 with 24 strikeouts over 86 at-bats. A sore right shoulder sidelined him for a few weeks in early August, so it's possible he's still dealing with lingering effects of that injury.
OTHER FALLERS
Erick Aybar (SS, LAA), Evan Gattis (OF, HOU), Carlos Gomez (OF, HOU), Drew Hutchison (P, TOR), Victor Martinez (1B, DET), Salvador Perez (C, KC), Mike Trout (OF, LAA)
