Devon Travis has continued his hot first half since returning from the DL
The following is my top-10 list of hitters that continue to fly under the radar in a many fantasy baseball leagues. They’re batters who have experienced success so far this season but still aren’t being snatched up in a large amount of leagues. It’s time for fantasy owners who haven’t already jumped on board to add these hitters before they’re no longer available on the waiver wire.
All player stats and ownership percentages listed are from Yahoo leagues through 7/5/15. All have 60% ownership or less.
- Devon Travis – 2B, TOR (owned: 56%) – 2015 Stats: AB: 165, R: 30, HR: 7, RBI: 31, SB: 2, AVG: .297
Since suffering a left shoulder injury in mid-May, Travis has been back in action since late June and is once again showing the signs of brilliance he had at the plate before his injury. Since the start of July, he has gone 8-for-19 (.421). He has absolutely caught fire of late at the dish, and he’s been a true five-category producer.
- Mitch Moreland – 1B, TEX (owned: 56%) – 2015 Stats: AB: 233, R: 27, HR: 14, RBI: 44, SB: 1, AVG: .292
Moreland was red hot at the end of June. From June 25-30, he hit an impressive seven home runs. The mighty pop that he showed at the plate during that stretch has slowed down considerably since then, and he has yet to hit a single home run in the month of July. But what he did during that stretch in late June should not be forgotten. He hits in a hitter’s park, so he’s always a candidate for the long ball.
- Joe Panik – 2B, SF (owned: 56%) – 2015 Stats: AB: 306, R: 41, HR: 6, RBI: 30, SB: 3, AVG: .304
Panik continues to get better and better as a hitter. He’s once again maintaining a batting average just over .300, but is now also showing extra-base ability this year. He has already more than doubled the amount of doubles he hit last season with 21 and might even hit double-digit home runs this year after only hitting a single home run last year in 269 at-bats.
- Josh Hamilton – OF, TEX (owned: 45%) – 2015 Stats: AB: 33, R: 6, HR: 2, RBI: 5, AVG: .303
The veteran outfielder has yet to really get it going this season despite one stand-out game in late May where he hit two home runs. He has been dealing with one injury after the next since last season (to go along with his substance abuse issue), but his latest ailment(groin strain) shouldn’t keep him out of action for too long. His health status is considered day-to-day right now. Be sure to pick him up while he’s still owned in less than 50 percent of all Yahoo leagues and stash him away on your bench for the time being.
- Matt Duffy – 2B/3B/SS, SF (owned: 52%) – 2015 Stats: AB: 240, R:31, HR:8, RBI:37, SB: 3, AVG: .292
Duffy has been a pleasant surprise this season for the Giants. For much of June, he was really feeling it at the plate, collecting at least two hits in eight games and three hits in three games during that month. He’s going through a dry spell at the plate of late, but that shouldn’t keep you from picking him up. He’s due to turn it around again soon. He also has solid position flexibility and doesn’t have anyone else to worry about snatching away consistent at-bats from him.
- Chris Colabello – 1B/OF, TOR (owned: 48%) – 2015 Stats: AB: 194, R: 34, HR: 7, RBI: 31, SB: 2, AVG: .335
The Colabello doubters can continue to overlook him all they want, but all he does is continue to produce. You can’t argue with results. Amazingly, Colabello is still available in over 50 percent of all Yahoo leagues. Consider that reality a blessing in disguise if you’re still in need of a quality bat in your fantasy lineup.
- César Hernandez – 2B/3B/SS, PHI (owned: 44%) – 2015 Stats: AB: 174, R: 30, HR: 1, RBI: 19, SB: 11, AVG: .299
Ever since Hernandez has filled in at the starting second base position for injured starter Chase Utley in mid-to-late June, he’s been a force to be reckoned with at the plate, hitting over .450. He has also shown his ability as a base stealer by swiping close to double-digit bags in that time frame. The Phillies are able to take it slow with Utley’s recovery in favor of Hernandez. Utley was simply playing too poorly while healthy and Hernandez is simply playing too well right now for the Phillies. This could lead to the Phillies trading Utley before this month is over, solidifying at-bats for Hernandez. The middle infielder has truly come out of nowhere this season and is one of the hottest pick ups in all of fantasy baseball right now.
- Miguel Sano – 3B/SS , MIN (owned: 44%) – 2015 Stats: AB: 15, R: 1, RBI: 2, AVG: .400
The rookie Sano is off to a solid start this season. Ever since his call up in early July, he has hit an impressive .400. He has the pedigree to be a super star, and he is already giving baseball fans a taste of what’s expected to come from him. Now is the time to acquire him before he gets even more attention from fantasy owners.
- Gerardo Parra – OF, MIL (owned: 48%) – 2015 Stats: AB: 260, R: 38, HR: 7, RBI: 25, SB: 6, AVG: .308
Parra has had two or more hits in every single game he has played in July. Needless to say, he is one of the hottest hitters in all of baseball right now. He was hitting just under .300 at the start of July and now is safely hitting over the .300 mark. His batting average has continued to increase after each and every passing game. There’s no telling how long this hot streak at the plate will continue, but be sure to pick him up as soon as possible in whatever league he’s still available in order to ride him out while he’s still hot at the dish.
- Luis Valbuena – 2B/3B, HOU (owned: 37%) – 2015 Stats: AB: 276, R: 43, HR: 19, RBI: 36, SB: 1, AVG: .203
When a hitter’s batting average is hovering in the .200 range, it’s hard to imagine ever getting too excited about owning such a player, let alone thinking about adding him via the waiver wire. Then there’s a player like Valbuena who comes along and makes you second-guess this approach. Yes, he goes through hot and cold streaks at the plate and will hurt your team’s batting average quite a bit most of the time, but he is a second baseman (who can also play third base) who has a shot at hitting 30 home runs this year. There aren’t too many middle infielders who show that kind of pop. For that reason alone, you have to consider picking him up.
CD Hill is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from CD, check out his archive and follow CD @cdhill81.
