The sprint begins with the first pitch of the “second half” of the baseball season. Yes, most teams have already played 90 games past the halfway point of the season. Humor those baseball traditionalists who consider that summer break for the All-Star Game is baseball’s midway point.
While every game counts the same now as it does in late September or early April, now they seem to begin to take on more meaning because the microscope is on. A young player could come up and change a team like Randy Arozarena did for the Rays in 2020. Or midseason trades could transform a team that might be teetering, like Eddie Rosario and Joc Pederson joining the Braves after they lost superstar Ronald Acuna for the 2021 season.
If you’re in the race for your fantasy team, the senses are heightened. As was mentioned in this space last week, no days off. Enjoy the daily grind. Sweat the trade deadline – especially in AL or NL-only leagues where significant players could change leagues. Yes, get into fantasy football draft season if you play, but stay on top of the injuries, the closer shuffle, and moves up and down in the lineup. That could be the difference in winning a title.
The sprint begins with the first pitch of the “second half” of the baseball season. Yes, most teams have already played 90 games past the halfway point of the season. Humor those baseball traditionalists who consider that summer break for the All-Star Game is baseball’s midway point.
While every game counts the same now as it does in late September or early April, now they seem to begin to take on more meaning because the microscope is on. A young player could come up and change a team like Randy Arozarena did for the Rays in 2020. Or midseason trades could transform a team that might be teetering, like Eddie Rosario and Joc Pederson joining the Braves after they lost superstar Ronald Acuna for the 2021 season.
If you’re in the race for your fantasy team, the senses are heightened. As was mentioned in this space last week, no days off. Enjoy the daily grind. Sweat the trade deadline – especially in AL or NL-only leagues where significant players could change leagues. Yes, get into fantasy football draft season if you play, but stay on top of the injuries, the closer shuffle, and moves up and down in the lineup. That could be the difference in winning a title.
Fantasy Baseball Deep Sleepers & Waiver Wire Pickups
Time for some Deep Sleepers, which are players rostered in less than 30% of leagues.
Hunter Harvey (RP – WAS): 27% Rostered
The Nationals are 26th in total runs scored as a team, so that means when they win, it’s usually close. Harvey has pitched in six games since June 27 and has three saves and a loss in an extra-inning game he entered with the score tied. That’s the only time he’s been scored upon in his last nine appearances. He has 44 strikeouts in 39.1 innings, showing plenty of power stuff.
Joey Votto (1B – CIN): 26% Rostered
The 2010 MVP did not make his 2023 debut until June 19 and promptly hit a home run. Votto found a groove in the closing days before the All-Star break, hitting four home runs and driving in 10 runs while hitting .375 with a 1.403 OPS in his last seven games. He’s sitting some days against tough lefties, but in the potent Cincinnati offense, Votto will have some very good days sprinkled in the second half.
Spencer Torkelson (1B – DET): 20% Rostered
Yes, he’s hitting .228 on the season, but look at how he closed out the first half. In Torkelson’s last 11 games, he hit .296 with a 1.096 OPS, smacked four home runs, and had 11 RBI. He was held hitless in just one of those games. The former top prospect might just be living up to the hype in his sophomore season.
Patrick Bailey (C – SF): 14% Rostered
The shadow of Buster Posey may have been too big for 2018 No. 2 overall pick Joey Bart. Now donning the chest protector and shin guards is Bailey, and the young backstop has responded with five home runs and 26 RBI in 40 games since debuting on May 20. Another catcher who can hit is always welcomed in fantasy baseball.
Joel Payamps (RP – MIL): 14% Rostered
Fleetwood Mac’s “Hold Me” was not written with pitchers like Payamps in mind, though fantasy managers in leagues with holds are certainly humming along this season after picking up the burly right-hander. He’s tied for fourth in the National League with 16 holds and even has three wins and three saves with a 1.91 ERA and 0.97 WHIP. He’s filled in nicely for Devin Williams of late, but don’t expect that to happen often as long as the All-Star closer is healthy. In Holds leagues, Payamps is a must-have on the roster.
J.P. Crawford (SS – SEA): 11% Rostered
Crawford moved into the leadoff spot of the Mariners’ lineup on May 7 and hasn’t left. He closed out the first half with an 11-game hitting streak that featured him hitting .359 with a 1.062 OPS. With two home runs and seven RBI in that streak, Crawford is not just setting the table. A leadoff-hitting shortstop with a little pop has to be rostered on more teams than he currently is.
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