Wyatt Langford (OF, DH – TEX)

Wyatt Langford started the year cold but has been one of the best hitters in September. The rookie is sixth in wRC+ (204), sixth in wOBA (.457) and 17th in ISO (.311) this month. Over his last 10 games, he has recorded 12 hits, including five doubles and two homers. The entire Texas offense has been a bit of a disappointment this year, but Langford has been an exception.

The 22-year-old has also done a great job at getting on base. He has a 9% walk rate and a 20.9% strikeout rate on the year. The reigning champions aren’t going anywhere this postseason, so Langford’s fantasy value resides in next season and beyond. He is someone I’d be looking at strongly in drafts next year.

Frankie Montas (SP, RP – MIL)

Frankie Montas was traded from the Reds to the division-rival Brewers at the trade deadline. Milwaukee should be impressed with what the 31-year-old has given them over his last three starts.

Over his last three, Montas has recorded 28 strikeouts over 17 innings. His xFIP is the fourth-best in baseball in September (2.47) and his K/9 leads the way at a whopping 14.26. One of these matchups in September was against Colorado, but another was against San Fransisco, and the third was against a tough Phillies lineup.

With the Brewers clinching the National League Central, Montas should carry fantasy value into October.

Riley Greene (OF, DH – DET)

The Tigers still have a greater than 10% chance of making the playoffs at the time of writing. They have one of the best pitchers in the league and their offense is littered with young talent, headlined by Riley Greene.

Greene was once one of the top prospects in the game, having been selected fifth overall in the 2019 MLB draft. This is his third season in MLB. His numbers across the board have shot up this year. During the year, he has recorded a 138 wRC+, a .361 wOBA and a .229 ISO. His strikeout rate is still at an elevated 26.5%, but his walk rate has jumped about 3% from last season to an 11.3% mark this year.

At just 23 years old and on a team with a lot of potential, I’d prioritize him hard next year and beyond.

Stock Down

Anthony Volpe (SS – NYY)

Anthony Volpe has been one of the worst hitters in the league in September. He sits alongside Brenton Doyle as the only two players with a negative wRC+ (-17) in the month. He is also dead-last amongst qualified hitters in wOBA (.141) and he has a zero in the ISO department.

To make matters worse, he has just a 1.8% walk rate and a 34.5% strikeout percentage. He is 3-for-33 at the dish over his past 10 games. The Yankees are one of the best teams in baseball this season, so Volpe can carry value into the postseason. However, with how he looks at the plate right now, I’d stay far away.

Jordan Wicks (SP – CHC)

Jordan Wicks has an even 6.00 xFIP over his last four starts. This ranks dead last amongst all qualified pitchers in September. He likes even numbers because he also has exactly a 5% walk rate and a 5.0 K/9. Those numbers may look nice and organized, but they are not what you want out of your starting pitcher.

The 25-year-old surrendered seven runs in just three innings to a tough Dodgers lineup but followed that up with another weak outing against the Athletics. He allowed seven homers over these two starts combined. Over his last seven starts, he has not struck out more than four batters in a game. Stay far away from Wicks as long as he is in this poor form.

Michael Siani (OF – STL)

Although a relatively unknown player for an unexciting team, it’s worth noting that Michael Siani has been struggling at the dish of late. His wRC+ of seven ranks third-worst in September. His wOBA of .172 ranks just behind the aforementioned Volpe.

Siani was drafted in the fourth round of 2018, so expectations aren’t super high for the 25-year-old outfielder. This has been his first full season playing for the Cardinals. However, he is almost non-existent in the power department and has recorded just a .258 wOBA with 10 games left to play. I wouldn’t have my eye on him for the future unless he can prove himself valuable in some sense in fantasy.