In your quest Fantasy Baseball The next few weeks will be crucial as we move towards the championship.
In head-to-head leagues, you not only have to think about where you can improve your team, but you also have to plan your schedule and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your upcoming opponents.
In a rotisserie league, it is important to look at the different categories and evaluate where you should focus your improvements.
All the while, hopefully the players can stay strong while fending off a strong onslaught from the MLB trade deadline.
It can be tough to navigate, but not impossible, especially with a good waiver wire game.
It can be very difficult to empower your team during this time.
It may be hard to find a player on Weber who can consistently hit 25 home runs, but if you look in the right places, you can find a way to get a few more home runs and RBIs.
That player doesn’t have to be a superstar on a playoff team.
Sometimes an under-the-radar hitter like Washington’s Juan Yepes can provide the help needed.
Yepes, who is listed in fewer than 15 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues, is eligible to play at first base and in the outfield and is batting .350/.409/.583 with two home runs and eight RBIs in 16 major league games this season.
Since his promotion, the 26-year-old has recorded a hitting streak in his first 15 games and struck out just 18.2 percent of the time.
Developing discipline at the plate has been a focus this season, and even a quick look at his minor league stats this season provides examples of that.
Combine that with a career ISO of .188 in the majors and the Nationals could have something to look forward to as they face him on an everyday basis.
Another name that could help but may be on people’s radar more is Orioles infielder Connor Norby.
Baltimore’s rotation of prospects has been lackluster all season, but with Jorge Mateo on injured reserve, the team brought back Norby in hopes he could provide an energy boost.
“We expect him to be a regular player,” head coach Brandon Hyde told the media, and Norby immediately got a shot over the fence in his first game back.
The 24-year-old hit 21 home runs with Triple-A Norfolk last year and has already recorded 16 so far this season.
If you need a boost in the second half, don’t expect one player to save your season.
Diligently comb the waiver wire. Find a player who can provide you with the home runs and RBIs you need. If you need to free up a roster spot or two, that’s OK, too.
Howard Bender is Fantasy AlarmFollow him From @rotobuzzguy Featuring the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show,” airing weekdays from 6-8 PM on the SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Channel. Find all the information at FantasyAlarm.com. Fantasy Baseball News and Advice.
