The influence of fantasy football on the fantasy baseball landscape is simple. Yearly in September, many managers divert their consideration to the gridiron, particularly those that have already fallen behind of their baseball leagues. For individuals who gave solely a passing look to September MLB statistics, listed here are some key gamers who carried out effectively sufficient in the course of the closing weeks to change their 2023 fantasy draft worth.
Fantasy managers who noticed Rodriguez hit the proverbial rookie wall in August (.701 OPS) earlier than shifting focus to their fantasy soccer leagues are doubtless questioning why the teen is a top-5 pick in many drafts this 12 months. His 1.202 OPS after Sept. 1 left managers with loads of confidence that any tough patches in Rodriguez’s growth will solely be minor ones.
Alvarez handled a hand damage whereas posting a .638 OPS in August earlier than surging in September by logging his third 1.100+ OPS (1.176) within the closing 4 months of 2022. Top-of-the-line pure hitters in baseball, Alvarez is a high-quality choice close to the tip of Spherical 1.
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Ward was a waiver wire gem throughout April and Might (.347 BA, 10 HR) earlier than he was slowed by nagging accidents whereas hitting .222 with seven lengthy balls throughout the next three months. Those that fled to fantasy soccer on Sept. 1 must know that Ward bought again on observe from that time ahead (.345 BA, 6 HR) and is now a strong choice at his Yahoo ADP within the 150s.
I’m positive a lot of you might be pondering “who’s Bryan De La Cruz”? Nicely, for 5 months of the 2022 season, the reply was, “somebody who’s buried in your waiver wire.” However the reply on the finish of the season was, “somebody who hit .388 with six homers and 22 RBIs after Sept. 1.” Cruz has a path to an on a regular basis function and warrants consideration as a late-round decide in 12-team leagues.
An all-or-nothing catcher choice throughout the preliminary 5 months of 2022 (.201 BA, 19 HR), Raleigh produced a extra balanced stat line when he hit .254 with eight lengthy balls after Sept. 1. The late-season surge got here with an inexpensive .250 BABIP, which offers optimism that the slugger may very well be much less of a batting common drain this 12 months. With a Yahoo ADP of decide 205, Raleigh is well worth the late-round funding.
Jansen thrived after Sept. 1 for the second straight season, this time hitting .333 with a 1.007 OPS. With an ADP within the 250s and an .817 OPS throughout the previous two campaigns, Jansen is among the greatest late-round catcher choices, along with his lack of ability to remain wholesome as the one remaining deterrent.
Managers who watched Meneses come up from the minors and put up a .959 OPS in August ought to know that the late bloomer stayed scorching after Sept. 1 by hitting .318 with seven homers and 23 RBIs. The 30-year-old might fall flat on his face this 12 months (much like Frank Schwindel from a 12 months in the past), however he’s at the moment locked right into a premium lineup spot for the rebuilding Nats.
Bo Bichette (SS, Toronto Blue Jays)
A top-5 decide in most 2022 drafts, Bichette was disappointing for the preliminary 5 months of the season (.260 common, 17 HR) earlier than altering his strategy down the stretch and hitting .406 with seven homers, 27 RBIs and 24 runs scored after Sept. 1. Bichette’s present Yahoo ADP (hovering round decide 20) feels low for a younger participant with this ability set.
[2023 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | OF | SP | RP]
Escobar struggled for many of 2022 earlier than heating up after Sept. 1 (.321 BA, 8 HR, 25 RBIs). His stretch-run success got here with a .355 BABIP that could be a little bit excessive however not sufficient to boost alarm bells, and he has a observe file of success that features homer totals of 28 in 2021 and 35 in 2019. Escobar can be a part of a proficient lineup and may very well be extra productive than lots of the fashionable children who accompany him within the late rounds of 2023 drafts.
Through the preliminary 5 months of 2022, Greene was all abilities (99 mph common fastball velocity) and no manufacturing (5.26 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 2.0 HR/9 charge). Nevertheless, the rookie was dominant throughout his closing 4 begins of the marketing campaign (0.78 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 37:3 Okay:BB ratio), which has left fantasy managers dreaming concerning the stats he might produce in his sophomore season.
Nick Lodolo (SP, Cincinnati Reds)
Greene wasn’t the one Reds rookie starter who tantalized followers down the stretch, as Lodolo logged a 2.48 ERA, a 0.88 WHIP and a 49:6 Okay:BB ratio throughout 5 begins after Sept. 1. A gutsy fantasy supervisor might create a boom-or-bust 2023 pitching workers by grabbing each Greene and Lodolo round decide 150.
Hunter Brown (RP, Houston Astros)
The Astros greatest prospect, Brown was recalled on Sept. 1 and logged a 0.89 ERA, a 1.08 WHIP and a 22:7 Okay:BB ratio throughout 20.1 innings down the stretch. The 24-year-old at the moment solely has reduction pitcher eligibility on Yahoo, however sits sixth on the Astros SP depth chart and is price stashing till a longtime starter goes down with an damage.
Floro was a fantasy afterthought heading into September, having earned zero wins and three saves in the course of the preliminary 5 months of the season. However the right-hander took over Marlins closing gig in September and tallied seven saves, a 1.17 ERA and a 0.85 WHIP over the ultimate weeks of the marketing campaign. Miami did little to enhance its bullpen this winter, which might result in Floro retaining the ninth-inning function.
