We’re continuing the series of weekly articles taking a quick look at hitters for you to consider adding in deep mixed leagues and AL/NL-only formats. All of these players have less than 10% ownership.
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Michael Taylor (OF – WAS) 2%
In 2015, Michael Taylor hit 14 home runs with 63 RBIs and 16 stolen bases but failed to take the next step to a 20/20 fantasy stardom. With the crushing news for Nationals’ fans that Adam Eaton is out for the season with a torn ACL, there is a void in center field in Washington. Taylor is an excellent defensive outfielder with a cannon for an arm, and he still possesses the enticing power/speed combo to be a potential fantasy star.
Taylor’s career 32% strikeout rate and .289 OBP have hindered his previous stints in the majors. Although it is the smallest of sample sizes, the 26-year-old is hitting .545 (6-for-11) over his last three games. Perhaps this is his shot at extended playing time.
Luis Valbuena (1B/3B – LAA) 0.5%
The 31-year-old is expected to be activated from the DL on Tuesday to make his delayed debut for the Angels following the $15M, two-year contract he signed in the offseason. Valbuena built on his 25 home run season of 2015 with career-highs last year in all three elements of his .260/.357/.459 slash line.
On Saturday, C.J. Cron left the stadium on crutches after fouling a ball off his foot. Although the X-ray proved negative, he is on the 10-day DL. Valbuena is expected to see the majority of the playing time in his absence.
T.J. Rivera (2B – NYM) 0.5%
The utility infielder slashed .333/.345/.476 over 105 at-bats in his first taste of the majors last season. Between Triple-A and the majors, Rivera scored 77 runs with 14 home runs and 101 RBI. Despite these stats, prospect evaluators were unimpressed, and MLB Pipeline ranked Rivera as the Mets’ No. 28 prospect coming into this season.
With bench infielder Wilmer Flores (knee infection) and first baseman Lucas Duda (elbow hyperextension) on the DL, Rivera has seen more playing time. He scored three runs on Friday and had three straight multi-hit games. The 28-year-old has been playing first base and will likely continue there for a while longer as Duda was shut down until Tuesday with a twinge in his elbow.
Jose Reyes (3B – NYM) 9%
Staying with the Mets’ infield, former fantasy superstar Jose Reyes is enjoying a productive stretch which warrants giving him another look. The veteran had three straight multi-hit games before only hitting a triple in Sunday’s 1-for-5 effort. He has scored seven runs over the last seven games while hitting .375 (9-for-24) with two home runs and two stolen bases.
Reyes will continue to hit second in the lineup and on Sunday, he made his fifth appearance at shortstop, giving him valuable extra position eligibility in some leagues.
Kolten Wong (2B – STL) 7%
With Jhonny Peralta on the DL, the Cardinals have found everyday playing time for Kolten Wong, Jedd Gyorko, and Aledmys Diaz. Without wanting to read too much into one week of production, Wong has a 1.321 OPS with five runs and four extra-base hits. The 26-year-old is hitting .438 and has five walks to three strikeouts.
Perhaps Wong is putting it all together. He has been laying off pitches outside of the strike zone, swinging at 22% compared to 30% last year, and there has been a significant increase in his hard-hit ball rate, up from 26% to 31%.
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Gavin Tramps is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Gavin, check out his archive or follow him @_tramps.
