This article is part of our The Z Files series.
Who is still grinding? Let's squeeze out at least one more week before turning to 2020. That said, former RotoWire colleague Derek VanRiper (now with The Athletic) and I have the second pick in an NFBC draft set to commence September 29, the last day of the season. I'm pretty sure we won't be taking a pitcher.
Below are 10 players with at least 10 plate appearances or so the past week. Trips to the dish are fantasy currency. Depending on the depth of your league, a couple of these names could provide a boost in the final couple of weeks of the season.
Trent Grisham, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
Grisham was already playing on the strong side of a platoon, but with Christian Yelich unfortunately sidelined for the season, he'll continue to play a lot and frequently hit at or near the top of the order. The 22-year-old fly chaser split the season between Double-A Biloxi and Triple-A San Antonio. He flourished with the Missions, slashing .381/.471/.776 in 158 plate appearances. Even in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League with the same ball used in MLB, this is impressive for his first time at Triple-A. Grisham stole bases in the lower minors but stopped running when he reached Double-A in 2018. His power has manifested so far with the Brewers as he's smacked five homers in 116 plate appearances. The Brewers have a favorable schedule, at least in terms of hitting parks. Of their five remaining series, only the upcoming
Who is still grinding? Let's squeeze out at least one more week before turning to 2020. That said, former RotoWire colleague Derek VanRiper (now with The Athletic) and I have the second pick in an NFBC draft set to commence September 29, the last day of the season. I'm pretty sure we won't be taking a pitcher.
Below are 10 players with at least 10 plate appearances or so the past week. Trips to the dish are fantasy currency. Depending on the depth of your league, a couple of these names could provide a boost in the final couple of weeks of the season.
Trent Grisham, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
Grisham was already playing on the strong side of a platoon, but with Christian Yelich unfortunately sidelined for the season, he'll continue to play a lot and frequently hit at or near the top of the order. The 22-year-old fly chaser split the season between Double-A Biloxi and Triple-A San Antonio. He flourished with the Missions, slashing .381/.471/.776 in 158 plate appearances. Even in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League with the same ball used in MLB, this is impressive for his first time at Triple-A. Grisham stole bases in the lower minors but stopped running when he reached Double-A in 2018. His power has manifested so far with the Brewers as he's smacked five homers in 116 plate appearances. The Brewers have a favorable schedule, at least in terms of hitting parks. Of their five remaining series, only the upcoming set with the St. Louis Cardinals is in a pitcher's venue. They're home for two along with a visit to the Great American Ballpark and Coors Field.
Yu Chang, SS, Cleveland Indians
Chang played mostly shortstop coming up, but this season the Indians had him play all around the infield to prepare him for the inevitable utility role he'd fill in the majors. Chang only played in 68 games for Triple-A Columbus, missing time throughout the summer but mostly dealing with a sore finger incurred in the spring. Likely as a result of the finger woes, Chang started off slow, but posted a respectable .286/.357/.481 after June 23. He's strictly deep-league fodder, but he has a little pop and can chip in with a pilfer now and again. He's not a consideration for those looking towards 2020, just roster filler in AL-only to close the season.
Ryan McBroom, 1B, Kansas City
McBroom was acquired by the Royals from the Yankees at the end of August for international signing bonus money and future considerations. The 27-year-old first baseman/corner outfielder crushed Triple-A pitching while at Columbus. Not surprisingly, the Royals plan to get a good look at McBroom down the stretch, playing him at first base against southpaws and right field when a right-hander starts. He's hitting a modest .259 in nine big-league games, including a pair of doubles. The Royals don't have the most favorable schedule, facing teams either in the playoffs or battling for a berth, though that could be an advantage if the Twins and Braves don't need to go all out the last week of the season.
Jaylin Davis, OF, San Francisco Giants
In between the time the players were chosen, and my fat fingers began a-huntin' and a-peckin', Davis was hit on the left wrist by a pitch. The initial diagnosis is a contusion and a day-to-day designation. Also, Alex Dickerson should be back soon, so Davis was likely going to lose some playing time regardless, so it's best just to put him on a watch list and not run out to pick him up. Davis hasn't done much with the Giants, posting a meek .398 OPS, but he destroyed Triple-A with both Rochester and Sacramento, slashing a combined .332/.410/.669 in 68 games.
Zack Collins, C, Chicago White Sox
Collins is particularly intriguing in OBP and points leagues as he possesses an excellent walk rate. Further, Collins' OBP rose as he advanced through the White Sox system, peaking at .403 with Triple-A Charlotte. He's the first of the players discussed with legit 2020 aspirations. James McCann is on a one-year deal while Welington Castillo is on the final season of a two-year deal, though there is a club option. Collins is only batting .089 but he has walked 10 times in 55 plate appearances with the Pale Hose. While Collins could run into a homer or two down the stretch, his chief utility is as a keeper in formats where walks are an asset.
Magneuris Sierra, OF, Miami Marlins
The Marlins obviously wanted Sierra to get a full year's seasoning at the minor-league level, as they cycled through a lot of outfielders in South Beach despite Sierra having a decent campaign split between Double-A Jacksonville and Triple-A New Orleans as well as having prior MLB experience in 2017 and 2018. Sierra's primary asset is speed, and he swiped 33 bases in 44 tries combined at both levels. Called up after rosters expanded, Sierra pilfered his first two Wednesday night. One of the advantages of trolling for steals down the stretch is it isn't a requisite your target plays every day. Of course, the more playing time, the greater the opportunity, but stolen base specialists can often make a difference with somewhat limited play.
Danny Mendick , SS, Chicago White Sox
Much like Indians did with Chang, the White Sox are playing Mendick all around the infield as well as a bit in the outfield. He's not considered a top prospect, but defensive versatility is more important than ever as many teams carry 13 arms and need their few bench position players to have flexibility. Mendick did have 17 homers and 18 steals in 133 games for Triple-A Charlotte this summer so he could help, but his play will be sporadic so he's solely a desperation play in AL-only.
Nico Hoerner, SS, Chicago Cubs
Injuries to Javier Baez and Addison Russell forced the Cubs to turn to the No. 2 prospect in their system and so far, he's delivered. In four games, Hoerner is batting a cool .333/.412/.467. His glove is major-league ready, so there's chance Hoerner remains the club's primary shortstop when Russell is ready to return. The 22-year-old started the year with Double-A Tennessee before missing time with a hairline fracture after taking a pitch off his left wrist. He only hit three homers in 294 plate appearances, likely a result of the wrist issue. Hoerner should be a target for dynasty formats but not so much for keeper leagues, as he's likely ticketed to start the season with Triple-A. As far as 2019 is concerned, consider him a wild card, best targeted by those needing lightning in a bottle to close out the season.
Austin Hays, OF, Baltimore Orioles
Some envisioned Hays receiving the look Anthony Santander earned over the summer, but a spring thumb injury curtailed those plans. Hays started the campaign with Double-A before spending the bulk of the season with Triple-A Bowie. Along with the early thumb issue, Hays injured his hamstring in June, further impeding development. The 23-year-old recorded a .758 OPS in 59 games with the Baysox. The original plan was for Hays to head to the Arizona Fall League, but Baltimore opted to advance him to the Show, and he's been playing regularly the past week. Hays may have lost a little prospect shine, though some of that is injury related. Orioles bats aren't a bad group to target down the stretch, as they line up to face the piecemeal staffs of the Tigers, Mariners, Red Sox and Blue Jays the rest of the way. He's also in play for deeper keeper formats.
Kyle Lewis, OF, Seattle Mariners
Another rookie, another home run record as Lewis became the first freshman to go deep in his first three games. He doesn't come with top pedigree but as Seattle's No. 9 prospect, a MLB career is definitely viable. Lewis spent the season with Double-A Arkansas, slashing a modest .263/.342/.398. The 23-year-old appears to be in line for an extended look as Mitch Haniger's chances of returning are getting bleaker by the day. Lewis is another dart for those desperate for a late power binge.
