Week 14 of the fantasy baseball season is here, and it involves 10 days of games. This is because the match lasts two weeks due to the All-Star break. Here are some waiver wire players that can benefit teams in week 14:
Andreton Simmons returned from the injury list on June 27. The Gold Glove-winning shortstop is a viable option in fantasy as he had his average right around the .300 mark before getting injured. He is taking on the Astros, Rangers and Mariners in week 14, giving even more upside to the 29-year-old. If Simmons gets hot in Texas against the Astros and Rangers, he can likely keep it up at home against Seattle. He slashes .342/.347/.479 in 117 at-bats against active Mariner pitchers. Simmons has an own percentage of about 50.
James McCann was voted to his first MLB All-Star Game, and rightfully so. The White Sox’s catcher kept his hot pace from the start of the season. His average is right around .333. McCann is even beginning to show some power as he hit his ninth homer on the season in week 13. However, McCann is one of the most under-owned players in fantasy baseball, being owned in about 30 percent of leagues.
Image Courtesy of Dodger Blue
Chris Taylor is hitting great in June after starting the season on a huge slump. The 28-year-old is currently at shortstop in place of the injured Corey Seager, and is doing a great job filling his role. Moreover, Taylor can be played in multiple positions on fantasy rosters which is always a huge upside. Taylor is facing the Diamondbacks, Padres and Red Sox in week 14. His career line against the Padres is an impressive .289/.365/.539. Taylor has an own percentage of 43 in ESPN fantasy league.
Kevin Newman is quietly having a great season in Pittsburgh. He’s on a 16 game hit streak as of June 28. That’s catching up to his 18 game hit streak he set earlier this season. Newman has been showing some power recently as well, as he has homered in three straight games from June 26 through June 28. The rookie has been consistent all season, and can keep up that pace moving forward. Although Newman is hitting so well, he only has an own percentage of about eight.
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Kole Calhoun is showing some power as of late. The Angels’ outfielder is up to 17 long balls on the season. Even though he has a near .230 average, Calhoun is producing in other ways, as he has scored nearly 50 times this season. Three of Calhoun’s week 14 games come against the Rangers, who he slashes .302/.380/.508 against. In leagues with multiple outfield spots, Calhoun is definitely worth keeping an eye on. The 31-year-old has an own percentage of below 35.
Keston Hiura is back on the MLB roster as Travis Shaw has been sent to the minors. With this transaction taking place, Hiura should be an everyday starter for Milwaukee. During his time in the minor leagues, Hiura hit .323/.404/.677 through 54 games. As a result, the 22-year-old is back with the team. He played 18 big league games before being demoted, where he hit five homers, which is good from a second baseman. Hiura is worth a shot in fantasy and is only on about 13 percent of rosters.
Image Courtesy of New York Times
Jackie Bradley Jr. is getting back on track nearing the all-star break. He has his average at about .220, which sounds pathetic, but he has been below .200 for a good portion of the season. The 29-year-old is heating up at the right time as the Red Sox need to start turning things around if they want a chance to win the AL East. During week 14, Bradley Jr. is facing the Blue Jays, a team that he has an OPS of over .800 against. The Red Sox’s outfielder has an own percentage of below 40.
Feature Image Courtesy of Zimbio.
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