Daily Fantasy Baseball 2015: MLB DraftKings Late Season Pickups for August 3
As fantasy baseball teams approach the stretch run of the 2015 MLB season, the demand for consistent production out of specific players grows with each passing game.
Some of the best fantasy baseball options right now are under-the-radar names. As the playoff race becomes more exciting, it'll be important to recognize players with plenty of momentum on their sides.
Here are six of the best late-season pickups as August enters its first full week of MLB action.
Nick Markakis, OF, Atlanta Braves ($3,300)
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Markakis has been one of the few consistent bright spots for the Atlanta Braves this season.
The 31-year-old is hitting .291 in 2015 and is currently on a nine-game hitting streak. He has hit safely in 11 of his past 12 games and has recorded five multi-hit games in the current span.
One of the biggest reasons Markakis has had success this season is his improved plate discipline. The former two-time Gold Glove winner has walked in 10.8 percent of his at-bats in 2015, his highest walk rate since 2010.
Markakis isn’t a strong slugging option, with just two home runs and 33 RBI this season. However, his ability to hit for a high batting average makes him a solid pickup in fantasy leagues.
Mike Leake, P, San Francisco Giants ($6,800)
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The Giants acquired Leake via a trade with the Cincinnati Reds just before the July 31 trade deadline, and he has performed well as of late.
The 27-year-old veteran has recorded an impressive 9-6 record with a 3.52 ERA so far this season. After a slow start in which he went winless through his first four outings in 2015, Leake has allowed just 14 earned runs combined over his past seven starts.
What has made the former Arizona State standout effective this season has been his ability to limit big-hit opportunities. He has allowed just 0.92 home runs per nine innings pitched in 2015.
Leake joins a Giants pitching staff that has great depth and flexibility in its starting rotation. He should fit right in with San Francisco and should continue his promising play.
Melky Cabrera, OF, Chicago White Sox ($4,200)
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After a slow start to the 2015 season, Cabrera has arguably been the hottest hitter since the All-Star break.
The 30-year-old has hit an astounding .381 over his past 30 games and has redeemed himself as one of the top hitters in the American League.
He has also hit six home runs in the current span after recording just two home runs total through his first 74 games played.
Cabrera is a sure-fire start as he continues to dominate his opponents during his recent streak. His reasonably low price gives him great value for daily fantasy leagues.
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Logan Forsythe, 1B/2B/DH, Tampa Bay Rays ($3,600)
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Forsythe has shined as a great utility player for the Rays this season.
The Memphis, Tennessee, native has demonstrated great balance at the plate with a .799 on-base plus slugging percentage this season.
He has also become more patient at the plate in 2015 while increasing his walk percentage by 2 percent and decreasing his strikeout percentage by nearly 5 percent since 2014.
Forsythe’s lineup versatility and skill set make him a strong option in fantasy baseball. He has missed only four games for the Rays this season and is a credible option in all fantasy league formats.
Brandon Belt, 1B, San Francisco Giants ($4,200)
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Belt has solidified his position as one of the Giants’ best sluggers in 2015.
The first baseman has recorded a .479 slugging percentage this season, his highest since 2013. Belt also ranks third among all Giants players with 12 home runs and a .823 on-base plus slugging percentage this season.
The downside to Belt is he also leads the Giants with an abysmal 101 strikeouts this season. However, he has also recorded walks in 10 percent of his at-bats this season, his highest walk rate since 2012.
Belt’s high strikeout rate makes him somewhat of a risk in all fantasy league formats, but his impressive hitting overall makes a viable option as 2015 draws to a close.
Noah Syndergaard, P, New York Mets ($6,900)
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After five long years of meandering through the minor leagues with the Toronto Blue Jays and the Mets, Syndergaard has emerged as one of the top young pitchers in MLB this season.
The 22-year-old has been lights-out recently with a 4-1 record and 1.44 ERA over his past seven starts. Syndergaard has been a nightmare for opposing hitters, as he has averaged eight strikeouts per game over his past four outings.
As the Mets continue their dramatic climb in the National League standings, Syndergaard will be an important component of the team’s starting rotation. His recent streak makes him a low-risk, high-reward option for daily fantasy leagues.
Follow Curtis on Twitter @CalhounCurtis for up-to-date Daily Fantasy Sports information and more.
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