Daily Fantasy Baseball 2015: MLB DraftKings Late-Season Pickups for August 31
The end of August marks the beginning of the end for the MLB regular season. This is also the time when playoffs near, and it's important to figure out which sleeper players can contribute a lot to your fantasy baseball team's lineup.
This list features a plethora of young talent, with just one player over the age of 25. Here are a few of the best late-season pickups for August 31.
Odubel Herrera, OF, Philadelphia Phillies ($3,000)
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Herrera has been one of the few bright spots for the Philadelphia Phillies during the second half of 2015. The 23-year-old has recorded a .348 batting average since the All-Star break and is hitting .358 over his past 15 games.
The key to Herrera’s success has been his efficiency at the plate. The former first-round Rule 5 draft pick has recorded an impressive .369 BABIP this season. The risk associated with Herrera is his tendency to be too aggressive at the plate, as he has struck out in nearly 24 percent of his at-bats in 2015.
Herrera is a low-risk, high-reward pick who can make an instant impact for a team in desperate need of outfield help. He is playing at his peak at the right time which makes him an ideal pickup.
Francisco Lindor, SS, Cleveland Indians ($4,000)
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The Cleveland Indians had huge expectations for Lindor when they selected him in the first round of the 2011 MLB draft, and it looks like he is finally living up to the previous hype that surrounded him.
The 21-year-old has been on a tear the past few weeks with a .393 batting average over his past 15 games. He has hit safely in nine straight games with five multi-hit games during the current span.
The downside to Lindor is the fact that he isn’t the best slugger, with a .534 slugging percentage over his past 30 games. Despite his lack of power and experience, Lindor has been a force at the plate which should make him a great pickup going forward.
Franklin Gutierrez, OF, Seattle Mariners ($4,100)
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Gutierrez has been one of the few threats for an otherwise sporadic Seattle Mariners offense this season. Since returning to the team’s lineup on June 24, the 32-year-old has recorded a .314 batting average over his past 15 games and is hitting .305 overall in 2015.
Gutierrez has demonstrated his impressive power over the past few weeks. He has recorded a .745 slugging percentage over his past 15 games and has hit six home runs over the current span. The veteran outfielder has also recorded a career-high .366 on-base percentage this season.
Gutierrez has found his stride during the second half of 2015 and should continue his promising play going forward. His ability to get on base consistently, combined with his ability to hit for power and average, makes him a formidable fantasy option.
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Drew Hutchison, SP, Toronto Blue Jays ($7,400)
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Hutchison has brought impressive depth to a Toronto Blue Jays rotation that features former All-Stars such as David Price, Mark Buehrle and R.A. Dickey.
The 25-year-old has recorded an impressive 13-2 record with 122 strikeouts this season. He has been hot as of late with a 5-0 record over his past seven starts. What’s been especially impressive about Hutchison is his ability to strike out opposing hitters consistently, as he is averaging 7.92 strikeouts per nine innings pitched in 2015.
The right-hander has demonstrated great command recently and should perform admirably going forward. His low asking price, combined with his recent performances, makes him an excellent pitching option for the stretch run of 2015.
Yordano Ventura, SP, Kansas City Royals ($9,600)
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After an up-and-down start to the season, Ventura has flourished as of late with a 5-0 record over his past seven appearances. He has also recorded at least six strikeouts in each of his past four starts, including an 11-strikeout performance against the Baltimore Orioles on August 27.
He has allowed just three runs and 13 hits combined over his past four starts. The 24-year-old has also recorded 42 strikeouts and allowed just one home run over the current span. Ventura also has impressive velocity and has topped off at 100 mph with his fastball multiple times this season.
The Kansas City Royals continue to dominate the American League Central division, and Ventura continues to improve his craft. The time to pick him up is now as his value continues to skyrocket.
All statistics courtesy of FanGraphs unless otherwise noted.
Follow Curtis on Twitter: @CalhounCurtis.
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