Are you looking for an under-the-radar option for the coming week? Here are who the Rotoprofessor staff recommends you consider:
Hitters:
Chris Parmalee – 1B/OF, Minnesota Twins (Ray Kuhn)
It seems like the Twins called Parmalee up to play, as he has started every game since he was recalled. On the season his average is .218, but he has at least 1 hit in 6 of his last 7 games. With 2 HR and 8 RBI in his last week, Parmalee could provide a nice boost to your power stats while helping out at either first base or in the outfield. With Parmalee you are guaranteed regular playing time, and while he might not keep his streak of getting hits, the power should not go away. There are not much better power options available that will also get regular playing time.
Logan Forsythe – 2B, San Diego Padres (Ray Kuhn)
Lets now take a look at an option that could help your stolen bases who also has some versatility with eligibility at second and third base. As the Padres are trying to get an idea of what they have for next season, Forsythe has been seeing some more regular playing time. He has a .283 average on the year, so there is some value there and will not hurt your average. Although he does not have much power, he should produce some RBI and also score some runs. He will not be a difference maker, but he will not hurt you either and if he gives you a few stolen bases while you are at it, there could be some value.
Joaquin Arias – 2B, San Francisco Giants (Will Overton)
A couple of perks to using Joaquin Arias this week. For one he is going to play in Colorado and Arizona, much more hitter friendly parks than his home park. Playing away from home Arias is hitting .329, and while he only has 4 HR’s, all of them have come on the road. Arias is also 7 – 18 against the Rockies which is another perk. Secondly, the Giants face four lefties, and he has a .315 average against left handers. Arias has gotten off to a bit of a slow start in September, but he dominated in August and could get himself on track tonight.
Matt Dominguez – 3B, Houston Astros (Will Overton)
In 13 games since being called up Matt Dominguez has been scorching the ball. Dominguez is hitting .350 since the Astros brought him up including 8 – 17 in his last five games. He also has 2 HR’s in his last three games and three total since being called up. Dominguez was never much of an average hitter in the minor leagues, so the hot streak may run out at some point, but for the moment he’s killing it. And the power is every bit of real. Once you get to September you don’t ignore hot streaks you ride them out, do that with Dominguez.
Pitchers:
John Lannan – Washington Nationals (Ray Kuhn)
Lannan for most of the season was the best pitcher not in the major leagues. But now that Stephen Strasburg is done for the season, Lannan steps right into the rotation. He has always been a decent starter that would keep the Nationals in the game, have a manageable ERA, and a higher WHIP. That will not change for the rest of this season. In the two starts he made this season so far, he has a 3.46 ERA. If you are looking for a reliable starting pitcher who can get a few wins without much risk then Lannan is your guy. You will probably have to tolerate a WHIP a little on the higher side, but other than that, there is not much risk involved.
Rick Porcello – Detroit Tigers (Will Overton)
I realize as well as anyone that starting Rick Porcello can be a scary proposition. But Porcello does have two starts this week which could end well. Tonight Porcello will be going against the Chicago White Sox who he has a pattern of dominating. Porcello is 3 – 0 in three starts against the Sox this season with a 1.23 ERA. Sometimes there are just teams that a pitcher owns and for Porcello that team is the White Sox. The other start will come against Cleveland who has one of the more erratic offenses in all of baseball right now. I can’t promise a lot of K’s, but Porcello has a good shot at a couple of wins this week and a solid ERA.
