Are you looking for an under-the-radar option for the coming week? Here are who the Rotoprofessor staff recommends you consider:
Batters:
Matt Carpenter – St. Louis Cardinals – 1B/3B/OF (Ray Kuhn)
It seems that as long as he keeps on hitting Carpenter will continue to get regular playing time. He has eligibility at both corner positions which is even more valuable at this point in the season, especially in daily leagues as you try to maximize at bats. He is in a strong offense, hits for a good average (.298), and will contribute some power (6 home runs and 44 runs batted in). If there is a need, Carpenter could be a player to look at.
Anthony Gose – Toronto Blue Jays – OF (Eric Stashin)
Is he going to hit for a high average? Probably not, but he has been hot of late and is suddenly seeing regular playing time for the Blue Jays. If you need speed, Gose is definitely a player that could be worth gambling on over the final few weeks of the year, especially as he is hitting .323 with 5 SB in just 31 September AB.
Brock Holt – Pittsburgh Pirates – 2B (Ray Kuhn)
Holt was called up due to Neil Walker’s injury and he did not disappoint. When he was called up from AAA he was hitting .432 and his season average in the minors was .344. So we know that he can clearly hit for average and as a player who has dual eligibility at both middle infield positions. Although Walker is back, there is the possibility that the Pirates will take it easy with him granting him a little extra rest. And as long as he keeps hitting, Holt is an option at shortstop as well for the Pirates. His average of .327 shows that his ability has translated to the big leagues. The problem though is that there is not much power or speed to go with the average. If Holt seems to be receiving playing time, or if you are just looking for a middle infield option that will not kill your average, then Holt could be a viable addition.
J.D. Martinez – Houston Astros – OF (Eric Stashin)
One of the big outfield sleepers heading into the season, Martinez has been an obvious disappointment for fantasy owners this season including spending time at Triple-A. Even since being recalled in September he has yet to live up to his full potential and has not yet earned regular playing time. However, he has at least shown a little something over the past two days, including hitting a double and triple on Sunday. With Fernando Martinez day-to-day with a knee injury, J.D. Martinez could be in line for regular playing time this week and could be catching fire at the perfect time. While there’s nothing he could do to make this season right, you may be able to squeeze some value out of him over the final two weeks.
Pitchers
Chris Carpenter – St. Louis Cardinals (Ray Kuhn)
This Friday marks the return of another Carpenter that plays in St. Louis. He was likely forgotten about, especially at this point in the season, but at the same time it is rare you can pick someone of his stature up from free agency. Granted he has not pitched all season, but in my opinion if you have the spot, he is worth the chance.
Gavin Floyd – Chicago White Sox (Eric Stashin)
Floyd pitched fairly well in his first start off the DL, striking out 7 over 4.2 IP (he did allow 3 ER, but only 4 H and 1 BB). His first matchup of the week is a favorable one against the Royals and, while the Angels could be a tougher matchup at the end of the week, depending on your situation he will be worth the gamble. He has struggled against Los Angeles this season (0-1 with an 8.76 ERA over two starts), so you would be well served to keep that in mind. It all depends on your situation and team needs at this point.
