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Before we start, I'd like to apologize for putting Justin Bour on here a couple weeks ago - instead of coming off the DL, he gets transferred to the 60-day. Who knew? Just remember who told you to pick up Robbie Ray a week ago before he was trendy...
This list represents players who haven't yet garnered a great deal of attention in mixed-leagues, streaming options suitable only for deeper leagues, or category specialists who may fill a specific need on your NL-only roster. Fantasy owners needing help should be on the lookout for these potential additions in the coming week. The following players are owned in 25% or less of Fleaflicker leagues.
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Hitters
Jose Peraza (2B/SS/OF, CIN) - 9% owned - Upon his initial call-up in the early summer, Peraza contributed speed as expected (10 SB in his first 88 at-bats), but little else of fantasy value. After a brief return to the minors, Peraza is swinging a hot stick. He has 11 hits in 19 at-bats in August, along with two steals. Peraza was the #38 prospect according to MLB.com before the season began and he is now showing why. A .299 hitter in the minors, he has boosted his average to .308 and could rightfully sustain this pace. Even if you're not in need of steals, Peraza is hitting well enough to warrant adding in deep leagues.
Josh Bell (OF, PIT) -10% owned - Jung Ho Kang's injury clears the way for Bell to build on his already impressive debut. Bell, who earlier hit a grand slam in his second Major League at-bat, is 6-for-12 with six RBI and doesn't seem intimidated whatsoever by the big show. If the Pirates are going to rightfully give him the chance to win the first base job, he could be a great power source in September. He already has huge dynasty league appeal, but for deep mixed or NL-only leagues he is definitely worth an add.
Andrew Toles (OF, LAD) - 1% owned - Toles wasn't expected to be a starter when being recalled from Oklahoma City a second time this year, but he may force his way into the lineup more often. He has homered twice with seven RBI in three games since rejoining the club. He is now slashing .354/.418/.563 this season in 48 at-bats. The power is a surprise considering he had a grand total of 17 HR in four minor league seasons, but he has consistently hit over .300. Temper your expectations, but keep an eye on his progression and take a chance if you're desperate for offense.
Xavier Scruggs (1B, MIA) - 0% owned - Speaking of desperate, first Giancarlo Stanton, now Justin Bour both have been declared out for the remainder of the year in Miami. With Derek Dietrich also hitting the 15 day DL, Scruggs will be needed on the field. This former Cardinals prospect is approaching his 29th birthday with just 69 MLB at-bats under his belt. The good news is he jacked his first big league home run in his second game after being recalled and is 3-for-12 thus far. He is on the lower end of the prospect totem pole, but he has five 20+ HR seasons in the minors and could surprise given the chance to play each day.
Mitch Haniger (OF, ARI) - 2% owned - Haniger is getting the chance to play every day in both LF and RF in Arizona and has made the most of it so far. In 30 at-bats he is batting .267 with five RBI. He hasn't gone deep yet, but he has shown good power in the minors, hitting 24 HR this season alone between Double-A and Triple-A. A career .290 hitter in the minors, Haniger has a developing bat that could win him a starting outfield spot heading into next season.
Patrick Kivlehan (3B/OF, SD) - 0% owned - Another week, another Padres minor-leaguer suddenly appears on the roster and starts homering. Kivlehan made a splash in his MLB debut by homering in his second at-bat and is now 4-for-13 with four runs scored in four games. He was a corner infielder in the minors, but is starting every day in the outfield for San Diego and will gain multi-position eligibility any time now. Since everyone is getting a shot to contribute on this team, if he hits, he'll stick. Beware the impending call-ups (fingers crossed) of Hunter Renfroe and Manuel Margot though.
Angel Pagan (OF, SF) - 22% owned - The lone veteran on this list, Pagan has been in this situation before. He missed nearly a month with a hamstring issue earlier in the year and has been largely up-and-down in 2016. Well, he's up now for sure with a .415 average over the last two weeks and three steals. It's easy to forget that he is hitting .300 on the season because he doesn't provide power and his speed is not a true asset any more. If you are simply looking for a steady presence in AVG and R down the stretch, then Pagan is a safe bet.
Pitchers
Ivan Nova (SP, PIT) - 10% owned - A perennial underachiever in pinstripes, this ex-Yankee has been excellent since joining the Bucs. Nova is 3-0 with a 3.20 ERA since coming over at the trade deadline. His 1.10 WHIP is most encouraging, since he has never finished a season below 1.29. Perhaps a move to the NL under the tutelage of Ray Searage will turn things around permanently. Although it seems as if Nova has been around forever, he is still 29 years old and could become a worthy streamer for those in need of a rotation arm.
Seth Lugo (SP, NYM) - 1% owned - Lugo may be a short-term starter while Steven Matz recovers, but it is unclear whether the Mets will push his return. In the meanwhile, Lugo gets a chance to build on a quality start against the Giants in which he went 6.2 innings and allowed three runs. He is not the next great Mets pitcher, leaving a 4.28 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 8.7 K/9 in the minors, but NL-only owners needing to pad their innings totals could take a chance here.
Julio Urias (SP, LAD) - 23% owned - Urias-mania has come and gone. Now, we are resigned to the fact he will be a spot starter and bullpen arm the rest of the way. That doesn't mean he can't provide some usefulness to fantasy owners, as he showed on Sunday. Urias fired six scoreless innings and earned a victory against the Reds. Even facing the powerful Cubs next, Urias has the talent to be worth streaming and can bolster your K total.
Ross Stripling (SP, LAD) - 3% owned - Putting Stripling back in the rotation is more of a desperation move on the part of the Dodgers. Much like the beginning of the year, they continue to be decimated by injuries, so Stripling will remain in the mix for the foreseeable future. He hasn't been able to reclaim the magic of his first start, but an adequate 4.04 ERA and 1.25 WHIP could earn him a couple of wins on a suddenly surging Dodgers team. His 6.7 K/9 eliminate him from the mixed league conversation.
Alex Reyes (RP, STL) - 16% owned - Another huge flame-throwing prospect limited by his role, Reyes is still a valuable bullpen arm if you've got the space. In the last two weeks, Reyes has picked up a win and a save, while striking out 12 and allowing no earned runs in 8.1 IP. The counting stats will be somewhat restricted, but he is yet to blink in his first go-around so it won't hurt to slot him in your bullpen.
Reynaldo Lopez (SP, WAS) - 25% owned - We're going to give Lopez a pass on his last outing, since it was in Camden Yards against the hard-hitting Orioles. Lopez had been dazzling in his previous two outings, allowing one run in seven innings and earning a win in each. Yes, those were both against the Braves. I guess the lesson we've learned here is that matchups matter. Lopez faces the Rockies next, although not in Coors Field. If he can show something in that start, feel free to pick him up. Otherwise, avoid until he happens to face Atlanta next.
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