Hello and welcome to the big and scary LAST WEEK BEFORE THE PLAYOFFS edition of the Deep/Very Deep league waiver wire adds list for fantasy baseball.
It is time to get creative in a last ditch effort to see a meaningful postseason, and these six players (five batters, one SP) will give you a great chance to do just that if you are a fantasy baseball manager in a deep/very deep league. We begin in a familiar place to both myself and to the deep/very deep waiver wire additions column.
Editor's Note: for other waiver wire options, check out RotoBaller's fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups list. It's updated every single day. Our awesome writers bring you analysis on hot or emerging NL-only options, and also all other fantasy positions. You can also download our waiver wire iPhone app for free, and easily stay updated.
Deeper League Waiver Wire Analysis
Adam Duvall (1B/Soon OF, CIN, Owned in 0% of fleaflicker leagues)
Adam Duvall was a big prospect trade piece in the deal that sent Mike Leake from Cincinnati to San Francisco. Duvall is mainly a first baseman but the Reds are pretty much set there so they have been trying him out in LF, especially after Marlon Byrd's departure. How did Duvall respond to his call-up opportunity? He hit a HR in his very first AB for the Redlegs. Duvall has an extensive power hitting minor league career. In 2398 minor league AB Duvall has hit 130 HR, and produced a .840 OPS. This season in 497 AB Duvall has hit 30 HR, 29 doubles, stolen five bases, and produced a .823 OPS. With his power hitting track record, new found playing time, and sleeper potential to steal bases as a slugging option, Adam Duvall is a great addition for fantasy baseball managers in very deep leagues.
Cameron Rupp (C, PHI, Owned in 3% of fleaflicker leagues)
Usually I would say this is a "tale of two halves", but in Cameron Rupp's case, it looks like a case of two different people. In his last 15 GS Rupp has six HR, a .320 BA, and a 1.117 OPS in just 50 AB. Rupp has also devastated southpaws so far this season with a .333 BA and 1.063 OPS vs. LHP. Most telling, Rupp finished the month of August ranked 12th in MLB in HR with seven. Catchers are always hard to find, but with Cameron Rupp producing in both power and BA, fantasy baseball managers in very deep leagues likely have no better option than the hot hitting Rupp.
Michael Conforto (OF, NYM, Owned in 4% of fleaflicker leagues)
Michael Conforto has been a big part of the Mets' offensive resurgence in the season's second half. So far in 82 AB this season Conforto has hit four HR, produced a .293 BA, and a .928 OPS. Conforto has also shown comfort at the major league plate far beyond his years with a .909 OPS Away to go along with a .950 OPS at Home; as well as beating up righties with a .954 OPS vs. RHP. Conforto has been particularly hard to deal with at the plate in his last 30 AB: hitting two HR, and producing a .400 BA, and a 1.233 OPS. Conforto is a widely available young bat who offers average, decent power, and overall consistency. Fantasy baseball managers in deep leagues could greatly use him.
Abraham Almonte (OF, CLE, Owned in 2% of fleaflicker leagues)
Everyone always needs a sneaky speed option, and this week, it could be Abraham Almonte. Since he arrived in Cleveland Almonte has hit three HR, three triples, stolen three bases, and produced a .282 BA, and a .868 OPS in just 78 AB. Almonte has hit well against RHP with a .850 OPS and has produced a promising .839 OPS at home. Almonte has been especially hot in the last seven days by hitting a HR, stealing two bases, and producing a .438 BA, and a 1.158 OPS in 16 AB. Most impressive about Almonte's numbers is the fact that he has offensively improved every month with OPS totals of .432 for May, .600 for June, .697 for July, and .868 for August. Almonte could start to see more playing time in the confused Cleveland outfield. If he does fantasy baseball managers in very deep leagues can count on stolen bases, BA, and more power than expected from a speed option.
Felix Doubront (SP, OAK, Owned in 4% of fleaflicker leagues)
It is ironic that Felix Doubront's name happens to pop up, because pop-ups are the story of his recent success. Since being acquired by Oakland this season Doubront has a 3.28 ERA, a 1.338 WHIP, an impressive FIP of 3.21, and a 4.0 BB/9 that is more than offset by his 8.0 K/9 and 0.4 HR/9. All of this comes in 24 and two-thirds IP. Despite a GB/FB ratio of just 0.79 with Oakland, DOubront has limited opponents to just a 20% line drive percentage and has created a 21% IF/FB rate. If you are a fantasy baseball manager in a very deep league looking for a hot streaming option with upside K potential, Felix Doubront is a nice option in his upcoming starts.
Blake Swihart (C, BOS, Owned in 6% of fleaflicker leagues)
Who would've thought catcher would be the deep position this week? Blake Swihart on the year has two HR, three SB, a .280 BA, and a .707 OPS in 218 AB. Swihart has been unconscious lately by hitting a HR, stealing two bases, producing a .476 BA, and a 1.256 OPS in his last 21 AB. Swihart finished the month of August tied for first among catchers in SB with two, and he has improved significantly at the bat as each passing month goes by; with a .524 May OPS, .690 June OPS, .719 July OPS, and a .931 August OPS. Blake Swihart is hitting everything that is being thrown at him and once on base, he is one of the most likely catchers in baseball right now to gain a steal. Fantasy baseball managers in deep leagues should add Swihart to their rosters soon.
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