LestersLegends.com

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By Dan Rauer (http://dansotherworld.blogspot.com)
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September marks the expansion of the rosters from 25 players up to 40 players. Most teams use this time to augment their rosters with role players or try out up-and-coming players in the place of flailing veterans.  It’s also a time when the true fortitude of baseball players is tested (or so the sportswriters would have us believe), when the tough break out the helmets of mental toughness and take up the gauntlet of the division championship.   The same concept applies to fantasy championships; handle the grind and win the day.  The trading deadline in the majority of leagues is long past.  It’s time to look to the waiver wire to put your team over others in the categories (or conversely to block other teams from progressing in those categories)
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Here’s a sampling of players who can help your team that are generally available in less than 50% of leagues.
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Listed in order from most obvious to subtle surprises and names from the past….
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1. Stephen Strasburg (P): The debut is September 6.  The K potential is enormous (12.2 K/9 in 2010).  If his command is how it was before the injury (always a dicey proposition with Tommy John returnees), your WHIP standing can benefit as well.  Of course, he shouldn’t be available in your league.
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2. Jose Tabata (OF): His long stay on the DL has rendered him an afterthought in most leagues.  His on-base skills and speed, though, are undeniable. (.357 OBP this year with 16 SB in 85 games.  Expect at least 5 SB in September (not a small number when jockeying for the head of the speed category)
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3.  Dustin Ackley (2B/OF): With his 2B eligibility, he should be long acquired…however, less than half have claimed his services.  The lineup around him leaves a lot to be desired, but he’s a pure hitter with a developed batting eye at the age of 22 (.365 OBP, 28 BB in 65 games).  He has gap power and basepath speed, though neither has translated to HR or SB as of yet.
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4. Josh Willingham (OF):  Being relegated to yet another non-contending team with a pitcher’s home ballpark, he has real power (averaging 26 HR/162 games in his career with 23 HR so far this year), and it is always hard to augment one’s power standing at this time of year.  He’s in the mold of the slow-footed, iron-gloved fielders with power, though he has more speed and less power than that archetype (Pat Burrell, pre-2011 Adam Dunn, etc)
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5. Javier Vazquez (P): He still has a better than 2.5:1 K/BB ratio for the year even with the disastrous start to the year.  His stats since the all-star break 2-3 with 3.51 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 9.5 K/9.  The ERA is fueled by a little luck (.278 BABIP), but the results are real…if he doesn’t revert to his April form.
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6. Seth Smith (OF): He is frustrating to own because he doesn’t play everyday in the crowded Rockies lineup.  However, for those in daily transaction leagues, it’s simple to handle him on your roster.  Do not play him against left-handed pitchers (.593 OPS for 2011), and definitely play him at home against a right-handed pitcher.  Do this, and you’ll have a .300 hitting, 20 HR hitting OF who’s worth a roster spot.
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7. Dayan Viciedo (3B):  The newly called up White Sox is a powerful addition to your lineup.  With the attrition at 3B this season, he has the potential and ceiling to surpass most 3B’s production in September this season.  He’s already been positioned in the 5 spot in his team’s lineup.
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8. Rich Harden (P):  He’s back and not on the DL and on the Athletics again.  He easily gets to a high pitch count and his performance so far has been variable this year, but there are times when you need the spectacular outing, and he has the talent to give you one….when you don’t expect.  6 IP, 7 K, and a hope that he gives up only solo HRs is what to endure for his outings. Just let them average out and you’ll be fine as long as you have a healthy WHIP advantage when you decide to deploy him.
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There are many other players left behind by the rest of your league that you can use, just find the best fits for your team and your standing (or your upcoming head-to-head playoffs).   Are there any other names that you feel are better pick-ups than the ones listed above?

(Photo: Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Stephen Strasburg was surrounded by more hype than any player in baseball history. To say he lived up to the hype would be a lie. He actually looked underrated today toying with the Pirates. Granted it wasn’t the Phillies or Yankees, but he struck out 14 of the 24 batters he faced.

Strasburg gave up 2 runs on 4 hits in 7 innings to win his major league debut. His only mistake was a two-run homer run yielded to Delwyn Young. Strasmus is a holiday that will be celebrated for years to come in DC.

Images courtesy of Icon SMI

Carlos Santana missed some time with a minor knee injury, but he’s back at it.  Through 15 games for Triple-A Columbus Santana is 17 for 51 (.333) with 10 runs, 4 doubles, 5 HRs, 16 RBIs, 2 SBs, and 11 walks. His on-base percentage is .452, his slugging percentage is .706, and his OPS is 1.157.

With Lou Marson hitting .088 (3 for 34) and Mike Redmond (soon to be 39) better suited for a back-up role (and mentor), Santana could get his call before long.

Aroldis Chapman continues to impress for Triple-A Louisville. Through three starts he’s 1-1 with a 0.60 ERA and 18 Ks in 15 innings. It’s not all rose for Chapman though. He also has 10 walks so far. He’ll have to work out his control issues before the Reds call upon him.

Stephen Strasburg does not share that problem. In 12-1/3 innings for Double-A Harrisburg he has surrendered just 3 Walks in 12-1/3 innings. He’s racked up 17 Ks already to go with his 2-0 record, 0.73 ERA, and 0.811 WHIP. I expect Strasburg will test the Triple-A waters before the Nationals give him the call. They do not want to rush their prized prospect. Plus, his clock doesn’t start.

Carlos Santana is killing it for Triple-A Columbus. In four games Santana is 7 for 16 (.438) with 6 runs, 2 doubles, 4 HRs, 8 RBIs, and 2 walks. His on-base percentage is .500, his slugging percentage 1.313, and his OPS a ridiculous 1.813. He has 21 total bases in four games. If he continues to rake like this, he’ll be getting a call sooner rather than later.

Meanwhile Aroldis Chapman was impressive in his debut for Triple-A Louisville. He went 4-2/3 innings allowing one run while striking out nine. In spring training Chapman was 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA. He had 15 Ks in 10-2/3 innings.

Chapman isn’t the only pitcher on the fast track. Stephen Strasburg shined this spring for the Nationals going 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA. He had 12 Ks in 9 Innings. In his debut for Double-A Harrisburg Strasburg allowed one earned run (plus 3 unearned) in five innings to pick up the victory. He struck out 8 while walking 2.

It’s just a matter of time before these three get their call.

Now an early look at the NL East.

1.  Will Tommy Hanson lead the Braves in Wins?
There is a decent chance he does. Jair Jurrjens pitched about as well as you can imagine last year and only managed to win 14 games. Tim Hudson always has question marks. Derek Lowe hasn’t won 16 games since 2006. That leave Hanson who won 11 in 21 starts. He stumbled a bit in July (1-2, 3.94 ERA), but rebounded nicely to finish the year off.

2.  Can Billy Wagner hold up?
He sure looked good for Boston last year. He had good velocity. He’s getting up there in age, but I believe the lefty could put together a 30 save season.

3.  Will Ricky Nolasco bounce back?
Nolasco was high on everyone’s list going into last year after his 15-8, 3.52 ERA, 1.10 WHIP in 2008. Sure, his ERA bloated to 5.06, but his WHIP was a very respectable 1.25. What’s more is he had a better strikout ratio (9.49 K/9 compared to 7.88). Plus, he was 11-4 with a 4.13 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP from June through the end of the year. Hopefully his first half struggles and overall numbers let him slide in your drafts making him a great value in 2010.

4.  Will Leo Nunez hold on to the Closer gig?
It’s his job to lose, but do note that he blew seven of his 33 save opportunites (21 percent). He was even worse in December with three blown saves in 11 chances with a 6.10 ERA.

5.  Is Citi Field cursed?
I can’t recall a team going through as many injuries at the Mets did last year. Reyes, Wright (see where he ranks among 2010 Third Basemen), Johan, Beltran, the list goes on and on. Seriously though, I think the offense will be fine. Jason Bay adds his big bat to an already impressive lineup (when healthy). The trouble is their pitching. I don’t see them having enough starting pitching to compete with Atlanta or Philadelphia.

6. Will Cole Hamels return to form?
I can’t think of a more important question for the Phillies. I think the role of Superman in the postseason may have got to his head a bit. He received a lot of negative attention when he said he couldn’t wait until the season was over. I didn’t take it as him quitting rather the year took a toll on him. I think he’ll work hard to get back to the level he and his fantasy owners have grown accustomed to. Despite his struggles, he did manage to produce a decent ERA (4.32) and a solid WHIP (1.29). He doesn’t have the pressure of being the ace of the staff anymore either.

7.  Will Jayson Werth continue to be a fantasy beast?
After a solid 2008 season, Werth’s numbers exploded last year as he scored 98 runs, hit 36 HRs, and had 99 RBIs. He matched his 2008 SB total with 20. He’ll turn 31 early in the year, and I see no reason he can’t continue to produce at a high level, especially in that lineup.

8.  Should you draft Stephen Strasburg?
Only in deep keeper leagues. He means too much to the future of the Nationals for them to rush him along. If you’re in a league with three or four keepers, he won’t be worth hanging onto just yet. Be patient with him, like the Nationals will be.

9.  Will Nyjer Morgan continue to produce?
I don’t see why not. He was solid for Pittsburgh before being dealt to Washington, where he was even better. He hit .351 with 35 runs and 24 SBs in 49 games with the Nationals.

The Washington Nationals did what was expected of them when they made Stephen Strasburg the #1 pick in the 2009 MLB Draft.  Strasburg dominated this year at San Diego State going 13-1 with a 1.32 ERA and 195 Ks in 109 Innings.  He has been clocked with an impressive 102 mph fastball.

2009 Top Ten:
1.  Washington Nationals – Stephen Strasburg, P
2.  Seattle Mariners – Dustin Ackley, OF
3.  San Diego Padres – Donavan Tate, OF 
4.  Pittsburgh Pirates – Tony Sanchez, C
5.  Baltimore Orioles - Matt Hobgood, P 
6.  San Francisco – Zack Wheeler, P
7.  Atlanta Braves – Mike Minor, P
8.  Cincinnati Reds – Mike Leake, P
9.  Detroit Tigers – Jacob Turner, P
10.  Washington Nationals – Drew Storen, P