One time for Team USA baseball. They will play Japan for gold Saturday morning against Japan, a team that squeaked past them in the preliminary games.
For those they may be unaware the team is comprised of former major leaguers and minor league players not on an MLB team’s 40-man roster (among others) and has been one of the better USA stories.
While a majority of these players have played their last games in the majors or may never get the call to play their first, having relevant baseball on an international level has been fun.
Pick Them Up
Adam Duvall – OF, Atlanta Braves
Yahoo: 55%, ESPN: 50%
I'm happy to see Duvall start every day for Atlanta despite them trading for a roster’s worth of new outfielders. The boom/bust hitter has hits in three games, including a two-run homer. He also has a three-game walk streak heading into the first weekend of August.
Akil Baddoo – OF, Detroit Tigers
Yahoo: 55%, ESPN: 54%
The rookie ended July and started August with a three-game RBI streak to bridge between his strong runs scored total. Over the past two weeks, Baddoo has five extra-base hits including one home run. His turnaround from an abysmal end of May/June has been fantastic.
Myles Straw – OF/SS, Cleveland Indians
Yahoo: 44%, ESPN: 31%
The change of scenery has not hurt Straw’s fantasy appeal. He has hits in four of six games since being traded and collected to his first stolen base with Cleveland on August 2.
Cesar Hernandez – 2B, Chicago White Sox
Yahoo: 34%, ESPN: 47%
Hernandez has reached base in every game as a member of the Sox and is hitting second in their lineup.
Worth A Look
Jazz Chisholm Jr. – 2B/SS, Miami Marlins
Yahoo: 57%, ESPN: 51%
Stay healthy, Jazz! He has three multi-hit games and two RBI since returning from the 10-day IL July 30.
Amed Rosario – OF/SS, Cleveland Indians
Yahoo: 26%, ESPN: 32%
His three stolen bases in August are a reminder of his speed and what happens when he utilizes it correctly. He has yet to be caught stealing in 12 attempts.
Kolten Wong – 2B, Milwaukee Brewers
Yahoo: 34%, ESPN: 48%
Wong has been a fantasy champ when healthy and is contributing across the board. During the first week of August, Wong has two runs, three hits (two doubles) and an RBI. The Brewers are running away with the NL Central and as long as he is playing, Wong needs to be rostered.
Josh Harrison – 2B/3B/OF, Oakland Athletics
Yahoo: 30%, ESPN: 55%
He started both games this week against the San Diego Padres, a promising development after playing one game since being acquired. His position flexibility is the reason to take a look.
Short-Term Solutions
Patrick Wisdom – 1B/3B, Chicago Cubs
Yahoo: 30%, ESPN: 34%
Sixteen home runs in 180 at-bats are amazing if unsustainable. What has stuck around for the former prospect is his strikeouts. He has 75 and will pile on more with playing time available. He is an available boom/bust power hitter.
Miguel Rojas – SS, Miami Marlins
Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 23%
Rojas has scored four runs in three games this week and scored four last week. Miami’s offense is mediocre at best, but a return to form for Rojas puts him in the best position to score among the Marlins’ top of the order hitters.
Pavin Smith – 1B/OF, Arizona Diamondbacks
Yahoo: 15%, ESPN: 25%
He returned from the COVID-19 list August 5 and collected three RBI. The home runs are not there, but his .422 slugging and home games at a field with a cavernous outfield keep his value.
I Am Skeptical
Alec Bohm – 1B/3B, Philadelphia Phillies
Yahoo: 54%, ESPN: 56%
I fell for the upside prior to the season and there has been none. Bohm has hits in eight of his last nine but only has seven home runs and a .352 slugging percentage. I hope 2022 is better for him.
Tyler Stephenson – C/1B, Cincinnati Reds
Yahoo: 16%, ESPN: 18%
Stephenson is the future catcher of the Reds and has started three of their last four games, but the Reds have a strict platoon at the position and Stephenson is not usurping Joey Votto at first for extra at-bats short of normal days off.
