(Note: To make the list, I'll apply a loose definition that says you have to likely be unowned in a vast majority of 12-team mixed leagues. At the end of each player note, I'll also provide a suggested bid for those that use FAAB (Free Agent Acquisition Budget) for their waiver process (based on a $100 budget). Understand that this is only a suggestion ... if you just lost you're a starting outfielder to injury and you have an immediate need or gaping hole in your lineup, you will find it necessary to bid more in order to get that week's top available outfielder.)
Hitters
Aaron Altherr, OF, Philadelphia
As Philadelphia goes into full-on rebuild mode, they've had to turn to guys for September who might actually shine for some fantasy players. The flip of Ben Revere to Toronto opened up some time for Altherr. His early work has come solely against LHPs, but Phillies GM, Pete Mackanin, now says that he'll get an extended and full-fledged look in centerfield over the next four weeks. The right-handed hitting youngster put up some impressive marks over the course of Double-A and Triple-A work (.294 batting mark, an OPS over .850, alongside 14 homers, 67 RBIs, 65 Rs, and 14 steals over the two circuits) and has shown he's capable in the bigs with a half-dozen XBHs in his first 24 ABs. The word 'toolsy' is consistently a part of any Altherr write-up (including this one!) and for the owner who plays in a league where five OFs have to be starting, he's at least a consideration, depending on your exact circumstances. Playing time is king and he could be a decent power/speed helper in September.
Suggested FAAB bid - $6
Mark Canha, 1B, Oakland
In some leagues, Canha was gone long ago and has been held all summer long. But, in other leagues, he's been flipping back-and-forth between owned and dumped. Right now, there's probably a heavy push to re-add him in leagues where you still can. Canha is set to own first base for the A's moving forward following the season-ending hip surgery to Ike Davis. He's got some power that plays even in Oakland (10 shots in just a hair over 300 ABs), but be wary of his weakness vs. LHPs (an embarrassingly awful season OPS of .482 vs. southpaws!). He's not anything more than a corner infield play, but it could also net you some runs considering he's currently holding steady as the Athletics' number-2 hitter.
Suggested FAAB bid - $4
Enrique Hernandez, 2B/OF, LA Dodgers
Where did all the Joc Pederson love disappear to? Having hosted a show over the months of April, May, and June, I appeared to be clueless while insisting that Pederson could not maintain his fantasy relevance with such a high K-rate. Now, as baseball gives way to football on the calendar, I have yet to hear a single call-back saying, 'Yep, you were right. The dude has more holes in his swing than a honeycomb hideout.' The Dodgers finally admitted the obvious after a full three months of terrible Pederson at-bats and have, instead, gone in the direction of Hernandez. He's actually been one of the more consistent and reliable hitter in the entire L-A lineup for the past month, with an incredible batting average near-.390, plus three homers. He's not a long-term answer for the Dodgers, but he may be a month-long answer for fantasy players. He's got the infield/outfield eligibility that we crave and as long as he's hot, he's a definite fantasy starter.
Suggested FAAB bid - $7
Ketel Marte, 2B/SS, Seattle
Marte is the classic slap-hitting, middle infielder who has been in the Seattle organization since he left high school. He's finally received his MLB opportunity with the Mariners floundering towards the finish line. In fact, his opportunity is prime as he's been handling the top spot in the batting order for the M's. He's done a perfectly fine job in that spot, reaching base 38% of the time, while holding a near-1:1 K:BB ratio (14:11). He shows signs of being a Jean Segura/Erick Aybar-type, which is actually a raving compliment in this day and age. Eventually, I think we'll see some overmatched head-to-head's, but if you treading water at SS all season, he's worth a shot for the final month.
Suggested FAAB bid - $3
Cameron Rupp, C, Philadelphia
Those in two-catcher leagues should take note ... Rupp is raking! The Phillies' new every day catcher has hits in 13 of his last 14 games, while popping out five home runs, driving in 12, and scoring 10 times. Is he actually this good? Heck, no! But, at this point in the schedule, you're just looking for any kind of lift you can find. Unfortunately, you might have missed the best of the run, but even I would posit that Rupp can be a top 24 catcher (12-teams, a pair of starting catchers for each) the remainder of the year. I don't recommend any sort of bidding war, but put in a flier if you've got the need and the FAAB.
Suggested FAAB bid - $2
Pitchers
Jose Berrios, SP, Minnesota
We're getting close to a call-up for Berrios. He's been practically dominant this season with some impressive numbers in both Double and Triple-A ... a total of 12 wins, an ERA under-3, more than a K-per-inning, etc. His last start featured a dozen punch-outs in just seven innings and it appears that the Twins are seriously considering a promotion as they take a desperate fire at a Wild Card berth. Berrios is 'Severino-like' and should give the Twins a definite boost in their run for October. Obviously, it's never as simple as taking Triple-A marks and applying them to facing, say, Chicago, but Berrios is a true add, right now. Take the dip before we get word of the call-up and the competition for his services heats up.
Suggested FAAB bid - $6
Jhoulys Chacin, SP, Arizona
Did you even know that Chacin was now with the D'Backs? The seemingly-forever Rockie was released way back in March and after a quick look-see with Cleveland, he's landed with Arizona. He actually pitched solidly in his '15 debut, allowing just a pair of earned runs to St. Louis in 6.1 innings of work. He also tacked on five whiffs to spiff up the overall line. He's heading into a weekend start against Oakland (scheduled for Sunday) and if things go well there, he's a decent bet to start in Chicago next weekend. Even if things set-up well in that A's game and Chacin has a pair of good efforts to his name, don't get glassy eyed.
Suggested FAAB bid - $1
Bartolo Colon, SP, NY Mets
A man with 11 victories is on waiver wires everywhere, right now. Why? Well, outside of holding the moniker 'Bartolo Colon,' the man in question is 42, has an ERA of 4.68, and strikes out fewer than seven batters per nine. So, why is he even listed here? Well, of course, it's because he has two starts in the upcoming week. And, might I say, not just any typical two starts. Fat-olo is set to square off with Philadelphia (!) and Miami (!!). What more could you ask for? Oh, and did I mention that he has six wins in seven starts against those two teams this year? If you're looking for nothing more than just a shot at two cheap wins, he's your man for this week.
Suggested FAAB bid - $3
Tyler Duffey, SP, Minnesota
Here's another two-start pitcher for the week to come. Duffey has somehow skated by with two wins in his first four major league starts, despite a super-high 1.62 WHIP and an ERA of 4.29. He's survived thanks to some timely punch-outs. Overall, he's really just 'a guy,' and the pair of match-up's (home vs. the Pale Hose and on the road in Houston) aren't anything too enticing. Very little interest here ... let me say this, I'd rather have Colon and that's saying something!
Suggested FAAB bid - $1
Kris Medlen, SP, Kansas City
Ah, for the days of Tommy Hunter, Tommy Hanson, Jair Jurrjens, and Mike Minor. Remember when that grouping, plus Medlen, was supposed to be the centerpiece of the Braves' 2015 pennant run? Obviously, the baseball gods had other ideas. Only one of the five is currently still with the Braves (Minor) and his career is in the cross-hairs. As for Medlen, he made his first start earlier in the week and was good enough to be credited with the win. It's justifiable to wonder what he still has in his right arm after TJS, but the Royals' are looking to protect some things heading into the postseason. Expect Medlen to get 4-5 starts the remainder of the year, but I would not be anticipating any numbers that move the needle.
Suggested FAAB bid - $2
Marcus Stroman, SP/RP (?), Toronto
Toronto is racing to an AL East title and into the playoffs for the first time in over 20 years. They've, in all actuality, done it without their ace. Stroman has been out since spring training thanks to an ACL tear, but he is lined up to start his rehab later next week. Fantasy-wise, we're all hoping that the Jays stick him in their rotation and let us all enjoy the fruits of expected six-inning outings. Still, there's a chance that he ends up working in big moments for the 7th or 8th innings. If you're into the 'project and protect' game, add him now and hope he gets three or so starts in September. No guarantee, but his history says he's as good as anyone on the waiver wire at this very moment.
Suggested FAAB bid - $5
Tom Wilhelmsen, RP, Seattle
Someone do me a favor and look up how many Mariner relievers I've written about this year. Please! It's got to be close to a half-dozen. Probably somewhere along the line, I popped the name of Wilhelmsen into the conversation, but my search engine doesn't go back that far. Currently, the plank-walking, Lloyd McClendon, is turning to Wilhelmsen for the rare save opportunities in Seattle. Way back in '12-'13, the righty turned in a total of 53 saves, but he lost the gig when Fernando Rodney came on-board in the spring of '14. Now, he's back and has gone 4-for-4 in save opportunities. If you're that squad that could move up two spots with five or six extra saves in September, get him. Hell, add him just for his nickname ... 'The Bartender'.
Suggested FAAB bid - $6
You can hear Kyle each weeknight on 'The SiriusXM Fantasy Drive' from 7-10 ET, Sirius 210, XM 87.
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