With only a couple weeks left in the season, many fantasy owners (especially in roto-leagues) may need to focus on one specific category. Here are some widely available players that may not be considered "all-around" but can used to help in one area:
James Loney, 1B, TB
Loney doesn't help much in terms of counting stats, as he doesn't provide power or speed and isn't part of a particularly good offense. Where he could help over the last few weeks of the season is in the BA category. His 8.7% K% is a career best and ranks 7th in baseball among hitters with at least 300 PA's. And while his .287 season average is good, he's been especially hot recently hitting .331 over the last 45 games and .484 over the last 10. Being that he's struck out only 5 times in his last 79 PA's, there's a good chance Loney keeps up this hot stretch as the season winds down.
Jarrod Dyson, OF, KC
Dyson is the definition of a one-category fantasy player, as he contributes virtually nothing in every category other than SB's. Being that he has only started 11 games since the beginning of August and just 3 in September, he does not belong in fantasy lineups under most circumstances. That being said, with 25 steals thus far he has an outside shot at his 4th straight 30-SB season, and it's possible that with the Royals cruising towards the playoffs they may rest some starters a bit, potentially giving Dyson a bit more playing time. I would only recommend him though in roto-leagues where your spot is pretty much locked up in all categories other than steals.
Erick Aybar, SS, LAA
Aybar has had another solid season for the Angels, reaching 67 runs scored for the 7th consecutive season (interestingly his career high is 77). Aybar should continue to be in the lineup every day as long as the Angels remain in the playoff race, but it is noteworthy that after hitting in the middle of the lineup since the middle of June, Aybar has now led off 4 of the past 5 games. He also been hot recently, going 10-27 over the past six games. If the current hot streak and his lineup spot in front of Trout and Pujols both hold up, he should be a good source of runs from a MI position for the remainder of the season.
Steve Pearce, 1B, 2B, OF, BAL
It's been a rough year for Pearce who is hitting only .223 this season and has played in just 79 games due to inconsistencies and injuries. Since returning from the DL on August 24th, Pearce has continued to struggle with a .211 BA, but he has hit 6 homeruns in 71 AB's. While I wouldn't expect Pearce to suddenly start hitting for average, there's no reason to think he doesn't have a few more dingers in him before season's end.
Trevor Plouffe, 3B, MIN
Plouffe has been an underrated source of production this year with 81 RBI and still a couple weeks to go in the season. He has been hitting in the heart of a Twins lineup which is underrated as a whole, and that has helped him reach his impressive RBI total. Being that the team is still in the wildcard race, they will continue to rely on Plouffe as one of their primary ways of driving in runs.
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