At this point in the season, FAAB percentages don’t matter much. We all have that extra few dollars burning a hole in our pockets and we just want to spend. So the question isn’t how much you are going to bid, but on who. At this stage, if Junior Caminero is sitting available, we all know to go in. The question is, who may be flying under the radar who could be a difference-maker over the final week? Let’s take a look at a few names to be on the lookout for.
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Deep Sleepers To Consider For The Final Week
Sawyer Gipson-Long, Detroit Tigers – Starting Pitcher
Gipson-Long has made three starts for Detroit, racking up 20 K over 15.0 IP. That’s a 12.00 K/9, right inline with his 10.52 K/9 at Double-A (65.0 IP) and 12.98 at Triple-A (34.2 IP). At each level he’s shown the ability to consistently miss bats (SwStr%):
- Double-A – 15.1%
- Triple-A – 14.8%
- Majors – 17.2%
There’s always the chance that Detroit decides to shut him down. If he does start, which should be the case (he’s actually thrown less innings than in ’22), Gipson-Long will draw the Kansas City Royals. There’s obviously risk with a young starter down the stretch, but this seems like a good one to take if you need some potential strikeout help.
Brendan Rodgers, Colorado Rockies – Second Baseman
There were high hopes for Rodgers entering 2023. Injury helped sabotage the season from the start, and since returning from the IL he’s never seemed to get on track. In 157 PA he’s hitting .243 with 1 HR over 157 PA. When it comes to any Colorado player, the fact that they finish with seven straight games at home is always going to be appealing. Over the past week he has appeared to be figuring things out, hitting .360 with 1 HR.
Let’s not forget that Rodgers posted HR/FB of 16.9% and 11.3% over the past two seasons. He also had a solid 90.0 mph Exit Velocity in ’22, which placed him in the top third of the league (tied for 73rd out of 252 qualified hitters). This season he’s at just 88.1 mph.
It is very possible that the prolonged absence kept Rodgers from finding his footing. Now finding himself once again, and with ample opportunity, would it be surprising to see a strong finish? If you are in need of some pop, he’s well worth rolling the dice on.
Luis Campusano, San Diego Padres – Catcher
While Campusano did get a few days off recently, he appears to be getting a chance to prove that he’s capable of handling the everyday catcher’s job for the Padres. Over the past week he’s hitting .421 with 1 HR and 5 RBI over 19 AB. In 60 AB in September he’s hitting .333 with 2 HR and 9 RBI over 63 PA. He has always shown the ability to hit for power. He’s also showing an ability to make consistent contact at the highest level (9.1% SwStr%). For a catcher, that’s a great combination.
He’s going to get some days off, as any catcher would, but he’s getting opportunities and could continue to thrive over the final few days.
Sources – MLB.com, Fangraphs, Baseball Savant, CBS Sports