MLB

Weekly Fantasy Baseball Sleepers: A Scooter Gennett Love Affair

Nick Slegel  —  @NickSlegel Jul 21st, 2014
Scooter Gennett continues to produce when the Brewers face righties, which means he could be in store for a big week.

The All-Star Game and short, weekend series are in the books, and it’s time to hit the ground running for Week 17, refreshed and ready to go. Here’s a look at four under-the-radar guys who are poised for huge weeks.

Note: All ownership statistics are current as of 11:00 pm EST on 6/8/14 and are an average of ESPN, Yahoo and CBS ownership numbers.

Conor Gillaspie - 3B, White Sox

Gillaspie has done well all season, which is clearly evident by his .321 average, .475 SLG and 46th-best 1.61 nERD. As of late though, the Sox’ everyday third baseman has really turned things up a notch, hitting .333 this past week and .419 (13 for 31) with 10 runs, 3 home runs and 6 RBI in the last two weeks. Yet, somehow, he’s criminally under-owned in fantasyland, currently sporting a 24% ownership number and being started in only 19% of leagues.

This week should be another big week for Gillaspie, as the White Sox face five right-handed starters, his best split at .360 (72 for 200) with 19 doubles, 3 triples, 4 homers and 30 RBI. Don’t even be scared by back-to-back starts against James Shields and Phil Hughes, Gillaspie will be just fine against even them.

Stephen Vogt - C/1B/OF, Oakland Athletics

Vogt has been a production machine since getting called up in mid-June, sporting a .351 average, .518 SLG, .391 wOBA and 1.00 nERD (84th). The Athletics have worked hard to keep Vogt in the lineup at any position possible, which has paid off to the tune of a .387 (12 for 31) average over the last two weeks, and a .384 (28 for 73) average with 9 runs scored, 3 home runs and 8 RBI in the last month. With Derek Norris' numbers against righties steadily on the decline, Vogt looks to be in line for even more starts. This bodes well for owners, despite his 48% ownership, as the A’s face all righty starters this week, who currently have a combined 13-33 record.

Lucas Duda - 1B/OF, New York Mets

I can’t really seem to figure out why Duda is owned in just 49% of leagues. On the surface, a .257 average is enough to turn some away, yes. But average is really the only poor season-long stat he has. The .479 SLG, .352 wOBA, and 51st-ranked nERD are all terrific numbers for a 1B/OF. Despite the poor season average, Duda has been hot recently, hitting .303 over the last two weeks, and .308 (24 for 78, 5 homers, 31 runs, 16 RBI) in the last month, which should carry right into this week perfectly. The Mets face six right-handed starters this week, all the road, where Duda is hitting .314 with 12 doubles, 5 home runs and 20 runs batted in, his best split.

Scooter Gennett - 2B, Milwaukee Brewers

I feel like I’m starting to get a bit obsessive at this point. I’ve written about Gennett at least three other times now, and despite his success this season, he’s still owned in less than 60% of leagues and started in less than 50%. Over the last five weeks, Gennett is averaging 19.8 fantasy points per week, which is completely backed up by his 2.91 Fantasy Score (78th) and 1.02 nERD (83rd). Over the last two weeks, Scoots has hit .333 with 2 homers, 6 RBI and 7 runs, and has made the most of every opportunity he’s been given in the platoon role. This week the Brewers face six righties (Jonathon Niese is the only lefty) all at home, where Gennett is hitting .381 with 5 home runs and 20 RBI. Look for Gennett to continue his tear.