Six Power Bats for the Stretch Run

At this point in the season, there is a lot of specific category chasing as you try to edge out every possible point en route to that championship. Here are six power bats with varying degrees of availability (hopefully something for every league type) who could deliver those key homers for you down the stretch. These are flawed players, that’s why they’re available, but you should be able to extract some value when deployed properly.

C.J. Cron | LAA, 1B

Cron stumbled through an ugly first half that included both a DL stint and a demotion to Triple-A. He managed just a .213/.265/.303 line with 2 HR in the 37 games he was able to play, a tough line to stick with at a power position like 1B. Maybe the All-Star break came at the perfect time for Cron as he popped a homer in his first game back. He has stayed hot with a .305/.361/.631 line that includes 12 HR in 155 PA and he’s played virtually every day now for an Angels team in the thick of the race. That lineup runs deep now with the additions of Justin Upton and Brandon Phillips, giving Cron a chance to contribute in runs and RBIs even in the latter third of the order.

Greg Bird | NYY, 1B

Remember when Bird hit 8 HR with a 1.654 OPS in Spring Training? Yeah, that was this Spring Training!! His draft price soared, reaching as high as the Top 100, but he promptly found himself on waiver wires everywhere after a 1-for-26 start in his first seven games. Those that held out through the cold April were eventually cutting him after an ankle injury sidelined him in May. He returned on August 26th and while he still hasn’t been the guy we all drooled over in March, he has at least shown signs of life in his bat. He managed just six hits in 19 games before the injury, but already has eight in 11 games since returning with 2 HR! There are just two scheduled lefties for the Yankees over their next four series so the playing time will be there. Maybe he can recreate his September 2015 magic when he popped 9 HR with a .955 OPS in 114 PA.

Randal Grichuk | STL, OF

By now, we all know the deal with Grichuk. He can get red-hot and pop five homers in a week and then drop a 1-for-20 on your face. He hit homers in three straight from August 30th to September 1st and is now in the midst of a 2-for-11, so maybe by the time you get him on your roster, he’ll be done with his lull and ready to go off again. The playing time isn’t locked in with Stephen Piscotty back up, Harrison Bader doing well so far (3 HR, .947 OPS – he’s not a huge power guy, so I didn’t highlight him in this piece, but he’s a viable pickup if you just want some across-the-board offense), and our next guy on the list crushing it (stay tuned). However, Dexter Fowler is battling a hip injury and Matt Carpenter left Tuesday’s game with a shoulder issue and the Cards like the 25-year old Grichuk, so he’ll get some burn.

Jose Martinez | STL, 1B/OF

If Fowler and Carpenter get healthy, Grichuk’s playing time could come into question even more so than Martinez’s because of how well he’s hitting right now. Martinez is a 28-year old non-prospect who’s been raking – aka a Cardinals Devil Magic Special. He has quietly popped 13 HR with a .941 OPS, including two on Tuesday night, and has the skills to back up his gaudy numbers. Playing time will be the biggest key for Martinez so keep a close eye on it, but as long as he’s in the lineup, he’s worth playing right now even though he qualifies at the two deepest positions.

Matt Olson | OAK, 1B

You could get one of three Matts on the A’s if you really want: Olson, Chapman, and Joyce – all three crush the ball. I’m highlighting Olson because he’s blasted 7 HR in the last 14 days, tying him for 2nd-most with Jose Ramirez, Logan Morrison, and Giancarlo Stanton. They all trail J.D. Martinez’s 8. Olson has 13 of his 15 HR against righties with a .262/.342/.636 line in 120 PA. He ripped 23 HR at Triple-A Nashville before his call-up. By the way, Joyce has 7 HR with a 1.021 OPS in the last month and while Chapman has cooled, he did have 4 HR and am .860 OPS in August.

Raffy Lopez |TOR, C

Russell Martin is on the DL for the Jays, but they still have three catchers on the roster thanks to September Expansion – Miguel Montero, Luke Maile, and Lopez. Despite the fact that Montero has a 37 wRC+ and Maile has a -77 (in 11 PA), Lopez is only getting sporadic time. Perhaps his recent surge will earn some extra playing time. Lopez has a 3 HR and a .316/.435/.789 line in 23 PA over his last seven games. He’s a 29-year old journeyman so this about his only chance to be a fantasy asset, but he did pop a career-high 16 HR in the minors this year, too.