HG
– The trade deadline closes to start week 16
which means new players on contending teams and young players
stepping in to extended playing time. Keep an eye as the deadline
ends to be quick to jump on players who have their value boosted.
Rookies or young players seeing their first extended playing time of
their MLB career are having an impact across the fantasy landscape
including; Josh Bell, Rafael Devers, Whit Merrifield, Chris Taylor,
Michael Conforto, Nick Williams and Parker Bridwell.

Waiver Claims

Josh
Bell 1B Pirates – The rookie slugger
is on a very nice run of late with a 364 batting average, on base of
400 over his last 70 at bats along with 3 long balls and 17 runs
knocked in. Bell is up to 18 long balls and 55 RBI to go with an OPS
of 818 as the young lefty slugger is a good option going forward.

Whit
Merrifield 2B Royals – Merrifield
continues to anchor a hot Royals team scoring a bunch of runs since
his ascension to the lead off spot. The 28-year-old is batting 347
since the All-Star break to go with an on base of 411 with 4 homers
over his last 6 games. Merrifield is now batting 300 with 11 homers,
43 runs driven in, 42 runs scored and 16 stolen bases making him a
dynamite addition to your team.

Chris
Taylor 3B/2B/OF Dodgers – Taylor is
another unsung player playing a big role for a Dodgers team 40+ games
above break even. The utility player is batting lead off with a
7-game hit streak and hits in 12 of his last 13 games. Taylor is
batting 319 with 12 dingers, 48 RBI, 53 runs scored and 12 stolen
bases making him a player that can contribute in all five offensive
categories for fantasy.

Rafael
Devers 3B Red Sox – The top Red Sox’s
prospect is now up for Boston at the hot corner after batting 311
combined in two minor leagues stop. Devers also hit 20 long balls, 65
RBI in 86 games. Grab Devers before he really starts to take off.

Michael
Conforto OF Mets – Conforto has come
out of the All-Star break hot, batting 311 with 7 long balls, 12 runs
and 13 RBI in just 16 games. The young lefty is now up to 21 homers
and 54 runs knocked in making him a nice addition to any fantasy
team.

Nick
Williams OF Phillies – Williams has
come up from the minors and has hits in 11 of his last 13 games with
17 hits over his last 49 at bats. The rookie is batting 306 with 3
homers and 16 RBI over his hot streak making him a player worth using
in the near term.

Alex
Cobb SP Rays – Cobb has been on a very
nice run since July 2 with an impressive 2.24 ERA in 64.1 innings to
go with 38 Ks over this streak. The Ray’s ace has induced double
figures in ground ball outs in 7 of his last 9 starts which has his
seasonal ERA at 3.46. Own Cobb in all leagues and formats.

Kevin
Gausman SP/RP Orioles – Gausman got
off to a horrendous start to 2017 but of late has really turned the
corner with three straight quality starts. The former top pick of the
O’s has allowed just one run over 20.2 innings while punching out
24 batters. Gausman is starting to show his potential that he has
struggled to display with any consistency.

Parker
Bridwell SP/RP Angels – Bridwell has
hurled four straight quality outings and 5 in his last 6 times to the
bump for the Halos. The young righty has allowed just 5 runs over the
last 26.2 innings and with a very nice 2.83 ERA in 54 frames.
Bridwell is a good plug and play option.

Jhoulys
Chacin RP/SP Padres –
Chacin continues to turn back the clock to
his glory days in Colorado with 8 quality starts over his last 10
games and an ERA of just 2.77 since June 1. He has thrown 61.2
innings with a WHIP of 1.14 and 52 strikeouts and makes for a nice
addition to any owners’ roster.