Week 10 of the MLB season is in the books, and we have more offensive standouts to discuss. In addition, while highlighting a few rostered players in most leagues, the article will also highlight some players that may not be on everyone’s radar unless you play in deeper leagues. So dig in and decide if the production is just a hot streak or something to invest in moving forward. First, let’s look at five hitters that had an impressive week and what we should do from a fantasy perspective.
Week 10 Standout Performers
Jake Burger (3B – CWS)
Talk about taking advantage of regular playing time. With the struggles of Yoan Moncada and some other injuries on the White Sox, Burger has found regular playing time at either third base or designated hitter, and he is mashing. This past week, Burger hit safely in all six games, with multiple hits in four games. He hit five extra-base hits with three home runs, eight runs scored, and six RBI. Great contact quality numbers backed the power to the tune of a 25% barrel rate and 43.8% hard-hit rate. Burger should continue to play regularly while he’s mashing like this, and he is worth a look in your fantasy leagues as this power appears to be legit.
Adolis Garcia (OF – TEX)
Last year Garcia burst onto the scene with a monster first half and struggled mightily in the second half. This season we are seeing that strong first half again. Garcia finished the week with a four-game hitting streak this past week, racking up multiple hits in all four games. He collected two home runs, but even better was the fact he stole three bases. Garcia also walked nearly 14% of the time while striking out close to 21%. Both are excellent numbers for Garcia. Garcia now has 12 home runs on the season with nine stolen bases. He’s on pace for 25+ home runs and 20+ stolen bases which would be another monster season. Let’s hope he does not disappear in the second half of the season like last year.
Santiago Espinal (3B – TOR)
Espinal had a decent start to the season but then quieted down some. He’s heating up again with hits in five of six games last week. He tossed in a home run, not his strong suit, while hitting .346 and scoring four runs. Espinal had a hard-hit rate near 46%, which is solid but more impressive; struck out less than 8% of the time. Espinal is hitting .294 on the season while also hitting in the middle of the Jays’ lineup that is heating up. The counting stats should follow in a big way as well. Do not sleep on the batting average and potential counting stats help that Espinal can bring to your fantasy teams.
Michael A. Taylor (OF – KC)
Taylor is never the sexy player, but when it comes to fantasy, especially ROTO formats, Taylor can be pretty valuable. This past week, he proved that by hitting safely in all six games with two home runs. In addition, he walked 13% of the time while only striking out 8.7%. Taylor’s 11.8% barrel rate and 41.2% hard-hit rate supported Taylor’s strong week. Taylor is now hitting .280 on the season with four home runs and a stolen base. A slow start in all categories besides average, but we have a long ways to go as Taylor should give you at least ten more home runs and has been a tremendous stolen base asset most seasons. He’s a deeper league option if the outfield choices shrink up.
Gleyber Torres (2B/SS – NYY)
Torres is having a nice bounceback season as he is hitting .253 with 12 home runs while only striking out 17.5% of the time. He usually hits fifth or sixth in the powerful Yankees lineup, which will always bring fantasy goodness. However, this past week he hit safely in three of his four games with two home runs and a 15.8% walk and strikeout rate. In addition, Torres barreled the ball 15.4% of the time to go with a 53.8% hard-hit rate. Torres looks much better this season and appears to be regaining some serious fantasy value.