2020 brought a historic pandemic, but somehow baseball has found a way! After a grueling back and forth between the league and the player’s union, the 60-game season is kicking off today. With COVID-19 constantly looming over one of the shortest seasons in MLB history, it may be worth picking up one of these six gems if you get the chance. A lot of people laugh at the idea of late baseball picks adding value, but these six players are worth the longshot and will pay off in a huge way.
Griffin Canning, Anaheim Angels SP
Even before Canning’s dazzling start on Monday’s exhibition game against the Padres (6IP 3H 2BB 5K 0ER), he should have been on everyone’s fantasy radars. Unfortunately, elbow issues in the original spring training scared many away. But now that all those elbow issues are long gone, fantasy owners can pick up Canning with confidence. He is going to be a great fifth option at SP for all fantasy purposes. Remember, Canning was one of the top pitching prospects in 2019 but playing in Anaheim has left him with little notoriety despite the solid rookie season he posted (5-6 4.58ERA 1.22WHIP 90.1IP 96K). And now, with Canning’s second season, comes a much better Angels team overall, no inning limit to worry about, and a brand-new manager in Joe Maddon, who always seems to get the most of his pitching staff. Canning is one pitcher I am going to work to get on all my fantasy rosters this season.
Mitch Keller, Pittsburgh Pirates SP
Keller came into the season last year with a ton of high expectations that he did not live up to. However, there are a few things that show that Keller might be ready to do this season that he could not manage last season. When we look at Keller’s line from last year (1-5 7.13ERA 1.83WHIP 48IP 65K), a few things jump out, although not in a good way. With his win/loss at 1-5 and a 7.13ERA, it is easy to look past Keller as a good option. However, when you look at his 65K to 16 walks as building blocks, 2020 could be the breakout season for Mitch Keller. Keller is only 24 years old with six seasons of minor league ball, giving him a career ERA of 3.12. Knowing that gives me the confidence that we will be seeing much lower ERAs than the bloated 7.13 he had last season. Keller’s last month of the 2019 season showed signs of him figuring it out as well (16.2IP 8ER 20K 4BB), again not eye-popping numbers but the K potential Keller offers is off the charts, especially at his asking price. With a shortened season and the Pirates in rebuild mode, stellar Keller is a good bet to help any fantasy roster he ends up on.
Dylan Cease, Chicago White Sox SP
Cease, much like Keller, had huge expectations thrust upon him and was unable to live up to them. Remember, this is all about looking deep and Cease has all the potential and skill that can pay off huge for people who take the chance. Cease’s 2019 season (4-7 5.79ERA 1.54WHIP 73IP 81K) didn’t turn out quite how he, or the White Sox, were hoping it would but now that the White Sox are considered contenders in this crazy 60-game season, the pressure is on for Cease to live up to expectations. Cease gave an exciting preview during a White Sox intra-squad game where he went 4IP and struck out 8. Cease highlighted all of his pitches, including an electrifying fastball, a devastating curve, and a nasty slider. Cease is only 24, blessed with a White Sox offense that is loaded top to bottom, and one of the best catchers in the game. For Cease, the sky is the limit and his price is next to nothing.
Yoenis Cespedes, New York Mets OF/Util
The name Cespedes had all but disappeared from your average baseball conversation but this season’s shortened season might have just saved Cespedes’s career. Cespedes is finally healthy and now with a universal DH, the Mets will be able to unleash him back on the league without having to worry about the Veteran injuring himself playing the field. The Mets are one of a few teams in the NL that is going to benefit from the universal DH spot. People forget how scary of a batter Cespedes was when he was in a lineup, but he was a potential 30 HR threat every season. With no limitations put on Cespedes and the Mets playing meaningful games, fantasy owners get the best out of Cespedes at a bargain-basement price.
Cesar Hernandez, Cleveland Indians 2B
Two things to love about Hernandez: first, the position he plays, 2B is one that tends to fly off the draft board, and second, it is sounding like Hernandez is going to be leading off when the season starts. Batting leadoff for Cleveland would be huge. Having Mercado, Lindor, and Ramirez behind Hernandez would be a serious bump for his value and the amount of ABs he will get being leadoff is great for a late draft. Hernandez will also be facing some of the less talented AL and NL central pitching staffs. With the opportunity to lead off giving Hernandez a bump in runs and SBs, count me all in on this undrafted 2B.
Howie Kendrick, Washington Nationals 1B,2B,3B
Kendrick is another veteran player who is going to benefit from the universal DH spot. Howie more than just a Utility option, he has some great positional options as well. Kendrick is someone you can easily use as a replacement when another player has a day off. Throughout his career, Kendrick has proven that he can straight up rake. With a universal DH spot and some players opting out of the 2020 season (1B Ryan Zimmerman), Kendrick and the Nats are left in a great position to play any and every position they need in this 60-game sprint. Kendrick was projected to be a super late draft pick, if he was picked up at all, making him one of the best value picks you can add to your squad this season. How often are you going to be able to pick up an NLCS MVP and WS champ off the waiver wire? Not often.