August is fantasy football draft month, which means even more distractions as we try to close out a fantasy baseball championship. This is always the most difficult stretch as fantasy owners start to get burned out and focus on football. I always stress that this is why the fantasy baseball season is a grind and a marathon, not a sprint. If we continue to work hard, we will be rewarded.
Waiver-Wire Targets:
Los Angeles Angels Outfielder Jo Adell — The Angels have been hesitant to promote one of their top prospects despite Adell playing 38 games in the big leagues in 2020. The outfielder was raking in the minors, as he was hitting .289 with 23 home runs and eight stolen bases. Adell struggled in his brief stint in 2020, but has already started off strong this year in his first three games. The 22-year-old has collected four hits along with a stolen base. The Angels are going to play the outfielder every day, which makes Adell a strong target for the remainder of the season.
New York Yankees Starting Pitcher Luis Gil — This is an interesting case, as Gil dazzled in his major-league debut against the Orioles, but it remains to be seen how long he will remain in the big leagues. The right-hander struck out six while only allowing four hits in six innings and looked the part of a big-league pitcher. Gil will get another start Aug. 8, and if he dominates again, it would be hard to demote the 23-year-old. The Yankees will get Gerrit Cole back off the COVID-19 list and Luis Severino is close to returning as well, so a roster crunch is coming. I understand if fantasy owners want to take a wait-and-see approach, but Gil could be a boost during the final two months.
Miami Marlins Reliever Dylan Floro — The reliever has earned two saves this week, which immediately puts him on the fantasy radar. Floro has four saves this season along with 11 holds, so he’s not afraid of pitching in critical situations. The stats are strong as well, as the right-hander is pitching to a 2.64 ERA. Unfortunately, the strikeouts are not a strength. Floro is only striking out 8.1 hitters per nine innings. In a perfect world, that stat is in the double digits, but if Floro is earning saves, we can live with it.
Arizona Diamondbacks Reliever Tyler Clippard — The team may not be very good, but if we can add a player who has the chance to make a fantasy impact, it’s something we need to do. Clippard has returned from injury and due to the trade deadline is now the closer for the Diamondbacks. In seven appearances this season, the veteran has only allowed one earned run while collecting two saves. Clippard did struggle Aug. 5, which isn’t ideal, but it appears he will be the closer for the Diamondbacks.