#Fantasy baseball owners should give these Indians players a look

By Howard Bender, Fantasy Alarm

One of your most difficult tasks to complete this fantasy baseball season is to accrue as many at-bats as possible. The more at-bats, the greater the chances of bulking up on the offensive counting statistics.

Though that may sound simple and basic, understanding that in the time of COVID, it can actually be quite daunting, as we’ve seen numerous series postponed.

In addition to postponements, we have our usual rash of injuries hitting every team, as well as numerous managers mixing and matching in an effort to jump-start their array of struggling players. What that means is you have to be diligent in your research and keep a watchful eye over a variety of ever-changing situations. Case in point: the Indians outfield.

Manager Terry Francona continues to scratch his head while he attempts to find the right combination of outfielders to boost the team’s offensive production. He has a right-handed power bat in Domingo Santana, but that .167 average is ugly and the two home runs are feeble. Francona also has Jordan Luplow, but put a right-hander on the mound and Luplow becomes the king of Whiff City.

Francona also has speed from the right side in the form of Delino DeShields Jr. If you’re fishing for some stolen bases, there is some hope, but all we’ve seen since his return from the IL is a pair of runs scored to go with his .269 average. Can he turn that around? If he gets the opportunity, maybe. He has posted 20-plus steals in four of his past five seasons, but that is all he brings to the table. There is no power and the average is middling at best.

From the left side, Francona has been using veteran Tyler Naquin for most of the season. He never has been anything more than a fourth outfielder in his career, and though his defense has been sound, a .250 average with just three runs and three RBIs are hardly the numbers upon which fantasy dreams are built.

And finally, there is post-hype sleeper Bradley Zimmer, a left-handed power/speed combo whose career has been hindered by a rash of injuries. With the demotion of Oscar Mercado, Zimmer could actually find his way into the lineup and could actually be worth a gamble come waiver time. The raw numbers right now don’t look good, but he has been used predominantly as a pinch hitter.

Most people will pass over the Indians’ outfield in their search for statistical help, so these players can all be had for a discount. Zimmer should be first on your radar, followed by DeShields and Naquin. Take the speed with a splash of power. As the season continues, they’ll be facing weak Central Division pitching and have as much chance as anyone to find their groove. For the cost, it is worth a shot.

Howard Bender is the VP of operations and head of content at Fantasy-Alarm.com. Follow him on Twitter @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy baseball advice.