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Under the Radar - AL-Only (Week 23)
Nate Springfield | Saturday September 4th, 2010
Valencia lacks power but not production. (AP)
Valencia lacks power but not production. (AP)

Each week Baseball Press will be providing some Under the Radar fantasy players for NL-Only Leagues, AL-Only Leagues and Mixed Leagues. 

These articles will be dedicated to finding those diamonds in the rough on the waiver wire that will either be a short term or long term replacement to an injury or struggling player on your fantasy team.

Four weeks and counting to make a difference in your league.  Sit those cold guys, pick up players getting at-bats and those who are hot.  Counting stats can make a huge difference this time of the year and those ratios will see little fluctuation.  Good Luck and enjoy the home stretch.


Lucas May - C, Kansas City Royals (Yahoo! 0%, CBS 1%)
May came to the Royals when they dealt outfielder Scott Podsednik to the Dodgers at the trade deadline.  With the surprise absence of a prospect catcher in the system, May stepped right into the role of "the future" behind the plate when he headed East.  He probably would have been a September call-up no matter what, but now with the injury to Jason Kendall he could see a lot of playing time to prove if he is roster worthy for 2011.  His Minor League numbers combined this season add up to a .283 average with 16 home runs and 4 stolen bases.  His defense is good enough that he shouldn't be denied at-bats once he arrives.

Danny Valencia - 3B, Minnesota Twins (Yahoo! 6%, CBS 17%)

Valencia's name has been mentioned before in Week 18 when he was initially called up.  Since June 15th though his average has not dipped below .300 on the season and in the past 2 weeks he has hit at a .370 clip.  The problem with the high average was the lack of counting stats and power that you would normally expect from your third basemen.  He only has 2 home runs and 26 RBI in his 216 at-bats, but he is starting to drive the ball more over these recent 2 week hot streak - posting a .910 OPS over that time period.  If he is still sitting on your wire he is getting the at-bats and is on base enough to be worthy of a pick-up for the counting stat potential he possesses.

Daric Barton - 1B, Oakland Athletics
(Yahoo! 10%, CBS 36%)
Barton has been on and off this list several times this year - from early in the season to as recently as the All-Star Break.  He is a lot like the just mentioned Valencia, he has great plate discipline, puts the ball in play a lot and posts a good average.  Unfortunately he does not have the normal power numbers associated with a Corner Infielder but if you are looking for a guy that is getting a lot of good at-bats then you have to pull the trigger on him.  If he can finish the season with production similar to his last two weeks - 3 HR, 2 SB and a .359 average - he would be better than most first basemen that are rostered right now.

Desmond Jennings - OF, Tampa Bay Rays (Yahoo! 2%, CBS 23%)

When it comes to September call-ups, you probably won't come across one more promising than Desmond Jennings.  Being rumored for a spot on the Rays since Spring Training last March he is finally getting thrown into the mix - and what a mix it is.  The Rays are just wanting someone to step up and hit between the corner outfield spot and designated hitter.  Jennings will get his chance and if he produces he could see plenty of at-bats for the rest of the season.  He won't hit a lot of balls out of the Trop but if he gets on base he has a great chance to get second and third without the guy behind him putting the ball in play.  At triple-A Durham this season he hit .278 with 3 home runs and 37 stolen bases with being caught only 4 times.

Chris Sale - RP, Chicago White Sox (Yahoo! 2%, CBS 7%)
When one save can be the difference between a top spot and a mediocre finish in a league you have to take gambles on guys like Chris Sale.  Drafted 13th overall by the White Sox in the 2010 Amateur Draft - yes, this years draft - the tall slender lefty posted a 2.61 ERA with 19 strike outs in 10.1 innings pitched in the Minors this year.  You can't expect for him to get all the save chances, but if Bobby Jenks continues to struggle while other options are on the DL look for Sale to get some chances.  He was able to pitch through an error to earn his first save in a day game that followed a night game earlier this week so manager Ozzie Guillen has some kind of confidence in the young South paw.
Nate SpringfieldNate Springfield joined the Baseball Press crew for the 2010 season and hosts the site's podcast. His love for the game has grown thanks to fantasy baseball, with a specialty in NL-only auction leagues. You can contact him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @NateSpringfield.