The Z Files: 20 September Darts

Primarily for DFS purposes, I keep my rest-of-season projections updated through the last week of the season. Normally, I store the spreadsheets in a folder named "ROSPROJ". Come September, I move them to a folder called, "YeahRight."

Obviously, it's a crapshoot predicting playing time, or even who will play down the stretch. For DFS, overall playing time isn't a concern, only if they're in the lineup that night. That said, seasonal fantasy players are still grinding for points, so here's a list of 20 players in line to contribute down the stretch. The list is alphabetical, not in order of potential performance.

Greg Allen, OF, Cleveland Indians: Strictly an AL-only play, Allen will compete with Abraham Almonte and Tyler Naquin for playing time. All three can play center field, so it comes down to Terry Francona's whim. Jay Bruce continues to miss time with a sore neck while it doesn't look good for Michael Brantley returning until late this season, if at all. Allen's appeal is for speed as he swiped 21 bags in 23 tries for Double-A Akron in 71 games.

Brian Anderson, 3B, Miami Marlins: Like with Brantley, the clock is ticking for Martin Prado to return to the diamond this season. The difference is the Tribe would like Brantley for the playoffs while the Fish are looking to 2018. Anderson crushed it at Triple-A New Orleans, slashing .339/.416/.602 in 33 games, after a more tempered .251/.341/.450 line earlier for Double-A Jacksonville. The 24-year old righty swinger hasn't impressed in his first week, but he should continue to get regular playing time at the hot corner. We're at the point of the season where opportunity trumps number scouting.

Norichika Aoki. OF, New York Mets: After trading Jay Bruce and Curtis Granderson, followed by Michael Conforto's shoulder injury, the Mets were desperate for someone able to shag flies. Brandon Nimmo is also getting a look, but he's not sporting a .911 OPS the last month, including a 1.128 mark for the last week. Aoki should hit in the two-hole versus righties, putting him in play for steals and runs.

Harrison Bader, OF, St. Louis Cardinals: Three homers since his Sept. 1 recall has Bader in the mix for playing time with Dexter Fowler, Tommy Pham, Stephen Piscotty and Randall Grichuk. With Fowler nursing a sore hip, Bader roamed center this past week but with Fowler back, he replaced Grichuk in left Wednesday night. Bader knocked 20 homers and swiped 15 bags for Triple-A Memphis in 123 games, possessing the power/speed combo so envied in fantasy. The Redbirds know what they have in Piscotty and Grichuk, so it wouldn't be surprising to see Bader play a lot in the next three weeks.

Jeimer Candelario, 3B, Detroit Tigers: Funny how things always seem to work themselves out. In August, the plan was for Nick Castellanos to spend September in right field, paving the way for Candelario to finish the season at the hot corner. Long term, the plan is still for Castellanos to convert to the outfield, but with Victor Martinez out for the year, Castellanos can occupy designated hitter and worry about learning a new position in the offseason. While I'm not comparing the two players, this reminds me of when the Indians pushed Lonnie Chisenhall to right so some kid named Jose Ramirez could play. Candelario is a player for whom scouts are higher on than number-scouting may suggest. The Tigers obviously like him enough to move Castellanos, though we're not exactly taking about Brooks Robinson with the leather in his case.

J.P. Crawford, SS/3B: Here's another example of a conundrum naturally working itself out. The question in March was whether Freddy Galvis or Cesar Hernandez would sit when Crawford was ready. To be honest, Crawford didn't do much to force the club's hand, recording a .756 OPS for Triple-A Lehigh Valley -- albeit at just 22 years old, he was a little young for the level. When roster expansion rolled around, neither Galvis nor Hernandez deserved to sit, but Maikel Franco did. Plans for 2018 and beyond are still unclear, but for the rest of the season, Crawford is expected to play nearly every day, mostly at third but also occasionally in the middle. Part of his real-life appeal is his glove. Fantasy-wise, he looks more like a solid contributor, helping a little across the board. That said, playing time is currency, and he's looking to cash in on his opportunity.

Adam Engel, OF, Chicago White Sox: Break glass in case of emergency. Due to trades and injuries Engel has been forced into action, and until Wednesday night's shutout-snapping long ball off Carlos Carrasco, he hasn't done much. Engel can swipe a base as he's done six time in seven attempts this year, but a .246 OBP limits chances. Still, if you need bags, sometimes you need to break the glass.

Phillip Ervin, OF, Cincinnati Reds: It appeared Ervin would spend September primarily as bench depth down the stretch, but with Billy Hamilton fracturing his hand, Ervin could find himself atop the Reds lineup frequently in the next couple of weeks. Obviously, he doesn't have wheels like Hamilton, but his game is running and Cincinnati isn't afraid to take advantage.

Mitch Garver, C/1B, Minnesota Twins: Garver hasn't exactly mashed in the inaugural 11 games of his career, but the player he'll ostensibly replace, Chris Gimenez hasn't done anything. Garver's allure is catcher eligibility, but he's picking up more playing time at first and designated hitter. He slugged .541 in 88 games for Triple-A Rochester, so Garver has pop. He's certainly in play as a backstop in AL-only and perhaps in deeper mixed leagues too.

Alen Hanson, 2B/SS, Chicago White Sox: A running theme through this list is the need for speed. If the players didn't have warts, they'd already be stashed on most fantasy rosters. Like some of those already discussed, Hanson's on-base skills are lacking, but when he is aboard, chances are good he'll run. He was seeing a lot of time at the keystone while Yoan Moncada was out and should still get some time there as the White Sox aren't likely going to push their prized prospect down the stretch. Hanson will also dabble in the outfield, so add him to the group capable of swiping a handful of bases the rest of the way.

Teoscar Hernandez, OF, Toronto Blue Jays: Acquired by the Blue Jays at the July trade deadline, the athletic Hernendez was behind several other outfield prospects in Houston. There's a clearer pathway to playing time in Toronto and Hernandez may get a long look over the next three weeks. He's an intriguing youngster in that he's a toolsy player but also has promising plate skills. He has a combined 18 homers and 12 pilfers in Triple-A with too many whiffs, though with a contact rate around 75 percent, it's not as worrisome as it would be with some other prospects. Steve Pearce isn't part of Toronto's future and Hernandez could be, so it wouldn't be shocking to see the 24-year-old usurp playing time from the veteran.

Patrick Kivlehan, OF, Cincinnati Reds: Another deep league only play, Kivlehan may grab an extra start or two with Hamilton sidelined. With eight homers in 169 at-bats, Kivlehan is someone capable of popping a couple out of the yard.

Juan Lagares, OF, New York Mets: With the dearth of able-bodied fly-chasers in Queens, Lagares has been a staple in the Mets outfield lately. He's been hitting lower in the order, but with near regular playing time is still accruing some runs and RBI. You aren't likely going to find lightning in the bottle with Lagares, but again, playing time means a lot.

Jordan Luplow, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates: Not as heralded as Austin Meadows, all Luplow did at Triple-A Indianapolis was record a .325/.401/.513 line in 44 games. With Gregory Polanco out, Luplow has played right field the past week. Polanco is set to return this weekend, but isn't a sure thing to stay healthy. In addition, the Pirates aren't in the playoff hunt, so they may spot Luplow in for Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte as the campaign winds down. Playing time isn't assured, but if nothing else, Luplow deserves a chance and may get it.

Jose Martinez, 1B/OF, St. Louis Cardinals: The Cardinals have a history of riding the hot hand, and currently it doesn't get much hotter than Martinez. Further, when healthy, Matt Carpenter can slide over to second or across to third, so Martinez can settle in at first base. He's been playing a lot versus southpaws all season, but three homers and three doubles over the last week has him batting against righties too. An interesting side note to track is that assuming Carpenter's shoulder holds up, he needs nine more games at second or 15 at third base to enter 2018 with multiple eligibility as he's presently first base only.

Will Middlebrooks, 3B, Texas Rangers: The assumption is Joey Gallo will replace Adrian Beltre now that the veteran is out for the season. However, Gallo can also play first, opening up some time for former Red Sox and Brewers third baseman Middlebrooks. We've seen Middlebrooks go on power streaks, though with just over three weeks left, he may not play enough to get in a groove.

Max Moroff, 2B, Pittsburgh Pirates: With Josh Harrison on the disabled list with a fractured hand, Moroff along with Sean Rodriguez will take over at second. The assumption was Rodriguez would see most of the action, but a tidy three-game streak where Moroff went 5-for-13 with four runs and five RBI may have bought him more playing time.

Boog Powell, OF, Oakland Athletics: Despite playing regularly for about a month, Powell continues to fly under the radar, especially in OBP or points leagues. The rookie sports a decent .355 on-base mark, getting on in front of an improving set of sluggers.

Alex Presley, OF, Detroit Tigers: Just another veteran filling space down the stretch, but hitting second when a righty is on the hill results in a lot of at-bats with decent runs potential.

Alex Verdugo, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers: With Joc Pederson and Andre Ethier in the picture, Verdugo may not see much playing time, but the sluggish Dodgers may look for a spark heading into the playoffs and turn to their prized rookie.