Rotoworld’s brand-new Pickups of the Day column is designed to help fantasy managers uncover a handful of widely-available targets over the course of the season. It could be a breakout candidate, a prospect stash, an injury replacement, a pitcher with a favorable matchup or week, a player who is due some better luck, or any other number of scenarios. If there’s value to be found on the waiver wire, we will find it and bring it your way. Today’s edition features a double shot of Athletics getting an opportunity to shine in the majors over the final two months of the regular season, who are quickly emerging as viable fantasy contributors in all fantasy formats.
Zack Gelof, 2B, Athletics
Available in 93 percent of Yahoo leagues
Gelof is one of just five major-league hitters, joining Ronald Acuña Jr., Corbin Carroll, Ha-Seong Kim and CJ Abrams, with at least three homers, five stolen bases and a .491 slugging percentage since the All-Star break. That’s some pretty elite company. The 23-year-old rookie second baseman has made an immediate impact for Oakland since his mid-July promotion from Triple-A Las Vegas, batting .218/.283/.491 with three homers and five steals in just 14 games. The rookie infielder was bumped up to the second spot in Oakland’s lineup last week and hasn’t looked back, emerging as a potential key piece of the franchise’s rebuilding effort. With zero competition for at-bats moving forward, he has the potential to provide double-digit homers and stolen bases over the final two months of the 2023 campaign, which should make him worthy of a roster spot in all fantasy formats.
Luis Medina, SP/RP, Athletics
Available in 90 percent of Yahoo leagues
Medina has quietly emerged as a viable fantasy option in deeper mixed leagues over the last few weeks, allowing three earned runs of fewer in seven of his last nine outings since June 9. He’s recorded at least six strikeouts, while also completing five frames in four straight outings since July 7. The unheralded 24-year-old rookie right-hander got off to an abysmal start earlier this year in the majors, but has done enough of late to warrant consideration for a roster spot, especially in deeper mixed leagues. He managed to survive Coors Field’s high-octane offensive environment on Sunday, limiting Colorado’s lineup to just two runs on six hits with six strikeouts over 5 1/3 frames. He’ll aim to keep the momentum going on Sunday in a favorable home matchup against the Giants.
