2014 MLB Fantasy Fixer-Uppers Week 15

Well, we have arrived at the All-Star break which marks the halfway point of the season. The regular season, that is. The fantasy season is more than halfway done and it's coming up on crunch time over the next month and a half to put your team in position to take home the trophy. Or cash pot. Or bragging rights. Whatever it may be that you are playing for in your league. It's time to make that crucial run and here are a few players going a bit under the radar who could help you accomplish just that.

Jake McGee, RP, Tampa Bay Rays (56% owned standard ESPN leagues)

Shame on you. Shame on 44% of you players out there. I thought this was a typo when i came across this. The fact that McGee is available in nearly HALF the leagues out there is mind-boggling. Here's why. Reason number one: McGee is the closer which means he can get regular saves. That has value in fantasy. Reason number two: McGee doesn't really walk anyone having issued nine free passes in 41 1/3 innings. Reason number three: McGee strikes people out having already sent 50 batters back to the dugout via the K. I can't figure this out. If he is available in your league please pick him up.

Stephen Vogt, C/OF, Oakland A's (45% owned)

Someone in your league just lost Yadier Molina for the next eight to twelve weeks. That someone could be you. Replacing a top tier catcher is not easy but Oakland seems to have them growing on trees. While Vogt gets most of his playing time in the outfield he has that ever-so-precious catcher eligibility and he is rocking it. Vogt is slashing .358/.388/.532 and just has an 11-game hitting streak snapped. He figures to see regular at-bats the rest of the season and production like that is insane to find on the waiver wire. You may miss Yadi but Vogt will be more than an ample substitute.

Jacob deGrom, SP, New York Mets (30% owned)

At this point in the season most Mets pitchers are on fantasy rosters. Bartolo Colon, Zach Wheeler and Jon Niese are all widely owned. Someone who isn't, but should be, is deGrom who aside from Colon is pitching the best on the team. Over his last three starts the man with the hair like Jeff Samardzija has given up just four earned runs and four walks against 27 strikeouts while picking up two victories. The Mets have been playing inspired ball of late so he should be able to pick up a few more W's along the way and even has a favorable match-up against the weak-hitting Seattle Mariners after the break concludes.

Chris Johnson, 3B, Atlanta Braves (24% owned)

A year ago Chris Johnson nearly won the batting title in his first season in Atlanta. This year he's been more of an afterthought. After a less than stellar start to the season he was dropped in the batting order and from most fantasy rosters. That being said, over the last six weeks Johnson has been scorching hot. Since June 3rd he is batting .313 with 22 RBI. He was hitting well under the radar but exploded this past weekend in Chicago smacking three home runs and driving in seven in his final two games. Johnson may not come close to winning another batting title but he is more than serviceable at the hot corner in Atlanta and on most fantasy teams.

Arismendy Alcantara, SS, Chicago Cubs (21% owned)

First off Alcantara is playing second base and should be eligible there which boosts his value. Second off, his name is fun to say. Go ahead. Say it. Ah-riz-men-dee Al-can-tear-uh. You smiled didn't you? Anyway, Alcantara is the first of a slew of top prospects the Cubs have stashed away in the minors. Initially called up for what was to be a short stint as Darwin Barney was on paternity leave, Alcantara has been sizzling since his call-up with three doubles, a triple, a home run, five RBI, six runs scored and a stolen base in just five games. That's production Holmes. There is the chance that he could be sent down to the minors but if he stays up he could become a top 10 second baseman immediately.