Mark Canha: Potential Playoff Sleeper Pickup
By Bill Pivetz
Throughout their history, the Oakland Athletics have called up many young stars who have gone on to bigger and better things. Their recent success, or lack thereof, hasn’t made the Oakland lineup welcoming to fantasy owners. However, there is a call up that fantasy owners need to pick up for the last couple of weeks. If he’s available, pick up Mark Canha.
Canha was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the Rule 5 draft in 2014, and was traded to the Athletics. After a great Spring Training, Canha led the team in home runs, he made the Opening Day roster.
In his first game on April 8, he recorded three hits (two doubles) and drove in four runners. He hit his first home run two days later.
After spending some time away from the lineup throughout the summer, Mark Canha took on a more consistent role in the Athletics’ lineup. Since the All-Star break, 47 games played, he has 10 doubles, one triple, seven home runs, 31 RBI, 41:13 K:BB ratio and a .273 batting average. His season batting average currently sits at .259, with 15 home runs and 64 RBI.
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Canha has solidified himself as the A’s first baseman for the rest of the season and possibly the future. Lucky for him, the A’s are nowhere near contending for a playoff spot, and have nothing to lose in keeping Canha in the starting lineup. Consistent playing time is something fantasy owners look for in a pick up, and Canha has that.
There is a downside to owning Canha, though. He doesn’t have the best plate discipline. He has a 7.0 walk percentage compared to his 20.7 strikeout percentage, 25th and 13th among first basemen with at least 400 plate appearances. Digging deeper, he has a 43.2 ground ball rate and a 39.2 fly ball rate, 10th and 12th among first basemen.
Fantasy owners don’t care about the deeper statistcs because Mark Canha is crushing the ball. He has a home run in four of his last 10 games. As a result, he’s been added in 26 percent of ESPN.com leagues. If you are an owner that lost Mark Teixeira, then Mark Canha is someone you need to pick up now.