The three by three by three series continues into the dog days of August. The pennant drive is amping up for most teams, but the fantasy season is considerably shorter for teams playing in head to head leagues. September usually brings the fantasy playoffs, so you might have time for three weeks of a push to get yourself there.

Three to Add

Tim Beckham— Baltimore Orioles

Key Stats: .281, 15 HR, 38 Runs, 42 RBI, 5 SB

He is owned by 52 percent of Yahoo owners, so this might be one of those things where you have to engineer a trade to get him. Beckham played part-time in Tampa, so the numbers probably don’t reflect his full potential. The Orioles likely will go with him through the end of the season to see what he has. That means he could reach 20 home runs and 10 steals on the season. You can do a lot worse.

Johan Camargo— Atlanta Braves

Key Stats: .292, 3 HR, 26 Runs, 19 RBI, 0 SB

I wouldn’t go with him long-term because Dansby Swanson will have the position over the long haul, but he could hit enough to stick at second base following the season. So far, he has flashed with the glove and hit enough to hold the position down for now. He will need to either hit for more power or steal more bases to be much of a long-term fantasy prospect.

Author’s Note: Camargo was placed on the ten day disabled list after this article was in the editing phase. He should be out for approximately two weeks with a bone bruise, but he should return to the lineup after that.

Marcus Semien— Oakland Athletics

Key Stats: .240, 4 HR, 22 Runs, 15 RBI, 7 SB

You got to hand it to Semien. His slow start combined with his injuries threatened to derail the season, but he has been determined to do something this year. The numbers above look raw, but he was on the interstate (100s) for much of the season. If he continues to hit like he has the last couple of weeks he will get his average up to career norms while producing power and speed down the stretch.

Three to Keep

Brandon Crawford— San Francisco Giants

Key Stats: .227, 9 HR, 41 Runs, 56 RBI, 2 SB

It is a difficult decision when you get to this time of year trying to figure out which struggling veterans to drop and which ones to keep. Consider this: if Crawford even has a mediocre finish to the season he will end up near 15 home runs, 65 runs, and 75 RBI. That’s still pretty good for a shortstop if you simply ignore the low average.

Jordy Mercer— Pittsburgh Pirates

Key Stats: .257, 10 HR, 40 Runs, 44 RBI, 0 SB

Believe it or not, he is in the middle of the pack in terms of shortstop value. Naturally, some of that comes with the glove, but you get the idea. If you own him he is still useful as a guy that can play when your regular has an off day or you are in leagues that utilize a middle infielder.

Trevor Story— Colorado Rockies

Key Stats: .227, 15 HR, 45 Runs, 49 RBI, 5 SB

When you consider the fact that he’s missed part of the season, the numbers are actually pretty good considering. He was flaming hot the first two months of 2016, but from then on this is the player he has been. Still, it is hard to ignore the power even in this day and age.

Three to Drop

Jorge Polanco— Minnesota Twins

Key Stats: .227, 3 HR, 34 Runs, 34 RBI, 6 SB

I know it doesn’t seem like there is a rhyme or reason to it all, but it all depends on what the player can give you over the five categories. Polanco really doesn’t contribute much in any of the categories where a Story and Crawford do. So, you cut him loose.

Dansby Swanson— Atlanta Braves

Key Stats: .213, 6 HR, 36 Runs, 35 RBI, 2 SB

He will be back in September in all likelihood. If the Braves were smart they would either trade Brandon Phillips or simply bench him once that time comes. The future needs to come and Phillips won’t be a part of it. In the meantime, Swanson will hopefully regain some confidence in AAA.

Author’s Note: Camargo was placed on the ten day disabled list following a bone bruise. The Braves haven’t officially announced who will take his spot, but it is expected to be Swanson.

Troy Tulowitzki— Toronto Blue Jays

Key Stats: .249, 7 HR, 16 Runs, 26 RBI, 0 SB

Tulow will be one of those guys that people play the what if game when his career is done. He simply hasn’t been able to stay healthy this year and it is time to cut the chord. Mind you, he could easily come back and be productive in 2018, but the ship has sailed on this season in all likelihood.