Blue Jays' Brandon Morrow, who came within one out of a no-hitter against Tampa Bay in his last start, has won four consecutive starts dating back to June 29. (Darren Calabrese/Canadian Press)

As the baseball season heads toward its final month, so are fantasy baseball leagues.

In head-to-head Yahoo formats, there are just a few precious weeks left until the playoffs, while in rotisserie formats, the time needed to make that significant jump up the standings has almost run out.

As a result, many fantasy owners are searching for help to make that last-ditch effort toward the playoffs and the always-important bragging rights that come with victory.

With that in mind, let's have a look at those players making a significant impact of late, while likely sitting in your league's free-agent pool. Who knows, one of these guys could be the shot in the arm your fantasy team needs down the stretch.

HITTERS

Chris Johnson (HOU — 3B)

Perhaps the hottest player of the month owned in less than 50 per cent of Yahoo leagues is Houston's Chris Johnson. Since the all-star break, the third baseman is batting .441 with at least one hit in 22 of his last 24 games and 13 multi-hit games. Over the past month, Johnson is fifth in the majors with 38 hits and 25 RBIs and is ninth with 61 total bases. As a result, Johnson has been moved up to fifth in the Astros batting order this week.

Starlin Castro (CHC — SS)

If you need a shortstop instead of a third baseman, Starlin Castro of the Cubs is your man for the stretch drive. He's first in the majors in hits (42), tied for third in doubles (11) and tied for tenth in total bases (60) with a .389 average and five steals in the last month. If there's no space for him on your roster this year, remember Castro's name for next season as the rookie has been exceptional since being called up on May 7.

Jose Tabata (PIT — OF)

Like Castro, 22 year-old Jose Tabata is one of those young players that could be a future all-star. Since being called up on June 9 by the Pirates, Tabata has 67 hits, 12 stolen bases and a .309 average. And in the last 30 days, he's third in the majors with 39 hits, tied for third with 22 runs scored and has an impressive .386 average.

Luke Scott (BAL — 1B, OF)

From a power perspective, Luke Scott's fantasy value has gone up of late and he's now owned in 58 per cent of Yahoo fantasy leagues. He's third in the majors in the past month with nine homers, behind only Toronto's Jose Bautista and Florida's Dan Uggla. He's also tied for fifth in total bases with 63 and tied for eighth in runs batted in with 22 to go along with a .341 batting average.

Adam LaRoche (ARI — 1B)

If Scott is not available in your baseball pool and you need a first baseman, perhaps Adam LaRoche is. Over the last four weeks, LaRoche has six homers, 19 RBIs, 58 total bases, 32 hits and a batting average of .327, but he has struck out 24 times. He also has seven multi-hit games in August.

Andres Torres (SF — OF)

Though he strikes out quite a lot, Giants' outfielder Andres Torres has been solid in the last 30 days. He has 35 hits, 19 runs scored, 17 RBIs, 62 total bases, a .310 average and 13 doubles, which is second only to Joe Mauer.

Coco Crisp (OAK — OF)

If speed is what you need, Coco Crisp is your man. He's tied for second this month with 10 stolen bases to go along with 24 hits and 11 walks. Don't worry, he's definitely available in your league.

Mike Lowell (BOS — 3B)

Despite not playing a single game from June 22 until last week because of a hip injury, Mike Lowell hasn't shown any signs of rust. Since returning to Boston's lineup in place of the injured Kevin Youkilis, he has a hit in seven of eight games, which includes two homers and seven RBIs. With Youkilis out for the season, newly acquired Carlos Delgado still getting into game shape and Victor Martinez splitting time between catcher and first, Lowell is in line to get a decent number of at bats for the Red Sox down the stretch. Owned in just 20 per cent of Yahoo fantasy leagues, he could just be that guy to put you over the top.

PITCHERS

Ted Lilly (LAD — SP)

If you need a starter, you'd be wise to take a gamble on Ted Lilly. Owned in 59 per cent of Yahoo fantasy baseball pools, Lilly has gone 2-0 since being acquired by the Dodgers, which is significant because he was winless in July with the Cubs.

Brandon Morrow (TOR — SP)

Another hot hurler is the Jays' Brandon Morrow. He's won four in a row and hasn't had a loss on his record since June 29. And he's just been getting better. In Morrow's most recent start, he came within one out of a no-hitter against Tampa Bay, but still got the complete game shutout with only two walks and 17 strikeouts.

Jeremy Guthrie (BAL — SP)

Baltimore's Jeremy Gurthrie is also worth a look. He's 3-1 in the past month with 3 walks, 21 strikeouts, a 1.77 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP. He's just seven per cent owned in Yahoo leagues because of a horrendous June and the fact that he plays for the lowly Orioles.

Carlos Zambrano (CHC — SP)

Carlos Zambrano has had a bad year to say the least. He's finally returned to the majors after a June 25 dugout meltdown that landed him in a lengthy anger management course and dropped him to being owned in just 26 per cent of Yahoo pools. He was decent in his first game back (5 IP, 4 hits, 2 ER, 7 BB, 3 K), which was a no-decision, but let's not forget that Zambrano is a career average 15-game winner and 200-plus strikeout pitcher. He could either turn it all around or end up right back in summer school.

Chris Perez (CLE — RP)

In terms of closers, there are really only two options. The Phillies' Brad Lidge may be available in your Yahoo pool (61 per cent owned) as he has nine saves in the past month, but also sports a 4.22 ERA during that span. The alternative is Cleveland's Chris Perez (52 per cent owned). Over that same period, Perez is 1-0 with six saves, 12 strikeouts, a 1.64 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP.