Salvador Perez - Salvador Perez has arrived in Kansas City to assume the starting catcher's role, making four rookie regulars in the KC lineup right now. Perez is universally recognized as an excellent defender behind the plate, and he's apparently made enough progress with the bat to justify a series of quick promotions. Perez has definitely shown the ability to put the bat on the ball, as this year is potentially the first one in which he will likely fan more than 40 times. His minor league line of 288/326/406 isn't incredibly impressive until you realize that: A) he's a catcher, B) he's still just 21, and C) he's increased his HR total from 2 to 7 to 10 during his age 19-21 seasons while being promoted through 6 levels. He certainly has the ability to be a #1 catcher down the road for fantasy purposes, and I'd wager that he potentially can provide #2 catcher value right now.
Wily Mo Pena - With Justin Smoak headed to the DL with a broken nose, Wily Mo Pena brings his hacktastic, power-laden game to Seattle to play every day. Pena has been hitting well over .300 and slugging .724 down in AAA, and despite playing in his 13th pro season he's still just 29. Pena's power is intriguing enough to warrant a roster spot in many formats...particularly AL-only leagues, but his eligibility may be limited to DH-only depending on your rules.
Edwin Encarnacion - Encarnacion has been quietly surging during the second half, and after another homer yesterday he's put together a 12-game hitting streak. After walking a mere 9 times through the first three months of the year, Encarnacion has walked 17 times since July 1, he's improved his contact rate for the 7th straight season, and he has only fanned twice here in August. Despite his lengthy MLB tenure, Encarnacion is still just 28, and to top it off he has been taking fly balls in practice lately, so he may soon be OF eligible in addition to both corners. He's always had the potential to be an above-average 3B, and is clearly worth a pickup right now during this streak of significantly improved play.
Jake Peavy - Peavy pitched very well yesterday other than a four-run fifth innings, continuing his trend of allowing a fairy large number of hits without giving up walks or homers. His improvement in those two areas have led to a FIP ERA of just 2.71 this season despite a slightly larger than 10% drop in K rate, yet his actual ERA is nearly two runs higher thanks primarily to a strand% down near 60. The velocity drop is of the greatest concern to me, but he's been successful enough that I'd feel comfortable forecasting a solid end to the season for him. Looking forward to 2012, Peavy is always an injury risk at this point in his career, but he's one that I would accept as a high-upside mid-rotation starter in most formats.
Johnny Giavotella - Johnny Giavotella has started out his Royals' tenure very well, picking up four multi-hit games in 9 appearances, tallying 4 XBH thus far, and stealing three bases. Giavotella is just 24, has added a bit more power every minor league season, and has enough speed to be a 15 SB threat...he's worth a pickup in just about all formats already, and there's upside here to boot from a power standpoint.
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