Yoenis Cespedes- BOS- FYI- Cespedes now has a single homer in his 35 PAs with Boston after hitting one out on Sunday. His HR/FB ratio had risen into double digits by the time of the trade from Oakland, but is at only 5.3% in his 8 games with the Red Sox. The odd thing about that number for Cespedes, as compared to his first two major league campaigns, is that he has had a pronounced home/road split. His HR/FB ratio is at 13.3%, close to his career numbers, while his road mark is 7.1%. Cespedes has only played 2 home games in Fenway so far so more games there should help him. His road number also seems like an anomaly and could normalize over the last month and a half. Cespedes is 8 homers shy of his career-best 26 that he hit last year. He still has a shot at equaling that.
Alexei Ramirez- CHA- Hot- Ramirez is batting .375 so far in August. Some regression to the mean may be due as a BABIP of .378 has boosted his season mark from .305 at the end of July to .312 now. Ramirez has a career BABIP of .297 so his average may start slipping. He has already hit a homer and stolen a base this month, though, so those facets where he has produced well for a SS look like they are continuing.
Zach Walters- CLE- Rookie- Walters played his first game for his new major league team Sunday, going hitless in 4 PAs. He did walk, which was something he hadn't done in 31 PAs at AAA since being traded from the Nationals. Walters had improved his K% in that small sample, posting a 16.1% mark after have a 23.8% K% for AAA Syracuse in the Washington system. Power is certainly there. Walters has slugged 20 homers between AAA and the majors this season. He has some upside as a potential super utility player, since he can play the infield and outfield. His ultimate value will depend on how well he can improve his plate discipline. He may get a chance to see how he does in the AL in the short term.
Ian Krol- DET- Rise Value- Krol was called up from AAA Toledo yesterday and continued his run of scoreless appearances that he'd had since being sent down. He did the best job of the 4 Detroit pitchers yesterday, shutting the Pirates out for 2 innings, allowing a hit and striking out 2. The game was out of hand by that point, but Krol did pick up 10 holds in his 42 other games with the Tigers this year. If he has finally gotten over the tired arm that was plaguing him he could have some value in leagues that count holds down the stretch.
Felix Hernandez- SEA- Great Player- Hernandez allowed only 1 run on 3 hits with no walks and 8 Ks in 7 IP. As has been his trend he was very efficient, needing only 96 pitches (68 strikes) to nail down his 13th win of the season. Hernandez has only thrown two high pitch starts since June 2nd, making fatigue an unlikely event down the stretch.
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