Jordy Mercer (SS-PIT). Mercer went 2 for 4 with his 8th HR of the year off Johnny Cueto on Sunday afternoon, running his season slash line to .258/.304/.375. After a rocky start to the season, Mercer has quietly been a solid fantasy producer at a hard to fill position. Mercer has knocked in 43 and scored 48 runs to go with his 8 HR. Mercer is not going to help in the speed department (only 2 SBs this year), and his .293 BABIP indicates that he is not likely to see much improvement in his current BA, but he is on a pace for double digit HRs and 60 RBIs, which is certainly valuable, especially as a MI. Those who are in need of middle infield help for the stretch run could do worse than adding Mercer.
Dilson Herrera (2B-NYN). Herrera was a surprise callup by the Mets on Friday, as they needed a replacement for Daniel Murphy, who hit the DL with what Mets' general manager Sandy Alderson called a "significant" calf injury. With less than a month remaining in the season, Herrera could be looking at full time duty at 2B the rest of the way. This makes him almost a must-add for NL-only leaguers who have room at the MI slot. Herrera went 1 for 3 with a run and his first major league RBI on Sunday against the Phillies, and he was slashing .340/.406/.560 in 278 PAs in AA with 10 HR and 9 SB. While that level of power is unlikely to translate to the majors, the potential help Herrera could provide in the power and speed categories makes him a worthwhile add. He is an especially attractive add in keeper leagues, since if he acquits himself well over the next month, the Mets could consider moving Murphy for help in other areas and installing Herrera as the full time 2B next year.
Hyun-Jin Ryu (SP-LAN). Ryu was activated from the DL to start against the Padres on Sunday afternoon. Ryu continued his consistently solid performance, throwing 7 innings of 1 run ball, giving up only 4 hits and no walks while striking out 7. Ryu's ERA now sits at 3.18 for the year and he has matched last season's win total with his 14th. I admit to having been a skeptic where Ryu was concerned, but he is making it very difficult to maintain that skepticism. He has improved both his K/9 (8.04 this year, 7.22 in 2013) and BB/9 (2.30 in 2013, 1.68 this year) rates and, other than a fortunate 6.0% HR/FB rate, there is nothing to indicate that Ryu won't be able to maintain his current level of performance. Ryu owners should enjoy the stretch-run benefit they will receive now that they can plug Ryu back into their lineups.
Tanner Roark (SP-WAS). Roark got "Ackleyed" against the Mariners on Sunday afternoon, as he had his rockiest outing in quite a while, giving up 4 runs (3 of which can on a 3-run homer by Dustin Ackley) on 11 hits over 6.1 innings. Roark did continue to show off his good control, as he struck out 4 while walking none. Roark's ERA increased to 2.91 after the rough outing, and it is likely to increase further, given his 3.49 FIP and 3.81 xFIP. Roark is only striking out 6.45 batters per nine innings. While he has provided solid value to this point in the season, I am concerned about the possibility of even worse blowups down the stretch, especially conidering the Roark has already exceeded by almost 20 innings his career high in innings pitched. If I was starting Roark in a mixed league, I would be thinking about possible replacements for the stretch run.
Bryce Harper (OF-WAS). Look out! Bryce Harper may be back. Harper hit 2 more HRs on Sunday afternoon (giving him 3 in 2 games), to raise his season total to 10 and his slash line to .268/.342/.424. Harper has been a huge disappointment this year for both injury and performance reasons, but his big weekend indicates that he could be setting up for a strong finish. Harper has been plagued by plate discipline issues, as his current 28.2% K rate is more than 7 points higher than his career rate. Some of this slippage in plate control is probably attributable to rustiness after his lengthy DL stint, and if he is able to rein in the strikeouts, he could put up big numbers over the season's final month. If you are a Harper owner, hang tight, as your patience is about to pay off, and if Harper is available in your league (he has been dropped by impatient owners in at least a few leagues) snap him up!
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