Dylan Bundy (SP/RP, Bal): Bundy was effective but inefficient against the Indians, allowing only one unearned run in his second start of the season. He needed 87 pitches to get through five innings, striking out five batters without issuing a walk. He threw 26 changeups averaging 85.9 MPH and got whiffs on 6 of them, which equates to 23.1%, or roughly 8.2% better than the average changeup. Pair that with his incredible fastball that averaged 95.2 MPH and generated roughly double the league average whiff rate at 12.5% and a curve that averaged 77.5 MPH and you've got three very different pitch speeds to keep batters guessing with. Digging into these results makes it easy to remember that he came up as an expected future ace pitcher, and this arsenal reminds us that if he can ever manage to stay healthy as a starter, he can truly be an elite option. The clear caveat here is what was just mentioned - health - but if Bundy is still available in your league since he's still transitioning from the bullpen, he needs to be picked up at once. The downside is what he's been in previous years, and that's a player that will occupy your DL, but the upside is that Bundy remains a starter the rest of the season and continues to strike out a batter (or more) per inning and turns into the elite starter that the Orioles have been searching for. He's slated to take on the Rockies at home in his next start.
James Paxton (SP, Sea): Paxton made the Jays look silly on Friday, giving up only one run on a walk and three hits with nine strikeouts across seven innings, netting his third win of the year. It was a welcome sight for his owners after his last clunker of a start, which was six runs in five innings against the Astros. Paxton touched triple digits on his fastball again in this start, and as long as he's pumping that huge velocity he's going to be an interesting starter. He was getting whiffs all over the place today, and his control has seen a huge step forward this year as well, sitting at 2.39 BB/9 compared to 3.90 in his 13 starts last season. His FIP sits nearly a full run below his 4.18 ERA at 3.20, and between these huge gains in velocity and control, plus his favorable home park, it's hard to argue that his ERA won't continue to fall towards his FIP as the season wears on. He's got a lengthy injury history, but he makes for a good second-half trade target if you need a starter that won't cost you a lot. He'll take on the Pirates in Pittsburgh in his next start.
Eduardo Rodriguez (SP, Bos): E-Rod has returned from the minors, and he brought his slider with him. Having thrown the pitch only 11.1% of the time coming into the matchup, he threw a whopping 32 sliders against the Twins, good for 34%. His primary secondary pitch, the changeup, was unleashed only 11 times. This is highly encouraging since he's been really trying to develop that slider to give him a solid third offering. He had eight K's in his five and one-third innings of work, though with his two runs allowed his ERA still sits at an unforgivable 6.70. The Twins are a team that strikes out a lot, so try not to take too much away from this outing, but given this pitch usage he's looking more like a player you can utilize at least in deep leagues once again. His next start will come at home against the Tigers.
Cheslor Cuthbert (3B, KC): Cuthbert took Yu Darvish deep to dead center for his ninth home run of the season. Cuthbert had posted back to back 12 home run seasons in the minor leagues coming into the year, but between the Royals and their Triple-A affiliate he's already launched 16 this season. It's not an outlandish jump, and it's possible that we're seeing a small power breakout from Cuthbert, who is still just 23 years old. His unexciting 28.3% hard contact rate makes the power a little harder to believe though, but is pulling the ball a fair bit at 41.1%. That's accounted for most of his home run power, and if you look at his spray chart, seven of his homers have been to left field. The .297 batting average is also a bit over his head, as there's little to account for his elevated .347 BABIP. He remains a deep league option only for now.
Edwin Diaz (RP, Sea): Diaz came into the season as a very good starting pitching prospect for the Mariners, but they moved him to the bullpen and called him up to help the Major League squad and boy has he been a lightning bolt for that pen. He had a perfect eighth inning in Friday's contest with the Jays, striking out two batters for his 10th hold in 21 appearances. He's now got an absurd 44 strikeouts in 21.2 innings with only six walks and a 2.08 ERA. He throws a 97 MPH fastball with an 86.5 MPH slider and has generated an insane 18.4% swinging strike rate with those pitches. He's worth an add in any league where you have room to stash closer handcuffs, and already possesses Andrew Miller-like value. Should anything befall Steve Cishek, Diaz would be an elite closer. He needs to be picked up and held onto especially in any dynasty league where he isn't already owned, and even if he doesn't net any saves this season, he can help you in K's and ratios.
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