Wil Myers -- Wil Myers made his MLB debut last night, played both games of a double-header against Boston, and went just 1-for-7 between the two games. While Myers makes almost everyone's top 10 prospect lists, there are some who...

Nick Franklin - Franklin hit his third homer of the year yesterday, and he's now hitting 299/382/522 in his first 20 games with Seattle. He has continued his impressive improvement in contact rate as he has moved to the majors,...

Mike Leake - Mike Leake tossed seven innings and gave up 1 ER against the Pirates on Monday and now has a 7-3 record on the season. Leake also owns a 2.64 ERA and 3.76 xFIP. The biggest difference for...

Corey Kluber (SP - CLE): I noted a few weeks ago on Twitter that I thought Corey Kluber had really turned a corner for the Indians. He seemed to be trusting his breaking ball more against LHB's and was finding...

Anthony Rendon- WAS- Hot- Rendon went 3-for-4 yesterday to bring his average up to .361. Underlying that is a .447 BABIP, so expect some negative regression in that department. Power should increase, though. Rendon had 6 homers in 152 PAs...

Elvis Andrus, SS TEX Andrus went 0-for-5 Saturday against Toronto and is 17-for-95 (.179) with a 17.4 percent strikeout rate over his last 24 games. Andrus' flyball rate is down this season, which is a positive for a player with...

Kenley Jansen -- Jansen blew his second save of the season last night and his first since being named the team's closer earlier this week. While this will hardly cost him the role, Brandon League did wind up taking the...

Adam Wainwright, RHP STL Wainwright became the majors' first 10-game winner with a dominant effort against the Mets Thursday afternoon. Wainwright outdueled Matt Harvey by allowing four hits and no runs over seven innings to lower his ERA to 2.18....

Hiroki Kuroda (SP-NYY)- Kuroda was fantastic in his outing against Oakland on Friday even though he did not earn a decision. He allowed two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out three in eight innings of work....

Jeff Baker- TEX- FYI- For those of you in 1-game eligibility leagues, Baker added 2B to his list of positions that already included 1B, 3B and OF. He went 0-for-4 last night but is still batting .317 with 9 homers...

Ryan Braun -- Ryan Braun, who has been sidelined since leaving Sunday's game with aggravation of a thumb injury he's been dealing with all year, said yesterday that his thumb feels no better. The team hopes he'll be able to...

Miguel Gonzalez (SP-BAL)- Gonzalez improved his record to 4-2 on Tuesday night after helping the Orioles to a 3-2 win over the Angels. He allowed only one run on four hits and a walk while striking out five in eight...

Chris Withrow- LAN- Rise Value- A move to the bullpen seems to have jumpstarted the 20th overall pick from 2007. Withrow had spent 3+ mediocre seasons at AA when the Dodgers' put him in the pen late last season. At...

Carlos Gomez - Carlos Gomez continued his breakout season by collecting three hits, driving in two, scoring two runs and stealing a base for Milwaukee against Miami on Monday. Gomez is providing his fantasy owners with an excellent combination of...

Starting last Monday the Daily Fantasy Fix moved to myfantasyfix.com. At our new home, we're offering additional content geared towards the daily fantasy industry, including more broad-based strategy articles on concepts like bankroll management, roster construction for game-type, etc. The...

A sampling of today's player notes... Hanley Ramirez (SS-LAD) - With all the hamstring injuries the Dodgers have had this year (Kemp, Crawford, etc.), might the Dodgers need to implement a revised pre-game stretching program? Ramirez has been in and...

Mike Moustakas (3B - KC): Moustakas dreadful season continued on Sunday with another 0-3 that did include a walk. On the surface Moustakas has shown improvements in a few of his peripherals. He's cut down the strkeouts and improved his...

Starting Monday the Daily Fantasy Fix moved to myfantasyfix.com. At our new home, we're offering additional content geared towards the daily fantasy industry, including more broad-based strategy articles on concepts like bankroll management, roster construction for game-type, etc. The content...

Starting Monday the Daily Fantasy Fix moved to myfantasyfix.com. At our new home, we're offering additional content geared towards the daily fantasy industry, including more broad-based strategy articles on concepts like bankroll management, roster construction for game-type, etc. The content...

Starting Monday the Daily Fantasy Fix moved to myfantasyfix.com. At our new home, we're offering additional content geared towards the daily fantasy industry, including more broad-based strategy articles on concepts like bankroll management, roster construction for game-type, etc. The content...

Jim Henderson -- Brewers reliever Jim Henderson be activated from the Disabled List today, although it's not 100% clear whether he'll return to the closer's role. Francisco Rodriguez has done a good job in his stead, although it still seem...

Zach McAllister - The Indians placed starting pitcher Zach McAllister on the 15-day DL on Saturday and he is eligible to return on June 18 versus the Royals. That said, manager Terry Francona indicated that McAllister may miss anywhere from...

In our continuing series on player recommendations, the latest edition of Strategy Manager + highlights the pitchers who are deviating from their projected production this season. On the ranking sheet (Pitcher Rankings for June) you will find 5 tiers...

Francisco Liriano, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates: Rise in Value A couple of years ago, it seemed like all hope was lost for the veteran left-hander. He was coming off a second half with Chicago that saw him give up 34 earned...

Yoenis Cespedes (OF - OAK): A few weeks back I called Cespedes a strong buy-low candidate as an OF who was seeing his value hurt by a low LD Rate that was causing a low BABIP. Cespedes is still suffering...

Starting Monday the Daily Fantasy Fix moved to myfantasyfix.com. At our new home, we're offering additional content geared towards the daily fantasy industry, including more broad-based strategy articles on concepts like bankroll management, roster construction for game-type, etc. The content...

Julio Teheran- ATL- Hot- Teheran continues to improve as the season progresses. His near no hitter is his 6th straight quality start and the 7th time in his last 8 games where he has walked no more than 2 batters....

CC Sabathia, LHP NYA Sabathia tossed a complete game and allowed four runs on seven hits with nine strikeouts Wednesday against Cleveland. Sabathia has a 19/1 K/BB over his last two starts. Sabathia is still seemingly learning how to work...

A sampling of today's prospect notes: Pitchers 1 Archie Bradley ARI SP A 5 BB in 2 of his last 3 starts, but overall - 1.18 ERA and 11.0 K/9. 2 Gerrit Cole PIT SP A 7 shutout innings last...

Starting Monday the Daily Fantasy Fix moved to myfantasyfix.com. At our new home, we're offering additional content geared towards the daily fantasy industry, including more broad-based strategy articles on concepts like bankroll management, roster construction for game-type, etc. The content...

Alex Rodriguez- NYA- Warning- ARod's season may be over before it even began. He is one of the names in the Biogenesis scandal and is reportedly facing a 100-game suspension. MLB is looking to hit him with the penalty for...

Starting Monday the Daily Fantasy Fix will be moving to myfantasyfix.com. At our new home, we'll be offering additional content geared towards the daily fantasy industry, including more broad-based strategy articles on concepts like bankroll management, roster construction for game-type,...

Jeremy Hefner, SP, New York Mets: Rise in Value After recording his first win of the season in his ninth start, Hefner was wonderful again, showing good command in another quality start versus the rival Nationals. Hefner gave up a...

Tom Koehler (SP-MIA)- Koehler made his fifth start of the season (eleventh game) on Monday night against the Phillies, but he saw his record fall to 0-4. The right-hander allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits (two home runs)...

Asdrubal Cabrera -- Asdrubal Cabrera, who has been experiencing issues with his right quad since the end of April, aggravated his ailment in last night's game and could now miss a chunk of time. The team will have him undergo...

Starting Monday the Daily Fantasy Fix will be moving to myfantasyfix.com. At our new home, we'll be offering additional content geared towards the daily fantasy industry, including more broad-based strategy articles on concepts like bankroll management, roster construction for game-type,...

Billy Butler (DH - KC): Butler is mired in a pretty frustrating 6-35 slump that includes just 1 XBH. On the season Butler is posting some of the best chase rates (24.8%) and contact rates (83.3%) of his career, but...

A small sampling of today's notes... Chad Gaudin (SP-SF) - Gaudin was next up Sunday in the Giants' search for a Ryan Vogelsong replacement. Mike Kickham allowed four runs in 2.1 innings in his shot, and Gaudin surrendered just two...

Jacob Turner - Turner pitched great in his 2013 debut against the Mets Friday night, shutting them out for seven innings on five hits and a walk, striking out three. Turner has been much more of a "scouts guy" than...

Starting Monday the Daily Fantasy Fix will be moving to myfantasyfix.com. At our new home, we'll be offering additional content geared towards the daily fantasy industry, including more broad-based strategy articles on concepts like bankroll management, roster construction for game-type,...

Ubaldo Jimenez, RHP CLE Jimenez was bombed for seven hits and six runs in four innings on May 22 against the Detroit Tigers, but even including that start he is 4-1 with a 2.74 ERA and a 3.37 BB/9 over...

Today's featured DFS site is FantasyFeud. Click HERE and use deposit code "fantistics" for a first time deposit bonus! Before we get into today's recommendations, it is important to remind everyone to understand your scoring format and the pricing of...

Wade Miley, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks: Drop Player Miley lost his fourth straight start yesterday at Wrigley Field, giving up a home run to Alfonso Soriano in the first inning and then serving up two in the third to Scott Hairston...

Mitch Moreland, 1B, Texas Rangers: Back on Track After 10 games without one, Mitch Moreland finally broke the dry spell and went yard off of Brandon McCarthy in the 3rd inning of yesterday's game, chasing McCarthy from the game. The...

Matt Kemp - The Dodgers placed Matt Kemp on the DL yesterday with a mild right hamstring strain. Still, he could wind up missing more than the minimum amount of time. He figures to be replaced by Skip Schumaker or...

Today's featured DFS site is Star Fantasy Leagues. Click HERE for an exclusive first time deposit bonus (use code "fantistics")! Before we get into today's recommendations, it is important to remind everyone to understand your scoring format and the pricing...

Jonathan Papelbon- PHI- Stats- Papelbon picked up his 11th save of the season and second against his old team, Boston, in as many days yesterday. He has yet to blow a save this year. Although the run Papelbon gave up...

Jose Veras - Veras gave up one run in a non-save situation last night, but the bigger news came earlier in the day when Houston manager Bo Porter supported Veras as his closer despite allowing four runs and taking two...

Alejandro De Aza- CHA- Cold- De Aza has gone back to his whiffing ways, striking out 6 times in 15 ABs in his last five games. He had seemed to be making progress, only striking out 3 times in 22...

Hyun-Jin Ryu - Ryu continues to defy expectations, throwing a complete game, two-hit shutout last night, striking out seven while walking zero. His 8.6 K/9 (and of course the 2.89 ERA) is the thing that really sticks out considering the...

Albert Pujols, 1B, Los Angeles Angels: Proceed with Caution Pujols finished 3-for-4 yesterday in a losing effort versus the in-state rival Dodgers. He, along with teammate Josh Hamilton, struggled a bit in the early going, but steadily, the perennial All-Star...

Shaun Marcum - Marcum was brilliant this weekend against the Braves, fanning 12 in 7 innings of work but still failing to pick up his first win of the season. You can tell Marcum isn't right when he's issuing walks...

Today's featured DFS site is Fan ThrowDown. Click HERE for a first time deposit bonus! Before we get into today's recommendations, it is important to remind everyone to understand your scoring format and the pricing of the individual players on...

JP Arencibia (C-TOR)- Arencibia went 3-for-4 with a walk, a double, a RBI and three runs scored in the Blue Jays victory over the Orioles. He is now hitting .236/.253/.477 to go along with his eleven home runs in 178...

...

1. R.A. Dickey, SP, Toronto Blue Jays: Struggles Continue Dickey's woes carried on in his start against Baltimore, giving up six earned on nine hits, walking three and fanning just four in the process. He had won his previous two...

Craig Kimbrel (RP-ATL)- Kimbrel threw a shutout inning in yesterday's suspended game to record his fifteenth save of the season. He allowed one hit while not allowing a walk or striking out hitter, and his ERA dropped to 2.33 in...

Before we get into today's Fantasy Fix, I have to give a HUGE shout out to fellow FIX co-author Drew Dinkmeyer who won last night's StarStreet PFBC Qualifier. With it he wins a free trip to the Playboy Mansion and...

Matt Moore, LHP TB Moore is still cruising along with a 2.29 ERA and an 8-0 record, but he's due for a regression. The left-hander has a .197 BABIP overall, a .161 BABIP with men on base and a .035...

Today's Featured DFS site is Fantasy Feud. Click HERE for a 50% deposit bonus! Before we get into today's recommendations, it is important to remind everyone to understand your scoring format and the pricing of the individual players on the...

Jason Kubel (OF - ARZ): Kubel's been a frustrating fantasy player to own this season as his playing time has been inconsistent due to some nagging injuries and when he's been in the lineup his performance hasn't lived up to...

Today's Featured DFS site is DraftDay. Click HERE for a 100% deposit bonus! Before we get into today's recommendations, it is important to remind everyone to understand your scoring format and the pricing of the individual players on the site...

Madison Bumgarner, LHP SF Bumgarner matched Gio Gonzalez by going seven innings and allowing one run on four hits in a no decision Wednesday to bounce back from his worst start of the season. The left-hander is 4-2 with a...

Vance Worley- MIN- Drop Value- Worley was sent to AAA right after getting pounded for 8 runs in 3.2 IP yesterday. That increased his ERA to 7.21. He has had some bad luck as he has an FIP of 5.52....

Kelly Johnson (2B/LF-TB)- Johnson went 1-for-3 with a home runs and a strikeout to help lead the Rays to a 4-3 victory over the Blue Jays on Tuesday night. The home run was his eighth of the year to go...

Zack Greinke- LAN- Cold- Greinke's control was suspect from the start last night. I went to the game, figuring I would write about him today. I made a note on my phone after 24 pitches that half of them were...

Jurickson Profar - Profar was 0-2 while knocking in the only two Ranger runs yesterday in his first big league game of the year, but more disturbing was the news that Ron Washington wants to split time (in his mind,...

Cole Hamels - For struggling pitchers, facing the Marlins is a pretty significant litmus test this season: if you can't shut down that lineup, what lineup can you shut down? On Monday, Cole Hamels entered his start against Miami with...

Today's Featured DFS site is DraftStreet. Click HERE and use Fantistics as your recruiting and bonus code to get a 30% deposit bonus up to $150! Before we get into today's recommendations, it is important to remind everyone to understand...

Jurickson Profar (2B - TEX): With the Rangers placing Ian Kinsler on the DL they've promoted top prospect Jurickson Profar to hopefully take his place in the lineup. I say hopefully because Profar didn't draw the start on Sunday...

A sampling of today's notes... Jonathan Pettibone (SP-PHI) - Pettibone did it again Sunday, tossing seven innings of one-run ball against the Reds to improve to 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA in six starts. His 21:11 K:BB with five homers...

Dustin Pedroia - Pedroia had a single, double, and two walks yesterday to extend his hitting streak to 10 games in the 12-5 win over the Twins. Pedroia is having an interesting season, hitting .341 with a .433 OBP but...

Anthony Rizzo - The Cubs' Anthony Rizzo blasted his 10th HR of the season on Saturday against the Mets. He's now hitting .282/.350/.540 with 30 RBI and a .258 ISO. Rizzo's actually posting a reverse split this season with a...

Today's Featured DFS site is Fan Throwdown. Click HERE for a first time deposit bonus! Before we get into today's recommendations, it is important to remind everyone to understand your scoring format and the pricing of the individual players on...

Matt Harvey, SP, New York Mets: Hot Pitcher Harvey's scorching hot start was threatened after a throwing error allowed two to score in the bottom of the first inning. He recovered nicely, giving up just two more hits en route...

Jeremy Hellickson, RHP TB In his two full seasons in the majors, Hellickson has posted a K/9 below 7.0, a BB/9 above 3.0 and a HR/9 of 1.0 or higher, so his FIP has been extremely high. However, he has...

Andy Pettitte - Pettitte left yesterday's start against Seattle with a tight left trapezius muscle. The trapezius is located in the upper back area and, naturally, is important to a pitcher's throwing motion. The Yankees said after the game that...

Today's Featured DFS site is StarStreet. Click HERE for a 100% deposit bonus up to $100! Before we get into today's recommendations, it is important to remind everyone to understand your scoring format and the pricing of the individual players...

John Axford- MIL- Cold- Axford retired the only batter he faced yesterday, which is a distinct improvement for him over his recent appearances. He hasn't had a full inning facing the minimum number of batters since April 23rd. An inordinate...

Adam Lind, 1B TOR Lind has been used almost exclusively against right-handed pitchers this year, and has responded well to the platoon. He's batting .286 with a 0.71 K/BB and a 12.6 percent strikeout rate and has hit all three...

Just a sampling of the approximately 70 prospect updates you get each week as a subscriber... Hitters 1 Oscar Taveras STL OF A .967 OPS in last 10 games and probably ready when needed. 2 Jurickson Profar TEX SS A...

Mitch Moreland- TEX- Hot- Moreland added two homers last night, giving him 6 in his last 9 games. His average is up to .296 for the year. Moreland has had some luck recently, but not of the outrageous kind. His...

Anibal Sanchez - In a remarkable confluence of luck and skill, Sanchez tossed his seventh straight quality start yesterday to continue his fantastic beginning to 2013. Aside from one outing against the A's, Sanchez has faced a number of middling...

Lance Lynn - Lance Lynn took on the Mets on Monday and allowed 3 ER on 4 hits with 7 strikeouts and 5 walks over 7 innings. Lynn continues to miss a lot of bats as he entered Monday's game...

Today's Featured DFS site is Star Fantasy Leagues. Click HERE and use fantistics as both your referral code and promo code to receive a first time deposit bonus of 40% (double the normal bonus)! Before we get into today's recommendations,...

Heath Bell - Bell blew a two-run lead in a ninth-inning save situation last night before being bailed out by Brad Ziegler, ultimately costing Arizona the game. The job still belongs to the once-dominant Bell, but another outing or two...

David Murphy (OF - TEX): Murphy finally took advantage of a matchup with a weak RHP by delivering a 1-4 performance that included a 2-run HR. Murphy is a career .286/.353/.477 hitter against RHP, but this year he's hitting just...

Francisco Liriano, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates: Rise in Value Liriano's National League debut went a little better than anticipated. The 29-year old lefty tossed 5 1/3 innings yesterday afternoon, allowing one run on six hits while recording nine strikeouts in the...

Today's Featured DFS site is DailyJoust. Click HERE to receive a first time deposit bonus! Before we get into today's recommendations, it is important to remind everyone to understand your scoring format and the pricing of the individual players on...

Jeff Samardzija (SP-CHC): Jeff Samardzija struggled through 5 innings yesterday against the Nationals, allowing 5 earned runs on 8 hits and 2 walks. While he added 5 strikeouts, the Cubs ace is now 1-5 on the year with a 3.70...

Max Scherzer, RHP DET Scherzer is not deserving of the numbers he has posted; he's been much better than a 3.61 ERA. The right-hander has a 1.85 FIP, 11.6 K/9, 1.71 BB/9 and a 0.57 HR/9, but has had some...

Today's Featured DFS site is Fan Throwdown. Click HERE for a first time deposit bonus. Before we get into today's recommendations, it is important to remind everyone to understand your scoring format and the pricing of the individual players on...

Scott Kazmir (SP-CLE): Scott Kazmir turned back the clock last night, tossing an absolute gem against the Athletics. The lefty allowed only 1 earned run on 5 hits in 6 innings of work, impressively striking out 10 without walking a...

Heath Bell - Bell converted his third save in three days last night, allowing one hit in a scoreless inning of work. With J.J. Putz out of the picture for a while, possibly the season, Bell is strengthening his grip...

Today's Featured DFS site is FanDuel. Click HERE to get a first time deposit bonus! Before we get into today's recommendations, it is important to remind everyone to understand your scoring format and the pricing of the individual players on...

Andrew McCutchen, OF PIT McCutchen has gone 13-for-28 (.464) with two homers and five RBIs over his last seven games to raise his batting average from .217 to .275. McCutchen has trimmed his strikeout rate from 19.6 percent to 13...

Anibal Sanchez - After a rainout on Tuesday, Anibal Sanchez took his turn in the rotation for the Tigers against the Nationals on Wednesday. The right hander tossed 6 innings and yielded 2 ER to go along with 8 strikeouts....

Michael Cuddyer- COL- Hot- Cuddyer is on a 6-game hitting streak and has hit safely in 13 of his last 14 games. Luck plays a major part, as his BABIP is .365 this season, compared to .287 last year. However,...

Tommy Milone (SP-OAK)- Milone saw his record fall to 3-4 on Tuesday night despite putting forth one of his strongest starts of the season. The left-hander allowed just one run (unearned) on five hits and zero walks while striking...

Jedd Gyorko - Gyorko is definitely starting to heat up, as another homer last night gives him 3 to go along with a pair of doubles in his last 6 games. Let's set aside his time at Lake Elsinore and...

Ian Kinsler- TEX- Cold- Kinsler went 0-for-4 to snap an 11-game hitting streak. He is 2-for-13 over his last 3 games. Although the sample size is small this might be the start of some regression to the mean. Kinsler's BABIP...

Before we get into today's recommendations, it is important to remind everyone to understand your scoring format and the pricing of the individual players on the site you're playing. These vary from site to site and all daily sites...

Jake Peavy (SP-CHW): The White Sox have scratched Jake Peavy from today's start, his 2nd consecutive start missed due to back spasms. The club had hoped Peavy's back would respond to treatment, but it looks increasingly likely that Peavy...

Roy Halladay (SP-PHI) - After a mini-vacation, Bad Roy Halladay made his return to the rotation Sunday against the Marlins. Doc allowed a whopping nine runs on four hits with four walks and yes, four strikeouts over just 2.1 innings....

Hisashi Iwakuma - That's 6-7 in QS for Iwakuma after a 7 IP, 1 ER outing against Toronto yesterday, and since that 7th start was a 5 IP, 2 ER, 11 K performance against the Astros it's safe to say...

Stephen Strasburg, RHP WAS From a health perspective, Saturday's start against the Pirates was encouraging, as Strasburg, who dealt with forearm tightness after his last start, threw 95 pitches over seven innings. However, the results were mixed. Strasburg struck out...

Before we get into today's recommendations, it is important to remind everyone to understand your scoring format and the pricing of the individual players on the site you're playing. These vary from site to site and all daily sites...

A.J. Griffin, RHP OAK After two straight non-quality efforts, Griffin blanked the Yankees over seven innings Friday night, allowing six hits, walking one and striking out four. His ERA is now 3.79. However, Griffin seemingly has been extremely lucky at...

Ryan Zimmerman - The Nationals activated third baseman Ryan Zimmerman from the DL on Friday and he went 0-for-4 against the Pirates. Zimmerman struggled before going on the DL, batting just .226 with a .132 ISO and 23% K% (up...

Bryce Harper (OF-WAS): After leaving the game in the late innings on Wednesday, Bryce Harper returned on Thursday after X-Rays on his left side came back negative. He went 0 for 4 with a walk against the Braves and...

Before we get into today's recommendations, it is important to remind everyone to understand your scoring format and the pricing of the individual players on the site you're playing. These vary from site to site and all daily sites...

Clay Buchholz - That's six straight quality starts, six straight outings of at least seven innings, and six straight wins for Clay Buchholz after another strong outing yesterday against the Jays. It's curious that his swinging strike% is declining for...

Jordan Schafer- ATL- Cold- Schafer is 5-for-21 since getting more playing time due to Jason Heyward's appendectomy. He is 2-for-14 in his last 5 games, 3 of them starts. There may be some regression to the mean happening as even...

Keep in mind this is just a sampling of the 70 or so prospect notes published each week for members. Pitchers 1 Jose Fernandez MIA SP A He's been great and unexpectedly so this soon. Makes at least 20% of...

Roy Halladay (SP-PHI): The Indians' absolutely torched Roy Halladay yesterday to the tune of 8 earned runs on 9 hits and 2 walks in 3 and 2/3 innings, pushing his season ERA back to 6.75. Despite averaging 91 MPH...

Jordan Lyles- HOU- Rise Value- Lyles had a horrible spring, posting a 17.74 ERA in Grapefruit League play. He has settled down some at AAA. He has a 5.32 ERA in his first 6 games, 5 of them starts, but...

Mike Moustakas - Moustakas is 3-8 with 3 walks and 2 doubles since being benched Friday and Saturday, but is the 24 year old ready to become the 30-HR hitter that we all envision? He's been quite a bit more...

Jose Fernandez - In a great matchup of two young, promising starting pitchers, Jose Fernandez faced off against Matt Harvey on Monday. Fernandez finished the game with a final line of 4 innings, 3 hits, 4 strikeouts, 3 walks and...

Jose Fernandez - In a great matchup of two young, promising starting pitchers, Jose Fernandez faced off against Matt Harvey on Monday. Fernandez finished the game with a final line of 4 innings, 3 hits, 4 strikeouts, 3 walks and...

Before we get into today's recommendations, it is important to remind everyone to understand your scoring format and the pricing of the individual players on the site you're playing. These vary from site to site and all daily sites...

Russell Martin (C-PIT) - Martin had a huge day at the plate Sunday, going 3-for-5 with a double and a pair of home runs to beat Shelby Miller and the Cardinals. Martin's big day has him up to .267/.345/.547 on...

Nolan Arenado - It appears that Nolan Arenado is coming up to take over the Rockies' 3B job, as Chris Nelson was designated for assignment late last night. Arenado is a very solid hitting prospect that has already posted 14...

Before we get into today's recommendations, it is important to remind everyone to understand your scoring format and the pricing of the individual players on the site you're playing. These vary from site to site and all daily sites...

Matt Moore - The Rays' Matt Moore was sharp on Saturday against the White Sox, yielding just 1 ER on 3 hits over 6 innings. He whiffed 9 and walked 1. Moore now owns a 10.69 K/9 and 1.13 ERA...

Before we get into today's recommendations, it is important to remind everyone to understand your scoring format and the pricing of the individual players on the site you're playing. These vary from site to site and all daily sites...

Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Chicago Cubs: Hot Batter The young slugger did a little bit of everything, finishing 3-for-4 last night with two HR and accounting for all four RBI for the offensively challenged Cubs in a 4-2 victory over...

Paul Konerko, 1B CHA Konerko is batting .234 and has a 15/5 K/BB this season. It could be age catching up to him, or it could be his awful batted ball luck so far. He has a 31.3 percent line-drive...

Hyun-Jin Ryu, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers: Rookie Watch The 26-year old rookie was great again yesterday, throwing seven innings of one-run ball with eight strikeouts and only three hits allowed. This is Ryu's fourth quality start of five total...

Kyle Seager (3B-SEA). Kyle Seager continued his hot-hitting ways yesterday, going 3 for 4 with homer and 3 RBI. In his last 7 games, Seager is 13 for 25 with 3 homers, 7 RBI, 3 runs scored, and a...

Before we get into today's recommendations, it is important to remind everyone to understand your scoring format and the pricing of the individual players on the site you're playing. These vary from site to site and all daily sites...

Brett Cecil- TOR- Hot- Manager John Gibbons might credit Cecil's increased velocity and mix of pitches for his early success, but there are other factors in play. Cecil has a BABIP of .200 and a LOB% of 93.8%. As a...

Here is a sampling of this week's 70+ prospect notes... Hitters 5 Miguel Sano MIN 3B A Just re-hot right now and wondering if 1.179 OPS will get him to MIN in September. 6 Travis d'Arnaud NYM C A Foot...

Matt Holliday, OF STL Holliday went 3-for-4 with an RBI Wednesday against the Nationals and is 5-for-8 over the last two days, raising his average from .233 to .279 in the process. Holliday got off to a slow start but...

Jose Valverde (RP-DET)- The Tigers announced on Tuesday that the organization has agreed to a major league deal with Valverde, and it is expected that he will take over the closer's role once again Detroit. After having a fortunate...

Mike Minor - After getting postponed on Monday, the Braves' Mike Minor took the hill Tuesday afternoon against the Rockies and gave up three ER over six innings with five strikeouts and five hits allowed. Entering Tuesday's outing, Minor had...

Daniel Nava - Nava has continued to hit the past few weeks, helping push Jackie Bradley back down to AAA once David Ortiz was healthy, and now appears poised to play most of the time for the Sox in LF....

Martin Prado- ARI- Stats- Prado's versatility may become an asset once his luck turns around. His current .241 average is being driven by a .239 BABIP. Prado has been more selective, swinging at 22.1% of pitches out of the strike...

Before we get into today's recommendations, it is important to remind everyone to understand your scoring format and the pricing of the individual players on the site you're playing. These vary from site to site and all daily sites...

A sampling of today's notes... Stephen Fife (SP-LAD) - Dodger start pitchers continue to drop like flies, with Chad Billingsley the latest casualty this weekend. Billingsley's elbow is acting up again, and that's probably not a good sign given he...

David Ortiz (DH-BOS): David Ortiz (heel) returned to the Red Sox lineup on Saturday, going 2 for 4 with 1 RBI and 1 powerful f-bomb in his pre-game speech. John Farrell didn't hesitate in putting Ortiz back in the...

Hiram Burgos - The Brewers recalled Hiram Burgos from AAA on Saturday to face the Cubs and the right hander allowed one ER on five hits over five innings to pick up the win. He struck out one and walked...

Before we get into today's recommendations, it is important to remind everyone to understand your scoring format and the pricing of the individual players on the site you're playing. These vary from site to site and all daily sites...

Ike Davis, 1B, New York Mets The first two weeks of the season were eerily similar to last year for the 26-year old Arizona State grad, but Davis has something to build off of after jacking two long balls...

Elvis Andrus, SS TEX An 0-for-5 Friday dropped Andrus to .206 on the year, but he has been incredibly unlucky. Andrus grounded out five times Friday and has a 62.3 percent groundball rate, which isn't far off from his career...

Yovani Gallardo (SP-MIL). In his first start since his DUI arrest, Yovani Gallardo pitched 6 strong innings to pick up the win against the Giants on Thursday. He allowed 1 earned run on 5 hits and 1 walk with...

Before we get into today's recommendations, it is important to remind everyone to understand your scoring format and the pricing of the individual players on the site you're playing. These vary from site to site and all daily sites...

Cody Ross- ARI- Hot- Ross went 2-for-4 to give him a .333 average in 4 games since coming off the DL. In this micro sample size he has a .444 BABIP and hasn't walked yet, so don't get all excited...

Before we get into today's recommendations, it is important to remind everyone to understand your scoring format and the pricing of the individual players on the site you're playing. These vary from site to site and all daily sites...

Greg Holland (RP-KC)- Holland recorded his third save of the season on Wednesday afternoon pitching a perfect inning in which he recorded three strikeouts, as the Royals beat the Braves 1-0. The closer now has a 9.00 ERA in four...

Oswaldo Arcia- MIN- Rookie- Arcia was recalled a day after being sent down. With Darin Mastroianni on the DL Arcia could get a chance to show how close he is to being ready for a full time major league slot....

Dillion Gee (SP-NYM)- Gee struggled in yesterday's start against the Rockies after seeing his start delayed a day by snow. The right-hander allowed five runs on seven hits, one home run and two walks while striking two in 4.2 innings...

Tom Milone - Milone picked up win number three on the young season yesterday, allowing two runs on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings, striking out six. His control has been great, as usual, but with 28 runs of support...

Allen Craig - Allen Craig had a double and 3 RBI on Monday versus the Pirates as he tries to break out of his early-season slump. After batting .307/.354/.522 with 22 HRs and 92 RBI in 2012, Craig is hitting...

Make sure in addition to reading the Fix each day you are following me (https://twitter.com/leonem4444) and Drew (https://twitter.com/DrewDinkmeyer) on Twitter. We often provide updates and advice as it gets closer to roster lock time each day and make adjustments...

Happy Tax Day everyone. Here is a small sample of today's player notes: Kyle Blanks (OF-SD) - Blanks has been recalled from Triple-A Tucson and will take the roster spot of the suspended Carlos Quentin. Blanks was batting .296/.414/.519 for...

Evan Gattis - You can be sure that Gattis is going to be in the lineup almost every day during this hot streak, as with Freddie Freeman on the DL for at least another week Gattis will be slotted at...

Mark Reynolds (1B/DH-CLE): Reynolds hit his 5th homer of the year on Saturday, going 2 for 4 with a run scored, 5 RBI, and a stolen base against the White Sox. The grand slam gives the streaky righty 13...

Before we get into today's recommendations, it is important to remind everyone to understand your scoring format and the pricing of the individual players on the site you're playing. These vary from site to site and all daily sites...

Justin Masterson, RHP CLE Masterson twirled a complete game shutout Friday night against the White Sox, allowing five hits and a walk and striking out seven to become the first pitcher in the majors to reach three victories. In 2013,...

Please make sure to subscribe to our daily e-mail list via the link at the bottom of this post, and look for me on Twitter (https://twitter.com/leonem4444) as I will try to give out more daily advice closer to game...

David Ortiz, DH, Boston Red Sox Ortiz began his rehab stint for Triple-A Pawtucket yesterday, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. He is aiming for 20 ABs in Triple-A before making his 2013 debut for the Red Sox. According to...

Carlos Quentin, OF, San Diego Padres Quentin was all the talk yesterday when he charged Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke after being hit by a pitch and broke the pitcher's clavicle during the scuffle. Greinke is now looking at surgery...

Zack Greinke (SP-LAD): Greinke broke his left collarbone during a benches clearing brawl Thursday night and is returning to LA for tests this morning. He could miss anywhere from two weeks to three months, depending on the nature and...

One strategy tip I think we've all learned so far this season: take everyone Drew mentions in the Fix the day AFTER he recommends them. Last night Domonic Brown was one of many guys in the past week to...

Adrian Gonzalez, 1B LAN Gonzalez is doing exactly what he did in 2012 - drive in runs without the benefit of the longball. He had 108 RBIs with just 18 home runs last season, and recorded a 9.6 percent HR/FB,...

Robert LaFromboise- SEA- Rookie- LaFramboise came from nowhere to join the Mariners' bullpen yesterday. He isn't on anyone's top prospect list that I can find. LaFramboise did make a big jump last year in strikeout rate, fanning 87 in 79.1...

Good news! We'll be updating these sheets weekly from here until the end of the season. Here is a sampling of nearly 70 updates this week: Hitters: 1 Billy Hamilton CIN OF A Didn't get the call when Ludwick went...

Torii Hunter, OF DET There isn't a better lineup spot in all of baseball than the No. 2 spot in Detroit's order, behind Austin Jackson and in front of run producers Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder and Victor Martinez. Torii Hunter...

Tim Lincecum- SF- Cold- Last year Lincecum wasn't quite as bad at home (4.15 ERA as he was on the road (6.43 ERA.) However, a return to San Francisco didn't help him last night. Lincecum gave up 6 runs to...

Michael Saunders - Another pair of singles to go along with two runs scored and his 3rd steal of the season for Michael Saunders on Monday, as he continues his excellent performance from the WBC into the beginning of the...

Just a small sampling of today's notes... David Freese (3B-STL) - Freese has been activated from the disabled list, so Matt Carpenter will man second base and push Daniel Descalso to a utility role where he belongs. Freese's playoff exploits...

Well, yesterday was our first real rough day of the season as things just did not go as predicted. It was an unfortunate end to a strong opening week. Now, let's put it in the rear view mirror and...

A sampling from today's notes... Justin Maxwell (OF-HOU) - Let's face it here, despite the Opening Day win over the Rangers, the Astros are going to be awful. Jose Altuve should be owned in most leagues, but other than Bud...

Dexter Fowler, OF, Colorado Rockies Fowler continued his hot hitting today, going 2-for-4 with a run scored to raise his average to .364 on the season. Fowler's average has risen in each of the last three years prior, so...

I hope this first full week of the Fantistics' Daily Fantasy Fix has helped you win on your respective daily fantasy websites. I think there were more hits than misses and hopefully that translated into more wins than losses...

Kevin Youkilis, 3B, New York Yankees "Tha Youkahh" or just plain "Youk," as most of us know him by hit his first big fly of '13 to give the Yanks the lead in the 5th, but it was to...

Justin Upton, OF ATL Upton has given his new home fans a show early this season by hitting three homers in four games, all of which have been at Turner Field. It's already clear that Upton's 2012 numbers were largely...

Jose Valverde (RP-DET): Valverde signed a minor league contract with the Tigers yesterday afternoon. The contract reportedly has no major league commitment and will have him report to extended spring training before moving to AAA Toledo. Also, if Valverde...

Tim Lincecum- SF- Caution- To say that Lincecum had control issues last night would be an understatement. Not only did he walk 7 in his 5 IP, but the slimmest majority of his 91 pitches were strikes (46.) Lincecum gave...

Chris Davis (1B-BAL): Davis had a monster game on Wednesday, going 4 for 4 with a home run, 4 RBI, and 2 runs scored. He has homered in back-to-back games to start the season and is looking primed to...

I had an interesting day in the daily fantasy world yesterday, getting absolutely crushed on a couple of sites - that's what I get for not taking Drew Dinkmeyer's play of the day, Freddie Freeman - but redeeming myself...

Yu Darvish- TEX- Hot- The most impressive thing about Darvish's outing last night might not be the near perfect game. Ok, maybe that is the most impressive. Very close, though, is that he struck out 14 and didn't walk anyone....

Shaun Marcum (SP-NYM)- Marcum, who was initially penciled in to start on Sunday against the Marlins, is now doubtful to pitch after he cut Tuesday's bullpen short because of neck pain. The injury prone right-hander was slated to be...

Felix Hernandez - Hernandez was brilliant last night, allowing just three hits and a walk to the A's over 7 2/3 innings, striking out 8. There has been a lot of talk about Felix's declining velocity over the past few...

Collin Cowgill - Collin Cowgill smashed a grand slam for the Mets on Monday and finished 2-for-5 including a double versus the Padres. Cowgill got shipped from the Athletics to the Mets this past offseason and won the starting centerfield...

Welcome to the debut installment of the Fantistics' Daily Fantasy Fix! In this spot each day myself, Michael Leone, and fellow Fantistics' writer Drew Dinkmeyer will bring you advice as how to approach the day's daily fantasy games. Before...

Jose Fernandez - In a surprise move, the Marlins decided to put highly-touted prospect Jose Fernandez on the Opening Day roster and he will make his major league debut Sunday versus the Mets. Not sure anyone expected this decision since...

David Ortiz (DH-BOS): Reports out of Red Sox camp indicate that Big Papi's rehab of his sore Achilles heels is progressing favorably. If all continues to move in the right direction Ortiz could play in a few minor league...

Observations from the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues... Nelson Cruz- TEX- OF- Cruz woke up with chest soreness yesterday and spent the day in the hospital undergoing tests. If the stress test he had went well then he will be released...

Brian McCann, C, ATL - We already know McCann will miss at least the first two weeks of the season after having shoulder surgery back in October, but we really care about the other 24. The 28-year-old catcher is coming...

Colorado Rockies: RF Playing Time: Michael Cuddyer vs. Tyler Colvin Prior to the 2012 season, the Rockies signed former Twin Michael Cuddyer to a 3-year, $31.5 million deal that appeared to lock their middle of the order in place...

Every winter I take an in-depth look at over 1500 professional baseball players and assess their projections in over 27 categories. We start by taking a look at a player's historical norms and then apply them to a series of...

Mitchell Boggs- STL- FYI- In leagues that count holds, Boggs has been golden, picking up 34 of them after last night. Boggs has had good fortune this year, with his 2,21 ERA well below his FIP of 3.43. However, that's...

Michael Morse - Michael Morse cracked a grand slam in the first inning against the Cardinals on Saturday and finished 1-for-4 with 4 RBI. Morse hasn't been as good as he was during his breakout season in 2011 but...

Giancarlo Stanton - Giancarlo Stanton had a great game against Cliff Lee and the Phillies on Friday, belting 2 hits including a HR and a double. Stanton has only played in 118 games this season, but still reached a new...

Jhoulys Chacin (SP - COL): Chacin picked up the win on Thursday, but that was about the only positive to come out of another uninspiring start. Chacin allowed 3 ER's on 7 hits and 4 BB's over 5 innings...

Matt Cain- SF- Great Player- Cain needed only 91 pitches to get through 7 shutout IP. He has only thrown 110 or more pitches 10 times this season, two fewer than last year. Cain hasn't had the same work load...

CC Sabathia (SP-NYY)- Sabathia delivered his second straight strong performance on Wednesday afternoon against the Twins. He allowed two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out ten over eight innings of work. Sabathia improved his record to...

Chris Perez - Chris Perez had an interesting 9th inning against the White Sox on Tuesday, allowing a HR and 2 walks before getting out of the jam and picking up his career-best 37th save. For those that follow me...

Jed Lowrie - Lowrie has come off the DL well, hitting in eight straight games in which he received an at-bat to the tune of 300/364/467. We talk a lot about the obvious skills like speed, power, contact ability, etc.,...

Edwin Encarnacion DH (TOR) - Looking over leaders in certain categories in order to get a head start on who may be over or under valued heading into 2013, I was taken aback when I saw that Encarnacion leads...

Blake Beavan- SEA- Stats- Beavan has experienced a roller coaster ride this season. In his two June starts before being sent to the minors for a month he had a BABIP of .379 and LOB% of 43.9%. That's not to...

Andrelton Simmons (SS-ATL) - The Braves already traded one shortstop of the future away recently, with Elvis Andrus going to the Rangers a few years ago in the Mark Teixeira deal. They won't make that mistake again with Simmons. Simmons...

Ichiro Suzuki - Ichiro reached base five more times yesterday in the marathon win over the A's, and he's 14-20 with 3 doubles, 2 homers, and 5 steals in the last five games. No Yankee OF is signed through next...

Chris Carpenter - The Cardinals' Chris Carpenter made his season debut on Friday against the Cubs, tossing 5 innings and allowing 2 ER on 5 hits with 1 walk and 2 strikeouts. Carpenter had missed the entire season up to...

Mike Fiers (SP - MIL): Fiers really struggled on Thursday against an opponent that he had some previous success against this year (18:3 K:BB Ratio in 11 2/3 IP). Fiers allowed 3 ER's on 5 hits and a walk...

Craig Kimbrel (RP-ATL)- Kimbrel recorded his 38th save of the season on Wednesday night against the Marlins. He threw a shutout inning while allowing just a hit and lowering his ERA to 1.10 for the year. The 24 year-old has...

C. J. Wilson- LAA- Cold- Wilson experienced a lot of regression to the mean in August, when his 7.99 ERA was well above his 5.03 FIP. Even after getting knocked out early last night Wilson is still experiencing some good...

Felix Doubront - I like Felix Doubront less and less with each passing start. After posting OK-to-decent ERAs with excellent strikeout rates in 3 of the first 4 months of this season, the wheels have fallen for the southpaw in...

Adam Eaton - Eaton, if I understand the D-Backs philsophy correctly, should still get a bunch of playing time the last two weeks even after Chris Young returns from his quad injury. Eaton has been fairly impressive since coming up...

Carlos Santana- CLE- Stats- Santana is experiencing some regression to the mean. His .314 September BABIP is a driving force in his .316 average this month. His power returned after a weak start to the season, with 28 of his...

Desmond Jennings (OF - TB) - Jennings had two more hits and stole his 27th base, raising his line to .251/.316/.397. After an awful first four months, he has hit .287/.353/.481 since August 10. After last year's excellent debut in...

Ivan Nova (SP - NYY): Nova was spectacular in his return from the DL on Saturday against the Rays. Nova allowed just 2 ER's on 4 hits and 2 BB's over 6 innings while striking out 8 and posting...

Carlos Marmol (RP-CHC)- Marmol registered his twentieth save of the season in Friday afternoon's game against the Pirates to preserve the 7-4 win for the Cubs. He threw a shutout inning with out allowing a hit to lower his...

Brett Anderson (SP-OAK)- Anderson was credited with his first loss of the season on Thursday afternoon against the Angels. He allowed five runs on nine hits, one home run and one walk while striking out five in five innings...

Tim Lincecum- SF- FYI- I'm not sure what the writer on the Giants' official site was looking at, but Lincecum doesn't have a 3-game winning streak. He has won twice in his last 3 starts, with a no decision mixed...

Mark Trumbo (3B/OF - LAA): After spending much of the season kicking myself (and simultaneously praising Anthony Perri) for discounting Mark Trumbo's 2012 value, I'm beginning to wonder who was right on this one? Obviously Trumbo's been a tremendous...

Marco Estrada (SP - MIL) - Estrada was fantastic, shutting out the Braves for 6 2/3 innings on just four hits while he struck out six and walked one. His now 5.00 K/BB would be second in all of baseball...

Joe Nathan- TEX- Hot- Nathan picked up his 32nd save of the season with a perfect 9th inning. It was his 30th consecutive converted opportunity. After going through a stretch in August where he had retired every batter he faced...

Donovan Solano- MIA- Stats- Solano ended a 5-game hitting streak by going 0-for-2 with a sac fly yesterday. His .293 average in 73 games this year is very luck dependent. He has a .347 BABIP and has followed his .354...

Jean Segura (SS-MIL) - The transition from Double-A to the big leagues has been predictably difficult for Segura, who despite going 3-for-3 with a walk on Sunday is still batting just .238/.278/.274 in 87 at-bats. He's yet to homer,...

Giancarlo Stanton (OF - MIA) - Stanton hit his 32nd home run of the year and is now hitting .284/.351/.596. He'd be on pace to hit 40+ bombs if not for a knee injury that cost him a month, but...

Johnny Giavotella - The 25 year old Giavotella has hit in six straight after singling and doubling last night against Chicago. It's been a disappointing year once again for a guy that I expected to run away with the 2B...

Wilton Lopez RP (HOU) - Lopez earned his third save of the season last night. I like Lopez as an underrated closer heading into last year because of his skills (7.83 K/BB ratio, 56.9 GB%) and consistency (sub-3 ERA...

Brett Jackson - In his last 20 games, Brett Jackson is just 10-55 with 27 K's. On the bright side, Jackson has walked 13 times over that span, and 9 of those 10 hits were for extra bases, which pretty...

Jesus Montero (C/DH - SEA): It's been an up-and-down year for Jesus Montero, but it looks like he'll end up finishing right around the Top 10 at the catcher position. Early in the season Montero was disappointing with an...

Roy Halladay (SP - PHI): Halladay rebounded after a difficult start over the weekend in Atlanta as he limited the Reds to just 1 ER over 7 1 /3 innings on Wednesday afternoon. It wasn't exactly vintage Halladay as...

Travis Blackley- OAK- Hot- Blackley threw 3 scoreless innings of emergency relief after Brandon McCarthy was hit in the head with a liner. If MCcarthy can't make his next scheduled start, Blackley would be a prime candidate to sub for...

Ian Desmond (SS - WAS): Desmond's magical 2012 season continued on Tuesday as he racked up 4 RBI's in the first two innings of an 11-5 win over the Cubs. Desmond knocked out his 20th HR and 26th 2B...

Jon Lester (SP - BOS) - Lester gave up three runs in six innings which barely pushed his ERA under five, but it was on nine hits with two home runs against a bad Mariners lineup in Safeco Field. The...

Carlos Gomez (OF - MIL) - What has gotten into Gomez? He hit his 16th blast of the year in 323 at bats after hitting just 25 in 1539 prior to this year. It's not impossible to fathom as he...

Mike Carp- SEA- Inj Update- Carp is likely to be activated from the DL today. With Justin Smoak not exactly tearing it up since he was recalled from AAA, there will probably be opportunity for Carp to get playing time...

Tom Wilhelmsen- SEA- FYI- Wilhelmsen may be feeling some fatigue from his 61 appearances this season. Whether it is physical or mental is still a question. He has walked at least one batter (for a total of 8) in his...

Tony Cingrani (SP-CIN) - If you want an underrated pitching prospect to stash for next year, Cingrani could be that guy. He got the call from Double-A on Sunday after putting up a sparkling 1.73 ERA and striking out 172...

Daniel Murphy (2B/1B-NYM)- Murphy went 1-for-4 with a strikeout in the Mets loss to the Phillies on yesterday. He has not recorded an extra base hit in 19 straight games, as he has seen his slash line drop to...

Trayvon Robinson (OF-SEA) - As a Dodgers fan, I've followed Robinson's career closely and was always enamored with his tools. He made great strides the past couple minor league seasons, but he was just not able to translate that to...

C. C. Sabathia- NYA- Hot- Sabathia seems poised to finish strong as usual. Since 2005 he hasn't had a monthly ERA in September higher than 3.35. He has posted quality starts in each of his 2 games since coming off...

Adam Jones (BAL - OF): Alright I admit it. Now that Adam Jones has hit his 25th HR, I feel a little bit better about winning my "WhoYaGot" bet with Mike Leone about Jones eclipsing the 23.5 HR line...

Brett Jackson - Jackson homered again last night, extending his modest hitting streak to 4 games, during which he has a double and 3 homers to his credit. He's also walked five times in the past three games (and 8...

Daisuke Matsuzaka - In his first start in more than 2 months, Dice-K faced the Royals on Monday and pitched well, giving up 1 run (0 ER) on just 5 hits to go along with 2 walks and 6 strikeouts...

Manny Machado SS (BAL) - I know fellow analyst Joe Hettler was pretty adamant that fantasy owners should not overrate Machado based upon a few good games when he was initially called up. Time has proven Joe to be...

Edinson Volquez SP (SD) - You should know the drill by now. Volquez at home? Start. Volquez on the road? Sit. Volquez should be avoided today in most fantasy formats as he is away from spacious Petco Park. Volquez...

Jeremy Hellickson (SP-TB)- Hellickson earned his ninth loss of the season on Saturday afternoon after allowing four runs on six hits (two home runs) while striking out five without issuing a walk. His ERA increased to 3.42, but he...

Jose Altuve (2B - HOU): Houston isn't exactly a baseball team budding with fantasy value, but Jose Altuve's first full season in the big leagues deserves some attention. Altuve went 2-5 with 2 more RBI's on Thursday improving his...

JA Happ (SP-TOR)- Happ earned a no decision in yesterday's start against the Tigers despite allowing just one run on four hits and three walks in 7.1 innings of work. He struck out seven and lowered his ERA to 4.68,...

James Shields (SP-TB)- Shields improved his record to 12-7 on Wednesday afternoon after holding the Royals to three runs in 7.2 innings of work. He allowed five hits and one walk while striking out seven and lowered his ERA...

Brett Anderson (SP - OAK) - Anderson was about as good as he could be in his first start of the year, limiting the Twins to a run on four hits in five innings with no walks and three strikeouts....

Tim Lincecum- SF- FYI- When I saw the headline on mlb.com, "Giants stretch out lead behind stellar Lincecum" I had high expectations. "Stellar Lincecum" to me would mean something like 8 IP and double digit strikeouts. Instead, seeing 4 Ks...

Jon Lucroy - Lucroy smacked a pair of homers last night against the Cubs, giving him 8 for the season and bringing his line up to 328/379/554 for the year. The 26 year old has been steadily improving in just...

Ryan Dempster - After missing his start on Saturday against the Blue Jays due to personal reasons, Ryan Dempster faced the Orioles on Monday and allowed 1 ER on 4 hits over 8 innings. He also struck out 6....

Chad Billingsley (SP - LAD): Billingsley just kept on rolling on Sunday tossing 7 more shutout innings against the Braves. He's now allowed 1 ER or less in five of his last six starts and pushed his ERA from...

Brian McCann - The Braves' catcher got a routine day off in hopes of helping him clear his mind. McCann has been in a prolonged slump, hitting just .114 over his past 15 games to go along with a .114...

Chipper Jones- ATL- Old Player- With the season he's been having you couldn't blame Jones for doing a Brett Favre and taking back his end-of-season retirement. He has 10 homers in 266 ABs. Jones' .315 average isn't hugely luck-based since...

Derek Holland (SP - TEX): A perplexing year for Derek Holland continued as he tossed 5 shutout innings against the Yankees before imploding in the 6th inning and allowing 4 ER's. He finished the start having allowed 5 hits...

Nick Blackburn- MIN- Cold- In the two months since we last discussed Blackburn's horrible season, things haven't gotten any better. His ERA of 7.33 has some bad luck built into it, with a BABIP of 3.26 and LOB% of 63.8%....

Mark Buehrle (SP-MIA)- Buehrle won his tenth game of the season on Wednesday afternoon against the Phillies. He allowed two runs on five hits, a home run and a walk while striking out three in seven innings of work....

Andy Dirks - Dirks singled, homered, and walked twice yesterday in the 8-4 win over Minnesota, and he's been playing every day since his return, hitting 378/442/568. Dirks has improved in every facet of his offensive game except speed the...

Michael Fiers - Fiers had his QS streak stopped at 9 last night in Colorado, as the 27 year old rookie allowed eight runs on nine hits in just two-plus innings. Fiers really has been brilliant since his promotion to...

Anibal Sanchez (SP - DET) - Sanchez was lit up for the third time in four starts as a Tiger, as the Twins pounded him for five runs on 12 hits (one home run) in five innings. He has had...

Matt Carpenter (3B-STL) - With David Freese in an 0-for-14 slump, Carpenter got the nod at third base on Sunday and he took advantage, going 4-for-6 with a double and three RBI to raise his impressive slash line to .312/.385/.505....

AJ Pierzynski (C - CHA): Back in April I wrote an extensive blurb about how AJ Pierzynski's hot-start simply could not be sustained. I recommended not only selling high if you owned Pierzynski but passing on him outright in...

Hisashi Iwakuma - I've been more and more impressed with Iwakuma lately, as the 31 year old "rookie" managed his fifth straight start allowing three earned runs or less last night against the Angels, as he held them to three...

Wade Miley (SP - ARZ): Hopefully you took my advice earlier in the week when I touched on Wade Miley's recent hot streak. I noted Miley's skills have been great, but a favorable schedule may be inflating some of...

Manny Machado - In his second career game, Manny Machado batted eighth and clubbed 2 HRs with 4 RBI. He's now 4-for-8 in his first two games at the major league level. With a .266/.352/.438 slash line at AA this...

Madison Bumgarner (SP - SF) - Bumgarner allowed just three hits in six innings in St. Louis while striking out seven against just one walk, but his home run problems continued as he served one up to Carlos Beltran. He's...

Salvador Perez (C - KC) - Perez hit his sixth home run in just over 120 at bats and is now hitting .317/.341/.512. The backstop never showed much power in the minors or in his call-up last season, but he...

The following is just a sampling of the 70+ prospect notes you'll see this week... Hitters 33 Carlos Correa HOU SS B .596 OPS in 35 games, so not much to be excited about here. 36 Byron Buxton MIN OF...

Cole Hamels (SP-PHI)- Hamels threw a complete game shutout on Tuesday night against the Braves. He allowed five hits without a walk and six strikeouts to improve his ERA to 3.14 and record to 12-6. With a 3.51 FIP...

Kyle Seager (3B - SEA) - Seager hit his 12th home run as part of a 2-7 night in Baltimore. He is now hitting .247/.311/.403. He is hurt badly by Safeco Field, as he hits a ton of fly balls...

Matt Garza (SP - CHC): In the battle between the Cubs training staff and Matt Garza in diagnosing Garza's elbow it appears the Cubs training staff has won out. Garza was placed on the disabled list on Tuesday and...

Billy Butler - Billy Butler crushed his 21st HR of the season on Monday against the White Sox and now has 67 RBI. At 26-years old, Butler is having his best season having tied his career-high in HRs and posted...

Brett Jackson (OF-CHC) - Jackson got the call on Sunday and was immediately inserted into the starting outfield batting second. It's been a relatively disappointing season for Jackson, who was batting .256/.338/.479 with 15 homers and 27 stolen bases. 47%...

Nate McLouth- BAL- FYI- The Orioles didn't add McLouth to their roster yesterday. This means he could exercise his opt out clause and try to sign with another team. McLouth is hitting just .244 at AAA Norfolk but has slugged...

Ross Ohlendorf (SP-SD)- The Reds knocked around Ohlendorf on Thursday afternoon, as he could not get through a full two innings of work. He ended up allowing six runs on six hits, one home run and three walks while...

Mike Trout (OF - LAA): When I wrote back on May 21st that I thought Mike Trout was a Top 15 OF the rest of the way, I thought I was being bold... Instead, it turned out I was...

Elvis Andrus- TEX- Hot- Andrus went 4-for-6 with a steal and 3 RBI last night. He was expected to have a career path similar to Omar Vizquel, starting slow offensively and waiting for his hitting to catch up to his...

Jeff Karstens (SP-PIT)- Karstens improved his record to 4-2 for the year after a strong start against the Cubs on Wednesday afternoon. He allowed just one run on three hits (one home run) and one walk while striking out...

Ryan Dempster - Ryan Dempster was finally traded from the Cubs on Tuesday, just before the July 31st 4 p.m. EST trade deadline. Dempster was shipped to Texas in exchange for minor leaguers Christian Villanueva and Kyle Hendricks. The right...

Steve Pearce - This is a total flyer, especially since Brad Mills has already said that he doesn't envision Pearce as an everyday player right now, but a RH hitter with power heading to the land of the Crawford boxes...

Kendry Morales (DH/1B-LAA)- Morales went 2-for-6 with three strikeouts, two home runs and six RBI to help lead the Angels to a rout against the Rangers last night. He was able to improve his slash line to .271/.315/.420, and the...

Just a sampling of the dozens of daily player notes you would get each day as a subscriber. Josh Johnson (SP-MIA) - Johnson made what could be his final start as a Marlin Sunday, though it's very possible that his...

Gavin Floyd (SP - CHW): I'm not really sure what is going on with Gavin Floyd, but I'm not particularly encouraged. While Floyd has now tossed 3 straight quality starts and allowed just 3 ER's in his last 20...

Francisco Liriano - Liriano is heading intra-division, as the White Sox took a gamble on the 28 year old lefty, sending Eduardo Escobar and Pedro Hernandez, two decent to fair prospects, over to the Twins. Liriano was pasted by those...

Josh Johnson SP (MIA) - Johnson is almost a must start today in daily fantasy baseball contests. He has the best matchup you could ask for (San Diego) and is pitching at home (3.35 ERA) where he has been...

Zach Greinke - The Brewers' Doug Melvin said he would trade Zach Greinke before the deadline and he stuck to his word on Friday, shipping the right hander to Anaheim in exchange for Jean Segura and two AA pitchers. This...

James Shields (SP-TB)- Shields earned his seventh loss of the season on Thursday against the Orioles after struggling through six innings of work. He allowed five runs on six hits and five walks, but he did strikeout 10 opposing...

Starling Marte (OF - PIT): Baseball America's preseason #73 rated prospect debuted with a bang on Thursday night as Marte homered off the first pitch he saw. Marte finished the evening 2-4 with that run and RBI, immediately sending...

Justin Smoak- SEA- Idea-Smoak is 1-for-5 with 3 walks in his first 2 games since being sent to AAA Tacoma. It is quite possible that Smoak's minor league stay will be brief. He was hitting just .189 for the Mariners...

Just a sample of the 70+ prospect notes this week available to subscribers. Hitters 1 Billy Hamilton CIN SS A Relatively slowing down a bit in AA with 8 SB in 11 G, but .528 OBP isn't bad. 2 Wil...

Cliff Lee (SP-PHI)- Lee was shelled by the Brewers on Tuesday night, but did not earn the loss because of the Phillies comeback in the eighth inning. He allowed six runs on 12 hits (four home runs) and one walk...

Travis Blackley (SP - OAK) - Blackley continued his amazing season, limiting the powerful Blue Jays offense to just a solo home run on five hits in seven innings. He struck out eight with no walks as his ERA with...

Josh Rutledge - Josh Rutledge was only in the minors for 855 AB's, but the Tulowitzki injury has created an opportunity for him to play consistently with the Rockies. Rutledge has hit 368/390/684 in his first 10 games with Colorado...

Ichiro Suzuki - Ichiro Suzuki went 1-for-4 on Monday. That, in itself, isn't big news. The fact that he posted that batting line as a member of the Yankees against his former team, the Mariners, is big news. On Monday,...

Daniel Murphy (2B - NYM) - Murphy had four hits including two doubles against the Dodgers and also walked to raise his line to .306/.344/.434. The second baseman has become a very solid hitter for average as he's always hit...

Buster Posey C (SF) - Posey had a phenomenal day at the plate going 4-5 with his 12th homer of the year. He is now hitting an impressive .314/.382/.498. Posey is clearly one of the top hitting catchers in...

Michael Brantley (OF - CLE): I got into a mini-twitter battle with Joe Hettler the other night about Michael Brantley so I figured I'd use this space to explain my thoughts on Brantley, a player I've always liked. The...

Bryan Shaw- ARI- Cold- A key part of Arizona's blowing a 6-0 lead yesterday was a poor performance by Shaw. He only retired 1 of the 5 batters he faced and was charged with 2 ERs (4 overall) on a...

Nelson Cruz- TEX- Hot- Cruz went 2-for-3 yesterday to bring his July average to .341. However, it is being driven by a .441 BABIP. Cruz has yet to hit a homer this month so Fantistics' Drew Dinkmeyer's analysis from late...

Just a sampling of the more than 70 prospect notes we publish each week... Hitters 1 Billy Hamilton CIN SS A 109 SB in 87 games and yes, he gets the bump to AA. 2 Wil Myers KC OF A...

Buster Posey (C - SF) - Posey had three hits including two doubles in five at bats to raise his line to .302/.354/.479. After having his season cut short in May last year due to a brutal leg injury, the...

Michael Fiers - Fiers is, ahem, on fire right now for the Brewers, tossing his 5th straight quality start last night against the Cards in a 3-2 loss. Fiers has allowed 3 runs over 34 2/3 innings in his last...

Josh Beckett - Boston's Josh Beckett yielded 3 ER on 8 hits against the Rays on Sunday. He also struck out 7 and allowed 2 free passes. For the season, Beckett's numbers are pedestrian - 4.44 ERA, 6.80 strikeout...

Just a small sample of today's player notes: Ben Sheets (SP-ATL) - Well this was unexpected. Starting for the first time since the 2010 season with the A's, Sheets held the Mets to two hits over six shutout innings Sunday....

David Robertson- NYA- Hot- Robertson gave up a hit, but didn't walk a batter after 3 straight appearances giving up a base on balls. He continued his impressive strikeout pace, fanning 2 of the 4 batters he faced. Of Robertson's...

Yadier Molina C (STL) - Molina whacked his 14th homer of the year yesterday, and I really can't fathom the offensive turnaround he has experience the past 2 seasons. From 2004-2010, Molina posted ISO's ranging between .080 and .106....

Franklin Morales - Morales got right back into the win column after his first poor start, holding the Rays to two doubles and three walks over five innings last night. Morales has loads of potential as a lefty with mid-90's...

Ryan Zimmerman (3B - WAS) - The All-Star break was no obstacle to Zimmerman's hot streak, as he hit his ninth home run (sixth since June 26) as part of a 3-4 night to raise his line to .250/.314/.401. His...

James Shields (SP-TB)- Shields delivered another sub-par outing on Sunday against the Indians. He did not earn a decision keeping his record at 8-5, but he allowed five run (four earned) on ten hits (one home run) and two...

This is just a sample of our daily notes. Tim Lincecum (SP-SF) - Maybe they will take the All-Star break and push him back to give him a bit more rest between starts than normal, but the Giants need to...

Adrian Beltre (3B - TEX) - Beltre hit his 15th home run of the season as part of a 3-5 night to raise his line to .326/.356/.527. Despite the near-30 home run pace, his power is down as his ISO...

James McDonald SP (PIT) - James McDonald continued his torrid 1st half with a 10 K performance against the Giants. He walked none and allowed just 1 ER off of 4 hits. I'm more apt to believe in McDonald's...

Rickie Weeks (2B - MIL) - Weeks hit his seventh home run to raise his line to .194/.311/.332 as he attempts to climb out of a huge hole. He is walking more than normal, but his usually high strikeout rate...

Jake Peavy SP (CHW) - Peavy earned his 7th victory while striking out 7, walking 1 and allowing just 1 ER in 7.1 IP last night. The outing lowers Peavy's ERA to 2.85. I think Peavy's improvement in control...

Freddie Freeman- ATL- Hot- Freeman went 2-for-4 with his second homer of the young month. This broke a 3-game hitless streak for him. His Batting EYE has dropped this year from .37 to .29 but is at .67 over his...

Matt Harrison- TEX- Idea- Harrison credits his June success to working with the team psychologist. Maybe that helped, but it certainly didn't hurt that Harrison had a BABIP of .260 and a LOB% of 89.5% for the month. His FIP...

Cliff Lee - Our long national nightmare is finally over as Cliff Lee has won a baseball game. He tossed 8 innings against the Mets and struck out 9 while giving up just 2 ER. If you subscribe to...

Ervin Santana SP (LAA) - When playing in daily fantasy leagues, it always helps to know your weather, and with the wind projected to be blowing out to RF in Cleveland combined with some other factors I like my...

Neil Walker - Walker reached base for the tenth straight game, going 2-4 with a double and a homer in the 11-2 rout of the Astros. Walker is taking his time heating up this year, but has increased his ISO...

Jered Weaver (SP - LAA): Weaver has picked up right where he left off since coming back from the DL, allowing just 1 ER in 12 2/3 innings while recording 23 fly-ball outs and posting a solid 3.0 K:BB...

Allen Craig (1B/OF-STL) - This is no fluke folks. In close to 2,000 minor league at-bats, Craig is a career .308/.369/.518 hitter. After hitting his 11th homer of the season Sunday, Craig is batting a healthy .311/.382/.608 this season and...

Wade Miley (SP - ARI) - Miley was crushed in Milwaukee, allowing eight runs on eight hits in just 3 2/3 innings as he allowed three home runs. The 25-year old lefty has been excellent so far prior to last...

Chris Carter - Chris Carter is back with the A's for his 5th tour of duty, and he's started this one with a bang, going 3-7 with a double and two homers in two games against the Rangers. Carter is...

Yasmani Grandal - The catcher of the future may become the catcher of the present for the Pads, as the struggling Nick Hundley was demoted to AAA, opening the door for Grandal to wrest the backstop role away. Grandal has...

Coco Crisp - Coco Crisp has struggled for much of this season, but he's showing some life of late by batting .360 with 7 steals and 10 runs in his past 15 games. On Friday, Crisp went 1-for-4 with 1...

Ivan Nova (SP-NYY)- Nova continued his strong month of June by throwing 7.1 solid innings against the White Sox on Thursday night. He did not earn a decision, but allowed just one run on six hits and three walks while...

Roy Oswalt- TEX- Cold- It wasn't just the number of hits that Oswalt gave up last night, it was how he gave them up that was disconcerting. He wasn't having problems finding the strike zone. Oswalt threw 74 of his...

Zack Greinke (SP-MIL)- Greinke earned his ninth victor of the season on Wednesday against the Reds improving his overall record to 9-2 and his ERA currently rests at 2.82. He allowed two runs on five hits (one home run)...

Jarrod Saltalamacchia (C - BOS) - Saltalamacchia hit his 14th home run, most among catchers in all of baseball. He is now hitting .255/.303/.542. His plate discipline remains suspect as he's struck out over four times as many as he's...

Cameron Maybin OF (SD) - Maybin went 0-4 last night to drop his batting average on the season to a dreadful .201 mark. If the Padres are patient with Maybin and continue to play him every day, this is...

Jason Castro - Castro is 4-7 with a pair of doubles and a homer over the past few days, and there are a few reasons for optimism in the 25 year old's underlying stats this year. Castro was indeed a...

Kevin Youkilis - In his debut with the White Sox on Monday, Kevin Youkilis finished 1-for-4 and hit from the No. 2 hole in the lineup. I really like seeing Youkilis in the 2-spot as he should get good pitches...

Kevin Youkilis (3B - CHW) - Youkilis' trade speculation finally ended as the third baseman was dealt to the White Sox. The situation couldn't be better for him from a fantasy perspective, as he goes to the launching pad of...

Trevor Bauer (SP-ARI) - You can hardly blame the Diamondbacks for not promoting Bauer despite his carving up of Double-A and Triple-A hitters. Dan Hudson and Ian Kennedy are rotation mainstays; Trevor Cahill has a big contract and has been...

Chase Utley 2B (PHI) - For those of you who have stashed Utley all season long, you may be finally rewarded. The Phillies could activate Utley Wednesday. While Utley owners must be rightfully excited, expectations must be realistic as...

1)Vance Worley - Worley was a hard luck loser again Thursday night, pitching seven strong innings and giving up just two runs on four hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Once again, the Phillies offense failed to back him...

Jason Hammel BAL (SP) - I just made an imaginary bet with fellow analyst Drew Dinkmeyer that Ervin Santana would have a better ROS fantasy wise than Hammel. Oops. Hammel got the scale immediately posting in Drew's favor as...

Chris Archer (SP - TB): As owners head into the weekly deadline for lineup decisions I'm sure many will be wondering if Chris Archer makes for a potential two-start pickup. Archer is scheduled to face the Royals on Monday...

James McDonald- PIT- Hot- Facing the team with the worst record in the AL, McDonald dominated, allowing 1 run in a complete game. He continued the control he has shown this season, issuing no walks. McDonald's K/9 ratio has dropped...

Alex Avila (C - DET) - Avila was activated from the DL and went 1-4 against the Cardinals. Following last year's breakout campaign, the backstop is hitting just .252/.337/.427 in 45 games. Regression was expected, but his LD% is actually...

Yu Darvish- TEX- Caution- Darvish has put together consecutive solid starts after hitting a rough patch. It must be kept in mind that these starts were against Houston and in San Diego. Also, Darvish threw a season high 122 pitches...

1. Yovani Gallardo (SP - Brewers) - Another QS for Gallardo gives him 12 out of his 15 starts for the season. His three non-QS were two against the Cardinals in April (as I wrote about in a previous post)...

Hitters 1 Billy Hamilton CIN SS A Last Saturday: on base 3 times, stole 5 bases. 80 SB in first 66 games. 2 Wil Myers KC OF A 45 XBH (24 HR) in first 66 games, so Royals may have...

Colby Rasmus OF (TOR) - Rasmus has made some obvious changes in his swing over the past year (closer to the plate, more straight up, much lower leg kick) and it appears to be paying off in a big...

1. Lance Lynn (SP - Cardinals) - While R.A. Dickey improved to 11 wins on Monday, Lynn tried to match it on Tuesday. Lynn was unsuccessful in his pursuit as he allowed 5 ER and 9 H for the loss...

Brandon Belt - Belt had a single, double, two walks, and a steal last night in the 5-3 win over the Angels, and he's now hit in 7 straight and is batting 342/458/658 for the month. I know the Giants...

1. Shin Soo Choo (OF - Indians) - Choo went yard for the 3rd time in the last 5 games (he had a 2 HR game last week) and raised his OPS to .774. His power continues to trend in...

Cliff Lee (SP - PHI) - Lee was on track to get his first win of the season taking a three-run lead into the bottom of the eighth, but he and the Phillies defense unraveled as the Blue Jays tied...

Brad Lincoln (SP-PIT) - Lincoln came into Sunday's action averaging nearly 93 mph with his fastball and he was even better than that Sunday, sitting in the 92-94 range generally, and hitting 95 several times. Unfortunately, Indians batters weren't fooled,...

Garrett Richards (SP - LAA): For the third consecutive start Garrett Richards held an opponent to 2 ER's or less and for the second straight start we're left wondering just how he did it. Richards posted the following peripherals...

Brandon Moss - Moss has played almost every day since his recall from AAA, and over the last five games he's gone 8-21 with all eight hits going for extra bases. He's knocked in 10 runs while scoring 7, but...

Ryan Dempster (SP - CHC) - Dempster threw seven shutout innings against the Red Sox, allowing just four hits and two walks while striking out three to lower his ERA to 2.11 and extend his scoreless streak to 22 1/3...

Phil Hughes SP (NYY) - Hughes picked up his 7th victory of the season yesterday as he pitched wonderfully against the Nationals. He allowed just 1 ER in 6 IP while striking out 9 and only walking 2. Currently...

Jeremy Hellickson (SP-TB)- The Mets offense roughed up Hellickson on Thursday to the tune of eight runs in 3.2 innings of work. He allowed nine hits (three home runs) and one walk while not recording a strikeout. While struggling...

Scott Feldman- TEX- Stats- Feldman takes the mound tonight having lost his last 5 starts and posting an ERA of 7.13 as a starter. He has been the victim of some bad luck, with a 43.1% LOB% when he starts....

1. Stephen Strasburg (SP - Nationals) - Strasburg was masterful once again. He improved his record to 8-1 with a 2.45 ERA and has an incredible K/9 of 11.7. Of course, Strasburg's fantasy value may be limited a bit because...

Lots of changes this week as 2012 draftees have started signing and we saw Jorge Soler ink a monster deal with the Cubs. Hitters 20 Jorge Soler CHC OF B+ High-risk / high-reward type of guy, but the Cubs needed...

Freddie Freeman (1B-ATL)- Freeman went hitless in four plate appearances with two strikeouts in the Braves 6-4 loss to the Yankees on Tuesday. He has struggled through the first two weeks of June hitting .212/.212/.242 with zero home runs...

Dustin Pedroia (2B - BOS) - Pedroia went 0-4 against Miami to lower his line to .273/.332/.411. After a hot start, the second baseman has been derailed by a thumb injury suffered on Memorial Day, as he's just 3-28 in...

Steve Lombardozzi - Lombardozzi is still not to the point where he should be owned in the majority of formats, but the Nats' utility man is basically playing almost 2/3 of the time now and sees his value growing by...

Cliff Pennington SS (OAK) - For those of you in AL leagues and deep mixed leagues and need for some speed up the middle, Pennington should rebound from his slow start (.208/.260/.290). He has just a .185 singles average...

1. Jemile Weeks (2B - A's) - Weeks was certainly impressive in 2011 hitting .303/.340/.421 with 22 SB in 97 games. While 2012 has gotten off to a slow start for Weeks, he is showing slow and steady signs of...

Chipper Jones (3B-ATL) - Chipper is back off his latest DL stint and was in Sunday's lineup for the Braves. He's made it known that 2012 will be his final season playing baseball, but it's pretty clear that when healthy,...

Gio Gonzalez (SP - WAS) - Gonzalez continued his dominant season, holding the Red Sox to two runs on three hits in 6 1/3 innings, walking two and striking out five. His dominance of NL lineups has been very impressive,...

Scott Diamond (SP - MIN): Scott Diamond extended his streak to 7 straight starts with 3 ER's or less allowed while picking up his 5th win of the season on Saturday against the Cubs. Diamond allowed just 7 hits...

1) Bryce Harper - Harper continues to be the straw that stirs the drink for the Nationals. He had another big game Friday night against the Red Sox, going 3 for 5 with a home run, three RBI and two...

Hiroki Kuroda - Entering Friday's start against the Mets, Hiroki Kuroda had been a disappointment since coming over to the Yankees this season, missing fewer bats and giving up more HRs. I had him pegged for an ERA around...

Coco Crisp (OF - OAK): For the first time in a long time we saw some life out of Coco Crisp. Crisp homered, tripled, walked and drove in 4 while scoring a run. The two extra base hits doubled...

RA Dickey (SP-NYM)- Dickey improved his record to 9-1 after shutting out the Nationals for 7.1 innings on Thursday. He allowed just four hits (none for extra bases) and two walks while striking out eight. Dickey now as a 2.44...

Yan Gomes- TOR- Rookie- Gomes is back with Toronto and might get some playing time. He was hitting .349 at AAA when called up. Manager John Farrell has been making noise about using Gomes as a super sub player since...

1. Bud Norris (SP - Astros) - It looked like it was going to be one of those nights for Bud Norris. He allowed a quick 3 ER in the first inning, but then settled down and just allowed 1...

Chris Young (SP-NYM)- Young made his first start of the season and earned a no decision against the Nationals. He allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and one walk while striking out two in five innings of work....

Colby Rasmus OF (TOR) - Rasmus continued swinging a hot bat last night going 5-5 with a homer and a double; he scored 4 times and drove in 3. Schuyler wrote an optimistic blurb abut Rasmus a week ago...

Dillon Gee - Gee tossed his 4th straight quality start yesterday, holding the Cards to three runs (two earned) over 7 IP, striking out 8 in a no-decision. Gee has struck out 28 over 27 1/3 IP during this stretch,...

Jake Arrieta (SP - BAL): Jake Arrieta's ugly May struggles (6.17 ERA) continued on into June as he yielded 4 ER's on 2 hits and 4 BB's over 4 2/3 innings on Sunday. Early in the season the jump...

Tommy Hanson (SP-ATL) - Shoulder injuries can be troublesome, so I was a little down on Hanson entering the season, but with the exception of a recent start against the Cardinals, he's been just fine recently. Sunday, Hanson did allow...

Howie Kendrick - I am definitely ready to cut bait on Kendrick in just about all formats. He hasn't had an XBH since May 9th, and he has regressed in just about every facet of the game this year at...

1) Hanley Ramirez (3B, MIA) - After slumping through a good portion of the first six weeks of the season, Ramirez has turned it on over the last 15 games to raise his batting average 48 points from .230 to...

Madison Bumgarner (SP-SF) - Bumgarner was outstanding against the Cubs, allowing just two runs (both bequeathed) on eight hits in eight innings, punching out 11 without walking a batter. After fanning just 30 in his first 52 1/3 innings, he...

PJ Walters SP (MIN) - For those of you who like to play stacked lineups (heavy on one team) in daily fantasy baseball salary cap formats such as Draftstreet, go with the Indians today. They face Walters (who I...

Justin Smoak (1B - SEA): The Smoak monster has been unleashed over the last 12 games (.313/.365/.646) as Smoak has launched 5 HR's and driven in 15. Is this the beginning of something clicking for the young 1B prospect...

Will Middlebrooks - Middlebrooks stayed hot yesterday, going 2-4 with his 6th homer in the 6-4 victory over Detroit. The 23 year old has forced Boston to keep him up in the majors even after the return of Kevin Youkilis,...

1. Ryan Dempster (SP - Cubs) - It was easily Dempster's worst outing of the season. He lasted just 4.1 IP and allowed 6 ER, 3 HR, 4 BB, and 6 hits. Lucky for him, the Cubs bounced back and...

James Shields (SP - TB) - Shields was victimized by BABIP against the White Sox, allowing six runs (five earned) on 10 hits in six innings despite striking out eight, walking one and not surrendering a home run. His ERA...

Hitters 2 Billy Hamilton CIN SS A 12 SB in a recent 6-game run gives him 52 in 47 G with a .389 OBP. Free Billy! 3 Wil Myers KC OF A 1.034 OPS in first 12 AAA games. Playing...

Carlos Quentin (LF-SD)- Quentin went 3-for-4 with a double and a home run in the Padres loss to the Cubs on Tuesday in his second game back from the disabled list. Analysts have speculated that Quentin will have a...

Melky Cabrera - Cabrera is putting up ridiculous numbers this year for the Giants, including a 426/452/667 line for the month of May after another five hits in the last two games. He has improved his contact rate to over...

Adrian Gonzalez - Now that Albert Pujols is back to being Albert Pujols, baseball fans can turn their attention to Boston and focus on another great slugger who can't seem to get on track. Adrian Gonzalez collected a single...

Starlin Castro (SS-CHC) - Castro profiles as a perennial All-Star, but there is still some work he needs to do to reach his ceiling. Sunday, Castro was 1-for-4 with his third homer of the season and is now batting .313/.322/.432....

1. Hiroki Kuroda (SP - Yankees) - Kuroda had one of his best starts, if not THE best, of the season. He hurled an 8.0 IP, 4-hit shutout against the A's on Sunday to earn his 4th win of the...

This is a sample of Insiderbaseball.com's weekly Prospect Central column featuring in-depth analysis of over 120 prospects each season. Please visit Insiderbaseball.com or click the "Home" tab at the top of the page to see all the great insights...

1) Kyle Kendrick (SP/RP, PHI) - Kendrick dealt the Cards a complete game shutout Saturday at Busch Stadium. He scattered seven hits, did not walk anyone, and needed only 94 pitches (70 strikes) to dispatch the Cardinals. It was Kendricks'...

Ryota Igarashi- TOR- Cold- In his latest call up, Igarashi has again failed to translate minor league success to the major league level. He has appeared in both Toronto games since being called up Friday and has allowed 4 runs...

1) Dillon Gee (SP, NYN) - Nine strikeout over seven innings against the Padres Friday night gave Gee a total of 52 strikeouts in 56.2 IP for the season. Gee's strikeout rate (8.3 K/9) is the best he's ever posted...

Eric Hosmer - The Royals' first baseman finished Friday's game 1-for-4 with a run scored. I've written this about Eric Hosmer multiple times in the past two seasons - he's got to improve his balls in play distribution. After...

Devin Mesoraco (C-CIN)- Mesoraco went 1-for-3 with a walk and a grand slam on Thursday night. The home run was his second of the season, and he improved his slash line to .213/.310/.344 for the season. Mesoraco has not gotten...

Jhonny Peralta (SS - DET): I checked in on Jhonny Peralta a few weeks back, noting some of the odd discrepancies between his indicators and his performance early in the season. Peralta's posting a career best 31% LD Rate...

1. Wandy Rodriguez (SP - Astros) - Wandy continued to deal on Wednesday, hurling his 8th QS of the season in 10 starts. He scattered 8 hits in 7.0 IP and allowed 1 ER (a solo HR), no walks and...

Hitters 2 Billy Hamilton CIN SS A 40 SB in 41 G and a .386 OBP. Rumors of an eventual move to CF. 3 Wil Myers KC OF A 1.160 OPS gets him AAA promotion. .333 there through first 15...

Daniel Bard - It's been a difficult season thus far for Daniel Bard, who faced the Orioles on Wednesday and yielded two earned runs on five hits while striking out two and walking four in 5 1/3 innings. Bard's been...

Justin Morneau 1B (MIN) - Morneau hit his 6th homer of the year last night, and owners who took a flier on him have to be really encouraged. It is a small sample for sure but the power numbers...

R.A. Dickey (SP - NYM) - Dickey delivered his most dominant outing of the year in Pittsburgh, punching out a season-high 11 Pirates and allowing them just a run on five hits and a walk in seven innings. The knuckleballer...

Matt Adams - Matt Adams is likely to start at 1B for the Cards for at least the next week-plus as the Cards deal with their latest run of injuries. Adams is a 2009 draftee that has done nothing but...

Felix Hernandez- SEA- Hot- King Felix was back home and took advantage of it. After 2 road starts in which he gave up a total of 10 earned runs over 10.1 IP he handled the Rangers with relative ease in...

Dee Gordon (SS-LAD) - Gordon is going to be given a "few days" off in an effort to help him break out of a season-long slump. His K% is relatively reasonable at 19.4%, though with his contact ability, I would...

Sean Marshall (RP - CIN) - Marshall was pulled against the Yankees after giving up a two runs on four hits in just a third of an inning as Jose Arredondo came on for the save. After the game, manager...

Alex Rodriguez (3B - NYY): A-Rod took another 0-4 on Sunday and is now down to .270/.368/.399 on the season. The average and on-base percentage aren't particularly of concern for Rodriguez, but the .399 slugging % is eye-opening if...

Brandon Morrow SP (TOR) - Morrow really appears to be putting it all together as he hurled a complete game shutout yesterday in which he struck out 8 and walked just 1. Morrow has been able to find a...

Jeff Samardzija (SP-CHC)- Samardzjia lost his second game of the season on Friday against the White Sox, but pitched well in the outing. He allowed three runs on six hits (two home runs) with two walks and eight strikeouts...

Eric Hosmer (1B, KC) - Hosmer was on the bench for a second consecutive game in part because a left-hander was on the mound. Against southpaws, Hosmer has just five hits in 43 PA (.125) and he struggled against them...

Brandon League (RP-SEA)- League blew his third save of the season and earned the loss on Thursday against the Indians after allowing two runs on two hits and three walks with one strikeout. He now has a 3.12 ERA...

Brandon Beachy (SP - ATL): The remarkable career path of Brandon Beachy continues to amaze me. Undrafted out of college, Beachy landed a contract through tryouts with the Braves. The lack of pedigree immediately landed Beachy a bullpen role...

Rich Thompson- TB- Rise Value- Thompson (not to be confused with the A's relief pitcher of the same name) was acquired by the Rays and made a pinch running appearance yesterday. This was his first major league appearance since 2004....

Jake Peavy (SP - CHW) - Peavy had his roughest outing of the season, allowing six runs on nine hits (two home runs) in 5 1/3 innings against the Tigers, walking two while fanning four. He carried a shutout through...

Adam Wainwright SP (STL) - Wainwright enters tonight's start in SF as a must start option in all fantasy formats. Despite his 6.16 ERA Wainwright's peripherals are as strong as ever. In fact, his xFIP sits at 2.94. Wainwright's...

Todd Frazier - Frazier hasn't exactly grabbed the 3B job and run with it, going 1-11 with 6 K's since Scott Rolen made his latest trip to the DL, but there's some potential here (particularly if Dusty stays out of...

Ivan Nova - Ivan Nova took on the Fightin' Showalters on Monday and allowed five earned runs on seven hits. He struck out four and walked three. Nova has missed a bunch more bats this season, improving his whiff rate...

1. Andy Pettitte (SP - Yankees) - Andy Pettitte returned for his first start of the season on Sunday against the Mariners. Cobwebs were certainly expected, but in general the results were positive on Sunday. He pitched 6.1 IP and...

Juan Pierre (OF-PHI) - Pierre was 2-for-4 with a double and RBI Sunday and is now batting a robust .351/.402/.383. He would probably have more than five stolen bases if not for the fact that the Phillies have to have...

Andy Dirks - Dirks reached base twice more yesterday, extending his hitting streak to 7 games and bringing his line to 379/423/652 for the year. I was ready to brush this off just like everyone else, but after a closer...

This is a sample of Insiderbaseball.com's weekly Prospect Central column featuring in-depth analysis of over 120 prospects each season. Please visit Insiderbaseball.com or click the "Home" tab at the top of the page to see all the great insights...

Vance Worley (SP - PHI): If you've read along with the thoughts Schuyler and I have been posting on Worley this season you'll notice a common theme: initial skepticism followed by eventual caving. Our skepticism centered around Worley's inability...

Adam Dunn - The Big Donkey continued his torrid pace on Friday by belting his 11th HR of the season (he hit 11 all of last season) and finished 2-for-2 with two walks. He also didn't strike out in a...

Josh Beckett (SP - BOS) - Beckett was rocked by the Indians in his return to the rotation after missing a start to a strained lat muscle, giving up seven runs on seven hits (two home runs) in just 2...

Stephen Strasburg- WAS- Hot- Strasburg got a season-high 13 strikeouts in yesterday's start against the Pirates. He now has a 3-0 record and 1.64 ERA on the year. Strasburg has gotten a little lucky, with a .269 BABIP, but his...

1. Jonathan Lucroy(C, MIL) - Lucroy added a pair of hits in four at-bats against the Reds Wednesday to bring his batting average for the season up to .321. Lucroy's Contact rate is just shy of 88 percent this season,...

Francisco Liriano- MIN- Drop Value- Liriano was moved from the rotation to the Minnesota bullpen. The Twins are having a bad year and they may have pushed the panic button on Liriano too soon, especially since manager Ron Gardenhire says...

Hitters 1 Bryce Harper WAS OF A+ Appears he's here to stay, especially with the Werth injury. 4 Billy Hamilton CIN SS A Slowing down. Only 2 SB in last 4 games. Up to 31 on the year. 5 Wil...

Andrew McCutchen (CF-PIT)- McCutchen went 1-for-2 with a home run and two walks in the Pirates win over the Nationals. The home run was his first of the season to go along with his five stolen bases and .302/.370/.470...

Jarrod Parker SP (OAK) - Parker earned his third straight quality start last night, allowing just 2 ER over 7 IP. However, Parker did not pitch that well. He walked 5 batters compared to just 3 strikeouts and of...

Jeff Samardzija - I'm getting more and more impressed with Samardzija, who picked up another quality start yesterday in shutting down the Braves over 7 innings for win number 4. The control improvements we noted this spring seem to have...

Brandon Snyder (3B-TEX) - As if the Rangers needed more offense. Monday, Snyder got a rare start at third base, this one against his former team the Orioles. Safe to say it went well, as Snyder went 3-for-5 with a...

Mike Trout (OF - LAA): The fantasy world has been captivated by the strong start of phenom Bryce Harper, but I remain steadfast in my belief that Mike Trout is the premier fantasy asset between the two this year....

Bryce Harper - Give this kid credit, he's got moxie. After getting plunked by Cole Hamels on the first pitch of his first AB on Sunday, Harper went to third on a Jayson Werth single and then stole home when...

1. Dee Gordon (SS - Dodgers) - After hitting over .300 in the minors and posting a .350+ OBP, Gordon has struggled at the big league level. So far this season, he is at a .229/.269/.307, but has still managed...

Adam Jones OF (BAL) - Jones cracked his 7th homer of the year last night. In the pre-season I took the under on 23 homers for Jones and seeing as how he is almost a third of the way...

1. David Robertson (RP, NYY) - The addition of a cutter to Robertson's pitch repertoire last season transformed him from a solid middle inning reliever into an un-hittable dominating force in the late innings of games. His strikeout rate leaped...

Chad Billingsley (SP - LAD) - Billingsley struggled at Wrigley Field, allowing four runs on eight hits (one home run), walking three and striking out four. He has pitched well so far this season, but continues to struggle with the...