Randall Delgado - Randall Delgado has been adequate in his 7 starts this year for the Braves, posting a 2.83 ERA while managing only 1 quality start with very poor peripherals relative to his minor league totals. Delgado is certainly...

Joe Mauer - Joe Mauer didn't play yesterday and isn't playing tonight because, as we all know, he's out with mild pneumonia. However, Mauer will be healthy to start next year (in theory) so one of the big questions heading...

Brian Matusz- BAL- Stats- Matusz' record setting (and not in a good way) ERA of 10.69 this season had a huge component of bad luck in it. His BABIP was .382 and his LOB% was 56.4%. Matusz yielded homers like...

Jerome Williams - Williams improved to 4-0 in his return to the big leagues after a 4-year hiatus, as he's posted 4 QS in 6 while tallying a 2.95 ERA. His standard rates don't look all that impressive on the...

Jhoulys Chacin - In what will be his last start of the season, Jhoulys Chacin draws the Astros today looking for his 12th win in 2011. In 30 starts, Chacin hasn't been as sharp as he was in 2010 when...

Alfredo Simon- BAL- Hot- Simon allowed 3 run on 6 hits and only 1 walk while striking out 5 in 8 IP last night. For the 4th start in a row he got more ground balls than fly balls. For...

Clayton Kershaw (SP--Dodgers) If you were given the task of picking a pitcher, one pitcher, to build your team around not only now but for the future, there might be a pretty heated debate. Names like Strasburg, Verlander and King...

Kosuke Fukudome- CLE- Hot- Regression to the mean had been hitting Fukudome, as he went 3-for-26 in the 7 games before last night. That was to be expected as he came to the Indians with a .330 BABIP. He countered...

Chris Capuano (SP-NYM) Capuano did not earn a decision on Thursday against the Cardinals. He allowed 4 runs on 8 hits, 2 home runs and 2 walks while striking out 4 in 4.2 innings of work. His ERA increased...

Alexei Ramirez- CHA- Hot- Regression to the mean has been Ramirez' friend. He extended his current hitting streak to 8 games and is hitting .321 in September. His .34 monthly BABIP has his season mark up to .289 so there...

NL Quick Pitch: 1. Wandy Rodriguez (SP - Astros) - Wandy gave up a couple of runs early, but settled down and hurled a quality start, going 7.0 IP and allowing 2 ER, 4 H, and 2 BB while recording...

Rich Harden- OAK- Cold- After registering only 1 K in 5.1 IP in his last start, the 1.0 K/IP ratio last night might seem good. The problem is that he only lasted 3 IP because he was getting hit hard...

Cory Luebke - Luebke continued his excellent September run, allowing only a two-run shot to Mark Ellis over 7 innings of work in an 8-2 win in Colorado. Luebke has struck out either 8 or 9 batters in 6 of...

Freddy Garcia (SP-NYY) Garcia had his third straight below average start yesterday against the Blue Jays. He allowed 3 runs on 5 hits, 2 home runs and 3 walks while striking out 4 in 4.2 innings pitched. His record...

Carlos Santana (C/1B-CLE) Santana went 2-for-5 with a home run and 2 RBI against the Twins yesterday. The home run was his twenty-fifth of the season and he improved his overall line to .239/.352/.457. Among catchers with more than...

Yovani Gallardo SP (MIL) - Gallardo was dominant last night as he struck out 13 batters and yielded just 2 hits and 1 ER over 6 IP. For the second straight season, Gallardo made significant improvement in terms of...

Javier Vazquez- FLA- Hot- Vazquez has said he is going to retire after this season. If he keeps pitching the way he has been latterly, though, there will undoubtedly be several million reasons for him to rethink that decision, all...

CJ Wilson (SP-TEX) Wilson was a tough luck loser on Friday night against the Mariners. He allowed 4 runs (only 1 earned) on 6 hits, 1 home run and 2 walks while striking out 8 in 6.1 innings pitched....

Drew Pomeranz (SP - COL): Pomeranz opened some eyes in his first major league start as he was able to keep the ball on the ground (58% GB Rate) and demonstrated strong pitch efficiency, needing just 67 pitches to...

James Shields (SP--Rays) Let's face it. Was anyone picking James Shields to have the kind of year he's put together in 2011 after a 13-15 record and a 5.18 ERA last season? The crazy thing about Shields is that the...

1. Bud Norris (SP - Astros) - Norris pitched great on Wednesday, but drew the short straw and was matched-up with Roy Halladay as an opponent. Norris' final line was a quality start of 7.0 IP allowing just 4 hits,...

Max Scherzer - Max Scherzer's fantasy owners get a really nice matchup today as the Tigers' right hander draws the Athletics in Oakland. Scherzer's ERA has jumped from 3.50 in 2010 to 4.27 this season and his FIP has...

Joel Hanrahan- PIT- Cold- After going 8 games without allowing a run, Hanrahan has been scored on the last two games. He has given up 3 runs on 5 hits and a walk while striking out 1 in 1.2 IP....

Jered Weaver SP (LAA) - I have a feeling Weaver may be overrated in 2012 drafts. His 2.44 ERA is a far ways away from his 3.01 FIP and even further from his 3.67 xFIP. Also, his K/9 dropped...

Matt Dominguez - Matt Dominguez is up and playing for the Marlins, and while he may not be their #1 prospect as a bat, he's certainly the one with the best combination of upside and current opportunity. I'd expect that...

Ben Zobrist- TB- Hot- Zobrist went 3-for-5 with 2 doubles, a run and 3 RBI. It extended his current hitting streak to 6 games in which he has gone 8-for-26. That's not a very hot streak and yesterday was his...

Alejandro De Aza - A single, double, walk, and two more steals for De Aza yesterday as the 27 year old is now hitting 324/365/565 through 108 AB's. Clearly there is a ton of regression to come here, but De...

Addison Reed - Reed has stepped right into the White Sox pen and pitched like he belongs, fanning 6 in his first 2 2/3 MLB innings. The 22 year old throws 95 easily with a very solid changeup and an...

Stephen Strasburg - In his second start since returning from Tommy John surgery, Stephen Strasburg takes the mound against the Astros at home today. The Nationals also announced on Saturday that Strasburg will pitch 3 more times this season which...

1. Mike Napoli (1B / C - Rangers) - Mike Napoli continues to put up some big numbers in 2011. With his 3rd HR in the last four games, he now has 25 for the season for an incredible AB/HR...

Todd Helton (1B--Rockies) As we head into mid-September, there are many fantasy owners who seasons are winding down and are looking ahead to next year. Which brings us to a guy by the name of Todd Helton; Helton, who after...

1. Brett Gardner (OF - Yankees) - Brett Gardner has had a solid year for sure, swiping 43 bases and playing a solid left field for the Yanks. He's had a couple of rough months to end the season though,...

Jerry Sands (OF - LAD): The Dodgers recalled Sands on Tuesday, but he got his first start since being recalled on Thursday, going 0-3 with a run. Playing time should be a bit more plentiful with Sands going forward...

Justin Verlander- DET- Hot- Verlander might be showing a little bit of fatigue as he only has 1 quality start in his last 3. He only gave up 4 runs in each of the non-quality starts so it hasn't been...

1. Andrew McCutchen (OF - Pirates) - McCutchen had himself a day on Wednesday, cranking out 2 HRs and driving in 4. He has now eclipsed the 20/20 mark with 22 HR and 20 SB with a few weeks left...

C. J. Wilson- TEX- Hot- Wilson threw his first career shutout last night, giving him 6 quality starts in his last 7 appearances. His only non-quality start happened after he had thrown 4 consecutive outings of 110 or more pitches....

Brett Myers (SP-HOU) Myers pitched well against the Pirates last night as he improved his ERA to 4.66 and saw his record go to 4-13. He allowed 1 run on 4 hits (1 home run), and struck out 6...

John Lannan - After last night's 5 1/3, one run performance against LA, Lannan has now gone seven straight starts allowing three earned runs or fewer, bringing his ERA down to 3.48. Unfortunately, there have been nine unearned runs in...

Jeremy Hellickson (SP - TB): I'm starting to feel like this is personal. After Hellickson made me look foolish by ramping up his strikeout rate, he goes out throws a nice complete game victory while recording just 1 K....

B. J. Upton- TB- Hot- Upton went 2-for-4 with 5 RBI last night. This breaks a 4-for-40 slump in his previous 13 games. Upton's average has been dragged down by a .273 BABIP this season and has in fact been...

Ian Kennedy SP (ARZ) - Last night Kennedy won his 18th game of the season, but this is another case where wins do not accurately reflect the skill of the pitcher. By our formula for expected wins, Kennedy should...

Austin Jackson (CF-DET) Jackson went 3-for-5 with a home run, a strikeout, 2 runs scored and 3 RBI against the White Sox on Friday night. Over the last 8 days he has hit .412 with 4 walks and 2...

Cole Hamels - This season has been, by far, Cole Hamels' best of his career. Not only does he enter today's outing against Florida with a career-low 2.58 ERA, he has also lowered his FIP from 3.67 in 2010 to...

Yovani Gallardo (SP - MIL): Directly after writing a post a few months back about Gallardo's value dropping he started flashing signs of his former self by posting 7 quality starts in 8 outings while posting a stellar 52:8...

1. Coco Crisp (OF - A's) - Crisp has been fairly consistent all season from an OBP and SB perspective. He had exactly 8 SB each month from April through July and 6 in August. With one today, he is...

Eric Hosmer- KC- Hot- Hosmer hit 2 homers last night, his first multi-homer game in the big leagues. He has had a solid rookie season, batting .278 with 14 homers since being called up in May. Hosmer still needs to...

Madison Bumgarner (SP-SFG) I have been fascinated for months by the numbers Bumgarner has posted in 2011. He threw one of his best games of the season on Wednesday against the Cubs. He shutout them out for 8 innings while...

Javier Vazquez- FLA- Hot- Vazquez shut out the Mets In his 7 IP last night, allowing just 3 hits. He exhibited the traits that have led to his resurgence, striking out 6 and walking only 1. Vazquez looks solid for...

Jeremy Hellickson (SP-TB) Hellickson's record fell to 11-10 after earning the loss last night against the Rangers. He allowed 2 runs on 6 hits, 4 walks and 1 home run while striking out 4 in 6 innings of work....

Nick Evans - Nick Evans has started the last 5 games for the Mets, including a 4-8 performance yesterday during the Mets' sweep of the Marlins. Evans has posted a minor league ISO of .200 over 2735 AB's, so there's...

Anthony Swarzak SP (MIN) - I'd avoid starting Swarzak in all leagues today. He has a 3.62 ERA, but an xFIP of 4.87 exposes his true skills - or lack thereof. I'm never a fan of pitchers with low...

A sample of this week's notes..... Andre Ethier (OF-LAD) - Unless the Dodgers are sold and the current management is swept out, it's looking like Ethier's career with the Dodgers could be coming to a close. The latest incident has...

Evan Longoria - (3B - TB): Longoria's started to put things together in a pretty big way of late, but I remain utterly perplexed that his performance this season hasn't continued to grow upon past levels. Longoria's improved his...

Peter Bourjos - Bourjos homered again last night, giving him four in the past week along with a 341/383/648 line for the month of August. The OF situation in Anaheim is extremely crowded right now, and all five players involved...

Prince Fielder- MIL- FYI- For the first time in 5 games, Fielder wasn't walked and he hit a homer. His last 3 homers have come in games where he didn't have a BB. It looks like teams are careful with...

Chris Capuano (SP--Mets) When the Mets signed Chris Capuano during the off-season, they knew it was one of those low-risk/high-reward deals. For $1.5 million, the lefty came cheap. Sure, he been oft-injured but the Mets knew that he was capable...

Michael Bourn- ATL- Hot- Bourn tied his career high for hits in a game with a 4-for-5 effort yesterday. He has pretty much picked up right where he was with Houston after being dealt to the Braves at the deadline....

Justin Morneau (1B - MIN): As with every baseball season there are a number of players that seem to haunt/tantilize owners all year long. Morneau appears to be one of those guys for owners based on the questions I...

Kyle Seager- SEA- Hot- Seager has raised his average to .313 on the strength of a 6-game hitting streak in which he has gone 15-for-25 with 2 homers, 5 doubles, 7 runs scored and 3 RBI. Seager's .397 BABIP is...

Carlos Gonzalez (OF-COL) Gonzalez went 2-for-5 with 2 runs scored, 2 strikeouts, a walk and 3 RBI in the Rockies win over the Astros on Wednesday. The home run was his twenty-third of the season, and he improved his...

A sampling of this week's prospect updates: Natonal League 12 Brett Jackson CHC OF B+ Has turned it on in August - .369 with 5 HR. 29 K in 20 games however. 15 Jonathan Singleton HOU 1B B+ HR every...

Ryan Braun (LF-MIL) Braun went 2-for-3 with 2 doubles, 2 stolen bases, 2 walks, 2 RBI and 2 runs scored in the Brewers' victory over the Pirates. Braun now has a career high 28 stolen bases along with 25...

David Ortiz DH (BOS) - Ortiz has missed some games with a heel injury, but appears to be ready to rejoin the starting lineup today. Fantasy owners in daily leagues need to get Ortiz back in their lineups ASAP....

Jordan Schafer - As David mentioned, Jordan Schafer did make his anticipated Astro debut yesterday, going 0-4 before being lifted for a pinch-hitter. Schafer is likely to be the starting CF the rest of the way for Houston, and it...

1. Jacoby Ellsbury (OF - Red Sox) - Ellsbury has missed three straight games with a back injury, but the expectation is that he will return to the Red Sox lineup on Tuesday. The back injury stems from an...

Jerome Williams - Back in 2003 a rookie right hander came on to the baseball scene in San Francisco, pitching 131 innings with a 3.30 ERA and 128 ERA+. At that time, 21-year old Jerome Williams looked like a sure...

Brandon Beachy SP (ATL) - Beachy continued his stellar rookie season last night by limiting the Diamondbacks to 1 run over 6 IP. As usual, Beachy had his strikeout pitch going; he struck out 7 while walking just 1....

A.J. Burnett - The rumors swirling around whether AJ. Burnett may eventually be moved to the bullpen are alive and kicking this morning after the Yankees' right hander was shelled on Saturday night by, of all teams, the Twins. Burnett...

Rich Harden - I've said it before but it remains true. Rich Harden is like the really good-looking girlfriend that you just can't quit. On Friday, Harden reminded fantasy owners just how good he used to be in his heyday...

Craig Kimbrel (RP--Braves) If I had to vote on a ROY today, my vote would go to Craig Kimbrel who continues to put together a dominant rookie year and is quickly establishing himself as a top-tier closer. Kimbrel collected his...

Zack Greinke SP (MIL) - In keeper leagues, Greinke may be an undervalued commodity. The truth is he is elite. Greinke has a 2.92 FIP and 2.31 xFIP, but a deflated strand rate (66.7 LOB%) has inflated his ERA...

Jeff Francoeur (OF--Royals) The Royals rewarded Jeff Francoeur's fine efforts this season with a two year extension that is estimated around $13.5 million. Francoeur struggled to find consistency in his hometown Atlanta and had on-and-off times while playing for the...

David Price- TB- Hot- Price has thrown 2 straight quality starts against the teams at the top of the AL East, allowing just 1 run on 16 IP. This came after his usage eased up a little bit, with 3...

1. Geovany Soto (Catcher - Cubs) - Soto has been pretty inconsistent all year and his .220 average in August isn't helping much either. He has, however, been on a bit of power surge with 4 HR and 9 RBI...

J. J. Putz- ARI- Hot- Putz doesn't seem to be having any effects from the tendinitis that landed him on the DL last month. He recorded his 30th save of the season yesterday, allowing no hits, striking out 2 and...

Justin Verlander SP (DET) - Just another day at the office for Verlander as he held the Minnesota offense completely in check yesterday. He allowed just 1 ER in 7.2 innings of work while adding 7 strikeouts and just...

Lucas Duda - Duda reached base four times last night and homered for the 2nd straight game in the 5-4 win over the Padres, and he's now hitting 354/444/622 since the All-Star Break. He's going to play primarily 1B for...

Juan Pierre - We're getting to the end of Juan Pierre's fantasy baseball career. Pierre is hitting .284 this season to go along with 20 steals but it's becoming obvious that age is catching up to the speedy outfielder....

Dan Uggla (2B-ATL) - We'd be remiss if we didn't acknowledge Uggla, who saw his hitting streak end Sunday, just 23 games short of Joe DiMaggio's major league record. For the record, Uggla entered the streak batting just .173/.241/.327. He...

John Danks (SP - CHA): It's been a frustrating season for Danks and his fantasy owners, but Sunday was a nice step in the right direction for his value and his production. Danks took a no-hitter into the 6th...

Salvador Perez - Salvador Perez has arrived in Kansas City to assume the starting catcher's role, making four rookie regulars in the KC lineup right now. Perez is universally recognized as an excellent defender behind the plate, and he's apparently...

Dan Uggla - We're one day closer to seeing Dan Uggla run through a huge banner with the number 57 on it. Uggla singled in his first AB and added his 27th HR of the season on Saturday to up...

Andy Dirks- DET- Hot- Dirks went 4-for-4 for the first time in his young career, hitting a double, scoring a run and knocking in a run. He also walked for the first time since July 15th. Dirks is hitting a...

Dan Uggla (2B--Braves) Dan Uggla continued his improbable hit streak going 3-for-3 with two home runs. He's now up to 32 games and all of this for a guy who has a lifetime contact rate of just 73.4%. Somewhat ironic...

Curtis Granderson (CF-NYY) Granderson went 1-for-4 with a strikeout, a home run and 2 RBI's agains the Angels yesterday. While he improved his slash line to .275/.367/.583, the home run was his third in two days and his thirty-second of...

Johnny Cueto (SP--Reds) Johnny Cueto continues to collect quality start after quality start. On Thursday, he dominated the Rockies as he pitched seven shutout innings, striking out nine and allowed just three hits with no walks. His ERA hit the...

Rick Porcello (SP-DET) The Indians knocked around Porcello last night in as his overall record fell to 11-7. Porcello, who hadn't allowed more than 3 runs in any start since June, allowed 11 hits, 1 home run and 8 earned...

1. Jonathan Sanchez (SP - Giants) - Sanchez continues to struggle and there are rumors out in San Francisco that his spot in the rotation is in jeopardy. Sanchez lasted 4.1 IP and allowed 4 ER and 5 hits, earning...

American League 8 Jason Kipnis CLE 2B A- HR binge was a very nice surprise. Should be able to stick around for quite some time. 9 Brett Lawrie TOR 2B A- Start to MLB career couldn't be going any better....

Chris Capuano (SP-NYM) Capuano earned a no-decision after he allowed 4 earned runs on 9 hits, 1 walk and 3 strikeouts in 6 innings of work against the Padres last night. His record remains at 9-10 for the season. While...

Delmon Young OF (MIN) - While Young has certainly been a bust this season, I maintain he has value in standard mixed leagues going forward. When I told this to a friend in a discussion earlier today, he simply...

Nathan Eovaldi - The Dodgers dipped down to AA to replace Rubby de la Rosa in their rotation, and they may have come up with a guy worth taking a flyer on. Nathan Eovaldi is a 21 year old that...

David Price (SP - TB): For the 2nd time in his last 3 outings, Price has struggled to handle the A's offense. On Sunday he wasn't able to get through the 5th inning before being pulled, allowing 4 ER's...

Asdrubal Cabrera - To illustrate how much Asdrubal Cabrera has improved his power from 2010 to 2011, you just need to look at his ISO. The Indians' shortstop posted a .071 ISO in 2010 and entered Saturday's game against the...

Jon Rauch (RP-TOR) Rauch allowed 2 hits and 1 run, but he earned his eleventh save of the season in last night's victory over the Orioles. Before the game, John Farrell said he would stick with Rauch as his closer...

1. Jonathan Sanchez (SP - Giants) - I guess you probably could blame some cobwebs for Sanchez getting blown up last night. Afterall, it was his first start since June 24th so you can't expect him to be too...

1. Mark Trumbo (1B - Angels) - Trumbo isn't ready to slow down any time soon. With his 2nd HR in the last 3 games, he now has 21 for the season, giving him an AB/HR of 17.4. Other than...

Jay Bruce (OF - CIN): Bruce's potential breakout was the talk of the fantasy landscape back in May, but since then he's struggled to live up to owners' increased expectations. After hitting .342/.402/.739 in May, Bruce has slumped to...

Matt Harrison- TEX- Cold- Harrison may be experiencing some regression to the mean. He has had 2 starts of the non-quality variety in his last 3 outings. His ERA hasn't suffered much as he has allowed only 4 runs in...

1. Tim Stauffer (SP - Padres) - Stauffer just keeps posting the quality starts. If his run support was just a little higher, his record would be much better than 7-8. With another QS last night, he now has 10...

The big news in the prospect world this week is Arizona signing No. 3 overall pick Trevor Bauer. Bauer joins Jarrod Parker and Tyler Skaggs to give the Dbacks arguably the best three-pack of pitching prospects in the game. Mix...

Phil Hughes (SP-NYY) Hughes earned a six inning complete game shutout because the game was called after a rain delay during the seventh inning. Hughes allowed only 3 hits and struck out four to earn his second win of the...

Derek Lowe- ATL- Cold- Lowe has only 1 quality start in his last 10 appearances. He suffered some bad luck last month with a .359 BABIP but didn't help himself with a K/BB ratio that dropped to 1.40 as he...

Lucas Duda - Duda has started every game since the Beltran trade, so it looks like the Mets are going to try and live with his atrocious defense in the outfield for the time being. I can't believe they wouldn't...

1. Coco Crisp (OF - A's) - Coco Crisp gets little attention playing out in Oakland, but he is worth a fantasy look if you're desperate for some steals. His ownership has been steadily climbing, but still remains unowned in...

Erik Bedard (SP - BOS): It wouldn't be a trade deadline if the Yankees and Sox both didn't make a deal, so the Red Sox snuck one in at the last minute, acquiring SEA LH Erik Bedard. Bedard's been...

Cleveland Indians/Ubaldo Jimenez - In the big trade news of the evening, the Indians sent 4 minor leaguers to the Rockies in exchange for Ubaldo Jimenez. The trade is pending Jimenez's physical and should be finalized Sunday. The Rockies did...

Hunter Pence- PHI- Trade- The Phillies acquired Pence as regression to the mean may have been raising its ugly head. He has gone 9-for-46 since the All Star Break and with a BABIP still at .368 there is room for...

1. Erick Aybar (SS - Angels) - Erick Aybar snapped his 0-for-3 games cold spell with a solid 3-for-4 with a SB, 2 RBI, and a BB. That raises his average to .285 and gives him 21 SB on the...

Homer Bailey (SP - CIN): Coming into the season I was pretty optimistic there was some post-hype sleeper potential in Homer Bailey. He had finished the 2010 season really strong and had made improvements in both his BB and...

Ervin Santana- LAA- Hot- Santana extended his string of quality starts to 6 with the 2nd best quality start possible, a no hitter. Only a perfect game would have been better. He did allow 1 unearned run, walked 1 and...

1. Rickie Weeks (2B - Brewers) - Really tough break for Rickie Weeks owners. He turned his ankle pretty hard while stretching out a single and had to be helped off the field. He will head to the disabled list...

Trevor Bauer is the first 2011 draftee to make a debut on the top-50 lists. As others (Gerritt Cole and co.) start to sign, we'll have a bit of shuffling on these lists. As it stands, Bauer inking his name...

Ricky Nolasco- FLA- Caution- Nolasco wasn't as bad as he was in his last outing, but he didn't pitch a quality start yesterday. He came close, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks in 5.2 IP while striking...

Jose Altuve - Altuve certainly doesn't look the part, standing 5'5" on a good day, but the new Astros' 2B can hit with the best of them. The 21 year old hit .408 in the Cal League to prompt a...

Alex Rios - It's almost like Adam Dunn and Alex Rios made a bet in the pre-season to see who could be worse in 2011. Right now, Dunn's probably winning but Rios isn't too far behind, especially with his .208/.255(!)/.301...

Michael Pineda (SP - SEA): Pineda made it three straight ugly starts as we shelled by the Red Sox for 7 ER's in just 4 1/3 innings of work. He allowed 8 hits and a BB, while striking out...

BJ Upton OF (TB) - With lots of speculation that Upton may be traded, there's a good chance that such a move would be beneficial to his fantasy value. For starters, only a contender would likely trade for Upton...

Ubaldo Jimenez - For all the hoopla about Ubaldo Jimenez's struggles earlier this season, the big right hander's stats entering today's outing against the Diamondbacks are close to his 2010 totals. He's striking out about the same number of batters...

Hunter Pence- HOU- Cold- We may be seeing some regression to the mean in action. Even with a 3-for-22 in his last 6 games Pence still has a BABIP of .374. He has been extremely lucky so far this season...

JP Arencibia C (TOR) - The Blue Jays got rolled last night, and JP Arencibia was the lone bright spot as he blasted 2 solo homers. Arencibia has solid power (now 14 homers and a .215 ISO) that should...

Jordan Walden- LAA- Caution- Although he has been saving games with regularity, Walden's strikeout numbers have been decreasing lately. After getting at least 1 K in 26 of his first 32 appearances this season, he only has strikeouts in 4...

Jhoulys Chacin (SP - COL): Chacin's struggles continued on Thursday as he 5 ER's on 4 hits and 7 BB's over 4 2/3 innings of work. It marked the 4th time in the last 5 outings Chacin has surrendered at...

1. Drew Stubbs (OF - Reds) - Stubbs was kept out of the lineup on Wednesday with knee issues after getting hit there by a pitch in Tuesday's game. Stubbs has been basically fantasy irrelevant in July with no HR...

Sampling of the 70+ weekly updates you get as a subscriber: NL 1 Bryce Harper WAS OF A+ Just .214 in 8 AA games, so cut him loose. Kidding of course. He's still great. 25 Trayvon Robinson LAD OF B+...

C. J. Wilson - After walking more than 4 batters per game in his first year as a full-time starter in 2010, C.J. Wilson has lowered his walk rate to just 2.91 this season which has played a major...

Chris Perez RP (CLE) - Perez blew a save and took the loss last night. He only got one out before giving up a 2-run walk off single by Danny Valencia. In total, Perez walked 2 batters and gave...

Dontrelle Willis- CIN- Rise Value- In some senses yesterday's start was better than his 2011 debut. He only lasted 4.2 IP, but there was a rain delay in there that threw things off. He allowed 5 hits, but only walked...

Mike Moustakas (3B - KC): Things continue to deteriorate for Mike Moustakas as he's mired in a 2-35 slump that has dropped his rookie batting line to just .212/.272/.269. He certainly hasn't been the beneficiary of good fortune as...

Rich Harden - Like that crazy girlfriend you just can't quit, Rich Harden intrigued fantasy baseball managers on Saturday by tossing 6 innings and allowing just 2 ER while striking out 9. In 18 innings since coming off the DL,...

Jeff Karstens (SP--Pirates) Jeff Karstens continues to surprise as he opened up the second half against Houston with a complete game shutout for his eighth win of the season. Houston helped Karstens cause as he only needed 83 pitches to...

Corey Hart (OF - MIL): Hart missed most of the first month of the season and became a bit of an afterthought for me in fantasy. After a slow start out of the gates he rebounded with a big...

Andruw Jones (OF--Yankees) In a one of his rare starts on Thursday, Andruw Jones hit two home runs for his fifth and sixth of the season. It was the second time this season that Jones had a multi-home run game...

Francisco Cordero RP (CIN) - Cordero blew his third straight save yesterday, and his owners should be nervous. His 2.54 ERA is extremely misleading; Cordero has a 4.06 FIP. His skills are in decline. If you don't believe that...

Eduardo Nunez (3B - NYY): Let's take a look at the new Yankees everyday 3B. Nunez showed intriguing skills in a short stint as an everyday player with the injury to Derek Jeter. He was making great contact (91%)...

Derek Jeter SS (NYY) - Even a Yankee hater such as myself can't help but getting giddy at the awesomeness of baseball, which was on fully display yesterday as Derek Jeter's 3,000th hit was a homerun on a day...

Aaron Harang (SP--Padres) Coming off the DL, not having much in almost a month, Aaron Harang couldn't have asked for better start other than maybe to have walked away with a win instead of a n-decision. Harang left Saturday's game...

Dontrelle Willis (SP--Reds) Well, look who's coming back into town: The D-Train. Yes, the Reds confirmed on Friday that Dontrelle Willis will be making his 2011 debut on Sunday against Milwaukee. The Reds have a void to fill with Edison...

Chase Utley (2B - PHI): It's been a while since we checked in on Chase Utley so let's see how his season has developed after missing the first 6 weeks of the season. Utley started slow hitting just .222/.364/.370...

1. Bud Norris (SP - Astros) - Norris did it again on Wednesday night. Another QS for the fireballer with a 7.0 IP, 2 ER performance that led to his 5th win of the season. That only makes him 10-for-18...

As a reminder, this is just a small sampling of hte 70+ prospect updates you'll get each week as a subscriber. National League 1 Bryce Harper WAS OF A+ .977 OPS with 19 SB but now the real test comes...

Justin Masterson (SP--Indians) Justin Masterson had perhaps one of his best outings of the year as he manhandled the Yankees for eight innings of scoreless baseball. He scattered three hits and two walks, struck out six for his seventh win...

1. Wandy Rodriguez (SP - Astros) - Wandy got roughed up a bit on Tuesday night, allowing 5 ER and 8 hits in 6 IP to get the loss. It was the 2nd time in his last 3 starts where...

Curtis Granderson (OF--Yankees) With the All-Star Break fast approaching, it's a great time to look at players who, if the season were to finish about now, would be considered for a possible MVP award. While Curtis Granderson would probably not...

Ubaldo Jimenez - Jimenez fanned 9 yesterday in just 5 1/3, but three runs allowed against Tommy Hanson was enough to send him to 3-8 on the year. The significant velocity drop and continually deteriorating GB rate have me very...

Justin Smoak (1B - SEA): Smoak went 0-2 on Sunday and is now mired in a rather extended 36-179 slump that has seen his average fall from .315 to .240 and has pushed his OPS down over 200 points....

Phil Humber - Humber moved to 8-4 yesterday with seven shutout innings against the Cubs, and he's now thrown five straight quality starts (and 11 out of 12). I'm becoming more and more impressed with the 28 year old, although...

Corey Luebke SP (SD) - Luebke's transition from reliever to start has been a great success thus far as he did not allow a run for the second consecutive start. His final line against the Mariners: 6 IP, 0...

Jair Jurrjens SP (ATL) - Jurrjens dominated the Orioles last night, tossing a complete game shutout. Jurrjens was more dominant than usual, striking out a season high of 8 batters while walking just 1. I know it seems like...

1. Francisco Liriano (SP - Twins) - Liriano started July on the right foot, posting a QS and earning a W (his 5th of the year). 7 of his last 9 starts, dating back to May 1st, have yielded 3...

David Wright (3B - NYM): The news flow on David Wright has been steadily positive this week as we heard early in the week that he was cleared to resume baseball activities and on Wednesday the Mets provided a...

CC Sabathia (SP--Yankees) CC Sabathia came up big again on Thursday logging his eleventh victory of the season against four defeats. Sabathia tied his career high in strikeouts with thirteen and walked just two through 7.2 scoreless innings and lowered...

Felix Hernandez- SEA- Caution- Hernandez gave up 10 hits and 3 walks leading to 5 runs in 7.2 IP while striking out 6. This was his second non-quality start in his last 5 and 3rd in his last 7 starts....

1. Mike Stanton (OF - Marlins) - Mike Stanton is going to finish the month of June with 5 HR. Not bad, but considering all 5 came in the first half of the month, we expected a huge breakout...

Note that this is just a sample of the the 70 or so prospect updates you get each week as a subscriber. National League 1 Bryce Harper WAS OF A+ Mini-slump has OPS down to a paltry .990. We think...

Doug Davis- CHN- Cold- Pitching the first game of a doubleheader, Davis needed to eat a lot of innings. He didn't. Davis ended up in there longer than he otherwise would have because of the twin bill and it ended...

Mark Teixeira 1B (NYY) - Teixeira had a 4 RBI day yesterday while hitting his 24th homer of the year in the process. Teixeira is on pace for a career high in homers. His current career high is 43,...

Kelly Johnson - Johnson did have an RBI triple and a pair of walks yesterday, but the massive K totals this year are killing his production. Johnson's ISO has maintained its expected bump from the move to Arizona last year...

Josh Tomlin - When Josh Tomlin owned a sub-3.00 ERA entering June, it was pretty clear he wasn't going to be able to maintain that level of success all season. And, predictably, Tomlin has posted a 6.60 ERA this month,...

Jered Weaver (SP - LAA): I spent much of the early portion of the season handling some sell high questions regarding Jered Weaver by poo-pooing them and noting he was a Top 10 starter for the rest of the...

Nelson Cruz - Cruz popped his eighth homer of the month yesterday in the 14-5 loss to the Mets, but the excellent ISO that he's posting this year is offset by deterioration almost everywhere else in his profile. His plate...

Jayson Werth - Jayson Werth went 0-for-3 with a walk Saturday against the White Sox. After 3 straight seasons with ISOs of .225 or better, Werth's power numbers have dipped since arriving in Washington. He owns just a .175 ISO...

Jordan Zimmermann (SP--Nationals) Perhaps joining the ranks of the underappreciated is Jordan Zimmermann who threw seven shutout innings on Friday, walking one, allowing six hits and striking out four but wound up with a no-decision. In the process, Zimmermann lowered...

Brandon Morrow (SP - TOR): We're Morrow-believers around these parts and Friday night was another great example why. Against a Cardinals lineup that hung up 12 on Roy Oswalt and the Phillies the night before, Morrow limited them to just...

1. Michael Pineda (SP - Mariners) - Just your typical 4-hit QS for Michael Pineda. He went 7.0 shutout innings while striking out 9 and recording just 1 BB. It was his 12th quality start out of 15 starts for...

Zach Britton- BAL- Rise Value- Britton continues to improve. Over his last 3 starts he has given up 5 earned runs in 17.1 IP on 16 hits and 5 walks while striking out 15 batters. In his start last night...

1. Ian Kennedy (SP - Diamondbacks) - Kennedy didn't have his best stuff on Wednesday night, but it was good enough to earn him his 8th win of the year and 11 QS in 16 appearances. You knew Kennedy was...

Coming soon: The 2011 draftees. Guys like Gerrit Cole, Dylan Bundy, etc. will be added to these lists as they sign on the dotted line. Note: This is just a sample of the more than 70 updates you get each...

Josh Beckett SP (BOS) - Beckett was scratched last night because of an illness, but it does appear that he'll start on Saturday against the Pirates. Frankly at this point, Beckett (1.86 ERA) is a must start anywhere, but...

Charlie Blackmon - Blackmon has impressed enough during his first few weeks with the club that Dexter Fowler was sent back to AAA upon his activation from the DL, exactly what Blackmon owners were hoping for. Blackmon isn't going to...

Alcides Escobar (SS - KC): Escobar continued his hot streak with a game-tying HR in the 9th inning off of Fernando Salas in a 2-3 effort that raised his average to .255. Escobar has now hit safely in 11...

Huston Street RP (COL) - Street picked up his 20th save of the season last night, but he also gave up another run. Over his first 10 saves, Street had a 2.20 ERA, but over his past 10 saves,...

Trevor Cahill - Trevor Cahill will try to break out of his recent slump and there aren't many better slump-busters for a pitcher than the Giants' offense. After posting a 1.88 ERA in March/April and a 2.72 mark in May,...

Doug Davis (SP--Cubs) Doug Davis got his first win of the season against five losses and it came against the New Yankees who were the unlikely victims. Davis pitched 7.1 innings and allowed just one earned run on three hits,...

1. Dustin Ackley (2B - Mariners) - The big news on the day is that Dustin Ackley finally got the call from the Mariners to join the big league squad. This call-up has been anticipated for awhile and he'll...

Zack Greinke (SP - MIL): After a string of 4 straight consecutive starts I thought the buy-low window had closed on Greinke, but after a tough afternoon on Thursday perhaps the window is slightly ajar again. Greinke gave up...

Chris Perez- CLE- Hot- Perez picked up his 17th save yesterday as the Indians pulled into a percentage points lead in the AL Central. The most significant thing about the performance was that Perez has now gone 8 games (covering...

This is just a sampling of the 70+ updates you get each week here as a subscriber... American League 4 Mike Moustakas KC 3B A 3-for-10 with a HR and 3 BB in first 3 games. Has to be exciting...

Jhoulys Chacin (SP--Rockies) Jhoulys Chacin pitched a terrific game against the Padres on Wednesday. Chacin picked up his eighth win against four losses, allowing just one earned run through six innings of work. He was relatively on the pitch count...

Chris Volstad- FLA- Cold- Volstad lost his 6th consecutive decision, getting battered by the Phillies. He allowed 8 runs on 10 hits and 2 walks while only striking out 2. Volstad has had problems keeping the ball in the park...

Justin Verlander SP (DET) - Justin Verlander was simply dominant last night, flirting with his second no hitter of the season. He "settled" for a complete game shutout in which he allowed just 1 walk and 1 hit while...

Anthony Rizzo - Rizzo is a must-have in all formats after being called up last week by the Padres, as despite Petco Park's limiting factors Rizzo is expected to be a solid power source in fairly short order. The 21...

Carlos Carrasco -- After loading the bases with nobody out in the 1st inning against the Yankees on Monday, Carlos Carrasco managed to get out of the inning without allowing a run and went on to completely dominated New York...

The following was just a sampling of the more than 100 player notes you'll get here daily as a subscriber... Allen Craig (OF-STL) - Tough break for Allen Craig, who is batting .336/.405/.523, but who is headed for the DL...

Francisco Liriano (SP - MIN): For all the crap we've given Liriano this year, Liriano was quite simply exceptional on Sunday. He had great fastball command something that has eluded him much of the season and it allowed him...

Justin Ruggiano - Ruggiano has started five of the last six games for the Rays (and has hit in all of them), as Tampa continues to find productive spare parts to remain firmly in contention. Ruggiano's persistent issues with contact...

Matt Garza - In his second start since coming off the DL, Matt Garza pitched well against the Phillies on Saturday, yielding just 1 ER in 6 innings while striking out 4 and walking 3. After a rough start...

Ryan Dempster SP (CHC) - My opinion on Dempster remains unchanged: buy low candidate. It may be taking longer than owners would like, but I'm confident Dempster will turn it around. Believe it or not, Dempster currently is posting...

1. Curtis Granderson (OF - Yankees) - Granderson finally hit his first HR of June on Thursday night, connecting for his 18th HR of the year and his first since May 31st. It also helps break a June skid that...

Jair Jurrjens (SP - ATL): This is becoming a bit ridiculous. Jurrjens made it 11-11 in quality starts on Thursday night with 7 strong innings against the Marlins. He allowed 6 hits and 2 ER's and went his 2nd...

Danny Duffy- KC- Rookie- Duffy looked worse in his second start than he did in his first. Control is still an issue for the 22-year-old. He threw the same 54 strikes in the same 96 pitches as he did in...

1. Ricky Nolasco (SP - Marlins) - Nolasco didn't earn the W on Wednesday night, but he did hurl a QS that included 7.1 IP, 2 ER, 8 H, 1 BB, and 5 K's. Nolasco has had some bumps in...

If you took a look at this week's rankings and wondered where the 2011 draftees are, don't worry, I know there was a draft. It is my policy to not add guys to the prospect rankings until they sign a...

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. The under and over producers are listed according to their projected rankings through...

Carlos Carrasco SP (CLE) - Carlos Carrasco tossed 8.1 shutout innings last night, earning the victory at home against the Twins. The peripherals were solid too as Carrasco struck out 6 while walking just 1 and giving up just...

1. David Price (SP - Rays) - David Price is starting to settle into a groove. Being inconsistent during the first two months of the season, Price has now posted 3 straight quality starts and has lowered his ERA to...

Note that this is just a small sample of the 80-100 player notes you get each day as a subscriber. Follow me on twitter - @vtadave Chris Carpenter (SP-STL) - Safe to say the window to "buy low" on Carpenter...

Bobby Abreu (OF - LAA): Abreu extended his hitting streak to 6 games on Sunday with a 2-3 effort that included his 10th SB of the season and 2 more BB's. At 37 it appears Abreu's showing little signs...

John Axford RP (MLW) - We had John Axford as a top 10 closer in the preseason, and after a rocky start Axford is making good on our prediction. He locked down his 15th save of the year yesterday...

Brian Duensing - Brian Duensing is learning a lesson about how luck plays into pitching stats such as wins and ERA. In 2010, Duensing posted a sparkling 2.62 ERA and went 10-3 for the Twins in 130 innings. However, he...

Ryan Braun (OF--Brewers) Ryan Braun was out of the starting lineup on Friday for the Brew Crew. It was the first time all season that Braun didn't start a game. Braun has a sore shoulder and the team decided to...

Kelly Johnson (2B - ARZ): Over the last two weeks Johnson's has done his best to make up for a horrific first six weeks of the season hitting .346/.393/.865 with 13 XBH's (6 HR's) in a 52 AB span....

Justin Smoak (1B - Mariners) - Smoak has been on a power tear lately. With his 9th HR of the year last night, Smoak now has 3 HR in his last 5 games. That raises his slugging to .464 and...

Felipe Paulino- KC- Hot- Paulino exceeded expectations in his first start for the Royals yesterday, throwing 5 shutout innings, allowing just 4 hits, walking no one and striking out 4. The conversion from relief back to starting may require a...

1. Rickie Weeks (2B - Brewers) - With another HR last night, Weeks has 3 HR in the last 8 games and has brought his season total to 10. The power has really emerged over the last three seasons and...

Note: this is just a sampling of he 70+ prospect updates you get each week as a subscriber. National League 1 Bryce Harper WAS OF A+ .184 in last 10 games to finish May with a .921 OPS for the...

Cliff Lee- PHI- Cold- Lee's record is below .500 again, at 4-5, after he had a poor performance in Washington. He allowed 6 runs on 7 hits and 3 walks while striking out 4 in 5.1 IP. Lee has continued...

Alexei Ramirez SS (CHW) - Entering the season, Fantistics had Alexei Ramirez as a top 5 SS with the only concern surrounding him being his lack of plate discipline. However, Ramirez has shown more patience this year (BB% up...

Chone Figgins - Perhaps the most damning indictment of Chone Figgins steep and drastic decline as a hitter is that the Mariners dropped him in the lineup on Monday from second to eighth and moved Brendan Ryan (!) up...

Elvis Andrus- TEX- Hot- Andrus was supposed to have the day off yesterday but instead ended up smacking a walk off single to win the game for the Rangers in the 9th. He had gone 2 for 15 in his...

Again, this is just as sample of the 100 or so updates you get each day as a subscriber. Follow me on Twitter - @vtadave Anthony Rizzo (1B-SD) - So what exactly are the Padres waiting for here? We'll get...

1. Wandy Rodriguez (SP - Astros) - Wandy Rodriguez landed on the 15-day DL yesterday after finding fluid in his elbow. The diagnosis sounds pretty bad, but Wandy was still able to throw a side session and only experienced slight...

Juan Miranda (1B--Diamondbacks) With Russell Branyan having been signed by the Angels, Juan Miranda only has Xavier Nady to split time with at first base. But having come back from a wrist injury on Thursday when he went 0-for-3, Miranda...

1. Adam Dunn (1B - White Sox) - Adam Dunn still hasn't turned it around and it has forced Ozzie Guillen to drop him in the lineup. He struck out 4 times on Thursday and that's all Ozzie had to...

Shaun Marcum - I've been touting Shaun Marcum as an underrated fantasy SP since the pre-season and he's lived up to the height so far, posting a 6-1 record with a sparkling 2.37 ERA and 2.69 FIP. The best...

C J. Wilson- TEX- Hot- I have just about completed the crossover from skeptic to believer where Wilson is concerned. He had two starts where he walked a total of 9 batters in 12 IP, but has only walked 2...

Mat Latos (SP - SD): I've been pretty vocal on the negative aspects and the risks associated with investing in Latos this year, so it's only fair when he puts together a really strong start that I highlight some...

This is just a sampling of the 70+ prospect updates we do here each week. For the full lists, subscribe today... National League 1 Bryce Harper WAS OF A+ The Nats made it official in the past week, saying no...

Jair Jurrjens (SP--Braves) Jair Jurrjens notched his sixth win of the season on Tuesday pitching 7.2 scoreless innings, He gave up six hits, walked one and struck out four. Jurrjens was able to lower his ERA to 1.56. It was...

Ricky Romero SP (TOR) - Earlier in the year I warned about Romero wearing down as the season went long and not to get overwhelmed by his early season peripherals (as I did last season). Well after posting a...

This is just a sampling of the 100 or so updates we provide daily. Subscribe now to get them all. Oh and follow me on Twitter - @vtadave Lyle Overbay (1B-PIT) - At some point here in the near future,...

Asdrubal Cabrera (2B - CLE): Asdrubal Cabrera sure had a day on Sunday. Cabrera went 5-5 with 2 HR's, 2 Runs, 5 RBI's, and even stole a bag. The big outing raised his 2011 line to .302/.363/.522 which looks...

Tim Lincecum (SP--Giants) It was prime Tim Lincecum on Saturday as the Giants beat up on their cross-the-bay rivals, the Oakland A's lead by the fine pitching of Lincecum. He pitched a complete game, three-hit shutout and didn't walk a...

Josh Tomlin - I wrote a couple weeks ago about how lucky Josh Tomlin had been through his first few starts. Well, it's a few weeks later and Tomlin's peripheral stats are still indicating that he should play the lottery....

Dominic Brown (OF--Phillies) It finally happened: Dominic Brown has been called up. Yes, it seems here at Fantistics we have been keeping a daily watch on the Brown situation with Shane Victorino having headed to the DL. Despite reports on...

David Murphy (OF - TEX): There might not be a more disappointing pickup that I make all season than David Murphy. As most know, prior to Nelson Cruz and Josh Hamilton going down I had touted Murphy as a...

Kyle McClellan (SP - STL): The magic of Dave Duncan is about the only explanation I can have for the success of converted reliever Kyle McClellan. McClellan posted his 6th quality start in 9 tries on Thursday afternoon, limiting...

Nick Swisher (OF - Yankees) - Swisher broke-out on Thursday with a 2-for-4 performance including 4 RBI's and a walk. I'm hoping we look back on this day as the day he turned his season around. I've written about Swisher...

Bartolo Colon- NYY- Hot- Colon had perhaps his best start yet of his comeback. He needed only 87 pitches to throw 8 shutout innings in which he gave up 3 hits and a walk while striking out 7. Colon keeps...

1. Albert Pujols (1B - Cardinals) - The homerun drought for Albert Pujols continues. His last homerun came on April 23rd, over 87 AB ago. This is from a guy who has a career AB/HR of 14.2 since 2001. I...