Kevin Millar - The player formerly known as an "idiot" is anything but an idiot at the plate. Millar has been on fire since the beginning of June. He has 8 HR and 31 RBI since June 1st with a .265 average, .367 OBP, and a 0.63 FPI. Some other key metrics of Millar's value includes a 23.1 HR/AB and a batting eye of 1.0 with 30 BB and 30 K's. The average is a little low and the FPI isn't anything spectacular, but he is hitting the long-ball and driving in runs (and scoring runs too, with 30 runs in the same time period). He's a low-end option, but not a bad fill-in utility guy when he's this hot.
Armando Galarraga - The bullpen just couldn't hold the lead for Galarraga, so he didn't get the W in yesterday's quality start. He did hurl 7.0 IP and gave up just 1 ER on 4 hits with 4 K's and no walks. Galarraga has certainly been under-rated and has pitched extremely well all season. He has given up 3 ER or less in 11 of his last 13 starts and, for the season, is 9-4 with a 3.23 ERA in 119.2IP with 19 starts (and 20 appearances). He'll take the hill against the A's this weekend, a team he has yet to start against this season. However, he did face them in relief and he gave up 3 ER. I wouldn't put too much value in that one relief appearance...Galarraga is in a groove and should continue to be started in most league formats.
Mike Aviles - I wrote about Aviles a few weeks ago in value picks and just continues to rake at the plate. With 7 hits in 12 AB this weekend, the KC shortstop raised his average to .340 for the season. This isn't just a one weekend phenomenon. Since July 1st, Aviles is hitting .357 with a .943 OPS, 0.82 FPI, and a XBH% of 57%. Aviles may have spent a lot of time in the minor leagues, but he is certainly making up for it with his bat at the big league level. According to CBSSports.com, Aviles is still only owned in about 63% of leagues. As long as he keeps hitting like this, that ownership level will continue to rise as the fantasy playoffs draw near.
Francisco Liriano - Francisco Liriano looked really good on Sunday. He showed confidence in his pitches (especially his fastball, even with a loss in velocity from a couple of years ago) and despite the occasional control rustiness, still managed a quality start in his first start since April. His line was 6.0 shutout innings, 5 K's, 3 BB, and 3 hits for the W. If he hasn't already been grabbed in your leagues, your fellow league-mates are undoubtedly running to the waiver wires for Liriano. Coming off of Tommy John surgery, he will likely have some ups and downs and I would be shocked if he returned to his dominant self in 2008. However, he's definitely a top-notch pitcher with the most up-side on the wires. He's worth the claim.
Dustin Pedroia - Pedroia has run into a bit of a "slump" recently, but his overall season stats are still excellent. His average has dropped from .322 on July 19th to .313 as of today, but he still hit .350 for the entire month of July with a .398 OBP. Pedroia has been especially valuable this season for two main reasons: doubles and stolen bases. He hit his 33rd double of the season, which helps his slugging percentage and gives him 207 total bases for the year. He also has 11 swipes in 12 attempts, which helps drive a 0.67FPI out of the second baseman. His minor average drop is nothing of concern and Pedroia should see a huge bump in ADP (average draft positions) in 2009.
There are over 100 player news blurbs posted in the member area each morning. Members can read the rest of today's player news by clicking here. Not a member? Join today.
