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, highlighting one of his biggest improvements this year: the ability to miss bats. He's made huge strides in swinging strike% and K rate to go along with major improvement in BB rate and GB rate as well, with a bit of a velocity uptick thrown in for good measure. I've been incredibly impressed thus far, and he's actually had a pretty difficult schedule to boot. That 4.48 ERA might be scaring a few people away still....he's only owned in 4% of ESPN leagues, but his peripherals look like that of a much more successful pitcher. I believe that he should be owned in most formats...that 3.59 FIP ERA is pretty indicative of what he's capable of if these improvements are maintained.
Andrelton Simmons - Andrelton Simmons is getting the call to replace Tyler Pastornicky as the starting SS in Atlanta, and the 22 year old went 1-7 with a double in his first two games over the weekend. Simmons is less than two years removed from his pro debut, but thus far has shown solid contact skills and good speed during his three stops in the Braves' minor league system. His power seems to be increasing as well, going from none to marginal over the past few seasons. I'd be surprised if he were ready to contribute much this soon, but in the deepest of formats he ought to be a worthwhile pickup for some steals and in anticipation that he shouldn't hurt your average much. Down the road he definitely has some potential, particularly if he fills out a bit....maybe a homeless man's Starlin Castro?
Lucas Duda - Duda homered again last night, giving him 4 along with 9 RBI's during this modest five game hitting streak, and more importantly he's pulled his ISO up to .176, getting it closer to expectations finally. Some of the underlying stats point to even better performances to come, as Duda's LD rate, chase%, and swinging strike% would all lead you to believe that he should be hitting better than he has been. His extremely patient approach at the plate (swing% under 40) is likely the primary reason for the big K rate this year, which is OK with me as long as the contact rate and power are still there when he does swing. I'm still positive on Duda, and expect better numbers the rest of the way...he shouldn't hurt you in AVG and ought to put up close to 25 homers.
Ryan Vogelsong - Vogelsong tossed his 7th straight quality start yesterday against the Cubs, which coincidentally was his 7th straight start in a pitchers' park. Vogelsong has regressed in every important underlying statistical indicator this season except the luck-based figures, leading me to believe that at some point we're going to see some negative starts here. The rest of his month is a bit tougher but not especially so: TEX, @SEA, @LAA, and LAD. At least there's one park in there where flyballs don't go to die. With a 4.40 xFIP ERA (Fielding independent ERA normalized for HR/FB) but a miniscule 2.38 ERA, I remain firmly in the sell high camp on Vogelsong.
Christian Friedrich - Friedrich is settling into a familiar pattern, as through six starts he's had two blowups (both at home) and four solid outings (three QS, all 4 on the road). Last night was in Arizona, where he shut out the D-Backs over seven innings to move to 4-1 on the year. He's had solid control and a very good K rate thus far, but the GB rate is poor, he's been lucky on balls in play despite the .367 BABIP, and his swinging strike% doesn't quite support a K rate this high. I think some regression, likely back into the high-3.00's, should be expected, making him a solid back-end starter in many formats. Picking your spots (i.e. - road starts only) would seem wise.
