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 season, so it's possible that they will choose to re-sign Ichiro, in which case I'd move him pretty far up my draft board. It's clear that he likes hitting in Yankee Stadium, as he's 360/388/577 in almost 120 ABs there this season, and he seems re-energized playing in meaningful late-season games as well.
Justin Smoak - Smoak singled and doubled yesterday, and he's hitting .358 for the month of September with a significantly reduced K rate. If memory serves, this will be the third year in a row that a hot September kindles hope for a Smoak breakout the following season, so color me skeptical regarding the 25 year old's chances for a big 2013. Still, he has had preposterously bad luck with balls hit into play this year, and he clearly has 20-HR power. I think the stardom ship has sailed here, but Smoak could become an adequate second-division starter, and I'd be inclined to value him as a low-end CIF in deeper leagues next year.
Desmond Jennings - After three more hits yesterday, Jennings has 8 hits, 10 runs, 5 RBI, 6 BB, and 3 XBH in his past 5 games. A bit of a disappointing BABIP has turned a subpar year into a poor one for the 25 year old Jennings...an extra 15 points or so of AVG would make things look quite a bit differently. He's had some back and knee problems this year, so maybe it's that, or perhaps it's a chase rate that's 5% higher than last season. Whatever it is, I expect a rebound in 2013 as Jennings accelerates into his prime. Better numbers in every category wouldn't be surprising in the least.
Andy Dirks - Dirks doubled and tripled yesterday, giving him his sixth multi-hit game in the last 10. He's played almost half a season to this point, and he's scored over 50 runs already batting in front of Cabrera and Fielder, while providing 29 XBH and a .318 AVG with a rather low K rate. I remain a big supporter, and I'd certainly be looking for him next year barring any changes to the Tiger OF mix.
Moises Sierra - Sierra is getting some PT as a partial audition for 2013, and he does have an intriguing power/speed combo for a relatively inexperienced (roughly four full minor league seasons as an almost-24 year old) outfield prospect. Still, with a sub-70% contact rate I can't imagine that he'll be able to put the bat on the ball enough to hold down a spot for very long, despite the fact that he could post a 20/20 season if he played every day. He's no more than a deep league sleeper for me next season, and I don't expect him to play much of a role for a competitive Jays team.
