Danny Salazar (SP-CLE). Salazar picked up his first win of the season on Friday night against the White Sox, although the win came at a cost - 3 ER on 5 hits and 3 BBs over 5 innings. -Salazar did manage to post 6 Ks against the free-swinging White Sox, so the evening wasn't a total loss. Salazar has to be considered a disappointment to this point, given his average draft position. Better days should be ahead for Salazar, though, as he is suffering from a .388 BABIP and a 68.6 strand rate. Salazar does need to regain some control of the strike zone, as he is walking more than a batter per inning more than he did in his MLB debut last year. Owners are advised to keep an eye on Salazar's walk rate, but, especially given his average acquisition cost, Salazar owners are advised to stay the course for now.
John Danks (SP-CHA). Regression to the mean hit Danks hard on Friday night, as he gave up 8 ER over only five innings, on ten hits and 3 BB, while striking out only 3. The outing raised Danks' ERA to an even 5.00. Danks is simply not a good bet on a go forward basis, as even after the shellacking by the Indians, Danks is still benefiting from a .288 BABIP and a 6.1% HR/FB rate. Further regression is still possible, making Danks a pitcher to stay away from in all formats.
Vidal Nuno (SP-NYA). Nuno made his third start in place of the injured Ivan Nova against the Rays on Friday night aSnd lasted only 4.2 innings giving up 4 ER on 5 hits with 3 walks and only 2 Ks. Although Nuno's peripherals had some analysts touting him as an advantageous pickup prior to this evening's outing, Nuno's actual performance to this point has been disappointing. After tonight's outing, Nuno's FIP is 5.74 and his xFIP is 4.23. Nuno is suffering from a 4.91 BB/9 rate, and until he can establish better control of the strike zone, Nuno is not a recommended add.
Dan Straily (SP-OAK). Straily lasted only 4.1 innings against the Red Sox on Friday night, giving up 2 ER on 4 hits and 3 walks. Straily continues to underperform his peripherals, as Friday's outing leaves him with an actual ERA of 5.01 as opposed to an xFIP of 4.11. Straily's primary problem is a 15.6% HR/FB rate, as his 8.63 K/9 and 3.06 BB/9 rate are certainly respectable. Until Straily can correct his problems with the HR ball, he should probably be avoided in mixed leagues.
Jonathan Schoop (2B-BAL). Schoop appears to have won the Orioles' 2B job, as he has started 7 of the past 8 games (with the one exception being the first game of a doubleheader). Schoop went 1 for 4 on Friday night, running his season line to .235/.278/.388. While Schoop does offer significant power upside, he is only fantasy relevant in AL only leagues, as he presents a significant BA risk (he is hitting only .235 even supported by a .316 BABIP). His plate discipline has been atrocious to this point (28.9%) and until he can reduce the strikeout rate, it will be virtually impossible for him to provide positive contributions in the BA category.
