Thank you for being with us with this year. Hopefully championships were won and a lot of fun was had!*
Bryce Harper-Nationals-OF
Bryce Harper was 1-3 with 2 runs scored and a walk in the win against the Marlins. Harper is slashing .269/13/32 over 350 AB's. Harper has had a very solid second half. He has slashed .281/11/21. Hopefully, Harper can carry this type of success into the playoffs and into the 2015 season. Harper will continue to be drafted high based upon his popularity and potential, but 2015 might just be the breakout season we all have expected from him. It's put up or shut up time for Harper.
Starling Marte-Pirates-OF
Starling Marte was 1-5 with a run scored in the loss to the Reds. Marte is slashing .291/13/56 with 29 SB. Marte is an underrated fantasy player. He does a little bit of everything, but is not great at any one of them. Marte has been phenomenal in the second half for the Pirates. He has slashed .354/8/24 with 8 SB. Marte does have a tendency to strikeout a lot, but in the second half he cut his K% from 27% to 18%. If he can continue to improve his plate discipline, he could be a breakout candidate for 2015.
Stephen Strasburg-Nationals-SP
Stephen Strasburg went 6 innings and gave up 0 ER on 2 hits, 1 walk, and 7 strikeouts in the win against the Marlins. Strasburg finished the regular season with a 3.14 ERA over 215 innings and 242 strikeouts. Strasburg has lost some of his luster since his initial call-up, but he still remains one of the games better pitchers. Other than the occasional dud of a start, Strasburg has enjoyed a very fine 2014 season. He has a career high 5.60 K/BB ratio. Strasburg's career low 1.81 BB/9 was a great sign going forward for him. Limiting the number of men on base and coupling that with this strikeout ability, made Strasburg dominant in 2014. His fastball can be hittable at times (.319 BABIP and 23% LD), which is why his ERA is higher than you expect. Strasburg still has big upside, but remains just out of the top tier of SP for fantasy in 2015.
Andrew McCutchen-Pirates-OF
Andrew McCutchen was 1-3 with a run scored, a RBI, and 2 walks. McCutchen is slashing .314/25/83 with 18 SB. McCutchen has had a better season than a year ago. Yes, his stats are not what they were a year ago, but he missed time with a broken rib/oblique injury down the stretch. Cutch has a higher BB%, .ISO, and .OPS than during his MVP season. Cutch was also much more efficient stealing bases (18 for 21). McCutchen is in the prime of his career and should once again be one of the top 5 players taken next year.
Francisco Liriano-Pirates-SP
Francisco Liriano went 5 innings and gave up 3 ER on 5 hits, 5 walks, and 5 strikeouts in the loss to the Reds. Liriano ends the regular season with a 3.38 ERA over 162.1 IP with 175 K's to 81 walks. Liriano was dominant in the second half. He posted a 2.00 ERA and opponents hit .184 against him. Liriano posted back-to-back strong seasons for the Pirates. He will be a free agent this off-season and his outlook for the 2015 season will depend on where he lands. Liriano benefited greatly from having Russell Martin as his catcher and pitching at the spacious PNC Park. Liriano still has the above average ability to strike batters out and has been able to limit his free passes the past two years. If Liriano leaves for the American League, his value will drop, but he will still remain an intriguing fantasy option regardless of his new home.
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