Danny Espinosa (INF-WAS) - Sure, the Nats scored 16 runs and Bryce Harper homered again, but how about Espinosa's day Thursday? He went 5-for-5 (all singles) with three runs scored. He didn't have an RBI, as all the runners kept being driven home by guys ahead of him in the lineup. The big game improved Espinosa's slash to .267/.356/.461. He's getting time at first base with Ryan Zimmermann sidelined and should continue to play nearly every day at some position. He's really dropped off the last couple years, batting .158 and .219, but there appears to be life left in him yet. Espinosa's excellent glovework should keep him around as a utility guy, but if he keeps this up at the plate, he should have a chance at an everyday gig.
Kyle Schwarber (C/OF-CHC) - Schwarber got a semi-surprise promotion this week and will reportedly serve as the team's DH for the six interleague games on tap this week. After that, Schwarber is slated to see his first taste of Triple-A after batting .320/.438/.579 with 13 home runs and a 49:42 K:BB in 197 at-bats at the Double-A level. Schwarber profiles as an All-Star catcher given his bat, but questions remain as to his ultimate position - behind the dish or at a corner outfield spot. He probably has an easier path as an OF this year given the presence of Miguel Montero, but the Cubs could look to move on from Montero this winter if they feel Schwarber can handle the position defensively. Get him in your lineups this week, as it's always possible he shreds the pitching he sees in these six games and sticks around.
Chris Rusin (SP-COL) - And yes, this is why you're playing with fire by trusting any Rockies pitchers. Rusin surrendered seven runs on nine hits over just four innings in a loss to the Astros on Tuesday. Since opening 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA in his first three outings, Rusin's last two look as follows: 9.1 IP, 20(!) hits, 13 ER, 4 BB, 4 K. Rusin is 28 with no real big league track record, but given the ugly state of the Colorado rotation, he could get more chances. That or the Rockies could decide that prospect Jonathan Gray couldn't be any worse.
Michael Wacha (SP-STL) - Rain limited Wacha to 86 pitches Tuesday against the Twins, but he managed to still go a strong 6.1 innings. Wacha allowed two runs on just three hits while walking one and recording five strikeouts. The outing actually caused Wacha's ERA to worsen - from 2.45 to 2.48. Wacha has improved his strikeout rate in his last seven starts, posting an 8.7 K/9 after recording just a 4.7 mark in his first five starts. With Shelby Miller in Atlanta, Lance Lynn on the shelf, and Adam Wainwright out for the year, the Cardinals really needed their young guys to step up, and both Wacha and Carlos Martinez have done just that. Wacha is probably never going to be a 220-strikeout guy, but with his arsenal, 200 strikeouts annually in his prime is an attainable goal. Just wait though Cardinals' fans, more help is on the way in the form of Alex Reyes.
Jason Heyward (OF-STL) - Heyward went 0-for-3 versus the Twins on Tuesday, dropping his slash to a poor .254/.297/.380. A huge year at the plate could land Heyward $150 million or more in free agency this winter, but it's just not happening. Interestingly, in 50 at-bats, Heyward is batting .320/.382/.440 versus lefties and just .238/.275/.369 versus RHP (prior to Tuesday). The reverse split comes on the heels of Heyward posting a .477 OPS versus southpaws last year, so I guess that's one good thing that has come of his 2015 season so far. Besides the lack of power, Heyward is also walking in just 5.8% of his PA's versus 10.8% for his career. He doesn't strike out a lot, and he could steal 15-20 bases again, but if he's going to get the big contract, it's going to be on the basis of his glove and age (26 in August). For a guy who looked to be a future All-Star with the bat after posting an .849 OPS for the Braves in his age 20 season, Heyward's work at the plate has steadily regressed, and there's no real reason to predict a return to .800+ OPS seasons.
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