Michael Conforto (OF-NYY): Conforto went 2 for 2 and scored a run in the Sirius XM All-Star Futures Game. Many Mets' fans are clamoring for his promotion, and given the injuries and struggles with the big club (sorry, Kirk Nieuwenhuis), I see it as a strong possibility. Conforto is an advanced bat out of College and has done nothing but hit since his professional debut, actually improving in AA, where he has posted a .312/.394/.475 line with a 19:32 BB:K ratio in 31 games. He could easily grow into the type of player Matt Holiday has been for the past few season: not flashy, but solid and consistent. Re-drafters with deep benches and all keeper leaguers should give him a look.
Trea Turner (SS-WAS): Trea Turner went 2 for 2 and drove in 2 runs in the Futures Games. With Ian Desmond's pending free agency, Turner looks like the heir apparent ready to take the reigns in 2016. The speedster destroyed AA pitching before the Nats promoted him to AAA, where he has held his own with a .748 OPS, 2 homers, and 2 steals in 16 games. He has displayed surprising power and a solid approach alongside his trademark 70-grade speed. The Nats may call him up in September as a pinch runner and to give him a taste of the show before he takes over at SS in 2016, after which he should quickly develop into a fantasy stud.
Jeremy Jeffress (RP-MIL): With the MLB trade deadline rapidly approaching, now could be the time to speculate on arms like Jeremy Jeffress for saves. I love the 59% GB rate and 23% K-rate; and while he's walking 8% of the batters he faces, the number is much improved from his days in the minors. Many are touting Will Smith as the next-in-line should the Brewers trade K-Rod, but I see Jeffress, whom the Brewers have viewed as a high-leverage arm, as a sneaky pickup during the next FAAB period.
Santiago Casilla (RP-SF): Although he picked up the 23rd save of the season, Santiago Casilla posted another adventurous 9th inning, allowing another earned run on 2 hits. He has walked 9% of the batters he has faced to give him an ugly 1.37 WHIP. Lefties have posted an incredible .440 wOBA against Casilla. Unless he can improve the control and his plan against lefties, look for Hunter Strickland, who has posted a 26:5 K:BB ratio in 20 and 2/3 innings, as a sleeper for saves in the second half.
Chris Heston (SP-SF): Chris Heston dominated the inept Phillies lineup, allowing 1 earned run and striking out 7 in 6 and 2/3 innings. Although he remains vulnerable to the BABIP gods with an average swinging strike rate and slightly above average K-rate, Heston has demonstrated more consistency, not allowing more than 3 earned runs in a start since June 2nd. The stretch has witnessed mitigation of his two biggest weaknesses--his handling of lefties and of hostile environments--with their respective wOBA's now at .338 and .315. He is not a recommended sell-high candidate.
Join us today for additional player updates and so much more!
Follow us on Twitter @fantistics & @walterkuberski
