Ian Desmond (3B-Nationals) $3100
Ian Desmond has finally started to hit the ball with authority of late. In 65 PA's since July 20, he has clubbed 5 HR's, driven in 11, and scored 12 runs while batting .293 with a .410 wOBA. This is in stark contrast to his season numbers which stand at a woeful .217 BA and a .276 wOBA. We all know that Desmond can be a streaky hitter, but his performance over the first 14 weeks of the season left many scratching their head at his absolute futility at the plate. His 29.6% K rate has been a big problem throughout, and despite his improved hitting since the All-Star Break, his K rate during this hot streak actually went up to 33%. Until he brings this number down, we can't feel comfortable that he will produce like this for the remainder of the season. However, I would certainly ride him while he is hot, and his $3100 price on DraftKings makes him an attractive play on Saturday.
Dexter Fowler (OF-Cubs)
Dexter Fowler had three hits today including his 11th HR, a double, and a stolen base but his overall numbers still remain disappointing with a .238/.330/.374 slash line. At 29, it appears that the power that everyone hoped would develop will not. Not that Fowler lacks value, his 69 runs scored and 17 SB's are very nice, and he will probably top his career high of 14 HR's this year. Fowler has made better contact than he has at any time in his career, but the contact he has made has not been hard contact with a 24.9% rate which is the lowest of his career. Fowler just seems to be one of those players that should be better than he is, and on a team on the rise like the Cubs, it really stands out. Unless he begins to pick it up, it could cost him playing time with hot hitting Rookie Catcher Kyle Schwarber scheduled to get more starts in the OF.
Hector Rondon (RP- Cubs)
Hector Rondon picked up his 18th save on the season with 2K's and 1 walk in 1.2 innings of pitching. He has pitched very well since the end of July and has picked up 6 saves in his last 6 appearances. During this stretch, Rondon has averaged a K/inning and has his kept his walk rate in check at 1.8/9 innings. Coupled with a 1.80 ERA and no HR's given up, this is clearly his best stretch of the season. His numbers for the season are no less impressive with an overall 1.84 ERA, but he has really benefited from a .265 BABIP and an 80.5% LOB rate. Rondon has a good but not great 10.2% swinging strike rate, although the gas is there with a 95.4 mph four seam fastball. His slider has been a less effective pitch for him this season so he has depended on his heater to make up the difference. Rondon's long range numbers, especially his 3.17xFIP, suggest that he won't be quite this good the remainder of the season, and if he falters there are no lack of alternatives in the Chicago bullpen with Jason Motte, Pedro Strop, and Rafael Soriano.
Yasmany Tomas (OF- Arizona)
Yasmany Tomas is not in the Diamondbacks' lineup Friday as he seems to be losing time recently with the return of Ender Inciarte. Tomas has a respectable .298/.331/.423 line in 86 games, but he has not shown the considerable power potential that was projected for him with only 6 HR's on the season. Part of the issue for Tomas has been a badly timed swoon at the plate in July, where he has only hit .260 and his K% has risen to 24.6%. Tomas hits the ball hard at 33% but he has an alarming 42.4% Chase Rate and his 55% GB rate is not a prescription for an increase in power production. With 4 OF's for 3 positions, Tomas will continue to lose time if he doesn't start to hit with better authority.
Nori Aoki (OF-Giants)
Nori Aoki was not in the Giants' starting lineup on Friday but had 2 hits and a HR after he entered the game replacing Maxwell in LF. Aoki's brilliant start to the season was derailed by a broken leg which caused him to miss 5 weeks of play. Since his return in late July, he has batted a meager .176 and has not stolen a base. Hopefully today's performance will be a sign that he getting his timing back. Before his injury, he was getting All-Star buzz with a .313 BA and 33 runs scored in 294 PA's with 12 SB's and a .339 wOBA. Aoki is an elite contact hitter at 91.5%, so he could certainly still be a very valuable bat over the final third of the season.
@stevietheshu
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