Josh Bell(1B/OF-PIT): Bell went 4-for-6 with a double, one run and four RBIs against the Rockies. Bell has slugged .480, posting 17 homers and 52 RBIs through 95 games this season. And I think the best has yet to arrive for the young Pirate. He has posted a .266 BABIP while carrying a 33 percent hard hit rate within a ground-ball heavy batted ball profile. That he's already walking 10 percent of the time while striking out less than 20 percent of the time bodes well for his development. Bell is a must-start in all standard formats for the remainder of the season and remains an underappreciated fantasy asset in keeper formats.
Randal Grichuk(OF-STL): Grichuk went 2-for-4 with a homer, two runs, two RBIs and a walk Friday against the Cubs in his first game back from the DL. The Cardinals brass has worked with the slugger on his pitch recognition and plate discipline, but the results have been mixed. While his walk rate is up from last season, it still only sits at 6.9 percent; his strikeout rate has actually increased to 30.5 percent. I do see improvement in Grichuk's overall approach, and his 45 percent fly ball rate and 43 percent hard hit rate are difficult to ignore in fantasy circles. While I've been bearish on Grichuk up until this point, I think there is something here and see him finding extra motivation with the Tyler O'Neill trade.
Paul DeJong(INF-STL): DeJong went 1-for-5 with a double and two RBIs against the Cubs. The 32-year-old rookie is writing quite the story with 10 homers in his first 44 games. His 37 percent hard hit rate and 44 percent fly ball rate, along with his track record, support the power that he's demonstrated with St. Louis. However, he continues to struggle with his approach, as he's carrying a 4:53 BB:K ratio in the Majors after posting a 9:46 mark at Triple-A. His multi-positional eligibility and hold (for now) on playing time make him a solid pickup and start in most standard formats that use AVG, but I see pitchers adjusting and DeJong struggling as we approach August. Don't forget about Aledmys Diaz.
Miguel Rojas(INF-MIA): Rojas went 2-for-4 with a run scored against the Reds. Miguel Rojas is a 28-year-old journeyman who has hit three career homers in the Majors. And he is a player I recommend picking up in deeper formats. Why? Back from a right thumb injury, Rojas is likely to earn nearly regular at-bats across the infield as the Marlins deal with the injury to Martin Prado and prepare to navigate the trade deadline. He's also a superb contact hitter (85 percent career contact rate) who has the potential to contribute a handful of stolen bases down the stretch. If you've been hit by the injury bug in a 14+ team mixed league, give Rojas a go.
Gerardo Parra(OF-COL): Parra ($3900 on FanDuel) looks like a great play in both cash games and tournaments today for his matchup at home against Chad Kuhl. The Pirates right-hander has allowed a .381 wOBA to lefties (.416 on the road) while throwing fastballs 63 percent of the time. Parra has posted a .373 wOBA vs. righties (.449 at home) while producing a positive 9 pitch value on fastballs. Parra should have a prime spot in the lineup today too, and with his hot hitting vs. lefties, he should hold plenty of upside as the Rockies dig into the Pirates pen.
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