Orlando Arcia (SS, MIL) - Arcia come up with just one hit in the Brewers' 4-3 extra inning win over the Cubs Saturday, but it was a big one. The young shortstop hit his 15th home run of 2017 in the win. On the season, Arcia is slashing .272/.322/.408, with 49 RBI and 13 steals, in addition to the 15 home runs, in what is quietly becoming a nice all-around fantasy year. Currently he is performing just inside the top 15 at the position, and has been a valuable addition in deeper leagues since being called up. In order to be a more trusted player in 2018, the .315 BABIP and 84 wRC+ will have to come up a bit, meaning he will be helping the lineup put more runs across the plate. It would not be a bad thing to see the OBP come up a bit as well, and an increased BABIP would help that as well. Arcia makes for a nice breakout potential player in 2018.
Travis Shaw (3B, MIL) - Shaw came up big in the Brewers 4-3 win over the Cubs at Miller Park. The slugger was 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBI, and the homer just happened to be of the walk off variety, to down the Cubs in extra innings. Shaw is having a career season, with a slash line of .276/.351/.526 with 31 home runs, 99 RBI and 10 stolen bases, which is good enough to make him a top ten player at the position. The OBP is being helped out by a career high 9.7% BB%, as well as a .313 BABIP. His hard contact rate of 37.4% is also a career high, and is a direct reason for his career high in home runs. He will be a popular name at the position, as he will look to build upon an impressive 2017 campaign, and is a nice mid round selection if you miss out on the top players at the hot corner in your drafts' early rounds.
Kyle Hendricks (SP, CHC) - Hendricks pitched well in the Cubs' 4-3 victory at Miller Park over the Brewers Saturday, but did not factor into the decision. The 27-year-old went six innings, scattering eight hits, while allowing just one earned run and striking out six while walking one. On the season, Hendricks is 7-5 with a 3.14 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP and 114 strikeouts in 134.2 innings. His performance has him ranked just inside the top 50 starters in the league, and has been a nice middle of the rotation option for owners. His numbers have been helped by an impressive 81.4% strand rate, as well as a .270 BABIP, which is below league average. His HR/FB rate is at 15.5%, and is way too high, but the strand rate has allowed him to limit the damage a bit. With a high scoring offense behind him, and a solid overall season under his belt, Hendricks makes for a nice mid round option in 2018 drafts.
Tommy Pham (OF, STL) - Pham was a big part of the Cardinals offense, even though they came up short in the 11-6 loss to the Pirates on Saturday. Pham was 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBI on the day. The 29-year-old continues to have a breakout campaign, and is sitting just outside the top five at the position with a .312/.411/.520 line. Add in 22 home runs, 71 RBI, 23 steals, and 91 runs scored, and you have a legitimate breakout player for the 2017 season. His .397 wOBA, .210 ISO, and .376 BABIP indicate production, along with extra base hits. His 12.9% BB% helps the outstanding OBP stay high also. Pham will be a popular player going into 2018, and figures to come at a hefty price, however, if he can give you 20 homers, 80 RBI, 20 steals, and 90 runs again, it could be worth it.
Giancarlo Stanton (OF, MIA) - Stanton launched longball number 57 Saturday as the Marlins doubled up the Diamondbacks 12-6. The Marlins slugger is currently on pace to hit 60, and has been one of the most fun players to watch this season, as health has been on his side, and allowed him to show his true power potential. Overall, Stanton is slashing .280/.376/.635 with the impressive 57 home runs, 125 RBI and 118 runs scored. What is most impressive about the power surge, is that his hard contact is actually down from last year and sits at 38.8%, but the .352 ISO shows just how much pop Stanton has. Heading into the off season, it could be an eventful one in South Florida as the Marlins change owners, and have begun to make changes in the front office. It is also rumored they will want to cut payroll, which may mean we see Stanton in another uniform in 2018. Where he ends up could impact his fantasy outlook a bit, but he has that kind of raw power that works in any stadium.
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