Christopher Morel, OF, CHC
Morel went 2-4 with a HR and a SB against the Padres on Thursday and is now up to 5 HR's and 7 SB's through 28 games this season. Combine that with a .283/.359/.513 slash line, 20 runs scored, and 14 RBI, and Morel has been an all-around fantasy contributor since his debut about a month ago. His BA may be a bit bloated as he currently boasts a .355 BABIP, but he has been hitting the ball hard (45.0% HardHit%) and has very good speed. He has been batting leadoff regularly for the Cubs which only increases his fantasy value.
Beau Brieske, SP, DET
Breiske had another strong performance against the Rangers on Thursday, going 7 shutout IP, while allowing just 3 hits and 2 BB's and striking out 6. It has been a strong June for the rookie right-hander, who has posted an 0.96 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, and 15:3 K:BB across 18.2 IP in 3 starts this month. While he has a solid 3.79 ERA for the season, his xFIP is a mediocre 4.63, although that number has dropped to the mid-3.00's since the start of June. He had struck out fewer than 5 batters in each of his first 7 starts this season, but has now tallied at least 6 K's in two of his last three turns. The uptick in performance is encouraging, although he is still not an amazing fantasy option, especially with limited win capacity pitching for a Tigers team with an anemic offense.
Ryan Mountcastle, 1B, OF, BAL
Mountcastle went 2-5 with a run and 2 RBI against the Blue Jays on Thursday, marking his 3rd consecutive game with multiple hits and multiple RBI. Mountcastle has heated up recently, hitting .317 with 7 HR's, 7 double, and 16 RBI over his last 16 games. During that time, his EV has risen to an elite 95.7 and he has lowered his K% to 21.7%. He's still a bit behind his pace of 33 HR's last season, but his HardHit% is actually 10% higher than last year, and his .313 xBA and .593 SLG indicate that his current marks (.270 and .488 respectively) may very well continue to rise. Good for you if you stuck with the young slugger during his early season struggles.
Anthony Rizzo, 1B, NYY
Rizzo went 2-4 with a game-winning HR against the Rays on Thursday, and drove in both Yankee runs in the contest. After a slow May, Rizzo is heating up here in June, as he now has 5 HR's and 14 RBI in 14 games this month. He has really benefited from playing in Yankee Stadium as 12 of his 16 HR's this season have come at home, and his .911 home OPS (entering Thursday) dwarfs his .631 road mark. He has taken advantage of his current settings, raising his FB% to a career-high 48.6% (career 39.0%). As long as he's a member of the Yankees, Rizzo should remain a good source of power.
Kyle Schwarber, OF, CHC
Schwarber went 2-4 with 2 HR's and 3 RBI against the Nationals on Thursday and is now up to 18 HR's on the year. Schwarber has found his power stroke here in June, as he has thus far smashed 7 HR's and 4 doubles while collecting 14 RBI in 14 games this month. That still doesn't match last June when he hit 16 HR's in 27 games, but we'll take it. Schwarber is hitting FB's at the highest rate of his career (52.1% FB% entering Thursday) and his HardHit% remains elite (50.3%) - a good recipe for hitting a lot of HR's. His .241 xBA and .601 xSLG indicate that his actual .212 and .496 marks are a bit unlucky. Schwarber is well on his way to his 4th 30 HR campaign in the past 5 full seasons.
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