Paul Skenes-Pirates-SP
Paul Skenes went 5 IP and gave up 3 ER on 2 H, 4 BB, and 6 K's against the Brewers. Despite a 3.96 ERA, Skenes has continued to pitch like one of baseball's premier starters, compiling a 30% strikeout rate, 24% K-BB%, and 3.03 SIERA through 129.2 IP. His last month tells a similar story, as he's struck out 32% of opposing hitters with a 23% K-BB% and 3.17 SIERA, though a .433 BABIP has inflated his ERA to 4.88 over that stretch. The skills haven't changed--he's simply been on the wrong side of batted-ball luck and small declines across the board. His velocity is down, and his command has been off at times like today's start. It also hasn't helped that the Pirates' defense for most of the year has not been good.
Kyle Harrison-Brewers-SP
Kyle Harrison went 5 IP and gave up 0 ER on 1 H, 1 BB, and 10 K's against the Pirates but did leave with an apparent injury (calf cramps). Harrison has quietly emerged as a dependable fantasy starter, recording a 2.84 ERA and 1.04 WHIP over 88.2 IP while pairing a 30% strikeout rate with an excellent 24% K-BB% and 3.09 SIERA. His stuff numbers are the best of his career thanks to the Brewers' pitching development. The changes have been minor, but they have included improved velocity and just throwing his offspeed pitch more. The results speak for themselves, and the only thing that has slowed him down was/has been injury.
Hunter Brown-Astros-SP
Hunter Brown went 6 IP and gave up 3 ER on 3 H, 2 BB, and 8 K's against the Blue Jays. Brown has pitched to a 3.53 ERA over 58.2 IP, but the supporting metrics suggest there's still another level if he can throw more strikes. He owns a 25% strikeout rate, though a 14% walk rate has limited him to an 11% K-BB% and 4.44 SIERA. His last month has followed the same script, with a 3.47 ERA, 21% strikeout rate, and just a 7% K-BB%. The stuff is evident, but the command continues to determine whether he'll reach his ceiling. The good news is that in the previous four seasons in the majors, his walk rate was never above 9%, which gives a lot of optimism that he can get this turned around.
Shohei Ohtani-Dodgers-DH
Shohei Ohtani went 3-for-5 with 2 HR (26), 2 R, and 3 RBI against the Cubs. Ohtani continues to put together another solid season, slashing .297/.399/.554 with 26 HR, 73 R, 70 RBI, and 6 SB through 483 PA, good for a 154 wRC+. Despite being a good overall stat line, it could be a disappointment considering the expectations coming into the year. Ohtani was coming off a .282 AVG with 55 HR, 146 R, 102 RBI, and 20 SB. He is currently pacing towards a 35 HR, 100 R, 100 RBI, and 10 SB season. His underlying profile remains among the best in baseball, combining elite plate discipline (14% BB) with plus power (.257 ISO). Nights like this remind us that he is still the most talented player in the league.
Junior Caminero-Rays-3B
Junior Caminero went 1-for-4 with his HR (33), 1 R, 1 RBI, and 1 BB against the Rockies. Caminero has taken another step toward stardom this season, slashing .284/.373/.559 with 33 HR, 70 R, 71 RBI, and a 155 wRC+ through 498 PA. The underlying metrics back up the breakout, as he's paired a 12% walk rate with an improved 18% strikeout rate, while continuing to hammer the baseball with a 14% Barrel rate, 51% HardHit rate, and 116.9 mph max exit velocity. Caminero has elite batted ball skills, so combining that with an improved plate approach has led to him establishing himself as one of the premier power hitters in fantasy baseball.
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