This article is part of our AL FAAB Factor series.
Starting Pitchers:
Jarred Cosart, Astros - It might be time to show Cosart some love in mixed leagues, after he struck out a career-high eight batters this week against the Angels while giving up three earned runs over 6.2 innings with only one walk. Over his last five starts, he's had a 3.72 ERA with 20 strikeouts and 13 walks over 29 innings, numbers that shown he still had poor command, but all things considered, the results could be much worse and the eight strikeouts in his last start are at least intriguing. This week he gets the Diamondbacks on the road and Rays at home. Mixed: $2; AL: $8.
Kevin Gausman, Orioles - Back again, perhaps for good, Gausman held the hot hitting A's to just one earned run over seven innings with six strikeouts and one walk on Saturday. Things don't get much easier for him though, as he is set to face the Blue Jays this coming week - talk about having to hit the ground running. In his seven starts in the majors Gausman has a 6.81 ERA with 28 strikeouts and nine walks over 35.2 innings. Because he's had a few false starts literally and figuratively, been yo-yoed between the rotation and bullpen and majors and minors, it's been tough to get a read on how to use or if you should use Gausman in fantasy leagues. His last start points to yes, as he has immense talent and potential to be a
Starting Pitchers:
Jarred Cosart, Astros - It might be time to show Cosart some love in mixed leagues, after he struck out a career-high eight batters this week against the Angels while giving up three earned runs over 6.2 innings with only one walk. Over his last five starts, he's had a 3.72 ERA with 20 strikeouts and 13 walks over 29 innings, numbers that shown he still had poor command, but all things considered, the results could be much worse and the eight strikeouts in his last start are at least intriguing. This week he gets the Diamondbacks on the road and Rays at home. Mixed: $2; AL: $8.
Kevin Gausman, Orioles - Back again, perhaps for good, Gausman held the hot hitting A's to just one earned run over seven innings with six strikeouts and one walk on Saturday. Things don't get much easier for him though, as he is set to face the Blue Jays this coming week - talk about having to hit the ground running. In his seven starts in the majors Gausman has a 6.81 ERA with 28 strikeouts and nine walks over 35.2 innings. Because he's had a few false starts literally and figuratively, been yo-yoed between the rotation and bullpen and majors and minors, it's been tough to get a read on how to use or if you should use Gausman in fantasy leagues. His last start points to yes, as he has immense talent and potential to be a front line starter it just might not be this week against the aforementioned Blue Jays, who have been known to take even the best starters behind the woodshed and beat them into submission. Mixed: $3; AL: $12.
Derek Holland, Rangers - Holland (knee) is finally ready for a rehab assignment, which should come in the next week or so, which means he could be ready by the end of this month or shortly before the All-Star break. Last season he had a 3.42 ERA (3.44 FIP) with 189 strikeouts and 64 walks over 213 IP. Continue to stash him in all AL only and deeper mixed league formats. Mixed: $6; AL: $18.
T.J. House, Indians - After getting beaten around in his starting pitching debut against the Orioles, House has settle down in his last two starts to give up three earned runs with 12 strikeouts and three walks over 12 innings to the Red and White Sox. Earlier this season at Triple-A Columbus he had a 2.40 ERA (2.89 FIP) with 34 strikeouts and 11 walks over 41.1 IP. He's taking the place of Zach McAllister (back), who still needs at least one more rehab start, before he comes off the DL, so don't invest too heavily in House. This week he gets the Rangers on the road and possibly the Red Sox on the road as well, assuming McAllister isn't back by then. Mixed: $1; AL: $4.
Alex Meyer, Twins - After a string of three strong outings where he gave up one earned run or less, Meyer had a stinker this week at Triple-A Rochester, but he bounced back on Saturday with six shutout innings with eight strikeouts and one walk to lower his season ERA to 3.30 (3.33 FIP). He remains a nice player to stash in AL only formats, as service time figures to be the only thing holding him back from a promotion this season. Mixed: $4; AL: $15.
Hector Noesi, White Sox - In his last two starts combined, Noesi has allowed two earned runs with 14 strikeouts and nine walks over 19.1 IP. Over the last month (3.47 ERA) he has five quality starts in six tries, which is plenty useful in AL only formats. Overall though, his track history says to stay away as he a 5.48 ERA (4.80 FIP) for his career over 238 IP. Still, he needs to be owned in more AL only formats. This week he gets the Tigers at home and Royals on the road. Mixed: $1; AL: $5.
Brad Peacock, Astros - Along with Jarred Cosart, it might be time to give Peacock another look in mixed leagues this upcoming week, as he has performed better as of late. Over his last five starts he has a 3.86 ERA with 29 strikeouts and 11 walks over 30.1 innings. The strikeouts are encouraging, especially when you consider that he had 11 with two walks against the Rangers in mid-May and back that up with eight strikeouts with no walks against the Orioles almost 10 days ago. This week he, like Jarrod Cosart, gets the Diamondbacks on the road and Rays at home. Mixed: $3; AL: $12.
Matt Shoemaker, Angels - I continue to believe in Shoemaker as more than just a pitcher of value in AL only formats. On Saturday he gave up three earned runs over five innings with six strikeouts and no walks against the White Sox. He now has a 3.76 ERA with 27 strikeouts and five walks over 26.1 innings as a starter. It's those strikeouts and lack of walks that has me intrigued. This coming week he's on the road to face the Braves, who have scored the second fewest runs in all of baseball this season, making Shoemaker a better than average streaming option. Mixed: $5; AL: $15.
Taijuan Walker, Mariners - Thought to be joining the M's rotation this week, Walker will instead make another rehab start at Triple-A Tacoma on Monday and perhaps another after that, before he will be ready to go. Last season between Double-A and Triple-A he had a 2.93 ERA with 160 strikeouts and 57 walks over 141.1 IP. He remains an elite prospect that needs to be snatched up in all formats where he's available. Mixed: $6; AL: $25.
Relief Pitchers:
Dellin Betances, Yankees - After his implosion against the Twins earlier this week, where he gave up five earned runs and got only two outs, David Robertson has had three scoreless outings and earned two saves, retightening his grin on the closer role for the Yankees. That doesn't mean that Betances shouldn't still be owned though, as he's been among the best relievers in all of baseball this season with a 1.50 ERA, 61 strikeouts, and 10 walks over 36 innings. He's a rare reliever that can not only help your ratios, but help you with strikeouts, as he has more this season than starters like Ervin Santana, Mike Leake, and Tim Hudson. Likely already owned in most AL only formats, pick him up where available in mixed leagues too. Mixed: $3; AL: Owned.
Joba Chamberlain, Tigers - If this isn't the end of the road for Joe Nathan, it's certainly a detour down a road he's never been down before, as he just does not look like himself out on the mound in high or low leverage situations. Saturday night he threw 32 pitches in one inning, as he gave up four hits to seven batters and along the way two earned runs that raised his already bloated ERA to 7.04. Also in that game was Chamberlain, who hit a batter in the eighth inning, but then made quick work of the next three to help lower his ERA to 2.39 on the season. He should be the next in line and for good reason, as he's struck out 30 batters in 26.1 innings with only seven walks and no home runs this season. If he's not already owned, pick up Chamberlain with haste, as it's doubtful the Tigers can take much more of what Nathan is giving them, despite his reputation. Mixed: $5; AL: $15.
Catchers:
Ryan Hanigan, Rays - Hanigan (hamstring) is currently on a rehab assignment and should be ready to come off the DL sometime in the middle of this week. Earlier this season he hit .212/.299/.336 with three home runs over 42 PA. He's really only of use in AL only formats that use two catchers and even then owners should likely be looking to upgrade from his weak batting average. Mixed: $1; AL: $4.
Bryan Holaday, Tigers - Starting catcher Alex Avila suffered a concussion this week when he was hit in the head by the bat swung by David Ortiz. He missed Saturday's game and may miss a few more games or possibly land on the 7-day DL for concussions as a result. Any time that he does miss will likely be given to Holaday, the backup. This season he has hit .275/.309/.333 with no home runs and one stolen base over 55 PA. Give him a look if the Avila news worsens and you're in an AL only format that uses two catchers.. Mixed: No; AL: $2.
Stephen Vogt, A's - Vogt was recalled this week from Triple-A Sacramento in a move that likely left many scratching their heads, as Derek Norris and John Jaso have combined to form one of the best offensive tandems behind the plate in the baseball this season. The A's had other plans in mind, as Vogt has been used not only behind the plate, but also in the outfield. It's tough to see how much playing time he'll get moving forward as a reserve bat, but for now he's 5-for-14 with a double in his first week of action. He'll likely have limited value, until Josh Reddick (knee) comes back off the DL. Mixed: No; AL: $3.
Corner Infielders:
Nick Castellanos, Tigers - Still available in some shallower mixed leagues, Castellanos went 3-for-4 in three consecutive games this week to raise his batting line to .271/.315.409 on the season. He's hit five home runs and 10 doubles on the season, while showing better power as of late. He still swings and misses too much, but he's still a rookie and adjusting to the major leagues. If you're in a shallower format where he's still available, he makes for a nice add as a corner bat, as a hot streak like this shouldn't be ignored. Mixed: $7; AL: Owned.
Brock Holt, Red Sox - Brock "Holt and Catch Fire" has done just that recently going 12-for-33 this past week with four doubles, a home run, and stolen base, while filling in for Mike Napoli (finger). Unfortunately for Holt, Napoli is expected back this Sunday, thus moving Holt back into a reserve role or perhaps being sent back down the minors, though he deserves to stay over Jonathan Herrera right now. Assuming he remains up, he's a nice utility player to own, as he's likely to keep getting playing time, with the way he's been hitting lately. It's tough to envision them sitting Holt, when he's been so productive for a team that is near the bottom in the AL in runs scored. In mixed leagues, you can likely cut bait. Mixed: No; AL: $5.
Kendrys Morales, Twins - Morales signed a one-year deal with the Twins over the weekend and will be reportedly joining the club immediately, without a rehab assignment. The news that he's in the AL is not surprising, but the choice to throw him into the fire immediately is, as most thought he would need at least a few games to knock the rust off. He should hit DH for the club, though he'll qualify at first base. A career .280 hitter, he has hit at least 22 home runs in each of the last two seasons. If you've been saving up your FAAB this season in an AL only format, Morales is a good place to park it. Mixed: $12; AL: $36.
Jonathan Singleton, Astros - If you've been reading this column on a weekly basis, I hope you already have Singleton on your roster, as we've been discussing him for some time now. The contract extension he signed to get to the majors was not expected, but the promotion was warranted, as he .267/.398/.544 with 14 home runs over 239 PA this season at Triple-A Oklahoma City. The home run he hit in his first game showed the power he is capable of. The team rightfully sent Marc Krauss to the minors, thus making way for Singleton to start everyday for the youthful Astros. If he's still available in your league, be prepared to perhaps overspend to acquire his talents, as power hitting first base prospects don't come up very often. Mixed: $10; AL: $30.
Middle Infielders:
Willie Bloomquist, Mariners - A jack-of-all-trades, master of none, Bloomquist has been seeing some time at first base lately for Justin Smoak (quad). Previous to that he had seen a little bit of action at second base and in the outfield. Over this past week, he went 7-for-16 with two doubles, though his batting line is still a paltry .250/.268/.338 on the season. Unless Smoak needs time on the DL or the team just decides to pull the plug on his noodle bat (.163/248/.279 over the last 30 days), don't expect Bloomquist to see steady playing time. He's a utility fill-in right now, though not a bad one. Mixed: No; AL: $4.
Danny Santana, Twins - Santana has really started to warm up at the plate this last week, going 10-for-27 with a double, homer, and two stolen bases. Unfortunately, his time at DH is likely to come to an end with the addition of Kendrys Morales, though he might go back to shortstop or center field, where he was before, over Aaron Hicks. No matter where he lands defensively, he'll hold value if he can keep some of this up. Earlier this season in the minors at Triple-A Rochester he hit .268/.311/.381 with no homers and four stolen bases over 105 PA. Only 23 years old, he has good speed (30 stolen bases last season at Double-A), so it might not be too crazy to think he might keep a job in center field. Find a way to get him on your team in AL only formats. Mixed: $2; AL: $9.
Eugenio Suarez, Tigers - Your new starting shortstop for the Tigers, Suarez's debut was delayed a bit, as he dealt with some knee pain this week. However, he made his presence known on Saturday going 1-for-3 with a home run and two runs scored. Earlier this season between Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo, he hit .288/.360/.510 with eight home runs and nine stolen bases over 222 PA. The 22-year old seems like an immediate upgrade over the offensive sludge that the team has rolled out this season at the position and should be grabbed in all AL only formats and some deeper mixed leagues. Mixed: $2; AL: $8.
Outfielders:
Craig Gentry, A's - With Josh Reddick (knee) on the DL, Gentry should see more playing time in the short-term. On the season he's hit .255/.317/.309 with 11 stolen bases over 121 PA. He's been in a platoon with Coco Crisp, where Gentry faces LHP, but he should see that role expanded some into right field with Brandon Moss. Likely already owned in most AL only formats for his speed, he's worth a look in deep mixed leagues. Mixed: $2; AL: Owned.
Cole Gillespie, Mariners - Gillespie has started the last three games for the M's in the outfield, as they continue to shuffle their lineup. In the last seven days he has gone 7-for-14 with a double, home run, and stolen base. On the season he's been a .325 hitter over 44 PA, a small sample size, but likely one that needs to be given more time, as Michael Saunders deals with a shoulder injury and Dustin Ackley continues to struggle. Mixed: No; AL: $4.
Kevin Kiermaier, Rays - Kiermaier was brought up towards the end of May for a third time this season, but this time he looks to stick on the active roster, as Wil Myers (wrist) will be out for the next two months. This week he went 8-for-20 with three doubles, one triple, a home run, and stolen base, showing he needs to be picked up in all AL only and some deep mixed leagues. At Triple-A Durham this season he hit .305/.362/.461 with three home runs and 11 stolen bases over 143 PA. Expect to see him starting in right field, until he cools off. Mixed: $3; AL: $12.
Mikie Mahtook, Rays - With the news of Wil Myers' (wrist) injury, it might be time to give Mahtook a look in AL only formats. He's currently at Triple-A Durham hitting .324/.385/.502 with two home runs and nine stolen bases over 231 PA. A former first round draft pick from the 2011 class, his start has faded considerably to the point where the 24-year old is really not considered a prospect anymore or at least one not worth coveting in keeper leagues. Still, he might get a shot sooner rather than later if Kevin Kiermaier falters in right field or the team decides to start selling off parts and look towards the future. Mixed: No; AL: $2.
Daniel Nava, Red Sox - Recalled again this week from Triple-A Pawtucket, Nava is once again being given an opportunity to help the Red Sox stagnant outfield. He went 3-for-4 on Saturday with a stolen base and went 1-for-4 in his previous start, so he's at least off to a nice start. A switch-hitter, Nava excelled last season against RHP, hitting .322/.411/.484 against them with 10 home runs over 397 PA. There's really no reason he can't get back to that type of production again this season, if given some extended playing time in a platoon. He's worth adding again in AL only and deep mixed leagues. Mixed: $3; AL: $10.
Ichiro Suzuki, Yankees - According to Yankees manager Joe Girardi, Alfonso Soriano will begin sitting more often against RHP, meaning that Suzuki is likely to take up the other side of that platoon and get more playing time. This season vs. RHP Ichiro has hit .293/.357/.333 over 84 PA. At 40 years old, he doesn't have any power to offer owners, but can still swipe a base or two and score some runs, while not hurting your batting average, which isn't so bad as a fifth outfield in AL only and deep mixed leagues. Mixed: $1; AL: $6.
Note: If you have anyone else you'd like me to discuss, just drop a line in the comments section.
