Ben Lively (PHI, SP, 6% owned)
Jeremy Hellickson, Aaron Nola, and Jerad Eickhoff are currently sporting ERA’s of 4.45, 5.06, and 5.13 respectively. Lively’s one-earned run performance over seven strong innings is a huge respite for the struggling Phillies. Is the fact that he didn’t record any strikeouts in that debut a concern? No. In 56 1/3 IP at Lehigh Valley, he struck out 45 hitters. The strikeouts will be there.
Eric Young Jr. (LAA, OF, 4% owned)
First Mike Trout hits the DL with a thumb injury. and then Cameron Maybin finds his way to the DL with an oblique issue. It wasn’t a good week to be a fan of the Halos. Young Jr. can still get from first base to second in a hurry, as the 15 thefts at Triple-A Salt Lake City will attest. The big question is will he be able to get to first. We’re going to find out.
Robert Gsellman (NYM, SP, 33% owned)
The high hopes that many had for Gsellman entering the 2017 campaign faded quicker than our Podcast intro. The past two starts have provided hope. Two wins, a combined total of only three earned runs, and is a resurgence at-hand? I believe it is and am jumping back on the Gsellman bandwagon.
Kole Calhoun (LAA, OF, 49% owned)
Since the clock turned the page to June, we’ve seen a different “Cowboy” riding the range. 6-for-11 with three homers is a pretty good indicator that the season-long slump Calhoun has endured might have concluded.
Taylor Motter (SEA, 2B/SS/OF, 14% owned)
A big April was followed up by a disappearing act in May. Hopefully we see a bounceback in June or the M’s are in big trouble until Jean Segura returns from his right ankle sprain.
Gerardo Parra (COL, OF, 21% owned)
While David Dahl owners patiently wait for a glimmer of hope (and it appears that it could be a long wait), Geraldo Parra keeps on a keeping on. In the past week he has gone 12-for-17 with one long ball and eight RBI. Full-time stats, even from a part-time player shouldn’t be ignored.
Jimmy Nelson (MIL, SP, 55% owned)
A solid start to the season was moved up a notch with his performance in his past two starts. He shut down the hot-hitting DBack offense on one earned run, chipping in 10 strikeouts. He then followed that performance with eight shutout innings against the Dodgers and 11 punchouts.The season ERA is now sitting at 3.36. If, by chance, he’s available in your League, spend some of that FAAB, as he won’t be by this same time next week.
Hunter Pence (SF, OF, 47% owned)
He was activated off the 10-day DL today, and the Giants could sure use his bat in that lineup. A moderate bid, say six pence, and you could land a solid producer heading into the break.
Sean Newcomb (ATL, SP, 9% owned)
The ageless wonders, R.A. Dickey and Bartolo Colon, are starting to show some serious cracks and will only hold off the strong young lefty for so long. The 74 strikeouts in 57 2/3 IP by Newcomb is the stuff that “aces” are made of. The 33 walks….not so much. A pre-emptive cheap strike, might net some decent rewards in the near future.
Billy Burns (KC, OF, 1% owned)
Jorge Soler was no ray of sunshine and was sent packing. Alex Gordon, is still after two months into the season batting to the tune of a .175 BA with no homers. Is it any wonder the Royals are turning to Burns for some outfield help? Burns can and will run, and could provide a cheap source of speed to those feeling the need for speed.
Robbie Grossman (MIN, OF, 8% owned)
Over the past week Grossman has gone 7-for-24 with two homers, five RBI’s and seven runs scored. On the season he has thirty walks and only 26 strikeouts. That ratio works. He’s playing everyday between the outfield and DH. As long as the at-bats are there, why not?
Eric Skoglund (KC, SP, 26% owned)
The 6’7″ southpaw brought it in his debut this past week, shutting out the Tigers on only two hits and a walk over 6 1/3 IP. The injury to Danny Duffy has provided the opportunity. He struggled in a rain-delayed start today against the Tribe, but the Padres are next on the schedule. I’ll roll with that matchup any day of the week.
Austin Slater (SF, OF, 1% owned)
The Giants outfield is a mess, even with Hunter Pence returning to the fold. Decent power, a smattering of stolen bases, and a cheap early bid could be just what the Doctor ordered if you’re Fantasy squad is in need of some outfield help. Maybe he will fill the role and the Giants outfield will be “Saved by the Bell”.
Matt Olson (OAK, OF, 3% owned)
The 14 homers at Triple-A Nashville bode well for his chances of success. The strikeout rates…not so much. In AL-only and deep Mixed formats he’s an interesting pickup, assuming of course that the A’s give him a decent shot at steady at-bats.
David Paulino (HOU, SP, 8% owned)
The 23-year-old righty earned another start with his solid debut last week against the Twins. If you’re looking at a streaming option, he could be looking at a two-start week against the Royals and Angels. It doesn’t get much better than that.