10 Team Leagues

Hansel Robles RP LAA; FAAB Bid: 12-15% - What is Cody Allen ’s loss has been Hansel Robles ’ gain as it does not appear that the latter has any plans on giving up the closer duties. So far in June (ten innings of work) Robles hasn’t allowed a base runner to score and he’s yielded just one walk. He has 11 strikeouts and five saves this month and his ownership should steadily rise if you’re in need of saves. Go get him wherever he’s available.

Scott Kingery 3B, SS, OF PHI; FAAB Bid: 15% - Well look at that! A week ago my lone complaint was that I wish he was more active on the base path and sure enough he heard my argument and stole a base on Thursday night. Not to mention he’s hitting .336 with an OPS of 1.027 on the season and he has five home runs in his last nine games. He’s bounced around hitting third, sixth, and seventh in the Phillies lineup and he’s produced from each spot. Definitely grab him while you can because his ownership is spiking.

Ian Desmond 1B, OF COL; FAAB Bid: 7-8% - Desmond’s on a nice little power surge as of late. Since June 10th he’s hitting .395 with a 1.204 OPS with four home runs, ten runs scored, and 15 RBI. Sure, he gets a boost since he plays in Coors, but so what? That’s a perk that shouldn’t be held against him. He doesn’t walk much, but given his home ballpark you can ignore the poor walk rate in points leagues.

Zach Eflin SP PHI; FAAB Bid: 3-5% - I like Eflin. Similar to his teammate, Nick Pivetta , I don’t think he’s fully reached his potential. He’s a good source for strikeouts (22 in his last three starts) and he’s recorded a quality start in four of his last five trips to the mound. His FIP (4.01) is over a full run higher than his ERA (2.83) so that’s a little worrisome. However, Eflin is a two-start pitcher next week against the Mets and then the Marlins in Miami. That second matchup is a pretty stellar way to end the week and he’s useful in both matchups.

 

12 Team Leagues

Ian Kennedy RP KC; FAAB Bid: 15% - Kennedy makes the waiver column once again because his ownership barely went anywhere. He’s still available in over 50% of Yahoo leagues and he’s available in over 80% of ESPN leagues. 80% is insane for a guy who has six saves since June 7th. He also aids in categories leagues that utilize K/9 and/or K:BB. Free saves are likely sitting on your waiver wire so go grab Kennedy.

Ramón Laureano OF OAK; FAAB Bid: 7-8% - Laureano’s season long numbers may not blow you out of the water, but recently he’s had a nice run. Over his last nine games he has four home runs, three doubles, 13 RBI, and a pair of stolen bases. He’s the kind of player who takes a hit in points leagues due to the lack of walks. That also explains why his OBP is so low. His last walk was on June 5th, but in 12-team leagues or five-outfielder leagues he’s a guy that could finish with 20 home runs and maybe 15 stolen bases. He’s definitely worth stashing in categories leagues.

Zac Gallen SP MIA; FAAB Bid: 5-10% - Gallen made his big league debut Thursday against the Cardinals and lasted five innings giving up one earned run on five hits and two walks. He struck out six batters, but needed 99 pitches to get through five innings. Still it was a respectable outing and he’ll obviously see a spike in his ownership. He’s a decent option next week if he’s still available. His lone start comes Wednesday against the Nationals, but this time he’ll get the benefit of pitching at home. If Gallen’s unavailable give his teammate Jordan Yamamoto a look. His stuff isn’t as impressive as Gallen’s, but he’s looked decent in his two starts and toes the rubber Sunday against the Phillies.

Jeff McNeil 2B, 3B, OF NYM; FAAB Bid: 8% - Brace yourself, but Jeff McNeil is coming back around. Over his last four games he has nine hits including two home runs and three doubles with two stolen bases. Hopefully the recent swipes signal some more aggressive running on the base path. Overall he won’t really maintain a power surge similar to the last few games, but he’s a good source for batting average and if he keeps hitting leadoff he’ll be in position to score some runs as well.

 

15+ Team Leagues

Adbert Alzolay RP/SP CHC; FAAB Bid: 5-7% - If he was in the rotation I’d feel better about him, but currently he’s only being used in long relief and I’m basing this groundbreaking analysis on one whopping appearance. Albeit an AWESOME long relief appearance. Alzolay worked four hitless innings before derailing a bit in the ninth where he gave up a solo home run to Todd Frazier and then was pulled after a walk. Still though, four consecutive hitless innings are very impressive. He also struck out five and his fastball averaged about 94.6mph. It’s hard to say when he’ll appear again, but he appeared in long relief of Tyler Chatwood who gets another start Tuesday at home against Atlanta. It’s possible the Cubbies give Chatwood the opportunity to pitch the first three-to-four innings and then bring in Alzolay once again.

Dakota Hudson SP STL; FAAB Bid: 5% - Hudson doesn’t generate a ton of strikeouts (6.18 K/9)  and he walks a few too many guys for my liking (4.12 BB/9), but he’s been a solid pitcher all in all. He has registered a quality start in seven straight outings and in eight of his last nine trips to the mound. He’s due for a bad outing which could come later today against the Halos, but his next two starts heading into the All-Star Break are pretty tempting against the Padres and Giants. Both of those matchups will be in pitcher-friendly confines.

Roberto Pérez C CLE; FAAB Bid: 2-4% - Perez is quietly having a very surprising season at the catcher position. He ranks fourth among all catchers in home runs (13) two of which have come in his last three games. He is a bit of a streaky power hitter as four of his bombs came in consecutive games from June 4th to June 8th. He hits toward the bottom of the order which obviously sucks, but in a deeper league you’ll take the home run upside.

Willie Calhoun OF TEX; FAAB Bid: 0-1% - Willie Calhoun is back (again) and we shouldn’t forget what he did in a small sample size back in May before he was injured where he registered ten hits in 24 plate appearances including two home runs, a double, and seven RBI. It’s been a slow return for him thus far, but he did hit a home run on Tuesday night and he is a pretty nice prospect for the Rangers who is worth stashing in deep leagues because of his raw power.