Author: TJ Streett

Stock Rising- Neil Walker

Neil Walker has hit either second or fifth over the last six games for the Pirates.

Analysis: Walker is in a great position at the moment. He’s either hitting in front of Andrew McCutchen or behind Pedro Alvarez… not bad at all. Walker also has at least one hit in eleven of his last twelve games. He has his batting average up to .258 which is still about twenty points below his career average and all this makes sense because his BABIP this year is about twenty points lower than his career mark.

Walker only has 7 home runs this season which is disappointing considering he has hit at least 12 bombs each year over the past three years. Although his home run tally is down his isolated power is 9th among qualified second baseman. He’s 10th among second baseman in doubles, 6th in triples and 7th in OBP. If he continues hitting second or fifth his run and RBI totals will start to rise which means top 15 fantasy second baseman numbers.

Neil Walker is available in 30-40% of fantasy leagues.

Dan Haren Is Surging

Dan Haren has put together three great starts and has looked impressive since returning from the disabled list over a month ago. He’s surging at the right time and it won’t be long until he is universally owned.

Analysis: Haren has allowed just 3 earned runs over his last three starts and has struck out 19 batters in that 21.0 inning span. He’s looked solid since returning from the disabled list in early July but his competition has been less than pedestrian- Phillies twice, Marlins, Mets, Brewers. His competition may be lacking but he now has his xFIP under 3.90 for the year. His strikeout rate is north of 8/9 IP and his velocity has improved from last year.

Currently, the thirty-two year old righty is available in 35-50% of fantasy leagues. His ERA may be 4.99 but his 1.28 WHIP is 54th in all of baseball and better than some of the bigger names out there. Yes, he has been dominant recently but expect a solid ERA/WHIP fantasy starter with a high K rate going forward.

BJ Upton Update

BJ Upton was activated from the disabled list five days ago and has put together a solid stretch. He is capable of being a top twenty fantasy outfielder as long as his BABIP returns to his career average.

Analysis: BJ Upton has ten hits and is on a five game hitting streak since his return from the disabled list. He’s also added 3 stolen bases in that five game span and it appears that Upton is finally back. He’s still batting just .198 but his BABIP is .043 points lower this year compared to his career average. At the moment BJ is available in 30-40% of fantasy leagues. His batting average won’t be anything special going forward but his power/speed package is not matched by many in the fantasy world.

Upton isn’t the only power/speed option available on the wire. Will Venable has 13 home runs, 13 stolen bases and is hitting .251 this year. He’s available in 85-95% of fantasy leagues. Robbie Grossman of the Astros has 3 home runs and 6 stolen bases in just 38 games this year. Grossman is available in 70-80% of fantasy leagues.

Under The Radar- Tyson Ross

Tyson Ross has been impressive in his three starts since rejoining the San Diego rotation.

Analysis: Tyson Ross was rather pedestrian in his first three starts of the season but he’s back in the rotation and he’s dealing. He is the 26th best fantasy starter over the last month of the season. In his three starts since rejoining the rotation Ross has allowed just 3 earned runs in 20.0 innings of work while striking out 22 batters. Through 65.0 innings this year Ross is sporting a 1.22 WHIP and a 2.91 ERA. He is the ultimate under the radar starter on the wire right now.

The twenty-six year old is available in 80-95% of fantasy leagues. Ross isn’t just a deep league add… he’s striking out 7.7 batters per nine, he has an xFIP under 4.00 and his slider is absolutely nasty. He was never terrible at any point this season but he is obviously not a household name.

Up next for Tyson Ross is a Saturday start against the Reds who are 4th in the National League in runs scored.

Stock Rising- Moustakas

Mike Moustakas is finally mashing this year after months of disappointing play.

Analysis: Over his last seven games Moustakas has 3 home runs, 11 hits, 8 runs batted in and 4 runs. He’s been the 11th best fantasy third baseman over the last month and the 3rd best over the last week. He is batting just .234 this year but do not let that stat be a deterrent. His BABIP this year is .237 which is the third lowest in baseball. Keep in mind that Moustakas posted a .274 BABIP last year and a .296 BABIP in 2011. His batting average will continue to pick up the rest of the season.

Moustakas is available in 40-70% of fantasy leagues. He is a talented hitter who projects as a second tier fantasy third baseman in the future but as for this season he remains a solid waiver wire power bat. Although his fantasy stats are not pretty this year he is doing some positive things at the plate. His strikeouts are down 6% from last year and his walk rate is up just a bit. It’s August now and the stock of both the Kansas City Royals and Mike Moustakas is finally on the rise.