Pitchers:
Carson Smith – Mariners – RP – Y! 12% – ESPN 8%
Fernandy Rodney has a 6.98 ERA, as he blew a save again last night. The leash is becoming shorter and shorter, and the Mariners can not afford to be dropping games in the later innings. If Rodney gets the boot, which could happen shortly, Carson Smith is the guy to shut the door in Seattle. He has allowed nine hits, and two earned runs in 21 innings pitched this season. He has a 24.4% strikeout to walk rate, and a 61% groundball rate. He has everything in the making to start grabbing some saves, it will only be a matter of time before we see that happen.
Mike Wright – Orioles – SP – Y! 19% – ESPN 28%
Mike Wright has been impressive in his first two big league starts, granted he faced lesser offenses, he still pitched great against big league clubs for the first time. He has worked into the seventh or later in each start, allowed zero earned runs, and has struck out ten. He walked zero in the first game, and three in the second, keeping the hits to seven over the two games. He relies heavily on his fastball, and doesn’t miss a ton of bats, but his placement is getting the job done.
Shawn Tolleson – Rangers – P – Y! 50% – ESPN 40%
This is your closer of now for the Texas Rangers. Neftali Feliz hit the DL, and Tolleson was nipping at his heels before that. He has five saves in the last seven games, allowing three runners in that span. He has been lights out all year, and has a stellar 33% strikeout rate, to go with a 14% swinging strike rate. He is available in half of the leagues around the industry, and is a great source of saves with the red hot Rangers.
Position Players:
Yan Gomes – Indians – C – Y! 75% – ESPN 61%
Yan Gomes is back from the DL, and will be worked in the lineup for the first week back. He hit .278, with 21 HR, and 74 RBI. Those are quality numbers for a catcher, and if he is available in your league, he is a definite grab off the waiver wire. Gomes is one of the catchers around the league that is in their prime, and the last two seasons has had significant fantasy value. He only holds 28 plate appearances this season, so not much to tell this season. In not a deep position, chances are Gomes fill finish off better than a catcher on your team.
Billy Burns – Athletics – OF – Y! 10% – ESPN 10%
The A’s outfield has become stable over the last week, Craig Gentry sent down, and Coco Crisp back on the DL without a timetable. Burns is a great source of stolen bases and runs. He is also hitting for a fairly solid average, given his inexperience at the big league level. He is hitting .328 off right-handed pitching, with just a 14.6% strikeout rate from both sides. He had a stretch this week with a stolen base in three games, and chances are good if he gets on that he will take off.
Trevor Plouffe – Twins – 3B – Y! 23% – ESPN 28%
Trevor Plouffe has done a majority of his damage in the past against lefties, but that has evened out this year. He is hitting .276, with seven homers and 20+ RBI & R. Third base is a deep position, but I am not sure why his ownership is so low. At least give the man a bench spot! If anyone goes down, Plouffe is a guy to go and scoop up. The walk rate and power is up from his career average, which is a great sign.
