Pitchers:
Eduardo Rodriguez – Red Sox – SP – Y! 49% – ESPN 52%
The Red Sox lefty dazzled again, this time in his Fenway debut. He threw seven innings, allowed one earned run, on a Brian Dozier homer. He struck out seven, again, and allowed five combined hits from the two hits. He has a mid 90’s fastball that he pounds the zone with, and has an above average slider and changeup. He is here to stay, and outside of Buchholz, is the only Boston pitcher you need. He is a hot commodity right now, so go and grab him as soon as possible.
Jesse Chavez – A’s – SP – Y! 49% – ESPN 41%
If you were worried about Jesse Chavez returning to the bullpen with all the returning arms, he will still be slotted as the five man crew. Drew Pomeranz is heading to the pen, given how well Chavez has pitched this season. He has a 2.11 ERA on the season, with a 2.64 FIP. His fly ball rate is really high, which is scary, but pitching in Oakland helps him keep the ball in the yard. He has a 20% strikeout rate as a starter, and is holding hitters to a .248 wOBA. The only downside to Chavez is he has to deal with the lack of run support.
Shawn Tolleson – Rangers – P – Y! 61% – ESPN 58%
The bullpen situation is starting to stabilize around the league, as far as guys on the wire. Carson Smith is going to start to close for Seattle at some point this season, so keep those tabs open. Shawn Tolleson on the other hand is getting plenty of save opportunities with this red hot Rangers offense. He is still available, and will likely carry the closer role when Neftali Feliz comes back. Feliz blew three saves in nine chances so far this season.
Position Players:
Joey Gallo – Rangers – 3B – Y! 61% – ESPN 53%
If you wanted another prospect to get crazy about, Joey Gallo was called up, and he had himself a debut. He had three hits, including a home run, with three RBI. He was a top 20 prospect before the season, and has high strikeout tendencies. It will be interesting to see him adjust to major league pitching, given more off-speed pitches going his way. He hit over 40 home runs in 2014, between the minors, so you can get a just of the power he has.
Joey Butler – Rays – OF – Y! 1% – ESPN 3%
This is a riskier pickup, given the Rays history of rotating utility players. Joey Butler has been doing everything to make himself an everyday player. In 25 games this season, he is hitting .333 with, three home runs, with 20 R+RBI. Butler has always hit well in the minors, and in short stints in the bigs, just lacked a chance. If he stays in the lineup, and keeps up top in the order, he will be a guy to help your OBP, and provide some runs.
Chris Carter – Astros – 1B,OF – Y! 66% – ESPN 49%
Chris Carter is your classic monster power guy, with a big time strikeout rate. He is being dropped by the day, hitting under .200. Summer is here, and this is when the homers start to come for Carter. Over the last three seasons Carter in June-July triples his home runs from April-May. Then August is when the average jumps 20 points. The home runs will show up for Carter, and he is a guy to take a risk on if he is out there.
