Pitchers:
Bruce Rondon – RP – Tigers – ESPN: 16.4% – Y! 17%
The Tigers have named their man for the closing role, and that is Bruce Rondon. If you are chasing saves down the stretch, he will likely get quite a few opportunities. He did blow his recent save opportunity, but closed out the previous two. Detroit is sticking with him despite the blown save, and he has looked a lot better of late. He has a 2.94 FIP, and a 33.4% strikeout rate. The ERA doesn’t matchup, although he needs to do a better job of holding lefties at bay.
Carlos Rodon – SP – White Sox – ESPN: 30.7% – Y! 28%
The Chicago lefty has looked excellent in his last two starts, which have come both against the Angels, and he dominated them both times. He allowed two earned runs over 15 innings, and struck out 16. There is no doubt Rodon has talent, and the walk rate has been the most problematic flaw he has. He will have some rough starts, but the strikeout upside is there in each one. He has a 24.8% strikeout rate as a starter. He will face the Mariners later this week, which sets up a nice matchup for him to build some momentum on.
Yordano Ventura – SP – Royals – ESPN: 47.5% – Y! 58%
Yordano Ventura has been frustrating this season, coming nowhere near his 2014 self. However, he has looked great in the last two starts against two decent offenses, Detroit and L.A. The Detroit start was a little rough walking six, but he worked out of everything, allowing zero runs. A plus for Ventura is that he is keeping hitters on the ground, and holding batters to less than 20% line drive rates from both sides. With a small track record, he is worth a grab going forward for the rest of the season.
Hitters
Carlos Beltran – OF – Yankees – ESPN: 35.8% – Y! 33%
I was worried about Carlos Beltran earlier in the season, but he has quickly looked like his old self since the break. He had seven homers in the first half, and already has six in the second half, with a .290 average. Beltran has quickly gotten a .352 wOBA against right-handed pitching, much on par with where he has been at in the last few seasons. Another perk is hitting in Yankee Stadium, a left-handers heaven.
Danny Valencia – 3B – A’s – ESPN: 22.4% – Y! 10%
When the Blue Jays moved Danny Valencia I wasn’t quite sure why they would make that move. Valencia has been consistent all season, and while he takes a park factor hit in Oakland, he is still producing. He is hitting .284 in the second half, with a .269 ISO. He has plenty of pop in his bat, and has hit both lefties and righties very well this season. If you are looking for some help at the hot corner, Valencia is likely out there.
Francisco Lindor – SS – Indians – ESPN: 34.1% – Y! 26%
Francisco Lindor was one of the many prospects to join the majors this season, and now he is really starting to come around. He is hitting .350 in the second half, with a 140 wRC+. Lindor doesn’t hit for power, but has a great average, and is a nice source of runs. If you are riding the hot bat at SS, Lindor is certainly one of them to go after.
