Alfredo Aceves - Aceves has thrown two straight quality starts against the Angels and White Sox after last night's outing, leading to all sorts of speculation that he'll be in the Yankee rotation next season, something I find reasonably unlikely. Aceves is about as close to a patternless pitcher as you'll find, throwing four pitches for strikes in any count. None of the pitches would likely grade out as more than a 50 or so on the scouting scale, but his command is solid enough to make the total package a solid average in my opinion. I could see him as a mid-rotation starter for a second division team, or a spot starter/long reliever for a playoff team. He's worth having in deeper leagues and AL-only leagues, but I do think that the league will catch up to him a bit once they've seen more than 20 innings of film.
Scott Lewis - Scott Lewis continued his scoreless innings streak last night, allowing only three hits and two walks to the Twins over six innings last night. That's 14 straight scoreless to start his career, and you can be sure he'll get one more start at least before year's end. Lewis has an average fastball velocity of 86.5, so he certainly isn't blowing anyone away, but his command has been fantastic (2.0 walks per nine in his minor league career, 1.2 this season) and he keeps the ball down (4 homers allowed in 111 IP this year). I like what I see of him thus far, but his pedestrian stuff will likely limit his ceiling to that of a mid-rotation starter.
Shin-Soo Choo - Choo continues to rake, bashing another homer last night in the Indians 3-1 victory over Minnesota. He and Kelly Shoppach are 1-2 on the team in slugging, and Choo is leading in AVG and OBP as well. I trust that he's won a starting spot in next year's OF with his consistent play in the second half, and although he may be playing a bit above his head right now (.371 BABIP) I still think he is a reasonable corner OF in most formats, and probably could be had fairly cheaply come spring relative to most players at his expected level of production.
Kevin Slowey - The second coming of Brad Radke (without quite as good of a changeup) did allow three runs in six innings last night to the Tribe, but that makes eight straight in which he's allowed three runs or fewer. That's no small feat for a guy that allows as many homers as Slowey does, but since he just doesn't walk anyone most of them are just solo shots. His ceiling is probably only that of a mid-rotation guy, but that command certainly increases the likelihood that he'll stay at this level.
John Jaso - Jaso collected his first major league hit last night in the Rays' 13-5 loss against the Red Sox. Usually catching prospects that can hit get quite a bit of publicity, but Jaso seems to fly under the radar for some reason despite the fact that he really hasn't struggled at any level coming up the chain and is still only 24. (until Friday anyway) I do like Dioner Navarro a smidge better, and I think the Rays do as well, but Jaso is the kind of player that the Rays should probably look to deal going forward, and in the right situation he would most certainly be a sleeper. He merits watching, but right now he isn't likely to pick up enough garbage time AB's to help you. Any injury to Navarro would boost his value considerably.
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