Neftali Feliz (RP – Rangers)
The Rangers have rolled out an explicit plan designed to limit the amount of innings Neftali Feliz will pitch this year. This is probably a good move from an organizational and future performance standpoint, but it is not good for Feliz owners this year. Feliz has been nothing short of spectacular the bullpen this year with a 13.11 K/9, 0.00 BB/9, and a ridiculous 0.0% LD rate. These numbers had me hopeful for an expanded role in the coming month, and it goes without saying that I was drooling over the possibilities. The new innings plan puts the kibosh on these fantasies, since the rules dictate that if he throws one inning – he doesn’t pitch the next day; if he throws two innings – he doesn’t pitch the next two days; if he throws three innings – he doesn’t pitch the next three days. Feliz still has definite value in AL-only leagues as a good protector of your ERA and WHIP, but this value is limited due to his lack of innings.
Chris Davis (1B – Rangers)
After having a humorously terrible season in the majors (.202 BA, .15 EYE, 44.2% K rate, 58.2% contact rate), Chris Davis has turned things around in a big way in Triple-A. Since his demotion, Davis has a .327 / .421 / .540 line with a most impressive 24/35 BB/K ratio. Davis has adopted a more open batting stance (same thing they did with Nelson Cruz), and he is reportedly seeing pitches much better now. At this rate, Davis will be back in the majors for the last month of the season, and will be quite the boost in the HR category for any AL-only league owner.
Bill Hall (OF – Mariners)
In his first game in a Mariners uniform, Bill Hall started in LF and batted 6th. Hall can play every position on the field other than pitcher and catcher, and it is his flexibility that will find him in the lineup on most days. Hall is an extremely gifted athlete who can scorch the ball when he makes contact (11.1% career extra base hit rate), but the problem is that he doesn’t make contact all that often (33.6% K rate, and 69.6% contact rate this season). Hall was able to put together a couple years with a decent batting average (.291 and .270), but those appear to have been aberrations based on the last 3 years (.254, .225, and .201) and his minor league numbers (.264 career BA). Hall still has good pop and the ability to steal a base or two, but will likely be dangerous to your batting average. If you need a boost in the counting statistics, and can take a small hit in BA, Hall could be a solid option in AL-only leagues. Also, remember to monitor where he is playing with the Mariners. If he can sneak in a start at SS, it will immediately boost his value depending on your league’s position eligibility requirements.
Marc Rzepczynski (SP – Blue Jays)
The man with the strange surname tossed a gem on Friday night by striking out 6, walking 1, and getting 9 GB outs to just 1 FB out. Coming out of the minors with a 3.5 BB/9, Rzepczynski figured to have some control problems in the majors. And he did – he walked at least 3 batters in each of his first 4 starts. But now, in his last 5 starts, he has hit the 3 BB mark just one time. So overall, the walks are on their way down, the Ks are sitting at a nice 7.95 per 9, and his GB rate is a beautiful 51.2% and rising. I see Rzepczynski has having mixed league value while he is starting down the stretch. The only caveat is that he has already thrown 137 innings between the majors and minors this season, while only throwing 121 last season. I see an innings cap in his future. Enjoy his starts while they last.
Lucas French (SP – Mariners)
Lucas French stumbled his way through 6 more somewhat effective innings on Friday by allowing 3 ER in 6 innings. French is an absolute disaster waiting to happen right now. Firstly, there is his 5.52 K/9 and 4.14 BB/9. But most of all, there is his 48.1% FB rate and his 6.6% HR/FB rate. This trend continued last night as of the 13 balls hit in play against him, 9 were of the FB variety. But, once again, he did not allow a home run. It is only a matter of time before his HR/FB rate begins to normalize, and when he does his ERA will skyrocket due to his very high FB rate. I would advise you to stay away.
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