1. Erick Aybar (SS - Angels) - Erick Aybar snapped his 0-for-3 games cold spell with a solid 3-for-4 with a SB, 2 RBI, and a BB. That raises his average to .285 and gives him 21 SB on the season. Aybar has been a consistent option at SS all for fantasy owners at a cheap price that has yielded average and speed. I'd like to see a higher OBP with only a .320 for the year, but Aybar has never been one to draw walks. His career high for a season is 35 (in 2010) and he has only drawn 16 for this year.
2. Kyle Farnsworth (RP - Rays) - Another nailbiter for Farnsworth, but he was able to preserve the save. He allowed 2 hits and an earned run and it took 21 pitches to complete the inning. Its been a wild ride for Farnsworth over the past month or so. His ERA for July is a modest 2.00, but he has 1.44 WHIP through 9.0 innings this month. After only giving up 2 BB through the first 3 months of the season, Farnsworth has walked 6 in July. In all, he has blown 2 saves in 6 opportunities this month and it doesn't look to be getting much better. Its his job to lose, but not feeling really confident with him down the homestretch.
3. Desmond Jennings (OF - Rays) - In 6 games since being called to the big leagues, Desmond Jennings has done everything fantasy owners could want. He is 11-for-22 in those 6 games with 5 XBH including a HR (his first came yesterday), 7 RBI, and 4 SB in 5 attempts. Those are pretty sick numbers in a short period of time and he has been an instant payoff for fantasy owners who were quick to make the claim. Obviously he won't be able to keep up this pace, but he certainly looks to be an impact player for the Rays and for fantasy owners down the stretch and into the fantasy playoffs. Big campfire next to his name as he remains red-hot.
4. Edwin Encarnacion (3B - Blue Jays) - I've tried to like Encarnacion on many occasions (feel free to scroll through the archives). Whenever he starts to streak, a part of me raises an eyebrow and thinks this may be the breakout. The story usually ends with an extended slump and me cursing Encarnacion and promising to never pick him up again. Of course, in the Baltimore series for the past three days, he went 5-for-12 with 10 TB, a HR, and 2 RBI. He is now hitting over .300 for July with 12 RBI, a .365 OBP with 8 walks, and 3 HR. He is certainly looking more like the player we thought he would be, but the 20 K's in just 88 AB in July is a cause for longevity. Be cautious with Encarnacion - he has 25+ HR potential (he's already done it once in his career), but has never really put it together all at once.
5, Scott Baker (SP - Twins) - Scott Baker finally allowed an earned run, his first in three starts dating back to June 24th. Baker lasted 7.0 IP and allowed 2 ER, no walks, 4 K's, and 8 hits for a quality start. He was handed the loss to bring his record to 8-6. In 19 starts this year, Baker has 10 quality starts. Not a great QS% and a mismatch given his 2.86 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. What makes Baker intriguing this year is his K-rate. Over the last three years, Baker has posted K/9 rates of 7.35, 7.29, and 7.82 for a 3-year average of 7.48. This year, he's at 8.3. As the K's increase, so does his value. Baker flies under the radar a bit, but certainly deserves the recognition for the numbers he's posting this year. My guess is that owners will continue to shy away from him in 2012 drafts.
