C. J. Wilson - After walking more than 4 batters per game in his first year as a full-time starter in 2010, C.J. Wilson has lowered his walk rate to just 2.91 this season which has played a major role in helping the southpaw post a 10-3 record and 3.11 ERA. He's also improved his strikeout rate from 7.50 in 2010 to 8.03 this season. Part of Wilson's improvement can be attributed to a change in approach. He's throwing a lot more fastballs and curveballs this season while cutting back on the number of change-ups and cutters. The result has been better control and more strikeouts. Wilson's 3.15 FIP indicates he can maintain his current success. He draws the Angels today in what should be a pitcher's duel versus Jered Weaver.
Doug Fister - Despite an ugly 3-11 record, Doug Fister continues to pitch well in 2011, entering today's start against the Blue Jays with a 3.18 ERA, 3.16 FIP and 2.86 K/BB rate. For his career, Fister's record is a putrid 12-29 but he also has a 3.71 ERA and 1.24 WHIP so clearly the Adam Kennedy All-Stars aren't providing the right hander with much run support at all. For leagues using wins as a category, Fister's value is very limited since he doesn't strike out a ton of hitters (5.41 K/9). He has considerably more value in leagues using quality starts as he's already recorded 11. I'm comfortable using Fister as a spot starter in 12 or 14 team leagues and tend to plug him in against all but the toughest lineups (BOS, NYY, TEX).
James Shields - While his last start was a bit shaky, James Shields overall stats this season continue to be excellent. He's striking out 8.78 batters per game, walking just 2.24 and, most importantly, limiting HRs to just 0.91 per game. Last season, when Shields struggled all season, he allowed 1.50 HRs per game. Additionally, Shields FIP is a very good 3.17 and his ERA is just 2.60 to go along with a 1.00 WHIP (compared to 1.46 in 2010). He likely can't maintain a 79% strand rate and .258 BABIP but Shields should remain a top 15 SP in the second half. He draws his second straight tough matchup when facing the Yankees today.
Danny Valencia - For the second straight game Wednesday, Danny Valencia collected the go-ahead RBI to lead the Twins past the Indians. In his first full season in the big leagues, Valencia has already experienced the fickle beast that is BABIP. In his rookie season, Valencia posted a .311 BA to go along with a .799 OPS, much thanks to a .345 BABIP. This season, Valencia's BABIP has dropped to .255 which has helped push his BA down to .232 and OPS to .665. The third baseman's LD rate this season (19%) remains in step with last year's mark (19%) and he's hitting about the same number of FBs and GBs so I expect the low BABIP to bounce back over the coming weeks. Valencia has also shown a bit more pop this season, homering 11 times already and recording a .152 ISO. He's worth a roster spot in deep keeper leagues but shouldn't be on any rosters for 10-team formats.
Adam Jones - The Orioles' outfielder hadn't reached his potential during the first 3 seasons of his major league career as he owned a career OPS under .750. This season Jones has slightly better power numbers but still hasn't busted out in a big way. The good news is that he's posting the highest ISO of his career at .191 prior to Wednesday's game against Boston. Jones finished 0-for-2 with 2 BB yesterday and is now hitting .287/.329./.477 for the season. However, aside from a slight power uptick, Jones OPS remains right around .800 and he continues to show little patience (5% BB%). It looks like Jones will post a career high in RBI this season (he already has 56) but I'm still a bit disappointed that he hasn't' turned into more than a No. 3 OF in 12-team leagues.
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