Carlos Gonzalez (OF-COL) Gonzalez went 2-for-5 with 2 runs scored, 2 strikeouts, a walk and 3 RBI in the Rockies win over the Astros on Wednesday. The home run was his twenty-third of the season, and he improved his slash line to .289/.360/.523. Gonzalez has been tremendous at the plate over the last 8 games going 12-for-31 with 5 home runs with 16 RBI and 6 walks, and he now has 8 home runs this month. While some of his numbers are down this season, he has made strides with his discipline at the plate. He has dropped his walk rate from 21.2 percent to a career low 18.8 percent, and his 9.2 percent walk rate is a career best. Over the last two months Gonzalez has produced a HR/FB ratio above 35 percent, and on this pace he should finish with another 30 home run season.
Javier Vazquez (SP-FLA) Vazquez earned a no-decision in the first game of yesterday's doubleheader against the Reds, but he lowered his ERA to 4.63. He allowed 3 runs on 6 hits, 1 home run and 2 walks while striking out 11 over 7 innings of work. Vazquez had his best fastball of the season. He averaged 91.9 mph while topping out at 94.2 mph, and he had a 18.5 swinging strike percentage with the pitch. Vazquez has pitched better than his ERA would indicate because of a 65.4 percent strand rate. He has posted a 4.12 xFIP, and he has improved his peripherals from last season to 7.31 K/9 and 2.80 BB/9. His season turned around once he found his fastball velocity in June, and it has steadily increased over the last few months. Vazquez struggled through 2010 and the first two months of 2011 because he lacked the velocity to attack hitters. That resulted in terrible strikeout and walk rates, but it looks he has found his old stuff and he should be considered at must start at this point in the season.
Joey Votto (1B-CIN) Votto went 5-for-7 with 2 home runs, 1 walk and 4 RBI during the Reds doubleheader with the Marlins. He now has 24 home runs on the season, and he improved his line to .328/.441/.551. Votto has put up another fantastic season in 2011 although is has been slightly different from his MVP season from a year ago. Votto has not displayed the same amount of power a last season. Both his ISO (.223) and HR/FB ratio (19 percent) has dropped from last season when he had an ISO of .276 and a HR/FB ratio of 25 percent. However, Votto has improved his plate discipline and contact rate. He has posted a career low 8.7 swinging strike percentage and dropped his chase rate from 29.9 to 25.4 percent. That has translated to a career high 16.5 percent walk rate and a career low 16.8 percent strikeout rate. Additionally, Votto leads baseball with a 28.4 percent line drive rate.
Bobby Parnell (RP-NYM) Bobby Parnell earned his first save of the season on Wednesday after he pitched a scoreless ninth in which he struck out and walked two. He lowered his ERA to 3.92. Parnell figures to get most of the saves from here on out, but Terry Collins has said he would still employ some sort of committee in certain games. Parnell has pitched better than his ERA would indicate. He has a 3.13 xFIP through 43.2 innings, and he has been negatively affected by a .347 BABIP despite only allowing only a 17 percent line drive rate. He possesses one of the best fastballs in baseball (averaging 97 mph this season), and he has an impressive strikeout of 10.72 K/9. His one drawback has been his spotty command. He has a 3.92 BB/9, and his control has been known to be absent during certain stretches.
Tim Stauffer (SP-SD) Stauffer earned his tenth loss of the season despite limiting the Giants to 2 runs on 6 hits and 1 home run 1 in 6 innings of work. He did strikeout 1 hitter and lowered his ERA to 3.42. While he does not have the greatest strikeout rate (6.18 K/9), Stauffer has been valuable to fantasy owners this season because of his 1.23 WHIP and his ERA. However, the right-hander is available in most ESPN and Yahoo leagues probably due to his underwhelming 8-10 record. Petco Park has helped him as he has only allowed 4 home runs at home compared to 14 on the road. He is worth a pickup for owners for starts at home, and given that he will make most his starts in the NL West where he will pitch in 2 other pitcher friendly parks down the stretch.
