Rich Harden - I've said it before but it remains true. Rich Harden is like the really good-looking girlfriend that you just can't quit. On Friday, Harden reminded fantasy owners just how good he used to be in his heyday as the Athletics' right hander struck out 11 and allowed 0 ER in 7 innings versus the Blue Jays. Harden now owns a 3.91 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and has struck out 60 batters in just 53 innings. Those are very strong numbers and make Harden worthy of a pickup in all league formats. The most encouraging sign for Harden is that he's cut his walk rate in half compared to last season while improving his strikeout rate by about 3 batters per game. Harden does draw a tough matchup in his next start by facing either the Yankees or Red Sox on the road. That said, it's hard to imagine there are many SPs on your waiver wire with a higher ceiling.
Kyles Farnsworth - The Rays continue took like geniuses for giving Kyle Farnsworth a chance this season after the closer picked up his 22nd save of 2011 with a 1-2-3 9th versus the Mariners. With 2 more strikeouts Friday, Farnsworth now has 39 Ks in 48 innings. Farnsworth has been successful by lowering his LD rate from 22% in 2010 to just 17% this season. He's also tallying the highest chase rate of his career at 32% and he's allowed only 2 HRs. Interestingly, Farnsworth FIP the past 2 seasons was 3.10 and 3.06 - both very solid marks. The Rays did their research and found an undervalued commodity who has pitched even better than Tampa Bay could have expected.
Phil Hughes - After tossing a gem against the Twins on Friday - 7 IP, 1 ER, 1 hit, 3 BB, 2 Ks - Phil Hughes has now allowed just 5 ER in his past 5 starts to lower his season ERA to "just" 5.82. During this improved stretch of outings, Hughes hasn't exactly faced the most formidable foes (SEA, CHW, TB, MIN) but the fact that he's posting a 15:6 strikeout-to-walk rate is encouraging. Part of Hughes' struggles this season can be attributed to a 22% LD rate which has fueled a .329 BABIP. He's also been a bit unlucky with a 64% strand rate. I'm not at all convinced Hughes is back but he does draw the Athletics in his next start so consider plugging him in your lineup, if only for a day.
Russell Martin - Russell Martin posted a .963 OPS in April and has since hit just a tad better than Jeff Mathis. (OK, he hasn't been THAT bad, but it's closer than you'd think.) However Martin did connect for 2 HRs on Friday against the Twins to give him 15 in 2011 - the most HRs in a season since he smacked 19 in 2007. For the season, Martin's still hitting just .232 with a .702 OPS and those numbers are elevated thanks to that hot-hitting first month. Martin has been barely worth a bench spot in any league format, but there are 2 reasons to keep an eye on him as we head into the last couple weeks of August. First, he's got just a .238 BABIP which is likely to rise, especially since his LD rate is a very strong 22.5%. Second, if Martin's proven anything this season, it's that he can get on a streak and post some excellent numbers from the catcher position. I'd keep an eye on Martin over the next few day and if he strings together a few more good games, consider making him a speculative pickup as your backup backstop.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia - The much better half of the Red Sox catcher platoon, Jarrod Saltalamacchia cranked his 12th HR of the season on Friday - a 3-run shot - to give him a .246/.308/.458 line with 41 RBI. Those aren't bad numbers for a catcher, especially in deeper leagues. Just imagine if he played more often and didn't split starts with old man Jason Varitek. While he's striking out too much (28% K rate and 35% chase rate), Salty is also posting an ISO over the .200 mark for the first time in his major league career. He's also recorded a LD rate above 20% so his .315 BABIP is mostly sustainable. If Salty gets regular ABs next season, he could be a nice sleeper.
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