Nate McLouth- BAL- FYI- The Orioles didn't add McLouth to their roster yesterday. This means he could exercise his opt out clause and try to sign with another team. McLouth is hitting just .244 at AAA Norfolk but has slugged 10 homers in 180 ABs.
Franklin Morales- BOS- Rise Value- Morales will make a spot start in place of Josh Beckett tomorrow. At least for now it's a spot start. If Beckett continues to have injury issues, Morales could end up with a more permanent place in the rotation. He has pitched well in his 5 starts this season, with a 3.42 ERA, 10.59 K/9 rate and 2.73 BB/9 rate. Multiple starts from Morales could be a positive for a fantasy team.
Michael Taylor- OAK- Rise Value- Taylor was recalled yesterday when Seth Smith went on the DL. He saw action when he replaced the injured Yoenis Cespedes in the 8th. Taylor was lifted for a pinch hitter in the 10th. He hit .301 at AAA Sacramento with 11 homers and 16 steals and had a .83 Batting EYE. If Cespedes sprained wrist lingers, Taylor could get enough playing time to prove that his high prospect status was justified. Even if Cespedes is back soon, the A's will likely work him in to the lineup fairly regularly.
Justin Morneau- MIN- Hot- Since Fantistics' Eric Nehs last wrote about Morneau on July 20 he (Morneau, not Nehs) has raised his average to .269 and added 2 more homers, giving him 13 for the season. In his past 2 games, Morneau has hit 3 doubles, another indication that his power is surging. His fly ball rate has actually dipped a little, to 35.2%, which is disappointing. However, it was taken up in his line drive rate, which has gone up to 22.3%. With his HR/FB ratio going up a little also, to 14.0%, that helps to explain both the rise in average and the power.
Josh Hamilton- TEX- Hot- Hamilton has gone 7-for-23 in his last 5 games with a homer, 4 RBI and 3 runs scored. Not only was he battling bad luck (.175 BABIP in July) but also trying again to quit smokeless tobacco. Hamilton had alluded to some personal struggles and the speculation had started to grow until he clarified. It looks like he is on the way back to being the dominant force he can be.
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