Brett Jackson - Jackson homered again last night, extending his modest hitting streak to 4 games, during which he has a double and 3 homers to his credit. He's also walked five times in the past three games (and 8 in his last 8), illustrating why I think Jackson is absolutely a playable option in OBP-based formats. Yes, the contact rate is awful, but his swinging strike% is less than, for example, outfield-mate Alfonso Soriano's, and his ISO is higher (in small sample size of course) and he has more speed. If we think Soriano is a viable mixed league option, and we do, than why isn't Jackson? Sure, there's plenty of AVG downside here, but with patience, power, and speed I'm inclined to gamble here.
Yasmani Grandal - Since getting a day off after returning from the DL with an 0-12 skid, Grandal has hit in 4 straight, going 5-13 with his 6th homer of the year coming last night against the Braves. I'm really becoming pretty enamored with this guy...I think he's clearly a borderline #1 catcher already and is very likely to be a top-10 catcher next year, yet he's owned in just over 1% of ESPN leagues right now. He will help you down the stretch, and for keeper leaguers you'd be crazy not to grab him. Excellent strike zone control, solid ability to hit for average, and developing power from the catching position: yeah, I'll take two.
Josh Rutledge - Josh Rutledge was still limited to pinch-hitting yesterday, but he is getting closer to regular action, and it's amazing that there isn't more buzz about this kid. Still just 23, Rutledge has 38 2B, 6 3B, and 20 HR along with 19 SB between two levels this year, and is hitting .344 with the Rockies as well. His K rate is likely to increase a bit with a 40% chase rate, meaning that the AVG isn't likely to remain at this level, and the power has been a bit surprising as well...he's more likely a 15 HR guy at this point in his career. Still, he could regress a decent amount and still be a very solid option for you as (likely) a 2B/SS eligible bat going forward. I'm much higher on him than most people seem to be.
Tyler Skaggs - Skaggs pitched fairly well in his second big league start, dropping a 3-2 decision to the Reds after allowing a 6th-inning homer to pitcher Bronson Arroyo. His control was much improved over his previous outing, and he fanned five in 5 2/3 innings, but as is fairly typical for Skaggs he allowed a lot of balls hit in the air, and three of them went for extra bases. I do think that Skaggs will be a capable mid-rotation arm: his K rates have always been very solid up until this season, his control is decent, and he has shown an ability at every level to suppress hits better than the average arm. However, his FB rates are high enough consistently that I think he may struggle at times, particularly at home, so for the time being I would treat him as more of a spot-start, though I clearly think that he can help, especially with a September schedule like this: @LA, @SD, SF, SD, @SF, CUB.
Casey Kelly - Casey Kelly came up after just 8 minor league starts this season for San Diego, and he opened up his MLB career with 6 shutout innings against the Braves for win number 1. Until this season, Kelly's minor league track record was rather uninspiring, but scouts have constantly assured us that the talent is there. I treat San Diego pitchers sort of like Colorado bats, in that they warrant instant consideration in all formats, and Kelly is no exception to be sure. Kelly looks to be to be a mid-rotation type of an arm, offering solid control and GB rates to go along with middling K figures. He's instantly worth a pickup in all formats, and a starting slot in anything of average depth or greater.
