Desmond Jennings (OF - TB) - Jennings had two more hits and stole his 27th base, raising his line to .251/.316/.397. After an awful first four months, he has hit .287/.353/.481 since August 10. After last year's excellent debut in his first extended major league action, he has been one of fantasy's biggest disappointments. He's hit more fly balls and line drives, but way too many of those fly balls have been pop-ups as his 18.4% rate coming into the night led the AL and was second in MLB while his walk rate has dropped three percent and his HR/FB% six percent. He'll be an excellent value selection if he can be had at a discount next year as he is moving right into his prime and possessed excellent speed and on-base skills in the minors.
B.J. Upton (OF - TB) - Upton only had one hit in five at bats, but he made it count as he hit his 23rd home run and 13th in his last 32 games. He is now hitting .250/.302/.448. It's been more of same for him on the whole this year: long on potential but short on production as his plate discipline against right-handed pitching is suspect at best. His walk rate has dropped almost four percent from last year and almost eight percent from its high-water mark in 2008. He still has excellent talent, still just turned 28 and could benefit from a change of scenery as he is a free agent-to be, but he has now produced four straight years of mediocrity.
Lonnie Chisenhall (3B - CLE) - Chisenhall was the lone bright spot for the Indians, as he went 2-3 with a double (both off Justin Verlander) and a walk. He is now hitting .289/.330/.494 in 88 plate appearances. Expected to compete for the starting third base job, he was optioned back to AAA for the first two months. He showed solid power (albeit with a lack of plate discipline) in his first month back in the majors before being hit by a pitch on June 29 that fractured a bone in his forearm. He's still well young enough to turn it around as he turns 24 next month, and a strong pedigree, solid minor league track record for his age and a ballpark favorable to left-handed hitting make him a strong late-round flier next year.
Yu Darvish (SP - TEX) - Darvish was excellent against the Mariners, surrendering just a run on two hits with two walks and nine strikeouts. After a rough five-start stretch out of the All-Star break, he's been fantastic in his last five with a 2.00 ERA, 43/8 K/BB and just one home run allowed in 36 innings when most expected him to tire. The combination of his age (26), outstanding numbers in Japan (by far the best of any import) and massive strikeout rate make for what should be an excellent option going forward. I'm very bullish on him for next year.
Michael Saunders (OF - SEA) - Saunders hit his 15th home run and also walked. He is now hitting .249/.305/.423 and has also stolen 19 bases. After a strong minor league career, he suffered through injuries and ineffectiveness in the majors before this year. Like almost all of the Mariners, he's been much better outside of Safeco Field. He doesn't turn 26 until November and still has a lot of power projection, making him a solid value option next year.
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