Jeremy Hefner, SP, New York Mets: Rise in Value
After recording his first win of the season in his ninth start, Hefner was wonderful again, showing good command in another quality start versus the rival Nationals. Hefner gave up a second inning solo home run, but that was all, as he struck out seven while allowing the one run in seven innings of work. Although Mets closer Bobby Parnell ended up blowing the save, nixing Hefner's opportunity for his second straight victory, yesterday's start marked the seventh quality start out of the 10 starts for a guy who wasn't even slated to be in the rotation at the beginning of the year. But after Johan Santana was shelved for the year and Shaun Marcum was slow to work his way back, enter Hefner, who has shrunk his ERA to 4.36 on the season. The Mets struggle to drive in runs, but considering the way Hefner has been pitching, and the fact that his velocity has actually risen since he was plugged into the rotation, bodes well for him in the future. If you are strapped for a pitcher, Hefner has struck out 49 batters in 64.2 innings, as well as sporting an impressive 1.23 WHIP. The wins may not come in bunches, but expect solid production in the other pitching categories (aside from saves obviously). He has value in deeper mixed leagues.
Ian Desmond, SS, Washington Nationals: Stats
Desmond finished Tuesday's game 2-for-4 with a solo home run, extending his hitting streak to eight games. His average has only risen 11 points during that span, but he has hit two homers in his last two contests and has an RBI in three straight after going seven straight without any. After a breakout season in 2012 with 25 HR, 21 SB and a .292 average, Desmond is on a similar pace. His power numbers are consistent, but his average is quite there. Nonetheless, its still the first half of the year, and it's not like .270 is disastrous either. The league doesn't have many middle infielders with pop, so owning a guy like Desmond with speed and power is definitely a luxury. He finished last year ranked in the top 60 in all of fantasy baseball, and although his stats aren't as well rounded as they were last year, the year will even itself out. Desmond is still young, not to mention the entire Nationals team is underachieving at the moment, playing only .500 ball through a little more than a third of the season. Don't overthink this one, stick with Desmond through the year, he shouldn't disappoint.
Yasiel Puig, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers: Rookie Watch
Before the season started, I wrote a column discussing some sleeper outfielders. Puig was on my list, thinking that he would make the roster because of the injury proned Dodgers outfield. He didn't make the roster, but the hype was still there, and in just his second game as a major leaguer, Puig showed us why we were so excited to see him play, blasting two home runs. The first was a three-run shot that tied the game in the fifth; the second was a two run bomb that helped seal San Diego's fate last night. Through two games, Puig is batting .625 (5-for-8) with the two dingers, three runs and five RBI. Not a bad start for the 22-year old Cuban defector. He is already owned in over half of Yahoo! leagues, but he's still out there in some leagues, so check and see if he's available. Puig isn't quite on Mike Trout's level, but his talent is glaringly obvious and he is guaranteed to make a big splash for the rest of the 2013 season.
Rex Brothers, RP, Colorado Rockies: Rise in Value
After Rafael Betancourt was placed on the disabled list, the no-brainer was to insert Brothers, who has been lights out all year. The 25-year old lefty from Murfreesboro, Tennessee has given up just one run in 25.2 innings pitched this season. He has two saves with his only blown opportunity coming with inherited runners on base. He strikes out about a batter per inning, so he was a viable option in leagues that count holds, but considering his ERA is now down to 0.35 AND he has taken over as closer, this may be an instance where the current incumbent holds onto the job and Betancourt is left hoping for another chance. Brothers is only owned in 29 percent of Yahoo! leagues, and weighing the fact that he has been virtually unhittable, this should be a guy who everyone at least stashes for a week and sees what comes of the situation. Betancourt was placed on the 15-day DL with a groin strain, so this injury doesn't figure to sideline him for too long, but like I said before the season, pedigree means a lot with closers, and the fact that Betancourt has historically been a setup man should also bode well for Brothers' likelihood of holding onto the position.
Homer Bailey, SP, Cincinnati Reds: Stats
Bailey recorded another quality start, but took the no decision in Cincinnati's loss to Colorado last night. He struck out seven and allowed three earned on six hits and a walk in seven innings, which was a nice bounce back performance after letting seven runs cross the plate in his last outing. And although his starts have been a little up and down recently, this has been his most consistent season, as the 27-year old has struck out 68 batters in 68 innings with a WHIP of 1.19, which would be a career best if the season ended today. For such a highly touted prospect, Bailey hasn't really ever lived up to the hype, but it's kind of hard when people dub you as the next great thing while your still in the minors. It is nice to see him follow up a solid 2012 campaign with a more mature and consistent performance in 2013.
