Matt Wieters (C-BAL): Matt Wieters hit a 2-run homer, his 11th of the season. Wieters has been a disappointment for fantasy owners, posting a .227/.285/.404 line with 42 RBI and 30 runs through 80 games, currently placing him 17th among catchers on ESPN's player rater. Wieters' peripherals suggest he has taken a minor step back, as his EYE and ISO are trending in the wrong direction. However, a .239 BABIP suggests some positive course correction will occur in the second half, and he could easily add a few percent to his 10.3% HR/FB rate. I see him as a decent buy-low candidate, especially in ROTO leagues, and wouldn't be surprised to see him move up to the 10-12-range on the Player Rater by year's end.
Ivan Nova (SP-NYY): Ivan Nova was brilliant, allowing only 2 earned runs on 3 hits and 1 walk while striking out 11 in a complete game victory. He has tossed three consecutive quality starts by inducing a healthy amount of groundballs and keeping the walks in check. He temporarily makes a quality spot starter in the majority of leagues, as his he's turned himself into a respectable 20% K-rate type of pitcher the past two seasons. After the start, Joe Girardi said Nova has earned at least another turn in the rotation. If he continues to pitch like this, he will make rotation decisions interesting when Michael Pineda is ready to return around the ASB.
Rick Porcello (SP-DET): Rick Porcello returned to the form he had exhibited in early June, shutting down the Indians across 7 scoreless innings to pick up his 5th win of the year. The righty allowed only 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out 6. He had allowed 13 earned runs in his previous 10 and 1/3 innings after seemingly turning the corner in early May. While Porcello may frustrate owners, I see him as a plug-a-play type: just start him if you own him and while you may endure the occasional blow up, you'll also enjoy plenty of starts like this. He features a 3.14 xFIP, a 57% GB rate, and a 19% K-rate, and hitters are still managing to hit just .150 against his curveball. He's legit.
Jose Bautista (OF-TOR): Jose Bautista continued to surge at the plate, going 3 for 4 with 2 RBI and hitting his 20th homer. He now boasts a .267/.364/.518 line with 52 RBI and 59 runs through 79 games. He is posting a much higher LD-rate of 18.3% than he did in 2012, suggesting that he could maintain the gains in AVG. And while his ISO is down a bit from last year, he is finding his power stroke, hitting 4 homers in his last 7 games. The wrist looks to be 100% healthy, and Joey Bats looks primed for a big second half.
Nick Franklin (2B-SEA): Nick Franklin hit a 2-run homer, his 5th, to lead the Mariners over the Reds. The rookie has posted a .290/.350/.473 line with 17 RBI, 15 runs, and 5 steals through his first 35 games. I see no reason why Franklin won't continue to produce at this pace for the rest of the season. His .52 EYE is mighty impressive for a rookie, and his 1.50 EYE at AAA this season suggests there could even be a better one in store. And his 26.9% LD rate and 85.2% contact rate suggest that the .330 BABIP is quite sustainable. He was under the radar as a prospect because he doesn't have a plus-plus "carrying" tool, but he does everything offensively very well, and his acumen enables him to get the most out of his talents. He's legit.
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