Brett Oberholtzer - I'm sure Oberholtzer's second 7 IP, 0 ER start is going to set off a run to the waiver wire, and perhaps that's OK. The big lefty is an extreme flyball-pitcher with average stuff and good control, so if you're thinking "spot starter", I'm right there with you. He's managed to keep two power-laden offenses off of the board in his first two outings, but I certainly wouldn't bet on that continuing for very long. With TEX, LAA, TEX coming up on the schedule next for Oberholtzer, I would be hesitant to slot him right in for the next few weeks.
Jose Quintana - Quintana was very solid against the Yankees Monday, limiting them to 8 hits and 1 run over 6 2/3 innings in an 8-1 victory. That was Quintana's 7th straight start (and 10th of 11) in which he allowed 3 earned runs or fewer. I have not been a fan of Quintana's, particularly with the offense that the White Sox have been trotting out this year, but in watching him Monday I saw significantly more stuff than I had in the past. Quintana was routinely hitting 93-94 mph on the gun, furthering the velocity gains that he's been sporting this year, and his control has remained solid during this stretch of improved stuff. I still don't trust the 24 year old completely, but he's won me over enough to view him as a clear spot starter in all formats and a solid #3-#4 in deeper leagues. His flyball tendencies would keep me from utilizing him against some of the most power-laden teams in all likelihood, but at present I'd have him in the lineup most of the time.
Justin Smoak - Smoak homered off of R.A. Dickey last night, extending his hitting streak to 6 games and pushing his season line up to 273/373/439. Smoak has been improving every month of this season, and while he remains a disappointment to a large extent, he's also being overlooked in many formats where he could be useful. Many players like this are cast into the "flop" bin a little early, and in Smoak's case, a .373 OBP with a bit of pop is clearly a guy that has value in any format that weights OBP even in the slightest. Still just 26, there is some upside remaining here, and I would at least have him on a roster in formats of greater than average depth, and I certainly would be utilizing him in some capacity in formats that value OBP.
Corey Kluber - Kluber was very solid in a big intra-divisional game against Detroit Monday, going 7 1/3 shutout innings in a 4-2 loss. Kluber has only allowed 7 earned runs in 27 innings since the break with a 4:22 BB:K ratio, and despite some substantial improvement in control over the past two years and a solid supporting cast, he's only owned in 19% of ESPN formats. He definitely has looked the part of a mid-rotation guy this season, and if anything his peripherals indicate that future performance could be even a bit better.
Engel Beltre - I think that Engel Beltre's value will likely increase the most with Nelson Cruz gone for 50 games, as the 23 year old is likely to assume the good side of a platoon in that OF vacancy. Beltre shows flashes of five-tool ability and has for 7 years, which is really the problem. He's still a high-upside/high-downside player that looks like he should be a lot better than he usually is, but the upside does remain. He has a ton of speed but hasn't always been able to hit enough to use it, and I really think this could be a big opportunity for him. He has the talent to cement a place with the team here, and their options are fairly limited with a couple of right-handed bats that would likely be exposed in extended playing time as the alternatives. Beltre is a reasonable lottery ticket in deeper formats right now, and he should be monitored all the way down to shallow leagues simply for his speed.
