Justin Maxwell (OF-KC): Maxwell logged a 3-for-5, 2-RBI, 2-run night and hit his 5th homer of the year to help bail out Ervin Santana. Maxwell has been red hot since joining the Royals and while he was supposed to platoon with David Lough and see time mostly against lefties, the Royals look to be altering plans. While he will have to battle Cain, Dyson, Lough, and Gordon for OF AB's, if he stays hot, he could definitely force his way into more consistent playing time. For now, he's a deep league play or daily play when in the starting lineup. But those in shallower/weekly leagues in the market for power may want to stash him immediately and monitor the situation.
Wil Myers (OF-TB): Myers (asthma) returned to the lineup and went 2 for 4 and scored 2 runs. This pushed his rookie line to .340/.392/.531 with 8 homers, 5 steals 30 RBI, and 26 runs through 42 games. Most impressive are his .42 EYE and his 75% contact rate, numbers that should improve even more with more MLB experience. The .398 BABIP is unsustainable, but Myers looks like one of those prospects that hits the ground running and doesn't look back. While many thought it would take him a few years to find the right mix of power/contact, he looks to be ahead of schedule. He's actually 2nd overall among all hitters on the ESPN Player Rater for the past 30 days, and is showing no signs of slowing down.
Dane De La Rosa (RP-LAA): Journeyman Dane De La Rosa picked up his first career save. With the struggles of Ernesto Frieri, De La Rosa is likely to continue getting the ball in the 9th. And he has the stuff to hold the job down the stretch and has posted a 22% K-rate to go with a solid 52% GB-rate. Also, his 8% BB-rate is over 4% lower than Ernesto Frieri's. If you're in need for saves, go get him.
Avisail Garcia (OF-CHW): Garcia made his White Sox debut in the nightcap, striking out in his only AB. Garcia will receive the bulk of the starts moving forward and makes a solid add in all AL-only formats and deeper mixed leagues. He was mashing in the minors this season, mostly at AAA, where he posted a .379/.431/.561 line with 7 homers and 6 steals through 47 games. He has also shown an improved .43 EYE. While he struggled in his initial stint with Detroit this season, he looks to be on the right developmental path and could be a difference maker in deeper leagues.
Jered Weaver (SP-LAA): Weaver was solid yet again, allowing 2 earned runs and striking out 4 in 7 innings. He allowed 6 hits and didn't walk a batter while picking up his 7th win of the season. Weaver has maintained a stellar 6% BB-rate the past 4 seasons, and while his K-rate has settled into a below elite 20%-rate thanks to diminished velocity, the man knows how to pitch. I'd usually point to his 2.87 ERA and 4.04 xFIP and suggest regression is coming. But, Weaver has outpitched his peripherals every season of his career but 1. He makes for a very solid #2 starter in the majority of leagues, and I wouldn't be scared off by his diminished velocity if I was a keeper league owner. You might actually be able to take advantage of the Angels' poor season and his early-season injury and get Weaver at a discount for 2014.
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