Bruce Chen - The Royals' Bruce Chen yielded 2 ER over seven innings versus the Tigers on Sunday. Chen has been a pleasant surprise for the Royals and his fantasy owners, posting a 2.81 ERA in 93 innings this season. However, he's been enjoying an unsustainable 4.92 xFIP along with an 81% strand rate and .253 BABIP. With a strikeout rate under six per game and just a 28% GB%, it seems more than likely - imminent, really - that Chen will not maintain this success into 2014. It will be tempting to consider Chen for a rotation spot in deeper formats for next year, but that's not a wise decision based on his peripherals.
Danny Salazar - Danny Salazar took on the Mets on Sunday and gave up 1 ER with eight strikeouts over just four innings. Salazar now owns a 2.92 ERA and 2.85 xFIP with a 29% K% against just a 7% BB%. The right hander is an intriguing prospect for 2014 as he's shown in a small sample size this year that he can provide elite strikeout rates and solid ERA marks. The risk is that some scouts see Salazar as a bullpen arm because they don't believe he'll have the durability to remain a starter. One realistic possibility is for Salazar to begin the year in the rotation, but get moved to the pen if he has any arm issues (he had Tommy John surgery in 2010 and missed the entire 2011 season). I'll be monitoring Salazar in the spring to hear the reports out of the Tribe's camp and if they put the youngster in the rotation, he definitely represents high upside, high risk potential in both AL-only and mixed leagues.
Alex Presley - The Twins' Alex Presley had a nice game on Sunday from the leadoff spot, going 2-for-3 with a walk. Presley has now started six games for Minnesota, going 10-for-30 with four multi-hit games. In 107 plate appearances this season between Pittsburgh and Minnesota, Presley owns a .301/.327/.437 slash line to go along with a .136 ISO. However, he's enjoyed an inflated .364 BABIP and projects, long-term, as a fourth outfielder. From a fantasy-perspective, Presley isn't likely to hold much value next season, unless you're competing in a deep AL-only league.
Andrew Albers - Andrew Albers faced the Blue Jays on Sunday and gave up 0 ER on four hits with five strikeouts over seven innings. Albers entered Sunday's start with a 3.96 ERA in 38 2/3 innings, but there are plenty of warning signs to suggest he can't continue his success. Albers owns a 3.49 K/9 with a 10% K% to go along with a 4.40 xFIP. The lefty is doing an excellent job with 0.70 BB/9 and 0.93 HR/9 rates, but even those low numbers don't make up for the complete lack of whiffs. That said, Albers had success in the minors despite the strikeout rates with ERAs consistently in the 2.00s. In deep AL-only leagues, Albers could have some value in 2014, but it seems like a stretch to believe he can be successful in the big leagues without missing more bats.
Hiroki Kuroda - Hiroki Kuroda tried to bounce back after a string of tough starts when he faced the Red Sox on Sunday. The right hander ended up tossing six innings and allowing 2 ER with six strikeouts. In his past four starts prior to Sunday, Kuroda had given up 19 ER over 23 innings. For the season, Kuroda owns a 2.99 ERA, while his xFIP is 3.53, which is right in line with his marks from the past few seasons. Kuroda doesn't have outstanding strikeout numbers, but he misses enough bats to contribute in that area while also providing steady totals in the ERA and WHIP categories. He's a solid mid-rotation starter in deep mixed leagues next season.
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