Michael Brantley (OF-CLE): In the middle of his breakout season, Michael Brantley logged a 2-for-4, 1-run, 2-RBI night to lead the Tribe over the Yankees. Brantley now has a .911 OPS and a .398 wOBA to go with 14 homers, 10 steals, 61 runs, and 62 RBI in 87 games. This is a legit breakout and Brantley has turned himself into an elite fantasy OF. He is hitting more linedrives, carrying an EYE near 1, and maintaining and otherworldly 3.7% swinging strike rate. While the power has improved, I do think the 17% HR/FB rate (up 11% from career norm) is slightly fluky, as his speed off of Bat is down 1 MPH from last season. I project 6-7 homers in the second half and similar numbers otherwise across the board.
Kole Calhoun (OF-LAA): While Mike Trout grabbed the offensive headlines, Kole Calhoun continued to rake, going 4 for 5, scoring 4 runs, and driving in another to lead the Angels' barrage against Colby Lewis and the Rangers. This man is for real. He holds above-average marks in his swinging-strike, chase, and contact rates; and he's hitting more flyballs and more home runs to fly balls, approaching power numbers consistent with his MiLB track record. If Mike Scioscia ever gets the memo that Calhoun can actually hit lefties, he may play everyday and become a viable #3 fantasy OF. For now, treat him as a decent #4 in 12-team mixed leagues with the potential for more.
C.J. Wilson (SP-LAA): The Angels placed C.J. Wilson on the DL with a right ankle sprain. Wilson had struggled before the injury, but indicated that it had nothing to do with his physical condition. This could be a blessing in disguise for Wilson, who actually has been a bit unfortunate with his 4.33 ERA/3.71 xFIP. The 15.1% HR/FB rate has been the killer, but everything else, including his K/BB rates and ratio, appear to be in line. He has even increased his groundball rate to 51%. The Angels have indicated he shouldn't miss more than 2 starts, so his owners are advised to stash. He also makes for a great buy-low target for those in need of pitching for the stretch run.
Drew Smyly (SP-DET): While he earned the W, Drew Smyly continued his rough 2014 campaign, allowing 4 earned runs and 9 baserunners in 6 and 2/3 innings while only adding 2 strikeouts. Smyly hasn't been nearly the same pitcher as he was out of the pen, as his K-rate and GB rate have each declined 7%, his BB-rate has increased 2%, and his LD rate has increased 3%. The biggest issue preventing Smyly from going deeper into games is his continued ineffectiveness against righties, and they have posted a .403 wOBA (compared to a miniscule .163 mark from lefties). Until he can rectify this and develop that changeup--righties are slugging .941 against the pitch!--mixed league owners are advised to stay away.
Eugenio Suarez (SS-DET): While every single Tiger collected a hit, Eugenio Suarez quietly logged another solid evening to contribute to the 16-run barrage against Jeremy Guthrie and the Royals. The Venezuelan rookie went 2 for 4 with 2 runs and 2 RBI to move his season line to .283/.359/.457. His contact rate is approaching 80% and swinging strike rate 8.5%, the league average marks. He is spraying line drives all over the field, carrying a 25% rate into the weekend. Suarez doesn't have star potential, but he should be a solid all-around player, and already makes for an intriguing MI option in deeper mixed leagues. There is some power and speed to his game too, and he could easily post 5 homers and 5 steals in the second half with a solid AVG.
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