Chris Taylor (SS-SEA). Taylor appears to have won the job as the Mariners SS, at least for now, as he has gotten the start in six out of the last seven games. Taylor has certainly gotten off to a good start since his call up, as he is slashing .343/.368/.457 in 38 PAs. Taylor will not provide much help in the power department (his minor league high in HR is 8 in over 600 PAs split between high A and AA in 2013). However, Taylor should provide solid returns in the BA category (although his current BA is likely unsustainable, he has hit wee over .300 in his minor league stops) while also providing the potential for significant help in SBs (38 SBs in two stops in 2013 and 14 SBs in AAA this year). Despite the unlikelihood of significant contributions from Taylor in the HR category, he can also provide sneaky value in leagues that use SLG as a category, as his doubles power has enabled him to produce SLG % in the high 400s (.497 in AAA and .457 in his short sample in the majors this year). Taylor is certainly worthy of consideration as an add by those who are need of assistance at the MI position.
Brett Oberholtzer (SP-HOU). Oberholtzer was solid in a no-decision against the Rangers on Friday night, tossing 7 innings or 2 run ball, while giving up 6 hits and 1 walk, while striking out 4. Oberholtzer reduced his ERA to 4.05 with the strong outing. Oberholtzer's ERA is likely a bit understated as he is enjoying a very fortunate 5.3% HR/FB rate, which, if it normalizes, could result in a hike in his ERA to the vicinity of his 4.46 xFIP. The likelihood of an ERA increase, coupled with his extremely mediocre K rate (5.76 K/9), limits Oberholtzer to being a streaming option in AL only leagues.
Avasail Garcia (OF-CHA). Continuing his remarkable recovery from shoulder surgery, Garcia made his first start in the OF on his minor league rehab stint. Although Garcia was originally expected to miss the remainder of the season, he is now on pace to return to the White Sox prior to the end of August. Garcia was one of my favorite sleepers coming into the season and, after a slow start, he was just starting to heat up when he was injured. Garcia was slashing .267/.353/.467 with 2 HR in 34 PAs. Garcia's BA was being suppressed by a (for him) far below average .286 BABIP, so he can be expected to be at least a little better in that category. Garcia has been tearing up AAA on his rehab assignment, hitting .526 with a dinger in 20 PAs, which is encouraging, since power is always the last thing to return after shoulder surgery. Those in need of OF help may want to consider stashing Garcia as a potential boost in the HR and BA categories for September's stretch run.
Michael Pineda (SP-NYA). The Yankees announced that, barring any setbacks, Pineda is likely to come off the DL to start on Wednesday against the Orioles. Assuming he is healthy, Pineda makes for a solid add in most fantasy leagues, as he was pitching to a 1.83 ERA when he went on the DL. While he is not likely to sustain quite that level of performance (he is benefitting from a .276 BABIP, an 86.0% strand rate and a 3.0% HR/FB rate which will inevitably normalize and lead to an increase in his ERA), his solid 5:1 K:BB rate and status as a member of the Yankees rotation make him a recommended add in any league in which he is available, although owners may want to avoid starting him against a red-hot Orioles team in his first start off the DL.
Chris Archer (SP-TB). Archer tossed a stellar 6 innings in a no-decision against the Cubs on Friday afternoon, going 6 innings before being lifted for a pinch-hitter. Archer gave up 2 runs (1 earned) on 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out 6, in reducing his ERA to 3.33. Archer has improved his strikeout ability in 2014, raising his K rate from 19.2% to 20.9%. Unfortunately, this has been accompanied by an increase in his BB rate from 7.2% to 9.1%. If Archer could reduce his BB rate while maintaining the K improvement, he could take a step forward to verging on an elite fantasy pitcher. As it is, Archer remains a solid, but not spectacular, SP4 or SP5 for fantasy purposes.
