Kendall Graveman - Graveman is one out against the Yanks away from posting 7 straight quality starts since his return from the minors after a 7 IP, 2 ER outing against Texas on Wednesday. If you're looking at his season totals you're not following the storyline here, as this is a totally different guy since late May. His line in those 7 outings: 46 2/3 IP, 45 H, 12 ER, 11 BB, 34 K with a 3-2 record. He's had one outing with a GB rate under 50% out of the seven, and the swinging strike% is nearly double what it was in April. I've been plenty impressed, as 4 of those 7 offenses are ranked in the top-12 in runs scored. He's easily viable in all formats right now, and until his price corrects he's a daily play staple for me as well.
Clay Buchholz - As bad as Buchholz's luck has been (and as bad as he legitimately looks at times), he's still barely outside the top-50 for SP, yet he's unowned in nearly half of ESPN's leagues and unloved in many more. Clay was very solid Wednesday against the O's, allowing 8 hits and a run over 7 innings, walking 1 and striking out 7. He's posting the best BB rate, swinging strike%, and chase rates of his career along with an improved GB rate from the past few seasons. His FIP ERA is under 3.00 and his SIERA basically points to this being the best Clay Buchholz we've ever seen, yet he seems distinctly overlooked this year. Don't let the occasional blow-up sway you, Buchholz needs to be owned and would be a great asset to anyone at the back of their rotation.
Eduardo Nunez - I'm probably one of the few left on the planet that still sees some value in Nunez from time to time, but he's started 10 of the last 12 for the Twins as their primary SS, going 11-36 with 6 2Bs, a 3B, a HR, and a SB. His line for the year rests at 302/337/523, and while that's certainly not something we would expect to continue, it's equally certain that the bar for competence offensively at SS is lower than that. As long as he's going to start, I believe that he has value in many formats as a potential 5/15 guy with a decent average playing every day.
Lance McCullers - McCullers had another QS on Wednesday, giving him 8 in a row without allowing more than 3 ER to start his MLB career. I am very impressed with what he's brought to the table thus far, but I definitely expect at least a bit of a rougher road for him before the year is out. The first reason for that is obvious, as he's allowed a HR/FB rate under 3% thus far, which is completely unsustainable. The second reason is a bit more subtle but would potentially prove to be an even greater problem in my opinion, and that's his control. To this point his BB rate in the bigs has been significantly better than anything he's shown in the minors, but I'm not sure that number is going to stick in this range with a zone% of around 43-44. In fact, he's walked 10 men in his last 3 starts, which could mean that the league is starting to learn a bit more about his plan of attack. I still expect McCullers to provide value (think #4-#5 SP, ranked around #40-50 overall), as his stuff is well above average, but since his value may never be much higher than it is now I'd be willing to explore what he could bring in trade.
Mike Moustakas - Moustakas singled and homered Wednesday to extend his hitting streak to 9 games, pushing his season line up to 328/379/478. His average HR distance of 411 feet is in the elite category, and he's accomplishing the same level of power as last year with substantially fewer flyballs. The BABIP is a smidge above expected but not by a ton, and his contact rate improvement highlights his continuing development into a complete hitter. I think there is still power upside potential from here (to go along with a bit of downside in AVG), and I would very much still be happy with him as my 3B in all formats.
