Luis Severino
Severino collected his first MLB win on Saturday for the Yankees, tossing six innings of one-run ball. Severino allowed three hits, walked four, and struck out six in the win, lowering his ERA to 1.50, but raising his FIP to 3.90 thanks in large part to the high number of walks. Severino has impressed in his first four starts, giving up no more than three runs in any game while striking out more than a batter an inning (9.39 K/9). This was Severino's worst start per FIP, and the seven walks in his last two starts are a bit disturbing, but at this point, given his high upside (Severino is just 21 years old) he should be owned in just about every league, while owners can decide whether or not to start him based on the match up. After striking out nine Blue Jays in Toronto his previous start, however, it's hard to imagine any match ups where he wouldn't be advisable to start in your lineup at this point.
Salvador Perez
Perez went 1-for-3 with a home run and three RBI on Saturday. The home run was his 18th home run of the season, a new career-high. The signs aren't all great for Perez, however, as there are plenty of peripherals that suggest he may be declining despite the high home run total. For one, his batting average (granted, not a peripheral so to speak) is the lowest it has ever been in his career, so although his home runs are high, his slugging percentage is only just in line with his career rate instead of being higher. Perez has also gotten to just an absurd level of swinging at anything. His 1.9 percent walk rate is the lowest among all qualified hitters, and he's striking out more than ever before in his career (15.3 percent). This isn't a coincidence, as Perez's 43.4 percent O-Swing rate (the rate at which Perez swings at pitches outside of the strike zone) is fifth among qualified hitters. That rate is actually down from last season, but the complete lack of plate discipline is troubling for Perez, and is holding him back from being a great fantasy catcher. He currently sits just inside the top ten at his position, making him a highly-owned player, but only because of his position.
Kevin Jepsen
Jepsen got his second straight save for the Twins on Sunday, filling in for the recovering Glen Perkins in a role it was believed he would fill while Perkins gets healthy. Perkins got a cortisone shot late in the week and has apparently been dealing with neck pain for several weeks. Perkins had to be shut down late in the 2014 season, and although he hasn't even been sent to the DL yet, there are some worries that the Twins may just shut down their prized closer if they slip any further in the playoff race. Jepsen would appear to be a good option for the Twins to turn to in the ninth, as his 2.68 ERA is a near spitting image of Perkins' 2.66 ERA. However, Jepsen is not nearly the pitcher Perkins is according to the peripherals. Jepsen has a 3.86 FIP, doesn't even have a 2:1 strikeout to walk ratio and is screaming for some regression. Perkins owners shouldn't be cutting their man for Jepsen as that would be an extremely shortsighted move. If Perkins is indeed out longer than the Tuesday deadline that has currently been given, then maybe Jepsen is worth a pick up, but definitely wait to hear word on Perkins before putting too much stock in Jepsen.
Brian McCann
Those who bought into the McCann bounceback 2015 season are looking mighty smart these days, as ESPN's number two overall catcher (per Player Rater) in 2015 hit his 22nd home run of the season on Saturday, as part of a two-hit day. The RBI that came as McCann crossed the plate during his home run trot was his 75th of the season, meaning McCann has more home runs than any other catcher and only the great and mighty Buster Posey has more RBI at the position. With over a month remaining in the season, there's a very good chance McCann tops his previous career-high in home runs (24), as part of his rejuvenation. McCann's home run to fly ball rate is slightly elevated in comparison to his career, but guess what - hitting in Yankee Stadium for 81 games a season will do that to a player. Fourteen of his 22 home runs have come at home this season, and only three of his home runs have been classified as "Just Enough" by ESPN's home run tracker, further supporting the idea that he doesn't necessarily have to slow off of this home run pace. McCann has already equaled his 2014 production in 40 games less and is having an excellent return to form in 2015.
Byron Buxton
Buxton had his second straight two-hit game on Saturday, this time adding an RBI to his 2-for-4 performance. Buxton has looked better since his return from the disabled list, and is 5-for-15 with a run and an RBI in the three games back. The good results improve Buxton's chance of staying at the top of the order, where he would get plenty of at bats. If Buxton can keep getting on base at a decent clip he should see his steals totals jump pretty quickly (even though he is just 1-for-3 on stolen base attempts in his young career). As the number one prospect in baseball, Buxton obviously has a ton of upside, especially as a 'high-BABIP maintaining, 50-steal, 100-run' type of contributor. Buxton certainly needs to work on his plate discipline, especially early in the count, as evidenced by his 18 strikeouts and just two walks for the entire year. He has a strikeout in each game since his return without drawing any walks. With Buxton's speed a walk can easily become a double, making it all the more important for Buxton to master that plate discipline at the major league level. Buxton drew about a walk every other game for the entirety of his minor league career, so one would have to assume once he gets more comfortable at the plate in the majors those walk rates should normalize and help his value. If he's available pick him up for the home stretch.