Henry Owens (SP-BOS): Owens allowed 3 earned runs and struck out 5 in 5 innings in what was a respectable debut. While scouts love the stuff that he wields from his 6'6" frame, many are unsure if he'll ever develop the control necessary to succeed at the MLB level (Owens walked 56 in 122 and 1/3 innings at AAA this season before the call-up). In fact, Owens had missed significantly fewer bats and induced significantly fewer groundballs at AAA than at AA. With the Red Sox looking to 2016, look for them to give Owens a lengthy audition and time to grow in Boston. While he makes for a fine dynasty option, those in standard yearly leagues are only advised to pick up if they are chasing counting stats, not protecting ratios.
Salvador Perez (C-KC): Perez hit his 16th homer of the season to propel the Royals over the Tigers. What a bizarre season it has been for Perez, who has seen his EYE plummet from .26 to .13 and his swinging strike rate rise from 8% to 9%. Oddly, Perez is posting a .227 wOBA against LEFTIES with 0 walks! His spray charts indicate a severe pull-happiness as well. These are alarming issues and a troubling step back in the development process.
Leonys Martin (OF-TEX): A day that began with the Rangers sending down Leonys Martin ended on a high note after Shawn Tolleson picked up his 20th save of the season. Don't give up on Martin in yearly leagues if you have the bench room and in keeper leagues. Martin posted a .063 BABIP on flyballs and a .229 BABIP on groundballs, both well-below league average marks and his own baselines. Martin fell behind in more counts this year as pitchers made some adjustments to their attack; the onus is now on the youngster to adjust. I see him doing so and him making a great value pick in 2016.
Jesus Montero (1B-SEA): Montero went 1 for 5 with another RBI for the Mariners. In the best shape of his career, Montero posted fantastic numbers in AAA before the call-up. The Mariners intend to give him a long audition for 2016 and so far he has responded well, going 9 for 27 with 3 walks, 6 K's, 1 homer and 6 RBI in 10 games. This is the kind of player that can make a huge difference in deeper leagues down the stretch.
Luis Severino (SP-NYY): Luis Severino, who is scheduled to make his MLB debut today against the Red Sox, looks like an intriguing tournament SP #2 at DraftKings for $4600. Sure, many scouts are concerned over his high-effort, all-arm delivery, which could cause issues down the line. But we're focused on today, and with that, I'll take the man who struck out 98 and walked 27 in 98 innings in the high minors and has a filthy fastball-changeup-slider arsenal that could dominate a lineup. Boston is 14th vs. righties and is riddled with injuries, so the ingredients are here.
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