Julio Teheran (SP-ATL): Julio Teheran continued to thrive towards the season's finish line, allowing 1 earned run on 5 hits and 1 hit and striking out 8 across 8 and 1/3 innings against the Phillies. Teheran has been slightly unfortunate with a 13.3% HR/FB rate, but he has allowed a 24% LD rate and has walked 8.8% of the batters he has faced. While he has pitched better in the second half, his problems remain twofold: his struggles against lefties (.391 wOBA against) and on the road (.382 wOBA). The goods are there for him to develop, but until he shows improvement in these areas, be careful not to draft him as more than a #3 in standard mixed leagues.
Christian Yelich (OF-MIA): Christian Yelich smacked another 2 hits and scored 1 run to continue his impressive second half. He now boasts a .353 wOBA with a solid 13% K-rate. Most importantly, at least in my eyes, he has lowered his groundball rate from 69% to 58%. With an elite speed off bat average, and uncanny ability to use all-fields, Yelich is trending in a beautiful direction heading into 2016. While I advised restrained with him this past spring, I'm ready to jump on the Yelich train for 2016.
Thomas Pham (OF-STL): Thomas Pham hit his 5th homer of the season to lead the Cardinals over the Cubs. At 27, Pham is getting his first extended look in the Bigs, and he's seizing the opportunity. He carries a .366 wOBA with 5 homers and 2 steals through 141 plate appearances into this week. His plate discipline and batted-ball profile back up his breakout. And now that he has seized significant playing time near the top of the Cardinals order thanks to injuries around him, he should be owned and started in every standard league with 5 OF spots. His 2016 value is murky for now, but keep his name in mind through the spring. Pham can play and provide plenty of ROTO value.
Charlie Blackmon (OF-COL): Charlie Blackmon hit his 16th homer, but the Rockies fell prey to a Padres homer party at Coors. Blackmon has quietly moved himself up to 16th on the OVERALL NFBC player rater for the season. While he likely is maxed out on his power potential--given his speed off bat numbers--he has made some amazing strides with his approach at the plate. He has lowered his chase rate to 28% and his swinging strike rate to 6%. While his home/away splits lower his value slightly in head-to-head formats, I sense he'll be undervalued in ROTO formats come spring. He is one of the few players who can post a combination of 50 in the steals and homers departments. While he's a pricey play today at $4700 on DraftKings, Blackmon, who faces A.J Burnett in Colorado, is well worth the investment.
Chris Coghlan (OF-CHC): Chris Coghlan, who is set to face Wily Peralta in Wrigley today, makes for a solid value play on DraftKings at $3500. Coghlan has hit all 16 of his homers against righties and has posted a .362 wOBA against them on the season. Wily Peralta brings a 5.7% K-rate and a .373 wOBA against lefties into this context. Working in Coghlan and another Cubs bat may help you to afford some of those in the Rockies-Pirates outing.
Cheers a strong finish down the stretch! Be meticulous in setting your weekly lineups, keeping an eye on the standings across the categories and your nearest competitors. Points can be made up in a hurry :)
