Roman Quinn (OF-PHI) - I don't know if Quinn is more than a utility guy going forward, but he's certainly making his case to be so this month. Quinn was 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored Tuesday and is now batting a solid .400/.538/.600. Okay, it's only 13 plate appearances, but still, impressive nonetheless. Quinn hit .287/.361/.441 with 31 steals in 71 games at Triple-A this year, and overall has 37 steals between three levels, including the big leagues. Quinn's lack of power has kept him from ranking too high on prospect lists, but he could eventually slot in as a top-of-the-order hitter with his speed and on-base ability. He'll likely have to win a job next spring.
Jeanmar Gomez (RP-PHI) - Gomez faced three batters Tuesday and all three ended up scoring without Gomez having retired a single batter. Gomez's ERA has now risen from 2.97 to 3.70 since the beginning of the month and at some point, the Phillies may look to other options to close out games. Of course the most prudent course may be for them to hope Gomez ends on a high note so they can trade him this winter. His 6.0 K/9 is far from being ideal for a closer. Hector Neris (11.3 K/9, 94.1 mph avg fastball) would seem to be next in line and is worth a look in keeper leagues as a potential 2017 closer.
Christian Yelich (OF-MIA) - Yelich is going to be a popular breakout candidate next year, but has he already broken out? Tuesday Yelich was 2-for-2 with a double, two walks, a run, and two RBI. That left him at a strong .307/.382/.487 with 18 home runs, 91 RBI, and eight stolen bases. He's also knocked 36 doubles, which may indicate more power to come in 2017. A 21% K% isn't abnormally high, but it could stand some improvement. The steals are half of what they were last year, and with Yelich still just 24, he could get back into the 15 range next year with a little offseason work. He has the potential to be a fantasy monster next year.
Ivan Nova (SP-PIT) - I'm not sure what to think above Nova, other than the fact pitching coach Ray Searage deserves a massive raise. If you're a free agent pitcher looking to rebuld some value and the Pirates make you a contract offer, taking it seems like a good call. Tuesday, Nova held the Phillies to two runs (one earned) on five hits over six innings with an impressive 11 strikeouts and just one walk. He doesn't have the strikeouts (103) or the innings (149.2) to ever be an elite starter, but in nine starts since coming over from the Yankees, Nova has a 2.41 ERA.. Nova has cut his BB/9 to a miniscule 1.7 this year after a 3.2 mark the year before. Nova has a 1.50 ERA over his last five starts covering 36 innings with an excellent 31:3 K:BB. He's probably not going to be the next Jake Arrieta, but at a minimum, he's looking at a multi-year deal to be some team's No. 4 starter.
Dan Straily (SP-CIN) - The Brewers' offense isn't exactly a juggernaut, but Straily's effort Tuesday was still excellent. Throwing 70 of 105 pitches for strikes, Straily allowed just two runs on three hits over eight innings while walking one and striking out eight. His ERA sits at a respectable 3.81 in 172.2 innings with a 7.5 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9. Combine those ratios with the 27 home runs he's given up, and Sraiy's 88-91 mph fastball (at best) has the potential to result in some ugly outings. He's been excellent at home this year (DFS players take note), but he looks to be unlikely to ever front a rotation given his lack of strikeout stuff.
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