Vince Velasquez(SP-PHI): Vince Velazquez lost after allowing five runs on seven hits (one homer) and two walks with six strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings Saturday against the Pirates. While VV's 5.98 ERA/4.11 xFIP indicate he's been unlucky, the right-hander has also displayed some troubling signs about his prospects moving forward. He's allowing hard-hits 35 percent of the time, walking over four batters per nine innings, and inducing chases at a well-below average rate at 26 percent. The culprit has been the ineffectiveness of his secondary offerings, as he's posting PITCHf/x pitch values of -3.84, -1.76, and -5.72 on the slider, curveball, and changeup, respectively. As a result, he's struggling the third time through lineups, and failing to reach the sixth inning consistently. Unless a dramatic adjustment is made, VV looks destined for the bullpen.
Matt Adams(1B-ATL): The Atlanta Braves acquired first baseman Matt Adams on Saturday for minor leaguer Juan Yepez. I'm a big believer in Adams' skillset and, envisioning he'll receive the bulk of the playing time in Freddie Freeman's absence, see him as a must-add in all 12+ team mixed leagues with a CI spot. Adams has posted a 35 percent hard contact rate and has averaged 105 MPH and 412 feet on his homers the past two seasons. Turner Field is top 10 in Park Factors so far and looks to be a very favorable venue for power hitters. While he'll move to a reserve role in the second half, he could find himself traded again, so keeper leaguers also find themselves presented with a great buying opportunity.
Chris Hermann(C-ARI): Chris Hermann went 2-for-5 with a two-run homer Saturday vs. the Padres. While Hermann's surface stats looks less than appealing, there are reasons for optimism moving forward. The catcher has posted a .195 BABIP, an 80 percent contact rate, and an 11 percent walk rate. Really, beneath the surface, he's continuing with the breakout he enjoyed last season. The real issue is the playing time, as he's in a real time share with Jeff Mathis. I see that changing as the summer months arrive, as Mathis' below average offensive output will force the D-backs hands.. Hermann should be owned in all two-catcher leagues.
Zach Wheeler(SP-NYM): Zach Wheeler won after allowing two runs on four hits and five walks with five strikeouts over five innings Saturday vs. the Angels. 2017 has been a tale of two seasons for Wheeler. On the one hand, he's posting a 22 percent strikeout rate and a 51 percent groundball rate, numbers that put him just below the "Kevin Brown Quotient." On the other hand, he's walking batters at a 10 percent clip and has completed seven innings just once in his first eight starts. He's a must-own in standard leagues for the upside, and while he's mostly a streaming option now, I see him getting stronger and more efficient as the season progresses and the injury moves further in the rearview mirror.
Zack Godley(P-ARI): Priced $6500 on FanDuel for his matchup in San Diego, Mr. Godley makes for a high-upside tournament option today. Godley has induced swinging-strikes 15 percent of the time so far using his curve and changeup to perfection. The Padres are 26th in total offense vs. right-handers and have struck out the second most times against them with 297. Add in the favorable park shift to Petco and you have the ingredients for a high ROI that enables you to work in the elite bats.
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