Ryan Braun, OF, MIL
For anyone worried about how Braun would perform after missing a month with a calf injury, it seems that there's no reason for concern. In 3 games since returning from the DL, Braun has gone 4-14 with 2 HR's and a 2B. The power is still there for Braun who now has 9 HR's in 33 games this season, although his .265 BA is a bit disappointing. He should see his average improve however with better luck, as his .272 BABIP is by far a career low (he's never had a season under .300) despite a career best 44.7% Hard%. He should continue to perform at a high level when healthy, but his ability to stay healthy is very much in question at this point.
Randall Grichuk, OF, STL
Grichuk had a monster game on Thursday, going 3-4 with a HR, a 2B, and 5 RBI. In 5 games since returning from a stint in the minors, Grichuk is 7-22 (.318) with 3 HR's and 9 RBI with 6 K's. With a career 29.8% K% (29.3% this season), he will have a very hard time putting up a respectable BA so he will need to continue having power surges like these to be worth rostering in fantasy. That could happen, but I wouldn't bet on it quite yet unless you can afford a drain in BA.
Dinelson Lamet, SP, SD
Lamet struck out 8 in 7 scoreless innings against the Braves on Thursday, and now has 25 K's and just 2 BB's over his last 3 starts resulting in a 2.37 ERA during that time. His current 5.35 ERA was bloated by a couple of rough outings earlier in June, but Lamet currently has an elite 50:11 K:BB through 37 IP and a 3.76 xFIP this season. He has already allowed 8 HR's in 7 starts, but the 17.0% HR/FB is likely to regress, especially with half of his games in San Diego. There's always risk with a rookie like Lamet, but with starting pitching as thin as it is, grabbing him now could end up making a big difference.
Jimmy Nelson, SP, MIL
Nelson had another spectacular outing on Thursday, striking out 11 Reds in 7 IP while allowing just 2 ER's on 3 hits and a BB. This marks Nelson's 4th double-digit strikeout performance in his last 7 starts, and he appears to have really turned a corner at age 28. His 9.65 K/9 is easily a career-high and his 2.32 BB/9 is a vast improvement over his past couple of seasons as well. Combine those numbers with a high GB% and you're left with a 3.38 xFIP that matches his 3.43 ERA. Nelson has been even better over the past two months, posting a 10.67 K/9, 1.98 BB/9 and 2.63 ERA over 68.1 IP through his 11 starts since May 1. He needs to be owned in all formats.
Stephen Drew, 2B, WAS
Drew has been hitting well in limited playing time this season, but he looks to see every day at bats for the time being after Trea Turner fractured his wrist. There's no real season long value here, but he could have daily value while his price is still cheap. On Friday, he'll likely be in the lineup against RHP Mike Leake who has a lowly 4.34 K/9 against LH-hitters like Drew this season. DraftKings Value Play Salary $2,800.
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