Justin Smoak (1B, TOR) - Smoak went 2 for 5 with two RBI in the Blue Jays' 7-6 loss to the Astros on Sunday. The 30-year-old continues to have a career season, and is returning exponential value on his investment. So far, he has tallied 31 home runs, 76 RBI, along with a .299/.376/.590 slash. With a wRC+ of 154, and a wOBA of .402, Smoak has easily been the Jays' MVP on offense, as it has been an otherwise disappointing season. His ISO sits at .292, which more than 100 points higher than his career mark. It will be one of the big questions heading into 2018, if he can continue the production into next year. While it can be done, I am skeptical since this year is statistically superior to his previous ones. Then again, teammate Jose Bautista was a bit of a late bloomer as a power hitter as well.
Khris Davis (OF, OAK) - Davis crushed his 29th homer of the season, in the A's 11-10 win over the Angels Sunday. On his current pace, the slugger will record a career high of 42 home runs, and 108 RBI. His current totals of 29 homers and 75 RBI place in the top six in the AL in both categories. As is the case with a lot of big time sluggers, Davis' homers come at a cost. He is slashing .240/.325/.506 on the year, and his average is actually down from his career mark of .246. He is striking out at a 31.6% mark, and is walking at an 11.3% rate, which helps his OBP a bit, but is still not a stellar mark, and is also not helped by his .289 BABIP. Davis' pop ranks him right around the 25th outfielder in fantasy, and makes for a nice mid round source of homers, as long as you construct your team to handle the negative aspects of his game.
Luis Severino (SP, NYY) - Severino earned his ninth win of 2017 in the Yanks' 8-1 beatdown of the Indians at Progressive Field Sunday. The youngster went 6.2 innings, allowing just one earned run on two hits, while striking out nine and walking one. On the season, the 23-year-old is boasting a 2.91 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP with 162 strikeouts in 139.1 innings. Severino has done a nice job of limiting walks, averaging just 2.37 BB/9, and also less than a home run per start at 0.81 HR/9, which is a direct correlation of his 29.2% hard contact rate. Overall, he is returning excellent value, and has just scratched the surface of what he can do, which is a scary thought.
Jonathan Schoop (2B, BAL) - Schoop kept up his fine season Sunday by connecting on a two-run homer in the Orioles 12-3 pounding of the Tigers. The homer gives the 25-year-old 25 home runs on the season, along with a .303/.354/.556 slash, and 82 RBI. At his current pace, Schoop will end the year with some big totals of 36 home runs and 120 RBI. Those are some excellent counting stats from your second baseman. His metrics are setting career highs across the board, with a 137 wRC+, a .379 wOBA, and a .340 BABIP, as well as a 34.6% hard contact rate, up 4.6% from his career mark. Overall, he is playing as a top five second baseman, and will be a guy you will have to pay up for in drafts in 2018.
Chris Archer (SP, TB) - Archer did not factor into the decision in a low scoring matchup with the Brewers, as the Rays were able to avoid a series sweep by a 2-1 score. Archer has performed well in 2017 with a 3.80 ERA, a 1.23 WHIP and 189 strikeouts in 154 innings. While owners would like to see a lower ERA, his numbers are on point with what was expected heading into the season. Home runs have been his Kryptonite in the past, and his HR/9 is down a bit from 2016, to 1.03 HR but the walks are up a bit to 3.96 BB/9. His FIP shakes out to a solid 3.19, which is the 7th best in baseball. xFIP projects him to continue to be a consistent performer as it ticks up just slightly at 3.37. He is pitching as a top 20 starter at this point, but has his definite ups and downs. One thing is for certain, he will get you strikeouts, and there is no reason he should not be a top 20 starter heading into 2018 drafts.
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