Dylan Bundy (SP-BAL) - Given the lack of competition, Bundy looks to be a lock to represent the Orioles in the All-Star game this season. The right-hander held the Red Sox to just three hits over eight shutout innings Monday, walking two and striking out seven to lower his ERA to 3.66. Bundy went through a three-start stretch earlier this year in which he allowed 19 runs on 23 hits over just nine innings, but in his last four starts, Bundy has a 1.80 ERA and 32:6 K:BB over 30 innings. Bundy is still just 25 and should still have his best years ahead of him. His velocity is down a bit this year, but Bundy is missing bats to the tune of an elite 14.5% swing strike
rate primarily due to a well above-average slider.
Frankie Montas (SP-OAK) - Montas may still be available in 12-team mixed leagues, so if you're in need of a sleeper starter, give him a look. On his fourth organization at age-25, Montas may finally be healthy and coming into his own. I thought for sure he was going to end up in the bullpen given his raw stuff and shaky control at the big league level, but in three stars for the A's, the hard-thrower is 3-0 with a 1.25 ERA while averaging 95.5 mph with his fastball and posting a strong 1.3 BB/9. One big caveat however, is that his K/9 is just 5.8 and he's generated just a 7.2% swinging strike rate (league average: 10.6%). The lack of strikeouts are a bit concerning, but he is a hard thrower in a pitcher's park with a decent pedigree as a prospect. That's a profile worth taking a chance on.
Francisco Mejia (C/DH/OF - CLE) - Mejia was called up by the Indians on Monday and should soon make his big league debut. Mejia has seen some time in the outfield in Triple-A this year, but he's more recently been at catcher as well, and with Roberto Perez day-to-day, he'll likely function as the team's backup catcher and part-time DH. Mejia has taken a step back as a prospect this year, batting just .214/.271/.333 in Triple-A after an .836 OPS as a 21-year-old in Double-A a year ago. It's hard to see him getting much playing time initially and this could really be a temporary gig, as Perez hasn't been placed on the DL. I wouldn't expect a meaningful contribution until September or more likely, 2019.
Jaime Barria (SP-LAA) - Barra will get the call this week and is slated to start Tuesday's game against Seattle. With the unfortunate Ohtani injury, I'd expect Barria to be the No. 5 starter now for the foreseeable future. In his first stint with the Angels this year, Barria posted a 2.48 ERA in seven starts with a 30:9 K:BB in 36.1 innings. He averaged a modest 91.5 mph with his fastball, so the strikeout numbers could continue to be modest, but he has excellent control and had a two-start stretch in which he allowed just one run in 12.1 innings pitching in Coors Field and at home against the Yankees. Not exactly "easy" games. His second start this week projects to come at home against Toronto.
Carlos Carrasco (SP-CLE) - I've had Carrasco pegged as a potential Cy Young candidate for a couple years now, but injuries and bouts of inconsistency have combined to hold him back. Monday though, Carrasco was in rare form, holding the White Sox to just two hits over seven shutout innings, walking one and striking out 11. It was Carrasco's second straight double-digit strikeout performance, during which he's lowered his ERA from 4.50 to 3.90. Carrasco has a strong 94:21 K:BB In 90 innings this season, and he's probably has one of the higher floors in the league.
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