Luis Castillo(SP-CIn): Castillo took a no-decision after allowing five hits and one walk with five strikeouts over 8 1/3 scoreless innings against the Marlins. He was in total command, inducing 12 groundouts and throwing 73 of 102 pitches for strikes. Two things really stand out about his enigmatic 2018: the nearly 2 MPH dip in AVG fastball velo and the 13 percentage point dip in his GB rate from last season. Likely because of that, Castillo has thrown more two-seamers than four-seamers, and if he can recapture his GB magic, he can still thrive with 95 MPH heat. There is risk here entering 2019, but the 25-year-old is learning how to pitch and has the tools to still be a solid #2 fantasy starter. I'm still a believer.
Michael Conforto(OF-Nym): MC went 1-for-3 with a double, a run, and two walks against the Nationals. The powerful LHH has had a solid September, hitting eight homers and collecting seven multi-hit games. I see this a sign of things to come, and believe he is setting up for a monster 2019 campaign. He continues to exhibit elite plate discipline and command of the zone, and has upped his power game against LHP's, as he's hit 10 of his 27 homers off of them with a .341 wOBA. As long as he stays healthy, he's a must-start in all formats and a player I'd be looking to add in keeper formats.
Nick Pivetta(SP-Phi): Pivetta took a no-decision after allowing one run on four hits and one walk with four strikeouts over five innings against the Braves. I'd venture to say that I'll be drafting Pivetta on the majority of my teams next spring, as I'm a big believer in his upside and ability to reach it. And I envision many focusing on some of the surface stats, which aren't so pretty, such as the 4.58 ERA and 7-13 record. However, he's been quite unlucky with a .326 BABIP and a 15.5% HR-FB rate, and he has the stuff--as exhibited by his elite FP-strike rate and swinging strike-rate, for SP's--to maintain his 10+ K/9 and whiff 200 in 2019. With better luck, a better bullpen, and better defense, he could deliver top-5 round value for the cost of a pick in the early-middle rounds.
Roman Quinn(OF-Phi): The mighty Quinn, who has battled a foot issue, went 0-for-3 with a walk and a caught stealing hitting out of the 9-spot against the Braves. The speedster is now 8-for-11 in steals as he continues to make his case for a starting gig in 2019. I'm a believer. He understands the strike zone, is learning MLB pitching, and plays to his strengths by hitting the ball on the ground consistently. Quinn also isn't demonstrating any split concerns, and his defense should enable him to stay in the lineup through slumps. 40+ steals aren't out of the question in a full-season with respectable numbers (outside of the HR category) across the board.
Anthony DeSclafani(P-Cin): DeSclafani has been painfully inconsistent this season, but he has also been extremely unlucky with a 19.5 percent HR/FB rate. Marlins Park, last in Park Factors on total offense and HR, should help presage the regression we've been waiting for. The Marlins are last in total offense vs. RHP's, so while DeSclafani has struggled against LHH's, he has a high probability of navigating this Miami lineup. The price looks right for a tournament play on DraftKings.
