Jason Heyward-Cubs-OF
Jason Heyward was 1-4 with an HR (15), 1 R, and 2 RBI against the Pirates. Heyward is having a strong season after largely being a disappointment for the Cubs. He has a .275 AVG with 15 HR, 45 R, 50 RBI, and 5 SB. His strikeout rate is higher (18%) but it has come with an increase in his walk rate (12% BB) and an increase in power (.191 ISO). The increase in power has been a result of a better quality of contact (barrel%, LA, and Hard%). He is nowhere near elite but he is a solid fourth or fifth OF on mixed league rosters. Heyward also gives the added benefit of knowing he is going to be in the lineup every day because of his defense.
Jean Segura-Phillies-SS
Jean Segura was 2-4 with 1 R and 1 RBI against the Nationals. Segura is hitting .275 with 10 HR, 56 R, 41 R, and 7 SB. The average is down after hitting .300+ for the past three seasons. This is due in large part to his .291 BABIP which is well below his .317 career BABIP. He is also running less this year but that is part of a three-year downward trend in the category and the Phillies don't run much as an organization. The good news is that his power has increased to offset the drop in steals. His ISO has jumped to .166 from .111 last year. He has also increased his hard contact. Overall, Segura is not an elite fantasy player but he provides steady production across the board.
Sandy Alcantara-Marlins-SP
Sandy Alcantara went 6 IP and gave up 4 ER on 9 H, 0 BB, and 1 K against the Mets. Alcantara has stuck in the Marlins rotation all season which is a plus. He also has plus stuff at times. The results have been a mixed bag though. He has a 3.94 ERA and 1.43 WHIP through 107.1 IP. Alcantara has only a 16% strikeout rate despite 11% swinging strikes which normally lead to a higher strikeout rate. His biggest issue has been control (11% BB) which is the area that if improved would help him gain the most fantasy value. He's had a 3.38 ERA and 1.38 WHIP since the beginning of June. The strikeouts are up (18%) and walks are down (10%) but just slightly. Alcantara has an awesome home park which will help him keep value and he is someone to keep an eye on that could take a major jump in the second half if he can refine his control/command.
Victor Robles-Nationals-OF
Victor Robles was 1-3 with 1 R and 1 BB against the Phillies. Robles is hitting just .250 but has 13 HR/13 SB. His overall line is .250 AVG with 13 HR, 48 R, 40 RBI, and 13 SB. Robles has a good combination of contact (23% K) and an ideal GB/FB ratio (0.82 GB/FB) for someone with elite speed. It is easy to forget that this is his first full season in the majors. He has a track record in the minors of hitting for average due to low strikeout rates. More experience at the big league level could lead to a drop in his strikeout rate which coincides with an increase in his AVG making him a true five-category player. The future is very bright for the 22-year-old outfielder.
Zack Grienke-Diamondbacks-SP
Zack Greinke went 6 IP and gave up 5 ER on 8 H, 1 BB, and 6 K's against the Cardinals. Greinke continues to defy age and declining velocity despite today's poor start. He has a 2.95 ERA and 0.95 WHIP through 128 IP. Greinke's strikeout rate is slightly above average (23%) but his control/command is elite (3% BB). He has also done a great job of keeping the ball in the park (0.91 HR/9) which has become an ever-important skill in today's environment. At some point, he is not going to be able to survive with an average fastball velocity below 90 mph but that might not come for a while given his ability to spot the ball wherever he wants it.
DraftKings Value Plays: 2B Adam Frazier (PIT) $4,000 and SP Joe Musgrove (PIT) $5,800
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