Luis Castillo-Reds-SP
Luis Castillo went 7.2 IP and gave up 0 ER on 1 H, 1 BB, and 9 K's against the Brewers. Castillo has been phenomenal this year with a 2.29 ERA and 1.08 WHIP through his first 18 starts. He has shown an increase in strikeouts (29% K) which is backed up by a 15% swinging strike rate. The concern for the rest of the season is that his walk rate (13% BB) signals potential danger. It means more base runners and potentially a problem with home runs if the ball is left over the middle of the plate. Castillo has kept the ball in the park (0.82 HR/9) but that is something he has struggled with in the past (1.21 HR/9). Keep in mind he also pitches half his games in a hitters park as the weather warms with a hitter-friendly ball. His 4.32 SIERA is a sign of what could come in the second half.
Eliaser Hernandez-Marlins-SP
Eliaser Hernandez went 4.1 IP and gave up 3 ER on 5 H, 1 BB, and 6 K's against the Nationals. Hernandez has a 4.40ERA and 1.15 WHIP through 28.2 IP. In a limited sample, he has shown the ability to miss bats (26% K) and control the strike zone (6% BB). Based on his swinging strike rate (14% SwStr) he still has room for growth in his strikeout rate. The concern going forward is that the Marlins rotation is going to be very crowded when Caleb Smith and Pablo Lopez return. Hernandez looks like he could be one of the first ones to go which would be disappointing.
Mike Soroka-Braves-SP
Mike Soroka went 4.2 IP and gave up 4 ER on 9 H, 2 BB, and 6 K's against the Phillies. Soroka has been one of the best starting pitchers in the first half. He has a 2.42 ERA and 1.05 WHIP through 89.1 IP. Soroka has been able to succeed despite a below average strikeout rate (20%). He makes it work with plus control (6% BB) and an elite ground ball rate (57% GB). Soroka is not likely to maintain a sub-three ERA for the rest of the season but he still has the ability and skills to be an above average fantasy starter.
Keston Hiura-Brewers-2B
Keston Hiura was 1-3 with a strikeout against the Reds. Hiura is hitting .267 with 6 HR, 10 R, 10 RBI, and 1 SB in 24 games. Hiura offers a combination of power and speed along with a solid batting average. He has shown an aggressive approach in the majors (33% K, 3 % BB) which is going to lead to more variance in his day to day and week to week performance. The flip side of that is he is a rookie and that can change as he gets more experience. The most important aspect to consider is that he has 25 HR/10 SB upside.
Tommy Edman-Cardinals-2B
Tommy Edman 2-4 with 2 RBI against the Mariners. Edman had taken over for 3B Matt Carpenter because of injuries. He is hitting .300 with 3 HR, 7 R, 8 RBI, and 2 SB through 18 games. Edman has shown plus speed in the minors which is extremely valuable in today's environment. The power he has displayed in the majors this year (.300 ISO) is unlikely to continue. This drops his value rest of season but he is someone that needs to be owned while Carpenter is out with injury. He has shown the ability to make contact (19% K) but overall it's an aggressive approach (0% BB) which will make him highly dependent on batted ball luck.
DraftKings Value Plays: OF Jose Martinez (STL) $3,600 and OF Kike Hernandez (LAD) $3,800
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