Kevin Newman, SS, PIT
Newman hit a pair of dingers and drove in five of the Pirates six runs on Friday against the Reds. The rookie shortstop has contributed across the board this season in his 522 plate appearances. He is batting .310 with 16 SB, 61 R, 64 RBI, and 12 homers. He has been a phenomenal contact hitter here in 2019, posting a Z-Contact% of 94.2% that is tops amongst shortstops and is third in baseball all together. His low 6.5% SwStr% has helped him get on base out of the leadoff spot via the walk (11.5% BB%). He isn't a great defender at shortstop (-12 UZR), but he can play second and is still just 26 years of age, so that should improve.
Dakota Hudson, SP, STL
Hudson pitched 5.0 innings of shutout ball against the Cubs on Friday night. The youngster walked five batters but was able to remain unscathed due to his 10 strikeouts in the contest. The hefty K total was atypical for Hudson as he strikes out just 7.01 batters per nine, but he has had issues with walks all season (4.56 BB/9). The walks have led to an untidy 1.41 WHIP for Hudson, however, his league leading 56.9% GB% has allowed him to maintain a solid 3.35 ERA this season. His xFIP (4.45) indicates there is plenty of luck in there as well, but regardless the 25-year-old went 16-7 in what is considered to be his rookie season. He should be a reliable middle of the rotation inning-eater for years to come and those types of pitchers have plenty of value in fantasy leagues.
Trea Turner, SS, WSH
Turner went 1 for 5 with his 19th homer of the season, which ties his career best from a season ago. The speedy shortstop didn't swipe as many bags this season has he has the past few years, but 34 swipes is nothing to scoff at. His triple slash (.296/.353/.497) is very solid for a leadoff man but his health always seems to be an issue. He missed more than a month this season and he played just 98 games in 2017. Turner has all of the tools to be one of the top fantasy shortstops, or even players, in all of baseball...but is he worth the risk? There are a lot of budding super stars at the shortstop position right now; so my inclination is to say no, he's not worth risking a top pick on.
Anthony DeSclafani, SP, CIN
DeSclafani went 5.0 innings and surrendered three earned runs on eight hits in Pittsburgh on Friday evening. DeSclafani finished up the season with five quality starts in his last eight starts. He surrendered more than two runs just twice in those eight outings and posted an superb ERA of 2.44 during that span. In 162 innings this season, the 29-year-old finished 9-9 with a 3.89 ERA, 4.31 xFIP, and 9.02 K/9 ratio. He did give up a lot of homers (1.57 HR/9), but he posted an above average K-rate and he didn't allow a lot of free baserunners (2.65 BB/9). So, DeSclafani once again proved that he can be an effective middle of the rotation pitcher if he can stay healthy.
Austin Voth, SP, WSH
Voth gave up just two runs in 6.0 innings of work and come away with his second victory of the season. The 27-year-old has been solid down the stretch for the Nationals as they chase a playoff berth. In eight stats, Voth is 2-1 with a 3.30 ERA and a 9.07 HR/9 ratio in 43.2 innings. His stuff looks to be pretty effective (12.4% SwStr%) and he impressively allowed just 1.03 home runs per nine this season. His velocity isn't overpowering at 92.9 vFA, but it's fast enough for him to be an effective asset. If Voth can work his way into the Nationals' star-studded rotation next season he could have some fantasy value.
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