Garrett Crochet (SP-CHW) was effective again on Saturday as he allowed 1 run on 5 hits and a walk while fanning 8 over 6 IP, although he did not factor into the decision against the Brewers. The 24 year-old southpaw fired 68 of his 103 pitches for strikes while keeping the ball in the yard. The #11 overall pick in the 2020 draft, Crochet has dazzled in his first season as a starter in the big leagues, compiling a 3.49 ERA, 12 K/9, 1.9 BB/9, and 2.46 xFIP through his first 13 starts (69.2 IP). The gap between his ERA and xFIP suggests that the former should decline a little going forward, as a 14.5% HR/FB in particular is a bit unlucky. With a 14% swinging-strike rate, 72% contact rate, above-average control, and solid Statcast profile that includes a 35% hard-hit rate, 6% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 87 mph, Crochet looks like a budding fantasy ace. He's slated to take on Boston his next time out.
Ryan Weathers (SP-MIA) lost to the Rangers on Saturday afternoon as he allowed 4 runs on 9 hits and no walks while racking up 11 punchouts over 6 innings of work. The 24 year-old lefty fired 63 of his 96 pitches for strikes while surrendering no big flies in the outing. Weathers is taking a significant step forward this season as he now owns a 3.41 ERA, 8.4 K/9, 2.6 BB/9, and 3.73 xFIP through 68.2 IP (12 starts) as compared to a 6.55 ERA, 6.7 K/9, 4.5 BB/9, and 5.56 xFIP in 57.2 IP in 2023. The #7 overall pick in the 2018 draft, Weathers has raised his average fastball velocity a tick and a half this season to 96.5 mph while raising his swinging-strike rate from 9% to 10.5%, trimming the opposition's contact rate from 79% to 77.5%, and inducing a lot more grounders (up to 51.5% from just 37.5% a year ago). He's slated to take the mound at home against Cleveland this coming week.
Michael Harris (OF-ATL) went 3-5 with a pair of 2B and 2 runs scored as he batted leadoff against the Athletics on Saturday. With Ronald Acuna sidelined, the Braves are giving Harris a look at the leadoff spot, at least against RHP, which boosts his fantasy value. The 23 year-old hasn't exactly enjoyed a scorching start to the 2024 campaign, as he now owns a .264 average to go with 5 homers, 18 RBI, 26 runs scored, and 8 steals (in 11 opportunities) across 234 PA, with a slightly below-average wRC+ of 95. Harris is striking out a bit more often this season (21.5%) than last (18.5%) while hitting more grounders (up to 53.5% from 47%) and fewer flyballs (down to just 25.5% from 30.5%). The good news is that he's continued to hit the ball hard - his Statcast profile includes a 45% hard-hit rate and average exit velocity of 90 mph - so the production should rebound a bit if he's able to lift the ball a little more often.
George Springer (OF-TOR) continued to struggle as he went 0-4 against the Pirates on Saturday afternoon. The 34 year-old has underwhelmed so far this season, batting just .204 with 4 homers, 12 RBI, 24 runs scored, and 7 steals (in 7 tries) through his first 220 PA of the season. His wRC+ of 80 so far this season is easily a career low as he's never posted a wRC+ lower than last year's 104 since he reached the majors back in 2014. While his strikeout rate is a career best at 15% and his walk rate comes in at a healthy 12%, Springer's Statcast profile is the weakest of his career with a 33% hard-hit rate, 4.5% barrel rate, and an average exit velocity of just 86 mph. He's producing a career-low 14.5% liner rate to go with a career-high 52.5% grounder rate, which has muted the impact of an 80% contact rate that matches last year's career high in that department.
Ben Brown (SP-CHC) is an intriguing play for standard fantasy leagues and DFS on Sunday as he'll face the Reds at home. The 24 year-old rookie has impressed in his first 46.1 IP in the majors, logging a 2.72 ERA, 10.7 K/9, 3.3 BB/9, and 3.31 xFIP over 7 starts and 6 relief appearances. Brown has logged a robust 13.5% swinging-strike rate and 70.5% contact rate, although it's worth noting that opposing hitters have posted a 41% hard-hit rate against him. The righty was spectacular his last time out as he fired 7 scoreless, hitless IP against the Brewers in which he walked a pair and racked up 10 punchouts and is available in about 55% of CBS leagues and 87% of ESPN leagues at time of writing. The Reds rank #28 in MLB against RHP with a team OPS of just .648, so Brown is a strong option here.
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