Jackson Chourio-Brewers-OF
Jackson Chourio was 2-4 with an RBI against the Cubs. Chourio is hitting .256 with 10 HR, 44 R, 41 RBI, and 12 SB in 90 GP. He has displayed adequate plate skills (22% K and 7% BB) and has been much better since the beginning of June. He has hit .305 with 5 HR, 24 R, 24 RBI, and 5 SB in 38 GP. It is almost a given that rookies are going to go through periods of ups and downs especially when they are 20 years old. He has a chance to go 20 HR/25 SB in his rookie season which will still be viewed as a disappointment to some fantasy owners.
Oneil Cruz-Pirates-SS
Oneil Cruz was 0-4 against the Cardinals. Cruz has been red hot in the month of July (.321 AVG with 3 HR, 9 R, 15 RBI, and 3 SB). On the year, he is hitting .250 with 15 HR, 45 R, 51 RBI, and 9 SB. He strikes out a lot (32% K) but he makes up for it by hitting the ball extremely hard (19% Barrels and 55% Hardhit). He's on pace for a 25 HR/15 SB season with a .250 AVG which is not bad for someone in their first full season in the majors. His biggest room for growth will come against LHP (.171 AVG and 45% K). That will have to take place for Cruz to take his fantasy game to the next level.
Hunter Brown-Astros-SP
Hunter Brown went 6 IP and gave up 1 ER on 8 H, 1 BB, and 8 K's against the Athletics. Brown has a 4.00 ERA and 1.37 WHIP through 110.1 IP. He has been very good outside of April (9.78 ERA) because he has a 2.55 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 18% K:BB since May 1st. He has also gone at least 6 IP in twelve straight starts. The biggest improvement has come in terms of his control. He has walked 8% of batters during his hot steak compared to 12% in April. Brown isn't an elite starter but has the skills to be an above-average fantasy contributor who still has his best days ahead of him which is what his SIERA says (3.88).
Luis Castillo-Mariners-SP
Luis Castillo went 6 IP and gave up 0 ER on 5 H, 2 BB, and 7 K's against the Angels. Through 22 GS, Castillo has a 3.38 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. He has been able to maintain above-average ratios despite a drop in his strikeout rate (24%, -3%) which also follows a drop in his swinging strike rate (12%, -3%). Castillo is experiencing a slight drop in velo on his fastball (96.3 mph - 95.4 mph) which has caused it to be slightly less effective (18.6 Pitch Value last year compared to 8.4 PV this year). Overall, it is a small decline but not big enough to be fantasy-relevant. Castillo still has good stuff and is in the perfect situation for his skillset. T-Mobile Park is a very favorable park for pitchers. He is lined up for one start next week which is a matchup against the Red Sox in Fenway.
Jonathan India-Reds-2B
Jonathan India was 0-4 with a walk and a strikeout against the Braves. India is hitting .271 with 8 HR, 50 R, 40 RBI, and 9 SB. He has provided value across the board and to the Reds as a utility player. India has good plate skills (13% BB and 20% K) and hits the ball just hard enough (7% Barrels and 37% Hardhit) to make the most of his profile. He also benefits from playing half his games in Great American Ballpark (.281 AVG with 5 HR/SB at home vs. .268 AVG with 3 HR/4 SB on the road). His name has come up in trade rumors surrounding the trade deadline and his fantasy value would most likely take a hit wherever he ended up. There is also the possibility that he gets moved out of the leadoff spot when OF T.J. Friedl returns which would also be a slight hit to his overall value because it means fewer at-bats. Either way, India is healthy and playing every day so he is still an above-average producer even if there are some concerns for the rest of the season.
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