Spencer Arrighetti (SP-HOU) defeated the Red Sox on Saturday with a stellar performance in which he allowed 2 runs on 2 hits and a walk while racking up 13 punchouts over 7 IP. The 24 year-old righty fired 66 of his 92 offerings for strikes while both runs came around on solo blasts. Arrighetti has now fanned 33 over his last 3 starts (19 IP) as he appears to be turning a corner of late. On the year, he owns a 5.14 ERA, 11.1 K/9, 4.3 BB/9, and 4.03 xFIP through 105 IP. With a 12% swinging-strike rate and 74.5% contact rate to his name, Arrighetti is intriguing for fantasy, although he's tended to allow some hard contact (40.5% hard-hit rate, 7.5% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 89 mph per Statcast). Encouragingly, the rookie has issued 5 free passes over his last 3 outings even as he's stepped things up in the K department. Look for his success to continue against the White Sox on Friday.
Jake Burger (3B-MIA) stayed hot as he went 2-4 with a solo homer and a walk against the Padres on Saturday. The 28 year-old is now batting .245 with 21 dingers, 51 RBI, and 45 runs scored through 397 PA on the year, with an above-average wRC+ of 107. Burger has really turned things on since the All-Star break as he was hitting .304 with 10 dingers, 15 RBI, and 13 runs scored - with a wRC+ of 198 in 89 PA since the Midsummer Classic entering Saturday's action. During that span, he's assembled an impressive Statcast profile that includes a 59.5% hard-hit rate, 18.5% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 95.5 mph. Add him if he's still lingering on the waiver wire in your league.
Cody Bradford (SP-TEX) earned the W against the Yankees in the second half of Saturday's doubleheader as he allowed just 1 run on 5 hits and no walks while racking up 7 punchouts over 5 IP. The 26 year-old southpaw fired 61 of his 92 pitches for strikes while keeping the ball in the yard. Bradford now boasts a 3.60 ERA, 9.3 K/9, 1.2 BB/9, and 3.57 xFIP through 30 IP on the year. It's really a shame that he missed most of the campaign because of a lower-back strain that was later determined to actually be a rib stress fracture, as he's flashed nice control as well as an ability to miss some bats when healthy. Initially expected to take a bullpen role when he was activated from the IL in late July, he was quickly thrust back into a starting role because the rotation needed reinforcements following some injuries and the trade deadline. Bradford lines up to face the Twins at home this coming week.
Ryan Walker (RP-SF) will handle closing duties in San Francisco following the surprise demotion of Camilo Doval to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday. The 28 year-old righty has excelled in a setup role this season, posting a 2.24 ERA, 10.6 K/9, 1.9 BB/9, and 2.94 xFIP in 60.1 IP in which he's recorded 21 holds. Walker's 13% swinging-strike rate and average sinker velocity of 95.5 mph are not elite closer stuff, but he's simply missed enough bats while limiting the free passes and minimizing the hard contact he's allowed to opposing hitters (his Statcast profile includes a 31% hard-hit rate and average exit velo of 86.5 mph). He should be widely added in fantasy leagues as he picked up is first save of the campaign against the Tigers on Saturday.
Tyler Fitzgerald (SS-SF) remained productive as he went 1-3 with a walk and a pair of stolen bases out of the leadoff spot against the Tigers on Saturday. The 26 year-old rookie has been electric in his first 176 PA of the 2024 campaign as he's now batting .313 with 12 homers, 24 RBI, 34 runs scored, and 12 steals (in 14 attempts), with a robust wRC+ of 177. Fitzgerald has fanned a good bit (29%) while drawing walks at a modest 7.5% clip while his Statcast metrics aren't exactly amazing (35.5% hard-hit rate, average exit velocity of 88 mph, and a 12% barrel rate). His HR/FB is pretty high at 28.5%, so that should correct to the mean. Start him while he's hot, but the advanced metrics - which include a subpar 72% contact rate to go with the meh Statcast profile - aren't exciting.
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