Luis Garcia Jr.-Nationals-2B
Luis Garcia Jr. was 0-3 with a walk against the Cubs. Garcia Jr. came into the game hot in the second half (.319 AVG with 4 HR, 15 R, 18 RBI, and 9 SB). On the year, he is hitting .290 with 15 HR, 49 R, 63 RBI, and 21 SB. He is going to come close to a 20 HR/20 SB season with a plus batting average which is a huge improvement over his previous career-highs of 9 HR/9 SB last year. Garcia Jr. has been able to hit the ball harder more consistently (8% Barrels) and in the air (33% FB) which has led to the increase in power. The good news is that he has been able to do this without sacrificing his contact ability (15% K). His value continues to rise because there is not a hole in his game other than runs scored but that is a product of the Nationals offense as a whole and should improve in the years to come.
Pete Crow-Armstrong-Cubs-OF
Pete Crow-Armstrong was 0-3 with an RBI against the Nationals. He is hitting .230 with 7 HR, 31 R, 36 RBI, and 26 SB in 310 PA. Crow-Armstrong has been better in the second half (.273 with 4 HR, 20 R, 19 RBI, and 9 SB). His improvements have come from cutting his strikeout rate from 26% in the first half to 17% while also raising his walk rate which is a sign of better decision making not just luck. He has also hit the ball harder (.582 OPS vs. .799 OPS). He has played himself into an everyday role and now has the potential to be a 15 HR/40 SB guy throughout a full season with a batting average that isn't going to hurt your team.
Jackson Merrill-Padres-OF
Jackson Merrill was 0-4 against the Rays. Merrill has been red hot in the second half. He is hitting .326 with 8 HR, 27 R, 31 RBI, and 6 SB. He has hit his stride and is turning into one of the best young hitters in the game as a 21-year-old. Through 132 GP, Merrill is hitting .290 with 20 HR, 67 R, 77 RBI, and 16 SB. He is on pace for a 20 HR/20 SB season in his rookie year with a .280+ AVG which sets him up for fantasy stardom. He also has the skills to back it up (18% K, 11% Barrels, and 40% FB). There isn't much to nitpick in his profile other than his 39% O-swing but that is something he can improve over time.
Junior Caminero-Rays-3B
Junior Caminero was 1-4 with and HR (3), 2 R, 3 RBI, and 1 BB against the Padres. Caminero is hitting .254 with 3 HR, 7 R, 7 RBI, and 2 SB in 69 PA. He has displayed the skills that have made him one of the top-hitting prospects in baseball. Caminero has hit the ball hard (56% Hardhit) consistently (9% Barrels) and shown elite power potential with 116.3 mph maxEV. He has also shown a good approach at the plate for a power hitter (8% BB and 25% K). He has 30+ HR upside throughout a full season but his value does take a small hit for fantasy because he does not steal bases which puts a lot of pressure on his batting average to be above average to be an elite four-category contributor.
Jarren Duran-Red Sox-OF
Jarren Duran was 1-4 against the Tigers. Duran has been one of the best fantasy players in the second half. He came into the game hitting .325 with 10 HR, 33 R, 27 RBI, and 10 SB in 37 GP. On the year, he is hitting .295 with 21 HR, 96 R, 69 RBI, and 32 SB. Duran has been a top-10 hitter this year with his power and speed combo. He has also made big improvements across the board that have made this breakout legit. He has walked more (8% BB), cut his strikeout rate (22% K), and barreled the baseball (10% Barrels) more consistently. He has taken the necessary steps to become a true five-category contributor.
This is just a small sample of our daily analysis, join our member area for tools that will help you win your fantasy championship. Click here for details: http://www.insiderbaseball.com/baseballsample.htm Click here to register: http://www.fantistics.com/salesbaseball.php3
