FULMER, JOSEPH, HEYWARD HIT THEIR STRIDE
After fast starts, Jeff Samardzija and Travis Shaw are fading, and call-ups Michael Fulmer and Tommy Joseph lead the risers in fantasy value.
SIZZLERS
SP Fulmer, Detroit Tigers: With five consecutive wins and one run allowed over 281⁄ innings, Fulmer is fine form. He has struck out 30 batters during the stretch. The powerful Detroit lineup will provide plenty of run support for the rookie.
1B Joseph, Philadelphia Phillies: After starting 2016 with a .611 slugging percentage at Class AAA Lehigh Valley (Allentown, Pa.), Joseph carried over his production to the majors. He grabbed the Phillies’ everyday job at first base by going 22-for-73 with seven home runs and 12 RBI through his first 23 games.
After a 3-for-3 showing Sunday, Heyward had raised his The Nationals’ Wilson Ramos had 35 RBI through Sunday. batting average 13 points over 16 games and piled up 13 runs, three home runs and eight RBI during that stretch. Expect five-category production going forward from the notoriously slow starter.
C Wilson Ramos, Washington Nationals: Through Sunday, Ramos had a .333/.383/.548 (batting average/on-base percentage/ slugging percentage) slash line, 25 runs, nine home runs and 35 RBI. The numbers land him in the heart of the conversation as the No. 1 fantasy catcher. He’s showing no signs of slowing down.
FIZZLERS
SP Samardzija, San Francisco Giants: The Shark hasn’t pitched out of the fifth inning in his past three outings and has allowed 12 earned runs through 142⁄ innings (7.36 ERA) during the slump. Upcoming starts at the Tampa Bay Rays and Pittsburgh Pirates aren’t cakewalks, either.
3B Shaw, Boston Red Sox: After going 0-for-2 Sunday, Shaw had one home run in his past 23 games while batting 15-for-90 (.167). The early-season star is losing his luster quickly.
SS Addison Russell, Chicago Cubs: The shortstop had seven runs, two extra-base hits and five RBI during a 16-for-83 stretch at the plate through his latest 25 games. His starting job isn’t in jeopardy, but offensive peaks and valleys are part of the package at this stage of Russell’s career.
2B Devon Travis, Toronto Blue Jays: He has had an underwhelming return from injury. Travis had a .150/.188/.250 slash line through Sunday and had no multi-hit games this season. He has scored eight runs and had seven RBI through 16 games, but those were kept afloat by Toronto’s potent lineup. Travis owners were hoping for more.
Neil Parker