ROOKIES’ VALUE SURGES AS PAPELBON’S PLUNGES
Entering August, here are the fantasy risers and fallers over the past month.
SIZZLERS
2B Ryan Schimpf, San Diego Padres: Out of nowhere, the 28-year-old rookie launched nine homers in July to pace the majors. He entered 2016 with three consecutive 20-homer seasons in the minors and currently has no challengers for playing time while hitting well.
OF Tyler Naquin, Cleveland Indians: Another rookie coming alive this month, Naquin went 24-for-69 (.348 batting average) with 14 runs, six home runs and 15 RBI in 19 July games. With Cleveland pushing all-in, Naquin warrants full-time work.
SP Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers: After allowing eight runs during his start June 26, Verlander was dominant in July. He allowed just eight earned runs through 422⁄ innings (1.69 ERA) with four wins and 48 strikeouts. Jonathan Papelbon lost his job and is no longer a fantasy asset.
RP Dellin Betances, New York Yankees: Now that Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller are no longer Yankees, Betances brings his dominance to the ninth inning going forward. Betances has a 1.68 ERA and 14 strikeouts/ nine innings (K/9) over the past three years. He should be viewed
as a high-end closer going forward.
FIZZLERS
RP Jonathan Papelbon, Washington Nationals: After the Nationals acquired Mark Melancon from the Pittsburgh Pirates, Papelbon will no longer receive save opportunities. It’s a huge hit to the former closer’s value, because his peripherals (4.41 ERA and 1.47 WHIP) don’t move the fantasy needle.
OF Ezequiel Carrera, Toronto Blue Jays: With Carrera’s poor July (.172 batting average, .270 on-base percentage, .266 slugging percentage), Jose Bautista back and Melvin Upton Jr. now in the fold, his fantasy value is spent. In the majority of seasonal leagues, he shouldn’t be owned.
C Derek Norris, San Diego Padres: With a .137 batting average and 43.7 strikeout percentage in July, he’s hardly a viable fantasy asset in most settings.
SP Yovani Gallardo, Baltimore Orioles: The veteran walked 22 batters over 32 innings in July with a 5.63 ERA and no wins. Not only is his velocity down, Gallardo also sports an underwhelming 6.5 K/9 for the season.
Neil Parker