GIOLITO, FULMER SET UP FOR SECOND HALF
Promising pitchers headline this week’s hot commodities, and two high-end assets should have their owners concerned.
SIZZLERS
SP Lucas Giolito, Washington Nationals: The Nationals’ top pitching prospect will remain with the big club after Joe Ross was placed on the disabled list with a shoulder injury. Giolito gave up one hit during his weather-shortened debut last week, and he’ll now have another opportunity to prove he’s ready to stick in the rotation.
SP Michael Fulmer, Detroit Tigers: Don’t fret a conservative approach to Fulmer’s innings in the short term because it will ensure that he’s pitching deep into the season. He has eight wins, a 2.17 ERA, 1.09 WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) and 70 strikeouts through 702⁄ innings over the first 12 starts of his career. He is pushing for recognition as one of the elite young Danny Espinosa gives the Nationals plenty of offense.
pitchers in the league.
SS Danny Espinosa, Nationals: Espinosa has 30 runs, 15 home runs and 33 RBI over his past 35 games. He is quieting his critics while providing huge of- fense for fantasy owners and the division-leading Nationals.
OF Shin-Soo Choo, Texas Rangers: Since returning from injury in mid-June, Choo has 15 runs, six home runs, 14 RBI and three stolen bases with a .278 batting average through 19 games. If he stays active on the base paths and remains in the leadoff spot, Choo stands to provide solid five-category production for the rest of the season.
FIZZLERS
SP Jake Arrieta, Chicago Cubs: The reigning Cy Young Award winner has allowed 10 earned runs on 16 hits and 11 walks through 151⁄ innings over his past three outings. A lack of command has hindered Arrieta’s ability to dictate at-bats, and the results have been underwhelming to the eye and stat line. Watch the ace closely over his next few starts.
OF Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates: After show- ing signs of a breakout with two home runs June 25, McCutchen went 5-for-25 last week with a pedestrian .280 slugging percentage and no RBI. To make matters worse, he missed Sunday’s game with a heel injury. His time as a top-tier outfielder might have run its course.
1B Byung Ho Park, Minnesota Twins: Despite hitting 12 home runs, Park has a .191 batting average and .275 on-base percentage that were weighing down the Minnesota lineup and fantasy owner’s stat columns. He was sent to the minors, and given the depth at first base, it is difficult to view the 29-year-old rookie as a stash candidate.
2B Joe Panik, San Francisco Giants: He has missed time with a hip and a groin muscle injury and is on the seven-day disabled list with a concussion. Outside of his 45 runs, fantasy owners were expecting more production.
Neil Parker
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