Stock Rising

Brian Dozier 2B, MIN: We have seen this show before from Dozier just last season.  The Twins second basemen is hitting .371 with 17 runs, six home runs and 15 RBI over the last two weeks.  Since the All-Star break Dozier is hitting .313 with 32 runs, 13 home runs and 30 RBI over 147 at bats.  Those totals pretty much match his pre-All-Star numbers over 331 at bats.

Byron Buxton OF, MIN: Speaking of shows he have seen before Buxton is enjoying a strong month of August where he is hitting .333 with 15 runs, four home runs, 13 RBI and six stolen bases.  The talent with Buxton is immense but we have yet to see him put it together for an entire season.  Fantasy owners should enjoy the strong second half.

Keon Broxton OF, MIL: Brewers outfielder Keon Broxton has been on fire of late, hitting .389 with seven runs, four home runs and six RBI over the last seven days.  On the season he is hitting just .229 but with 20 home runs and 19 stolen bases.  Fantasy owners can live with the low batting average if he is going to provide the coveted power/speed combo.

Patrick Corbin SP, ARI: Corbin has been up and down this season but since the All-Star break he has been quite impressive, going 4-2 with a 3.16 ERA while striking out 45 over 42.2 innings.  Over his last three starts things have been even better for Corbin as he has allowed just one earned run over 23.1 innings while striking out 21.

Carlos Rodon SP, CWS: We all knew Rodon had the talent to be the top of the rotation type arm and the fact that he is a southpaw makes his talent a bit more intriguing but he has dealt with injuries and inconsistency since making his debut.  Over his last five starts however Rodon might be pitching the best of his career, going 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA while striking out 37 over 36 innings.

 

Stock Falling

Mike Foltynewicz SP, ATL: Since the All-Star break things have been a complete disaster Foltynewicz as the Braves starter is 3-4 with a 7.71 ERA over 39.2 innings.  Folty went into the All-Star break with a 7-5 record and a 3.77 ERA.   Things have really turned sour for Folty over his last three starts where he has allowed 20 earned runs over 11.2 innings.

Steven Matz SP, NYM: The season was never really going to well for Matz but following his struggles against the Yankees during his last start he is now on the 10-day disabled list but has is going to have season ending surgery on his left elbow.  Matz figures to be ready for the start of Spring Training in 2018 but his 2017 season will see him finish with a 6.08 ERA and a 2-7 record.

Danny Salazar SP, CLE: Salazar had been lights out since coming off of the disabled list but that all came to an end in his most recent start against the Royals which saw him tagged for six earned runs on 12 hits over 4.2 innings.  Following that start the Indians placed Salazar on the disabled list due to elbow inflammation.  An MRI on Salazar’s elbow came back clean but he will still be on the shelf for a few weeks and with fantasy playoffs quickly approaching this injury could not come at a worse time given his recent success.

Joc Pederson OF, LAD: 2017 has been an utter disappointment for Pederson who was coming off two straight seasons with at least 25 home runs. At 25 years old there was some belief that a bigger season could be on the verge for Pederson however that was not to be the case.  Pederson was optioned to the minors following the Dodgers acquisition of Curtis Granderson.  While Pederson figures to be recalled once rosters expand he is hitting just .215 with 43 runs, 11 home runs and 33 RBI this season.

Evan Longoria 3B, TB: The month of August has not been kind to Longoria as he is hitting just .224 with four runs, one home run and six RBI over 67 at bats.  Over the last two weeks things have been worse for Longo has he is hitting just .186 with one run, zero home runs and two RBI.

 

Stock to Watch

Josh Bell 1B, PIT: Bell has long been a prospect in the Pirates system and after a position change to first base he finally got a crack at an everyday role.  Scouts said Bell had a solid hit tool but they questioned his home run power.  Heading into the All-Star break the opposite seemed true as Bell was hitting just .239 but with 16 home runs, a number some figured he would top out at this season.  Since the All-Star break Bell has continued to hit for power but now the batting average is coming with it as he is hitting .319 with 18 runs, five home runs and 29 RBI over 119 at bats.  Bell is boasting an impressive .937 OPS and an OBP of .391 since the All-Star break as well.  Bell is owned in just 40 percent of standard leagues but if we trust the scouts and his progression this season fantasy owners may want to grab the Pirates outfielder as the fantasy baseball playoffs near