10-Team Leagues
Eduardo Nunez, BOS 3B (84%)- The Red Sox were desperate for help at the third base position and after failing to acquire Todd Frazier from the White Sox they made a move for Giants infielder Eduardo Nunez. Nunez has been WHITE HOT over the past two months and his move from the pitcher friendly AT&T Park in San Fransisco to the right handed hitters haven of Fenway Park should only do wonders for his offensive production and that has been the case. Since joining Boston Nunez is hitting .500 (11/22) with three runs, four doubles, two home runs, nine RBI and two stolen bases over five games. He currently has position eligibility at third base, shortstop and outfield in most standard leagues but the Red Sox just placed Dustin Pedrioa on the disabled list and have Nunez now starting at second base so fantasy owners could see him gain that position soon as well.
Zack Godley, ARI SP (65%)- It is time to start believing the hype with Godley as the Diamondbacks young righty is coming off a seven inning shutout of the Cardinals to bring his seasonal stats to 4-4 with a 3.06 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP while having struck out 91 over 88.1 innings. Godley’s peripheral stats even backup his impressive numbers so there should be no fear of regression coming over the final few months of the season. Buy into Godley because he is the real deal.
Bradley Zimmer, CLE OF (44%)- The Indians rookie is having himself a fine month of July, hitting .277 with 15 runs, four doubles, one triple, four home runs, 15 RBI and six stolen bases. On the season Zimmer is hitting .282 with 30 runs, eight home runs, 37 RBI and 13 stolen bases over 67 games. Those looking for an outfielder that can fill up the stat sheet should look no further than Zimmer as he the Indians offense is starting to heat up and against right-handed pitching you can usually find him in the leadoff spot.
12-Team Leagues
Lucas Duda, TB 1B (15%)- The Mets moved on from Duda heading into the trade deadline, dealing him to the Rays. With Tampa Duda is hitting .375 (6/16) with six runs, three home runs and four RBI. Duda is not going to hit over .300 for very long but the power is definitely for real and the Rays offense has been among the league best home run hitting teams this season. If you need a power bat at a corner infield or first base slot I would take a look at Duda.
Odubel Herrera, PHI OF (59%)- One of many popular sleepers heading into the fantasy season, Herrera has really been a disappointment but the month of July has seen him finally produce as those who drafted him, and likely already dropped him, had hoped. Herrera is hitting .360 with 15 runs, six home runs and 13 RBI this month and this follows up a strong month of June which saw him hit .321 with 15 runs, two home runs and 14 RBI. A strong second half is seemingly in the works here for Herrera and his ability to hit for power and swipe a few bags makes him worth an add in all formats.
Kevin Gausman, BAL SP (64%)- I feel a little dirty suggesting that you pick up Gausman after how dreadful he has been over the first three months of the season but it is impossible to ignore his recent stretch of starts. Over his last three games Gausman has allowed just one earned run over 20.2 innings while striking out 24 hitters. This is the type of production that many fantasy owners thought they were getting when they were taking him in the 10th rounds of fantasy drafts. While Gausman may have hurt your fantasy team in the beginning he still has a chance to redeem himself if he can finish off August and September looking like a No.1 type of starter.
15-Team Leagues
Howie Kendrick, WAS UTL (14%)- The Phillies dealt Kendrick to the Nationals heading into the the trade deadline and he figures to see pretty regular playing time in Washington. Injuries have limited Kendrick this season but when healthy he has been very productive as he is hitting .353 with three home runs, 18 RBI and eight stolen bases this season over 43 games. On Tuesday night Kendrick hit second in the batting order and went 5-for-5 with a home run and should he find himself in the two-hole going forward he could see a big boost in fantasy value over the final two months.
Keon Broxton, MIL OF (27%)- Listen, we knew that Broxton was not going to hit for a good batting average and to this point in the year he is hitting just .216 BUT we also told you that he was going to hit for power and swipe some bags. I likened his potential to that of a Melvin Upton and while hit batting average is not going to hit that .230ish range like I expected he does have a legit chance at a 20/25 type of season if the Brewers let him play everyday from here on out. Broxton was just recalled from the minors and is slated to be the starting center fielder moving forward.
Kendall Graveman, OAK SP (13%)- Graveman has been on the disabled list since May, having made just eight starts this season due to shoulder issues but he is slated to come off the disabled list and pitch this Thursday against the Giants. On the season Graveman is 2-2 with a 3.83 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP while striking out 32 over 47 innings. Graveman’s 3.83 ERA is inflated a bit due to a start against the Twins which he gave up six runs over 3.1 innings but in his remaining seven starts he had given up more than two earned runs just once.