Time to hit the drop cord! Here are a few players to keep an eye on as we reach the halfway mark of the season.
HITS
1B/2B/3B/OF Jace Peterson, Milwaukee Brewers
Do you need speed and position flexibility? Of course! And that’s why you should look at Jace Peterson. It might not be the flashiest game, but Peterson has 10 stolen bases this season with seven homers. He’s also been seeing the ball well lately, hitting .353 over the past two weeks. Peterson has qualified at almost any infield or outfield position in Yahoo leagues.
OF Eddie Rosario, Atlanta Braves
Rosario returned from a ten-week absence with an eye problem and has played in three straight games, recording a hit in each game and a home run on Wednesday. Rosario was terrific down the stretch last season with a .975 OPS over the final 48 games (including the postseason), helping the Braves win the World Series.
OF Harold Ramirez, Tampa Bay Rays
Harold Ramirez appears to have played his way into a full-time role in left field for the Rays, and the bonus is that he’s still qualifying at first base. Ramirez is hitting .366 with 15 hits, a homer and a stolen base over the last two weeks of play. He hits the ball hard and Statcast has an expected BA of .317. In a .242 league average year, Ramirez could be a strong addition.
ON David Peralta, Arizona Diamondbacks
Peralta is hitting the ball hard with an exit velocity in the top 10% of the league, and when you couple that with a 46.6% slugging percentage, it means the hitter could have some good weeks for you. Peralta has been on a hot streak the past two weeks, batting .355 with three homers and nine RBIs — just don’t start him against lefties. Peralta is hitting just .121 with one homer against lefties this season versus hitting .271 with ten homers against right-handed pitching.
OF Nick Senzel, Cincinnati Reds
When Nick Senzel is healthy, he is a very useful fantasy player, and Nick Senzel is healthy right now. Senzel has been seeing the ball well lately, with 19 hits over the last two weeks of play. That translates to a .442 batting average, two homers, eight RBIs and three stolen bases. Place your bids and pray he stays on the field.
OF Jake Myers, Houston Astros
In the deeper leagues, if you’re looking for an outfielder, the Astros seem to be giving the everyday job to Jake Myers — at least for now. Myers is hitting .310 with a homer and ten RBI since joining the club on June 24.
PITCHERS
SP Jose Quintana, Pittsburgh Pirates
This is not an exciting play. He won’t get you many wins, but Quintana has been solid, allowing just a 37.2% strikeout rate. He was able to limit hard contact enough to maintain a 3.33 ERA, and he was allowed just 0.78 home runs per nine innings. In the weak NL Central, he gets a lot of matchups with the Cubs and Reds, so it’s all up for grabs if you’re desperate to start pitching.
SP Dean Kremer, Baltimore Orioles
Kremer has had some luck this year, but maybe we should stop waiting for that luck to run out. Kremer’s ERA is 2.48, though he’s striking out just 6.48 batters per nine and walking too many guys. Home field is favorable, even if his division is not. If you need a hand, Kremer could see his luck continue as his next game is against the flailing Angels.
SP Nick Lodolo, Cincinnati Reds
The No. 7 prospect for the Cincinnati Reds has had a shaky start, but on Tuesday he struck out eight over 4 2/3 scoreless innings against the Mets in his return from Illinois. If you’re looking for an edge, Lodolo could be your game.
More fantasy and MLB coverage:
• A closer report and bullpen depth chart
• Shohei Ohtani is the only thing keeping the Angels afloat
• Kyle Farnsworth’s Next Big Thing
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