RADIO
Welcome to the latest edition of my Players to Watch for the Week Ahead series as we look ahead to the week of July 29 - August 4. In this article, I like to take a look around the league and pick out some players to discuss who might be under-owned in redraft leagues, potential DFS candidates, or big names that are just flat-out hot.
Before we move on, let's glance back. Dawn Tepper graciously pinch-hit for me last week and had some timely calls like Vinnie Pasquantino and Brent Rooker. On the pitching side of things, Bryan Woo (despite the early exit) and Framber Valdez both performed admirably.
Looking ahead to this week's action, I've picked out some hot hitters to watch, an OBP machine, a couple of pitchers in complete control as well as one making his season debut, and some potential new saves candidates. I've got my eye on these guys, and perhaps you should too.
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Players to Watch: Hitters
What I'm watching: Consecutive games with an XBH
Matt Wallner began the season with the Twins, but after a 2-for-25 (.080) start, he was sent back down to the minors. The 26-year-old was hitting well at Triple-A, especially for power, blasting 19 home runs and 15 doubles in 259 ABs. The Twins recalled him in early July and so far the results have been great, slashing .353/.463/.794 over 12 games.
Wallner extends the lead! #MNTwins | #MLB pic.twitter.com/aORDdRcpLb
— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) July 28, 2024
After a 2-for-4 day on Sunday, Wallner now has four consecutive games with an extra-base hit, including two doubles and two home runs. Unfortunately, the Twins face two LHP to start the week, so Wallner may not start, but look for him to take aim at Luis Severino on Wednesday.
What I'm watching: Where does the hot hitter end up?
Josh Bell has to be one of the hottest hitters in the league right now. Bell had a streak of five consecutive games with two hits come to an end on Sunday, but he still collected one hit, extending his current hit streak to seven games. During this stretch, he is 12-for-28 (.429) with a double, five home runs, and a 4:4 BB:K. With this hot streak, it's likely that the switch-hitter will not be with the Marlins past the trade deadline, but where will he end up and can he keep it rolling? Does the landing spot enhance his fantasy value? For managers thinking it does, the 31-year-old is available in almost 70% of Yahoo leagues.
Josh Bell hits his 5th HR in his last 6 games. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/qv2QdAiRcc
— MLB (@MLB) July 28, 2024
What I'm watching: Is it time to add him in fantasy?
Nolan Schanuel is just 7% rostered in Yahoo leagues, but he's drawn a walk in six consecutive games with a total of eight over that stretch. The former first-round draft pick has a 16:12 BB:K in July and his OBP for the month is now a whopping .437. Through June 24 the left-handed hitter was batting .220, but since then he has gone 32-for-96 (.333) and has two home runs in his last three games.
What I'm watching: Making up for lost time
Xander Bogaerts missed nearly two months of playing time on the IL, but it seems he's trying to make up for lost time. The 31-year-old has hit safely in 10 of 11 games since coming off the IL, including eight multi-hit efforts, going 22-for-45 (.489) with three doubles, a triple, and a home run. He's also scored at least one time in six straight contests.
Sources are saying Bogey's back 🔥 pic.twitter.com/C5yzWdoFLP
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 28, 2024
Key Matchups: Hitters
These hitters caught my eye when looking over batter vs. pitcher matchups. Most of these guys are already rostered in a majority of leagues, so you aren't running out to snag them off the waiver wire, but they could be targets for your DFS lineups. While sometimes there isn't enough matchup history worth looking at, there is frequency with these, and with frequency comes familiarity. These pitchers likely don't have any more tricks up their sleeves versus these batters.
Players to Watch: Starting Pitchers
What I'm watching: Will dominant July translate to August?
Hunter Greene turned in four consecutive dominant outings in July, finishing the month 2-0, allowing just one earned run on nine hits and eight walks while striking out 29 over 27 innings pitched. The 24-year-old is now 7-4 with a 2.97 ERA (3.54 FIP), 1.05 WHIP, and a 17.5% K-BB% on the season and earned his first All-Star nomination this year. He'll take on the Giants at home in his next start.
Hunter Greene’s ERA is now below 3 👀 pic.twitter.com/4B5O5z3y1L
— Chatterbox Sports (@CBoxSports) July 28, 2024
What I'm watching: Will dominance continue?
Like Hunter Greene, Taj Bradley had a dominant July, although his stretch has gone back even further than that, with Bradley allowing two earned runs or less in nine consecutive starts and one earned run or less in eight of those nine starts. In his last three starts? ZERO. None. Nada. Zilch. Over 20 innings of work, the 23-year-old did not give up a single earned run, allowed just eight hits, and had a 5:20 BB:K. The righty gets a favorable matchup in his next start on Wednesday at home against a Marlins team that is already without Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Josh Bell. They could be without others come game time.
Taj Bradley dominated again today... shocker.
Today: 6 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, BB, 7 K
Last 9 GS: 0.82 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 8.5% BB, 30.8% K#RaysUppic.twitter.com/TDzNT8jOLr— Eric Cross (@EricCross04) July 26, 2024
What I'm watching: Season debut on Tuesday
The Rays' Jeffrey Springs will make his long-awaited season debut on Tuesday. His start will also come against the aforementioned depleted Marlins. Springs pitched just three games in 2023 with excellent results, but in his last full season in 2022, the southpaw went 9-5 with a 2.46 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a 20.6% K-BB%. The veteran is rostered in just 41% of leagues, so if you are in need of pitching help (aren't we all?) then go grab him.
Players to Watch: Relief Pitchers
Ben Joyce / Lucas Erceg / A.J. Puk / Hunter Harvey
What I'm watching: New faces in new places, new roles
There has been a flurry of relief pitchers dealt around the league ahead of the trade deadline, which has opened the door to other relievers to potentially step into a closing role. This is the case for flame-throwing Ben Joyce. Right now, Luis Garcia is listed as the team's closer, and manager Ron Washington has stated that Joyce will remain in a setup role, however, Garcia might be dealt as well.
Ben Joyce's 3Ks: 101mph, 102mph and 103mph.
15th consecutive scoreless appearance for the Volunteer Fireman. 🧑🚒 pic.twitter.com/uabUZYKUlW
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 28, 2024
Lucas Erceg has been good this season, but things opened up for him for a different reason, and that is Mason Miller's injury. He may split duties with Tyler Ferguson, but despite being 30 years old, this is Ferguson's first season in the big leagues, so Erceg may be the more proven commodity (albeit by a small margin with Erceg's debut coming in 2023).
With Paul Sewald continuing to struggle there could be a change in Arizona at some point, so keep an eye on recently acquired A.J. Puk as well. In Kansas City, James McArthur has struggled despite his 17 saves, so Hunter Harvey could become a factor (although he left Sunday's game with back spasms and is considered day-to-day).
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