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 8 - July 14. 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. For those keeping track of some of last week's topics, Connor Wong's hit streak ended at 17 games, Heliot Ramos kept raking, and Jonathan India's doubles streak came to an end without tying the record. Also, Bailey Ober and Jake Irvin continued their run of success, while Seth Lugo did end this week as the leader in quality starts (15).
Looking ahead to this week's action, I've picked out some hot hitters to watch, a couple of pitchers (one cold, one hot), and some surprising 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: More multi-hit games heading into the break?
Over the last week and a half of June, Bobby Witt Jr. went somewhat cold, going 5-for-32 (.156) over a nine-game stretch. However, the 24-year-old has caught fire over his last seven games, recording multiple hits in five of them and going 15-for-28 (.536) with three doubles, a triple, and three home runs during that stretch. He now owns a .324-15-61-72-22 line with a .395 wOBA and 154 wRC+. If not for Aaron Judge and Gunnar Henderson, he could be leading the way for AL MVP.
Bobby Witt Jr turns on one to add on 3. 💥 pic.twitter.com/IIsunCODaP
— MLB (@MLB) July 7, 2024
What I'm watching: Does the kid stay hot?
Brooks Lee was called up for his first MLB game on July 3 and promptly collected his first hit, going 2-for-4 in that game. What has he done since then? Kept hitting, of course! This game is easy, right? The switch-hitter has recorded at least one hit in each of his first five games, going 9-for-19 (.474) to start his career. The 23-year-old even collected at least one RBI in his first four games, with six already. The Twins hit the road this week for a series against the White Sox and another against the Giants, so we'll see how he fares away from Target Field.
Brooks Lee crushes his first Major League home run! 👏 pic.twitter.com/VsZEkITf9C
— MLB (@MLB) July 6, 2024
What I'm watching: Consecutive games with an extra-base hit
I was hoping this would be a little more interesting but Spencer Steer didn't hit a home run on Sunday. He did, however, hit a double, so he does have extra-base hits in four consecutive games and five of his last six. The Reds get a juicy matchup at home versus the Rockies starting Monday where he'll face Ryan Feltner (single in three at-bats), Cal Quantrill (no history), Kyle Freeland (1 HR against), and Austin Gomber (1 2B against), so he's got a good chance to keep the extra-base hit streak alive.
What I'm watching: How long does he keep hitting?
He goes 12-for-12 before he records an out, then gets an off day Sunday, but the Twins needed a hit in a 2-2 tie ballgame in the seventh inning, so who are they going to bring in? Jose Miranda, of course. Then right on cue, he singles. He won't go 12-for-12 again, but can he keep hitting this week? The 26-year-old has a career-high contact rate so far (82.4%) and is striking out at a very low rate (13.4%), so it's not unreasonable to think he can continue hitting for a solid average for the foreseeable future. He's still available in over 30% of Yahoo leagues and is eligible at both 1B and 3B for interested managers.
MAKE IT 12!
Jose Miranda has hits in 12 straight at-bats, the longest streak in the Expansion Era (since 1961). pic.twitter.com/awzt9tRCe1
— MLB (@MLB) July 6, 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: How will he fare in return on Tuesday?
Blake Snell hasn't pitched since June 2 after suffering a groin injury, the second time he's spent time on the IL already this season, but some time off might have been the best for the lefty anyway. Through six starts the 31-year-old has posted a gaudy 9.51 ERA and 1.94 WHIP. One of the concerns heading into fantasy drafts was availability, as the southpaw has surpassed 130 innings pitched only twice in his career, and it looks like it's going to be less than that again this year. He also posted a 13.3% BB% last season despite winning the Cy Young and owns an 11.8% rate so far in 2024.
Bailey Ober
What I'm watching: Again??
This is the fourth consecutive time Bailey Ober has made this watch list, but pitchers don't usually get lucky enough to face the A's two times in a row, then Seattle, then Detroit. For his encore, he gets none other than the Chicago White Sox. Over that four-game stretch against offensively-challenged teams, Ober went 3-0 with a 1.65 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and a 5:35 BB:K over 27 1/3 innings pitched. The White Sox have scored the fewest runs in the entire league and own the second-lowest team batting average, so keep playing him in redraft leagues and go ahead and fire him up for DFS.
Bailey Ober has really turned a corner lately…today vs DET:
6 IP 7 H 1 R 0 BB 8 K
22 whiffs🔥 and 35 CSW%Over his last 5 starts he has a 1.66 ERA and a 35:5 K:BB👀
pic.twitter.com/TeyJnALmpK— Andrew DeCeglie (@Andrew_FBB) July 4, 2024
Players to Watch: Relief Pitchers
Victor Vodnik / Andrew Chafin / Humberto Castellanos
What I'm watching: First save situations
Each of these guys recorded their first save of the season on Saturday. Do we have new closers for these teams? Not necessarily, but the situations are worth monitoring.
Victor Vodnik closed the game out for Colorado, but Jalen Beeks saved the prior two, so perhaps just needed rest. Andrew Chafin relieved Tigers closer Jason Foley after he allowed two hits (including a HR) in the ninth and was shaky his last time out, which is concerning. Humberto Castellanos got the save in the 10th inning for the D-backs, although notably Paul Sewald wasn't used, he has been shaky too but might also have been given some rest. For managers desperate for saves, these are all situations and relievers to keep a close eye on.
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