Category Power Rankings: Week 11

Time for your weekly dose of CPR!

 

Batting Average (AVG)

 

Top 25

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Christian Yelich	MIL	OF	–
2	Nolan Arenado	COL	3B	–
3	Michael Brantley	HOU	OF	+2
4	Freddie Freeman	ATL	1B	–
5	J.D. Martinez	BOS	OF	-2
6	Mike Trout	LAA	OF	–
7	Anthony Rendon	WSH	3B	+1
8	Justin Turner	LAD	3B	+2
9	Mookie Betts	BOS	OF	-2
10	Cody Bellinger	LAD	1B/OF	+2
11	Whit Merrifield	KC	1B/2B/OF	–
12	Jean Segura	PHI	SS	-3
13	Jorge Polanco	MIN	SS	+1
14	Xander Bogaerts	BOS	SS	+3
15	Charlie Blackmon	COL	OF	–
16	Elvis Andrus	TEX	SS	–
17	DJ Lemahieu	NYY	2B/3B	+1
18	Josh Bell	PIT	1B	+1
19	David Peralta	ARZ	OF	+1
20	David Dahl	COL	OF	+1
21	Jeff McNeil	NYM	2B/3B/OF	+3
22	Tommy Pham	TB	OF	–
23	Javier Baez	CHC	2B/3B/SS	+2
24	Austin Meadows	TB	OF	Unranked
25	Francisco Lindor	CLE	SS	Unranked

Off the List: Paul DeJong

 

Austin Meadows is quietly putting together an MVP-caliber season so far, even with an IL stint at the end of April mixed in. Meadows has done it all for the Rays, but his AVG has been the biggest surprise. It does seem sustainable, however, as Meadows is a former top prospect for the Pirates and is currently making that Chris Archer trade look more and more embarrassing for the Bucs.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Josh Reddick	HOU	OF	+1
2	David Fletcher	LAA	2B/3B/SS/OF	+2
3	Miguel Cabrera	DET	1B	Unranked
4	Avisail Garcia	TB	OF	+4
5	Howie Kendrick	WSH	1B/2B/3B/OF	Unranked
6	Jose Iglesias	CIN	SS	-1
7	Melky Cabrera	PIT	OF	–
8	Gio Urshela	NYY	3B/SS	-2
9	Leury Garcia	CHW	OF	Unranked
10	Colin Moran	PIT	3B	Unranked

Off the List: Shin-Soo Choo (ownership), Brian Goodwin, Neil Walker (injury)

 

Never thought I would see the day that Miguel Cabrera would find himself on a “deep league/underowned” list of fantasy players. But that is where the 36-year-old finds himself with his sapped power and run production. The one tool he has not lost is his ability to hit for a good batting average. He is available in a good majority of leagues and you could do a lot worse if you need a little boost in AVG.

 

Runs (R)

 

Top 25

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Christian Yelich	MIL	OF	–
2	Mookie Betts	BOS	OF	–
3	Cody Bellinger	LAD	1B/OF	–
4	Nolan Arenado	COL	3B	–
5	Mike Trout	LAA	OF	–
6	Charlie Blackmon	COL	OF	–
7	Trevor Story	COL	SS	+2
8	Freddie Freeman	ATL	1B	+2
9	George Springer	HOU	OF	-2
10	Jean Segura	PHI	SS	+1
11	Whit Merrifield	KC	1B/2B/OF	+2
12	Ronald Acuna Jr.	ATL	OF	–
13	Kris Bryant	CHC	3B/OF	+5
14	Mitch Haniger	SEA	OF	+1
15	Bryce Harper	PHI	OF	+1
16	Anthony Rendon	WSH	3B	+4
17	J.D. Martinez	BOS	OF	-3
18	Javier Baez	CHC	2B/3B/SS	+1
19	Xander Bogaerts	BOS	SS	+3
20	Lorenzo Cain	MIL	OF	-3
21	Paul Goldschmidt	STL	1B	–
22	Rafael Devers	BOS	3B	Unranked
23	Paul DeJong	STL	SS	–
24	Josh Bell	PIT	1B	+1
25	Francisco Lindor	CLE	SS	Unranked

Off the List: Andrew McCutchen (injury), Joey Gallo (injury)

 

Rafael Devers has shown much improved plate discipline this year and not only is he seeing the ball well, he is crushing it. He is among the league leaders in hard hit rate and exit velocity and is the current major league leader in balls hit 95 mph or harder. He has also chipped in eight unexpected steals which has delighted fantasy owners.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Leury Garcia	CHW	OF	+1
2	Daniel Vogelbach	SEA	1B	+1
3	Adam Eaton	WSH	OF	+4
4	Gregory Polanco	PIT	OF	+2
5	David Fletcher	LAA	2B/3B/SS/OF	+4
6	Brandon Lowe	TB	2B/OF	-2
7	Kyle Schwarber	CHC	OF	+1
8	Kole Calhoun	LAA	OF	Unranked
9	Lourdes Gurriel Jr.	TOR	2B/SS/OF	+1
10	Ramon Laureano	OAK	OF	Unranked

Off the List: Shin-Soo Choo (ownership), Hunter Pence (ownership)

 

Kole Calhoun has always shown good plate discipline which will always help generate runs. He has chipped in 13 HRs on top of his solid numbers in the runs column.

 

Home Runs (HR)

 

Top 25

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Christian Yelich	MIL	OF	+1
2	Nolan Arenado	COL	3B	+1
3	Cody Bellinger	LAD	1B/OF	+1
4	Mike Trout	LAA	OF	+2
5	Edwin Encarnacion	SEA	1B	–
6	Pete Alonso	NYM	1B	+5
7	Khris Davis	OAK	OF	–
8	Rhys Hoskins	PHI	1B/OF	–
9	Gary Sanchez	NYY	C	+4
10	Javier Baez	CHC	2B/3B/SS	–
11	Paul Goldschmidt	STL	1B	-2
12	Trevor Story	COL	SS	–
13	Marcell Ozuna	STL	OF	+1
14	Alex Bregman	HOU	3B/SS	+2
15	J.D. Martinez	BOS	OF	–
16	Matt Chapman	OAK	3B	+3
17	Francisco Lindor	CLE	SS	+3
18	Bryce Harper	PHI	OF	–
19	George Springer	HOU	OF	-2
20	Mike Moustakas	MIL	2B/3B	+3
21	Anthony Rizzo	CHC	1B	–
22	Josh Bell	PIT	1B	–
23	Freddie Freeman	ATL	1B	+2
24	Joey Gallo	TEX	1B/OF	-23
25	Kris Bryant	CHC	3B/OF	-1

Off the List: None

 

The oblique injury to Joey Gallo certainly shook things up a bit here. Francisco Lindor is on a 41-HR pace right now and really has not missed a beat after spending the first couple weeks of the season on the IL.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Franmil Reyes	SD	OF	–
2	Daniel Vogelbach	SEA	1B	–
3	Hunter Renfroe	SD	OF	+2
4	Jorge Soler	KC	OF	-1
5	C.J. Cron	MIN	1B	-1
6	Jay Bruce	PHI	1B/OF	+4
7	Miguel Sano	MIN	1B/3B	-1
8	Gregory Polanco	PIT	OF	–
9	Justin Smoak	TOR	1B	–
10	Renato Nunez	BAL	1B/3B	Unranked

Off the List: Derek Dietrich (ownership)

 

The quintessential all-or-nothing hitter at this point in his career, Jay Bruce makes the move to Philly and has already gotten off to a nice start in his new home. The ballpark change should benefit Bruce immensely. As long as he gets regular playing time, he should most definitely be a solid source of power.

 

Runs Batted In (RBI)

 

Top 25

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Nolan Arenado	COL	3B	–
2	Cody Bellinger	LAD	1B/OF	–
3	Christian Yelich	MIL	OF	–
4	Rhys Hoskins	PHI	1B/OF	–
5	Edwin Encarnacion	SEA	1B	–
6	Marcell Ozuna	STL	OF	–
7	Anthony Rizzo	CHC	1B	+1
8	Jose Abreu	CHW	1B	+5
9	J.D. Martinez	BOS	OF	-2
10	Khris Davis	OAK	OF	-1
11	Freddie Freeman	ATL	1B	–
12	Anthony Rendon	WSH	3B	+3
13	Bryce Harper	PHI	OF	-3
14	Javier Baez	CHC	2B/3B/SS	–
15	Josh Bell	PIT	1B	+6
16	Pete Alonso	NYM	1B	–
17	Trevor Story	COL	SS	+1
18	Alex Bregman	HOU	3B/SS	+1
19	Paul Goldschmidt	STL	1B	-2
20	Juan Soto	WSH	OF	–
21	Eddie Rosario	MIN	OF	+3
22	Adalberto Mondesi	KC	2B/SS	+1
23	Domingo Santana	SEA	OF	+2
24	Xander Bogaerts	BOS	SS	Unranked
25	Ronald Acuna Jr.	ATL	OF	-3

Off the List: Joey Gallo (injury)

 

I am a little hesitant to move Eddie Rosario too far up this list. The past two seasons, Rosario has been a one-half hitter. Last year, he only totaled 17 RBI in the second half of the season. While in 2018, Rosario had just 26 RBI in the first half but then exploded for 52 down the stretch. Until I am able to see consistency out of Rosario, when considering a rest-of-season outlook, it is difficult to move him too far up right now.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Jorge Soler	KC	OF	–
2	Daniel Vogelbach	SEA	1B	–
3	C.J. Cron	MIN	1B	+2
4	Jay Bruce	PHI	1B/OF	Unranked
5	Gregory Polanco	PIT	OF	-2
6	Dansby Swanson	ATL	SS	–
7	Miguel Sano	MIN	1B/3B	+1
8	Justin Smoak	TOR	1B	+2
9	Howie Kendrick	WSH	1B/2B/3B/OF	Unranked
10	Brandon Lowe	TB	2B/3B	-1

Off the List: Derek Dietrich (ownership), Hunter Pence (ownership)

 

The human Swiss Army knife, Howie Kendrick, has been one of the few bright spots for the struggling Nationals. He has shown good power so far and has squared the ball up better than he ever has before. Expect some regression, but ride it out while you can.

 

Stolen Bases (SB)

 

Top 25

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Adalberto Mondesi	KC	2B/SS	–
2	Tim Anderson	CHW	SS	–
3	Billy Hamilton	KC	OF	–
4	Jose Ramirez	CLE	2B/3B	–
5	Mallex Smith	SEA	OF	+3
6	Whit Merrifield	KC	1B/2B/OF	-1
7	Jonathan Villar	BAL	2B/SS	+1
8	Victor Robles	WSH	OF	-2
9	Trea Turner	WSH	SS	–
10	Starling Marte	PIT	OF	–
11	Jarrod Dyson	ARZ	OF	–
12	Christian Yelich	MIL	OF	+3
13	Byron Buxton	MIN	OF	-1
14	Trevor Story	COL	SS	–
15	Dee Gordon	SEA	2B/SS/OF	-2
16	Elvis Andrus	TEX	SS	–
17	Mike Trout	LAA	OF	–
18	Ronald Acuna Jr.	ATL	OF	–
19	Mookie Betts	BOS	OF	+1
20	Francisco Lindor	CLE	SS	+5
21	Lorenzo Cain	MIL	OF	–
22	Tommy Pham	TB	OF	-3
23	Andrew Benintendi	BOS	OF	–
24	Kevin Kiermaier	TB	OF	–
25	Jean Segura	PHI	SS	-3

Off the List: None

 

Mallex Smith has hit the ground running since being recalled from AAA. He has eight SBs since returning and his bat is starting to come around as well. He is currently in the midst of a seven-game hitting streak.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Mallex Smith	SEA	OF	–
2	Jarrod Dyson	ARZ	OF	–
3	Kevin Kiermaier	TB	OF	–
4	Delino DeShields	TEX	OF	–
5	Kolten Wong	STL	2B	+1
6	Amed Rosario	NYM	SS	+2
7	Leury Garcia	CHW	OF	-2
8	Ramon Laureano	OAK	OF	Unranked
9	JaCoby Jones	DET	OF	Unranked
10	Kevin Pillar	SF	OF	-3

Off the List: Nicky Lopez, Danny Santana

 

This list becomes more and more difficult to build and more and more disgusting to look at.

 

On-Base Percentage (OBP)

 

Top 25

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Mike Trout	LAA	OF	–
2	Christian Yelich	MIL	OF	–
3	Freddie Freeman	ATL	1B	–
4	Alex Bregman	HOU	3B/SS	–
5	Cody Bellinger	LAD	1B/OF	–
6	Mookie Betts	BOS	OF	+1
7	Anthony Rendon	WSH	3B	+1
8	Tommy Pham	TB	OF	+3
9	Rhys Hoskins	PHI	1B/OF	–
10	Bryce Harper	PHI	OF	–
11	J.D. Martinez	BOS	OF	-4
12	Juan Soto	WSH	OF	–
13	Kris Bryant	CHC	3B/OF	–
14	Nolan Arenado	COL	3B	–
15	Anthony Rizzo	CHC	1B	+1
16	Carlos Santana	CLE	1B/3B	+2
17	Jorge Polanco	MIN	SS	+3
18	Michael Conforto	NYM	OF	+3
19	Shin-Soo Choo	TEX	OF	–
20	Josh Bell	PIT	1B	+3
21	Jeff McNeil	NYM	2B/3B/OF	Unranked
22	Austin Meadows	TB	OF	Unranked
23	Paul DeJong	STL	SS	-1
24	George Springer	HOU	OF	–
25	Joey Votto	CIN	1B	–

Off the List: Joey Gallo (injury), Andrew McCutchen (injury)

 

Alex Bregman has a 15% walk rate and a sub-13% strikeout rate. He is developing into one of the most difficult at-bats for any pitcher.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Daniel Vogelbach	SEA	1B	+1
2	Josh Reddick	HOU	OF	+1
3	Justin Smoak	TOR	1B	+2
4	David Fletcher	LAA	2B/3B/OF	+2
5	Kolten Wong	STL	2B	-1
6	Bryan Reynolds	PIT	OF	+1
7	Dexter Fowler	STL	OF	Unranked
8	Brandon Belt	SF	1B/OF	Unranked
9	Avisail Garcia	TB	OF	Unranked
10	Miguel Cabrera	DET	1B	Unranked

Off the List: Shin-Soo Choo (ownership), Neil Walker (injury), Nicky Lopez

 

If there is one thing Dexter Fowler has done throughout his somewhat-underachieving career, it is get on base. The 33-year-old is currently sporting a .371 OBP and is getting fairly regular run in the St. Louis lineup as well. You could probably do worse in deeper five-outfielder leagues.

 

Wins (W)

 

Top 25

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Justin Verlander	HOU	SP	–
2	Max Scherzer	WSH	SP	–
3	Zack Greinke	ARZ	SP	–
4	Gerrit Cole	HOU	SP	+1
5	Trevor Bauer	CLE	SP	-1
6	Jose Berrios	MIN	SP	–
7	Blake Snell	TB	SP	–
8	Jacob deGrom	NYM	SP	–
9	Patrick Corbin	WSH	SP	–
10	Aaron Nola	PHI	SP	–
11	Clayton Kershaw	LAD	SP	–
12	Hyun-Jin Ryu	LAD	SP	+2
13	Luis Castillo	CIN	SP	-1
14	German Marquez	COL	SP	+1
15	Chris Sale	BOS	SP	+1
16	Stephen Strasburg	WSH	SP	+2
17	Walker Buehler	LAD	SP	–
18	Charlie Morton	TB	SP	+1
19	Brandon Woodruff	MIL	SP/RP	+4
20	Masahiro Tanaka	NYY	SP	–
21	Domingo German	NYY	SP/RP	–
22	Jake Odorizzi	MIN	SP	+3
23	James Paxton	NYY	SP	+1
24	Noah Syndergaard	NYM	SP	-2
25	Lucas Giolito	CHW	SP	Unranked

Off the List: Carlos Carrasco (injury)

 

Lucas Giolito has reeled off seven consecutive victories and is up to nine on the year. He has been by far the biggest surprise of the season.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Yonny Chirinos	TB	SP/RP	–
2	Lance Lynn	TEX	SP	–
3	Zach Davies	MIL	SP	–
4	John Means	BAL	SP/RP	+2
5	Jordan Lyles	PIT	SP	-1
6	Wade Miley	HOU	SP	+2
7	Kyle Gibson	MIN	SP	+2
8	Brett Anderson	OAK	SP	-1
9	Martin Perez	MIN	SP	-4
10	Merrill Kelly	ARZ	SP	Unranked

Off the List: Tanner Roark

 

Merrill Kelly has been wildly inconsistent this year. But he has shown flashes of what brought him back to the states from overseas. He is far from matchup proof, but against the right lineups, you can definitely throw him out there.

 

Earned Run Average (ERA)

 

Top 25

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Justin Verlander	HOU	SP	–
2	Max Scherzer	WSH	SP	–
3	Jacob deGrom	NYM	SP	–
4	Trevor Bauer	CLE	SP	–
5	Blake Snell	TB	SP	–
6	Patrick Corbin	WSH	SP	–
7	Chris Sale	BOS	SP	–
8	Jose Berrios	MIN	SP	+1
9	Clayton Kershaw	LAD	SP	+1
10	Gerrit Cole	HOU	SP	-2
11	Luis Castillo	CIN	SP	–
12	Charlie Morton	TB	SP	–
13	Hyun-Jin Ryu	LAD	SP	+2
14	Zack Greinke	ARZ	SP	–
15	Stephen Strasburg	WSH	SP	+2
16	Aaron Nola	PHI	SP	–
17	Walker Buehler	LAD	SP	+2
18	James Paxton	NYY	SP	+6
19	Noah Syndergaard	NYM	SP	-1
20	German Marquez	COL	SP	–
21	Lucas Giolito	CHW	SP	Unranked
22	Jake Odorizzi	MIN	SP	Unranked
23	Chris Paddack	SD	SP	-1
24	Shane Bieber	CLE	SP	+1
25	Mike Soroka	ATL	SP	Unranked

Off the List: Carlos Carrasco (injury), Caleb Smith (injury), Domingo German

 

With the unfortunate non-baseball related injury to Carlos Carrasco sidelining him for an uncertain amount of time, it is difficult to rank him accordingly. For now, he is off any remaining lists until we hear about a timetable.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Spencer Turnbull	DET	SP	–
2	Zach Davies	MIL	SP	–
3	Wade Miley	HOU	SP	+2
4	Yonny Chirinos	TB	SP/RP	+2
5	Chris Bassitt	OAK	SP	-1
6	Jordan Lyles	PIT	SP/RP	+2
7	Trevor Richards	MIA	SP	Unranked
8	Martin Perez	MIN	SP	-1
9	Zach Plesac	CLE	SP	Unranked
10	Dakota Hudson	STL	SP/RP	Unranked

Off the List: Matt Strahm (injury), Brett Anderson, Tanner Roark

 

Trevor Richards is on a nice little run of late. He has won three of his last five starts while surrendering three earned runs or fewer in all of them. 

 

Strikeouts (K)

 

Top 25

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Max Scherzer	WSH	SP	–
2	Gerrit Cole	HOU	SP	–
3	Justin Verlander	HOU	SP	–
4	Chris Sale	BOS	SP	+1
5	Trevor Bauer	CLE	SP	-1
6	Blake Snell	TB	SP	–
7	Stephen Strasburg	WSH	SP	–
8	Jacob deGrom	NYM	SP	–
9	Matt Boyd	DET	SP	+3
10	Patrick Corbin	WSH	SP	–
11	Luis Castillo	CIN	SP	–
12	Charlie Morton	TB	SP	+1
13	James Paxton	NYY	SP	+3
14	German Marquez	COL	SP	–
15	Aaron Nola	PHI	SP	–
16	Zack Wheeler	NYM	SP	+5
17	Robbie Ray	ARZ	SP	+1
18	Shane Bieber	CLE	SP	+5
19	Noah Syndergaard	NYM	SP	-2
20	Jose Berrios	MIN	SP	–
21	Caleb Smith	MIA	SP	-2
22	Zack Greinke	ARZ	SP	–
23	Lucas Giolito	CHW	SP	Unranked
24	Brandon Woodruff	MIL	SP/RP	Unranked
25	Jack Flaherty	STL	SP	-1

Off the List: Carlos Carrasco (injury), Madison Bumgarner

 

Robbie Ray is such a one-trick pony. While his ERA is respectable at 3.62, his WHIP of nearly 1.40 leaves such a sour taste in fantasy owners’ mouths. He never goes deep enough into games to register quality starts, but the one trick he does have is always going to be pretty elite. His strikeouts had been down in the early going, but he has racked up 61 Ks over his last 42.1 IP.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Chris Bassitt	OAK	SP	–
2	Lance Lynn	TEX	SP	Unranked
3	Tyler Mahle	CIN	SP	–
4	Spencer Turnbull	DET	SP	-2
5	Martin Perez	MIN	SP	-1
6	Anthony Desclafani	CIN	SP	-1
7	Trent Thornton	TOR	SP	-1
8	Jordan Lyles	PIT	SP/RP	-1
9	Tanner Roark	CIN	SP	–
10	Dylan Bundy	BAL	SP	-2

Off the List: Julio Teheran

 

Lance Lynn has been a very solid source of wins, quality starts, and strikeouts this year. Over his last four starts, the veteran righty has totaled 36 punch outs across 25.1 IP.

 

Saves (SV)

 

Top 25

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Kirby Yates	SD	RP	–
2	Kenley Jansen	LAD	RP	+1
3	Roberto Osuna	HOU	RP	+1
4	Aroldis Chapman	NYY	RP	+1
5	Edwin Diaz	NYM	RP	-3
6	Felipe Vazquez	PIT	RP	–
7	Brad Hand	CLE	RP	–
8	Josh Hader	MIL	RP	–
9	Blake Treinen	OAK	RP	–
10	Ken Giles	TOR	RP	+1
11	Shane Greene	DET	RP	+1
12	Jordan Hicks	STL	RP	-2
13	Sean Doolittle	WSH	RP	–
14	Will Smith	SF	RP	+1
15	Hector Neris	PHI	RP	+2
16	Raisel Iglesias	CIN	RP	–
17	Greg Holland	ARZ	RP	-2
18	Wade Davis	COL	RP	+1
19	Alex Colome	CHW	RP	-1
20	Craig Kimbrel	CHC	RP	Unranked
21	Blake Parker	MIN	RP	-1
22	Sergio Romo	MIA	SP/RP	-1
23	Luke Jackson	ATL	RP	-1
24	Pedro Strop	CHC	RP	Unranked
25	Jose Alvarado	TB	RP	-1

Off the List: Steve Cishek, Diego Castillo

 

Hector Neris has pretty much solidified himself as the Phillies closer. Neris has been absolutely nails since taking over for David Robertson. He has an 88% LOB rate which is the same as Kirby Yates and better than Felipe Vazquez, Aroldis Chapman, and Roberto Osuna. Neris has been a pretty elite so far.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-Team leagues/65% owned or less)

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Blake Parker	MIN	RP	–
2	Sergio Romo	MIA	SP/RP	–
3	Luke Jackson	ATL	RP	–
4	Pedro Strop	CHC	RP	Unranked
5	Diego Castillo	TB	SP/RP	–
6	Jose Leclerc	TEX	RP	Unranked
7	Hansel Robles	LAA	RP	-1
8	Ryan Brasier	BOS	RP	–
9	Matt Barnes	BOS	RP	–
10	Cody Allen	LAA	RP	Unranked

Off the List: Steve Cishek, Shawn Kelley, Scott Oberg

 

It is looking more and more likely that Jose Leclerc will be reclaiming his spot in the ninth inning for the Rangers in short order. He has done a nice job regaining the trust of manager Chris Woodward. Cody Allen could find himself back in the closer’s role in Anaheim soon as well. Over his last 11 appearances, Allen has a 1.50 ERA and a .196 BAA.

 

WHIP (Walks+Hits/Innings Pitched)

 

Top 25

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Justin Verlander	HOU	SP	–
2	Max Scherzer	WSH	SP	–
3	Blake Snell	TB	SP	–
4	Gerrit Cole	HOU	SP	–
5	Clayton Kershaw	LAD	SP	–
6	Zack Greinke	ARZ	SP	+2
7	Chris Sale	BOS	SP	–
8	Trevor Bauer	CLE	SP	-2
9	Jacob deGrom	NYM	SP	–
10	Jose Berrios	MIN	SP	+1
11	Hyun-Jin Ryu	LAD	SP	+2
12	Luis Castillo	CIN	SP	–
13	Stephen Strasburg	WSH	SP	+1
14	Patrick Corbin	WSH	SP	-4
15	Aaron Nola	PHI	SP	–
16	Matt Boyd	DET	SP	+6
17	Chris Paddack	SD	SP	–
18	Shane Bieber	CLE	SP	+3
19	Charlie Morton	TB	SP	+1
20	German Marquez	COL	SP	-2
21	James Paxton	NYY	SP	Unranked
22	David Price	BOS	SP	+1
23	Walker Buehler	LAD	SP	Unranked
24	Caleb Smith	MIA	SP	-5
25	Mike Soroka	ATL	SP	Unranked

Off the List: Domingo German, Carlos Carrasco (injury), Noah Syndergaard

 

Mike Soroka is too legit to quit. There isn’t any doubt in my mind that he is going to be a stud for many years to come. The only issue I see with him right now is how far the Braves are willing to push him. They just signed Dallas Keuchel to eat up some innings, so their plans with Soroka might be evident in the very near future. Until then, keep starting him and reap all the benefits.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Yonny Chirinos	TB	SP/RP	–
2	Chris Bassitt	OAK	SP	–
3	Wade Miley	HOU	SP	+2
4	Jordan Lyles	PIT	SP/RP	–
5	Kyle Gibson	MIN	SP	+2
6	Pablo Lopez	MIA	SP	Unranked
7	Tyler Mahle	CIN	SP	-1
8	Zach Davies	MIL	SP	+2
9	Trevor Richards	MIA	SP	Unranked
10	Zach Plesac	CLE	SP	Unranked

Off the List: Matt Strahm (injury), Mike Fiers, Jeff Samardzija

 

I had mentioned the run Trevor Richards has been on earlier in the rankings, well his teammate Pablo Lopez has also had it going on lately. Three of Lopez’s last four starts have been quality starts and he has only allowed one run combined in those three turns, including blanking the Brewers on the road his last time out.

 

Quality Starts (QS)

 

Top 25

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Max Scherzer	WSH	SP	–
2	Justin Verlander	HOU	SP	–
3	Zack Greinke	ARZ	SP	–
4	Jacob deGrom	NYM	SP	–
5	Blake Snell	TB	SP	–
6	Trevor Bauer	CLE	SP	–
7	Gerrit Cole	HOU	SP	–
8	Chris Sale	BOS	SP	–
9	Clayton Kershaw	LAD	SP	+1
10	Aaron Nola	PHI	SP	-1
11	Jose Berrios	MIN	SP	–
12	Patrick Corbin	WSH	SP	–
13	Matt Boyd	DET	SP	+3
14	Stephen Strasburg	WSH	SP	–
15	Hyun-Jin Ryu	LAD	SP	+2
16	Luis Castillo	CIN	SP	-1
17	Madison Bumgarner	SF	SP	+3
18	German Marquez	COL	SP	–
19	Noah Syndergaard	NYM	SP	–
20	Charlie Morton	TB	SP	+2
21	Masahiro Tanaka	NYY	SP	–
22	Shane Bieber	CLE	SP	Unranked
23	James Paxton	NYY	SP	+2
24	Zack Wheeler	NYM	SP	Unranked
25	Caleb Smith	MIA	SP	-1

Off the List: Carlos Carrasco (injury), Yusei Kikuchi

 

There aren’t enough superlatives to describe Hyun-Jin Ryu’s performance this year. He has not allowed more than two earned runs in any start and of his 12 starts he has posted a QS in ten of them. He is, in my eyes, the frontrunner for the NL Cy Young to this point in the season.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Lance Lynn	TEX	SP	+5
2	Spencer Turnbull	DET	SP	-1
3	Wade Miley	HOU	SP	–
4	Chris Bassitt	OAK	SP	-2
5	Trevor Richards	MIA	SP	Unranked
6	Jordan Lyles	PIT	SP/RP	-1
7	Pablo Lopez	MIA	SP	Unranked
8	Brett Anderson	OAK	SP	–
9	Zach Plesac	CLE	SP	Unranked
10	Martin Perez	MIN	SP	-3

Off the List: Matt Strahm (injury), Mike Leake, Dakota Hudson

 

Zach Plesac has been excellent since being called up by the Tribe. He has posted back-to-back quality starts including one of which against the Yankees. The young right-hander has good velocity in the mid 90s to go with a hard tight slider. With all he injuries to the Indians’ rotation, Please will get every opportunity to keep his spot.

Featured Image by Justin Paradis (@freshmeatcomm on Twitter)