Category Power Rankings: Week 18

After a week away, we are back with the latest edition of CPR!

 

Batting Average (AVG)

 

Top 25

 

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

 

Off the List: Javier Baez

Xander Bogaerts is enjoying a career season and is shaping up to flirt with the first round entering draft season in 2020. He is currently hitting .311 and has gotten better as the year has gone on.

 

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

 

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Bryan Reynolds	PIT	OF	–
2	Hanser Alberto	BAL	2B/3B	–
3	Alex Verdugo	LAD	OF	–
4	David Fletcher	LAA	2B/3B/SS/OF	+3
5	Howie Kendrick	WSH	1B/2B/3B/OF	-1
6	Leury Garcia	CHW	SS/OF	+2
7	Miguel Cabrera	DET	1B	-2
8	Nick Markakis	ATL	OF	+2
9	Miguel Rojas	HOU	OF	Unranked
10	Jose Martinez	STL	1B/OF	Unranked

 

Off the List: Scott Kingery, Josh Reddick

All Hanser Alberto does is hit. He is currently fourth in the AL in batting average and is hitting .328 since the start of June. That is a pretty good sample size of just pure raking.

 

Runs (R)

 

Top 25

 

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

 

Off the List: Edwin Encarnacion

Fernando Tatis Jr.’s 162-game pace right now is 43 home runs, 102 RBI, 122 runs, and 32 stolen bases. While those numbers may not be completely attainable for the Padres phenom over a full season, he sure is shaping up to be a complete fantasy stalwart for many years to come.

 

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

 

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Leury Garcia	CHW	OF	–
2	Nick Markakis	ATL	OF	–
3	Adam Eaton	WSH	OF	–
4	Daniel Vogelbach	SEA	1B	–
5	Bryan Reynolds	PIT	OF	+1
6	Kyle Schwarber	CHC	OF	+1
7	Kole Calhoun	LAA	OF	-2
8	David Fletcher	LAA	2B/3B/SS/OF	+1
9	Brandon Belt	SF	1B/OF	+1
10	Christian Walker	ARZ	1B	Unranked

 

Off the List: Yandy Diaz (injury)

Leury Garcia has put together a decent little season. He has managed to hit for a solid average all year, steal some bases, and has scored more runs than the likes of J.D. Martinez, Manny Machado, and Bryce Harper.

 

Home Runs (HR)

 

Top 25

 

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Christian Yelich	MIL	OF	–
2	Mike Trout	LAA	OF	+1
3	Cody Bellinger	LAD	1B/OF	-1
4	Pete Alonso	NYM	1B	+1
5	Nolan Arenado	COL	3B	-1
6	Edwin Encarnacion	NYY	1B	+1
7	Aaron Judge	NYY	OF	+1
8	Mike Moustakas	MIL	2B/3B	+2
9	Khris Davis	OAK	OF	+2
10	Javier Baez	CHC	2B/3B/SS	+3
11	Alex Bregman	HOU	3B/SS	+3
12	Rhys Hoskins	PHI	1B/OF	–
13	Freddie Freeman	ATL	1B	+2
14	Hunter Renfroe	SD	OF	+6
15	Josh Bell	PIT	1B	+2
16	J.D. Martinez	BOS	OF	–
17	Matt Chapman	OAK	3B	+1
18	Trevor Story	COL	SS	+1
19	Max Muncy	LAD	1B/2B/3B	+2
20	Francisco Lindor	CLE	SS	+3
21	Max Kepler	MIN	OF	Unranked
22	Paul Goldschmidt	STL	1B	+2
23	Eugenio Suarez	CIN	3B	Unranked
24	Nelson Cruz	MIN	UT	Unranked
25	Manny Machado	SD	3B/SS	–

 

Off the List: Anthony Rizzo, Joey Gallo (injury), Gary Sanchez (injury)

I am holding strong by keeping Khris Davis in the top 10. I just have a gut feeling he is going to have a very strong finish to the year to get his numbers back up to respectable levels. And, of course, bump his average up to around .247 or so.

 

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

 

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Franmil Reyes	CLE	OF	–
2	Daniel Vogelbach	SEA	1B	+1
3	Miguel Sano	MIN	1B/3B	+1
4	Renato Nunez	BAL	1B/3B	+4
5	Christian Walker	ARZ	1B	–
6	Kyle Schwarber	CHC	OF	+1
7	Kole Calhoun	LAA	OF	Unranked
8	Justin Smoak	TOR	1B	Unranked
9	Nomar Mazara	TEX	OF	Unranked
10	Mark Canha	OAK	1B/OF	Unranked

 

Off the List: Jorge Soler (ownership), Yandy Diaz (injury), C.J. Cron (injury), Ramon Laureano (injury)

Mark Canha has hit his way into an everyday role for the Athletics, and deservedly so. He is now up to 17 home runs and should be, at the very least, on your AL-only league radars.

 

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	Freddie Freeman	ATL	1B	–
5	Josh Bell	PIT	1B	–
6	Anthony Rendon	WSH	3B	+1
7	Mike Trout	LAA	OF	+5
8	Edwin Encarnacion	NYY	1B	–
9	Anthony Rizzo	CHC	1B	-3
10	Jose Abreu	CHW	1B	–
11	Pete Alonso	NYM	1B	–
12	Rhys Hoskins	PHI	1B/OF	-3
13	J.D. Martinez	BOS	OF	–
14	Khris Davis	OAK	OF	-1
15	Javier Baez	CHC	2B/3B/SS	–
16	Alex Bregman	HOU	3B/SS	–
17	Trevor Story	COL	SS	–
18	Xander Bogaerts	BOS	SS	+4
19	Bryce Harper	PHI	OF	-1
20	Aaron Judge	NYY	OF	+1
21	Eduardo Escobar	ARZ	3B/SS	-2
22	Rafael Devers	BOS	3B	Unranked
23	Eddie Rosario	MIN	OF	+1
24	Eugenio Suarez	CIN	3B	Unranked
25	Juan Soto	WSH	OF	–

 

Off the List: Joey Gallo (injury), Gary Sanchez (injury)

Eugenio Suarez’s first four months of the year or so could be classified as disappointing, but he has made up for it over the past couple of weeks. Suarez has tallied six home runs and 13 RBI over the past two weeks and is fruitfully rewarding fantasy owners who stuck with him all year long.

 

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

 

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Daniel Vogelbach	SEA	1B	+1
2	Franmil Reyes	CLE	OF	+1
3	Renato Nunez	BAL	1B/3B	+3
4	Bryan Reynolds	PIT	OF	+4
5	Renato Nunez	BAL	1B/3B	+1
6	Miguel Sano	MIN	1B/3B	+1
7	Nick Markakis	ATL	OF	+3
8	Colin Moran	PIT	2B/3B	-3
9	Nomar Mazara	TEX	OF	Unranked
10	Kole Calhoun	LAA	OF	Unranked

 

Off the List: Jorge Soler (ownership), C.J. Cron (injury)

If you play in a 10-team league or even some standard 12-team leagues, there is a pretty good chance Nomar Mazara is available on your waiver wire. Mazara, once a very highly touted prospect for the Rangers, has still yet to break through that glass ceiling and reach those heights that scouts provided him before even reaching The Show. Still only 24 years old, there is a good chance Mazara turns into a legit all-around hitter some day, but until then, you could do a lot worse if you are in need of some run production.

 

Stolen Bases (SB)

 

Top 25

 

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

 

Off the List: None

As expected, Ronald Acuna Jr. has been a fantasy stud this year. The only question coming into the season was how much Brian Snitker would have him run. Once he was firmly entrenched in the leadoff spot, Acuna’s value boomed. He has stolen 12 bags across his past 19 games and is currently third in the majors with 25 swipes. He is really, really good.

 

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	Billy Hamilton	KC	OF	Unranked
4	Kevin Kiermaier	TB	OF	-1
5	Manuel Margot	SD	OF	–
6	Kolten Wong	STL	2B	-2
7	Amed Rosario	NYM	SS	+1
8	Ramon Laureano	OAK	OF	-1
9	Oscar Mercado	CLE	OF	-3
10	Danny Santana	TEX	1B/2B/OF	-1

 

Off the List: Delino DeShields

The fact that Mallex Smith still qualifies for this list is kind of crazy. He is still only 52% owned in Yahoo leagues. He is a better hitter than Billy Hamilton was during his 50-plus steal seasons, and Hamilton was almost universally owned. Yes, I know, those 50-steal seasons are a thing of the past now, but as the best (healthy) base stealer in the game, he should be more appreciated.

 

On-Base Percentage (OBP)

 

Top 25

 

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

 

Off the List: Jorge Polanco, Luke Voit (injury)

The adjustments Cody Bellinger has made at the dish this year are career altering. He has cut his strikeout rate down 8% and increased his walk rate about 4%. If he can maintain this approach, he will evolve into one of the best all around hitters in the game. And he is still only 24.

 

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

 

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Daniel Vogelbach	SEA	1B	–
2	Brandon Belt	SF	1B/OF	–
3	Adam Eaton	WSH	OF	–
4	Bryan Reynolds	PIT	OF	–
5	Jason Heyward	CHC	OF	+2
6	Justin Smoak	TOR	1B	+3
7	Alex Verdugo	LAD	OF	+1
8	Miguel Cabrera	DET	1B	-3
9	David Fletcher	LAA	2B/3B/SS/OF	+1
10	Kolten Wong	STL	2B	Unranked

 

Off the List: Nick Markakis (injury)

Jason Heyward has low-key enjoyed a nice little season. He is getting on base (.353), he has hit for some pop (16 home runs), and has run a little (six stolen bases). Maybe his career with the Cubs is taking a turn for the better.

 

Wins (W)

 

Top 25

 

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

 

Off the List: Blake Snell (injury), Brandon Woodruff (injury), Masahiro Tanaka

Jose Berrios has won his past two decisions, giving him 10 victories on the year. That now makes three straight seasons the right-hander has tallied double digit wins. He appears to be getting better with each passing year, and he still only just turned 25.

 

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

 

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Ryan Yarbrough	TB	SP/RP	+8
2	Kyle Gibson	MIN	SP	+1
3	Marco Gonzales	SEA	SP	-1
4	Dakota Hudson	STL	SP/RP	+1
5	Brett Anderson	OAK	SP	+3
6	Zach Davies	MIL	SP	+1
7	Jeff Samardzija	SF	SP	Unranked
8	Jason Vargas	PHI	SP	–
9	Andrew Cashner	BOS	SP	+1
10	Aaron Sanchez	HOU	SP	Unranked

 

Off the List: Wade Miley (ownership), Mike Fiers (ownership), John Means (injury)

I know, I know: Aaron Sanchez is 4-14; how on earth could he help you in the win column? Well, a deadline trade to the Astros certainly helps. The Houston coaching staff has worked wonders with pitchers over the years and always manages to get the best out of their arms. Six no-hit innings in his Astros debut is certainly a good sign for the ERA champion of 2016. Just keep tabs on him.

 

Earned Run Average (ERA)

 

Top 25

 

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Justin Verlander	HOU	SP	–
2	Jacob deGrom	NYM	SP	+1
3	Clayton Kershaw	LAD	SP	+1
4	Hyun-Jin Ryu	LAD	SP	+1
5	Max Scherzer	WSH	SP	-3
6	Charlie Morton	TB	SP	–
7	Gerrit Cole	HOU	SP	+1
8	Jose Berrios	MIN	SP	+1
9	Luis Castillo	CIN	SP	+2
10	Zack Greinke	HOU	SP	+2
11	Trevor Bauer	CIN	SP	-4
12	Chris Sale	BOS	SP	-2
13	Walker Buehler	LAD	SP	+1
14	Patrick Corbin	WSH	SP	+2
15	Stephen Strasburg	WSH	SP	–
16	Aaron Nola	PHI	SP	+1
17	Shane Bieber	CLE	SP	+2
18	Lucas Giolito	CHW	SP	–
19	Mike Soroka	ATL	SP	+1
20	Kyle Hendricks	CHC	SP	+1
21	Wade Miley	HOU	SP	Unranked
22	Marcus Stroman	NYM	SP	Unranked
23	Matt Boyd	DET	SP	+2
24	Mike Minor	TEX	SP	Unranked
25	Jake Odorizzi	MIN	SP	-3

 

Off the List: Blake Snell (injury), Masahiro Tanaka, James Paxton

Speaking of pitchers who have had their careers reborn in Houston, Wade Miley has been remarkable this year. He holds a 2.09 ERA over his [ast seven starts and has lowered his mark to 3.05 on the season.

 

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

 

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Zach Plesac	CLE	SP	+9
2	Kyle Gibson	MIN	SP	+7
3	Zach Davies	MIL	SP	+1
4	Chris Bassitt	OAK	SP	+3
5	Jeff Samardzija	SF	SP	Unranked
6	Dakota Hudson	STL	SP/RP	–
7	Zac Gallen	ARZ	SP	Unranked
8	Brett Anderson	OAK	SP	–
9	Tanner Roark	OAK	SP	Unranked
10	Taylor Clarke	ARZ	SP	Unranked

 

Off the List: Wade Miley (ownership), Mike Fiers (ownership), John Means (injury), Sonny Gray (ownership)

Whether it has been on the farm or in The Show, Zac Gallen has impressed all year long. He was shaping up to be a mainstay in the Marlins rotation until a deadline deal sent him to Arizona. He should have no problem carving out a rotation spot for many years to come for the Diamondbacks.

 

Strikeouts (K)

 

Top 25

 

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Gerrit Cole	HOU	SP	+1
2	Justin Verlander	HOU	SP	+1
3	Chris Sale	BOS	SP	+1
4	Trevor Bauer	CIN	SP	+1
5	Max Scherzer	WSH	SP	-4
6	Stephen Strasburg	WSH	SP	–
7	Jacob deGrom	NYM	SP	–
8	Matt Boyd	DET	SP	+1
9	Charlie Morton	TB	SP	+2
10	Patrick Corbin	WSH	SP	–
11	Shane Bieber	CLE	SP	+1
12	Robbie Ray	ARZ	SP	+3
13	Aaron Nola	PHI	SP	+1
14	Luis Castillo	CIN	SP	-1
15	Walker Buehler	LAD	SP	+3
16	Lucas Giolito	CHW	SP	–
17	James Paxton	NYY	SP	–
18	Lance Lynn	TEX	SP	+6
19	Jose Berrios	MIN	SP	+1
20	Yu Darvish	CHC	SP	+3
21	German Marquez	COL	SP	+1
22	Zack Wheeler	NYM	SP	Unranked
23	Mike Minor	TEX	SP	+2
24	Mike Clevinger	CLE	SP	Unranked
25	Madison Bumgarner	SF	SP	Unranked

 

Off the List: Blake Snell (injury), Brandon Woodruff (injury)

Aaron Nola has found his groove from a year ago and has been on quite a roll over the past six weeks. Across his past nine starts, Nola has a 1.91 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 61.1 innings. While his command has not been as good as it was in 2018, his strikeout rate has increased, and he is still looking like the ace we thought he was.

 

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

 

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Kyle Gibson	MIN	SP	+1
2	Jordan Yamamoto	MIA	SP	+1
3	Chase Anderson	MIL	SP/RP	+1
4	Jacob Junis	KC	SP	+2
5	Trent Thornton	TOR	SP	-4
6	Tanner Roark	OAK	SP	-1
7	Chris Bassitt	OAK	SP	–
8	Jordan Lyles	MIL	SP/RP	–
9	Aaron Sanchez	HOU	SP	Unranked
10	Reynaldo Lopez	CHW	SP	Unranked

 

Off the List: Griffin Canning (injury), Anthony Desclafani

Jordan Lyles has definitely had his share of ups and downs this year. But he now finds himself back on the Brewers, the place he pitched a year ago and pitched well enough to earn himself a contract with the Pirates. Things could be back on the rise for Lyles with a return to Milwaukee if he can regain his success he found in 2018.

 

Saves (SV)

 

Top 25

 

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Kirby Yates	SD	RP	–
2	Aroldis Chapman	NYY	RP	+1
3	Kenley Jansen	LAD	RP	-1
4	Roberto Osuna	HOU	RP	–
5	Brad Hand	CLE	RP	–
6	Felipe Vazquez	PIT	RP	–
7	Josh Hader	MIL	RP	–
8	Shane Greene	ATL	RP	–
9	Sean Doolittle	WSH	RP	+1
10	Will Smith	SF	RP	+1
11	Edwin Diaz	NYM	RP	-2
12	Craig Kimbrel	CHC	RP	+1
13	Alex Colome	CHW	RP	+1
14	Hector Neris	PHI	RP	+1
15	Raisel Iglesias	CIN	RP	+2
16	Ken Giles	TOR	RP	–
17	Liam Hendriks	OAK	SP/RP	Unranked
18	Greg Holland	ARZ	RP	+1
19	Ian Kennedy	KC	SP/RP	+4
20	Hansel Robles	LAA	RP	+2
21	Carlos Martinez	STL	SP/RP	+3
22	Emilio Pagan	TB	RP	Unranked
23	Jose Leclerc	TEX	RP	Unranked
24	Taylor Rogers	MIN	RP	Unranked
25	Scott Oberg	COL	RP	Unranked

 

Off the List: Wade Davis, Luke Jackson, Sergio Romo, Shawn Kelley (injury), Blake Treinen

The trade deadline caused a lot of movement here. Although a move that was not related to a trade may be the biggest story here as Wade Davis was removed from the closer’s role in Colorado. Scott Oberg has been named the replacement as he has been above and beyond the Rockies best reliever this year. He needs to be owned in all formats right now.

 

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

 

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Emilio Pagan	TB	RP	+5
2	Jose Leclerc	TEX	RP	Unranked
3	Taylor Rogers	MIN	RP	+4
4	Scott Oberg	COL	RP	Unranked
5	Diego Castillo	TB	SP/RP	+4
6	Anthony Bass	SEA	RP	Unranked
7	Brandon Workman	BOS	RP	Unranked
8	Sergio Romo	MIN	SP/RP	-7
9	Mychal Givens	BAL	RP	Unranked
10	Wade Davis	COL	RP	Unranked

 

Off the List: Hansel Robles (ownership), Ian Kennedy (ownership), Luke Jackson, Shawn Kelley (injury), Roenis Elias, A.J. Minter

This is a pretty ugly list.

 

WHIP (Walks+Hits/Innings Pitched)

 

Top 25

 

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Justin Verlander	HOU	SP	–
2	Gerrit Cole	HOU	SP	+1
3	Clayton Kershaw	LAD	SP	+1
4	Max Scherzer	WSH	SP	-2
5	Zack Greinke	HOU	SP	–
6	Hyun-Jin Ryu	LAD	SP	+2
7	Jacob deGrom	NYM	SP	–
8	Chris Sale	BOS	SP	-2
9	Jose Berrios	MIN	SP	+1
10	Charlie Morton	TB	SP	+2
11	Luis Castillo	CIN	SP	–
12	Stephen Strasburg	WSH	SP	+1
13	Shane Bieber	CLE	SP	+5
14	Trevor Bauer	CIN	SP	-5
15	Walker Buehler	LAD	SP	+2
16	Aaron Nola	PHI	SP	-1
17	Matt Boyd	DET	SP	-1
18	Patrick Corbin	WSH	SP	+1
19	Kyle Hendricks	CHC	SP	+6
20	Lucas Giolito	CHW	SP	–
21	Mike Soroka	ATL	SP	–
22	Yonny Chirinos	TB	SP/RP	+1
23	Wade Miley	HOU	SP	Unranked
24	Mike Clevinger	CLE	SP	Unranked
25	Sonny Gray	CIN	SP/RP	Unranked

 

Off the List: Blake Snell (injury), Masahiro Tanaka, David Price

Gerrit Cole is 9-0 across his past 13 starts with a WHIP of 0.93, 116 strikeouts, and a 1.91 ERA. He may just take the AL Cy Young.

 

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

 

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Jeff Samardzija	SF	SP	+6
2	Chris Bassitt	OAK	SP	+7
3	Kyle Gibson	MIN	SP	+1
4	Jordan Yamamoto	MIA	SP	+2
5	Brett Anderson	OAK	SP	Unranked
6	Merrill Kelly	ARZ	SP	Unranked
7	Mike Leake	ARZ	SP	Unranked
8	Ryan Yarbrough	TB	SP/RP	Unranked
9	Taylor Clarke	ARZ	SP	Unranked
10	Andrew Cashner	BOS	SP	-2

 

Off the List: Wade Miley (ownership), Mike Fiers (ownership), Sonny Gray (ownership), Michael Pineda (injury), Griffin Canning (injury)

Mike Leake has posted a sub-1.00 WHIP across his past three starts. Now in Arizona, we will see if he can keep the good times rolling in a more hitter-friendly ballpark.

 

Quality Starts (QS)

 

Top 25

 

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Justin Verlander	HOU	SP	+1
2	Zack Greinke	HOU	SP	+1
3	Jacob deGrom	NYM	SP	+1
4	Gerrit Cole	HOU	SP	+1
5	Max Scherzer	WSH	SP	-4
6	Clayton Kershaw	LAD	SP	+1
7	Jose Berrios	MIN	SP	+1
8	Patrick Corbin	WSH	SP	+1
9	Trevor Bauer	CIN	SP	-3
10	Aaron Nola	PHI	SP	+1
11	Stephen Strasburg	WSH	SP	+2
12	Chris Sale	BOS	SP	-2
13	Matt Boyd	DET	SP	+1
14	Hyun-Jin Ryu	LAD	SP	+1
15	Shane Bieber	CLE	SP	+3
16	Charlie Morton	TB	SP	+1
17	Luis Castillo	CIN	SP	-1
18	Walker Buehler	LAD	SP	+3
19	Madison Bumgarner	SF	SP	–
20	Lance Lynn	TEX	SP	+4
21	Lucas Gioito	CHW	SP	+1
22	Mike Minor	TEX	SP	+1
23	Mike Clevinger	CLE	SP	Unranked
24	Marcus Stroman	NYM	SP	Unranked
25	Kyle Hendricks	COL	SP	–

 

Off the List: Blake Snell (injury), Jon Gray

Mike Clevinger has been sensational since returning from the IL. He has posted four straight quality starts to go along with 34 strikeouts across 26.1 innings during that span.

 

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

 

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Brett Anderson	OAK	SP	+3
2	Dakota Hudson	STL	SP/RP	+1
3	Zach Plesac	CLE	SP	+7
4	Mike Leake	ARZ	SP	+3
5	Marco Gonzales	SEA	SP	+4
6	Andrew Cashner	BOS	SP	–
7	Zac Gallen	ARZ	SP	Unranked
8	Jordan Yamamoto	MIA	SP	–
9	Merrill Kelly	ARZ	SP	-4
10	Brad Keller	KC	SP/RP	Unranked

 

Off the List: Mike Fiers (ownership), Wade Miley (ownership)

The quality start machine, Brett Anderson, has now posted a quality start in nine of his past 13 outings, including five in his past six.

Featured image by Justin Paradis (@freshmeatcomm on Twitter)