Category Power Rankings: Week 7

Time for your weekly dose of CPR!

Uh, no, not that type of CPR. But if you are anything like me and have been riddled with injuries or cannot escape the clutches of your studs’ poor starts to the season, I am here to breathe some fresh air into those fantasy lungs of yours.

 

Batting Average (AVG)

 

Top 25

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Christian Yelich	MIL	OF	+3
2	J.D. Martinez	BOS	OF	+1
3	Mike Trout	LAA	OF	-1
4	Jose Altuve	HOU	2B	-3
5	Freddie Freeman	ATL	1B	–
6	Mookie Betts	BOS	OF	–
7	Nolan Arenado	COL	3B	–
8	Michael Brantley	HOU	OF	+1
9	Jean Segura	PHI	SS	-1
10	Justin Turner	LAD	3B	–
11	Anthony Rendon	WSH	3B	–
12	Charlie Blackmon	COL	OF	+1
13	Alex Bregman	HOU	3B/SS	+1
14	Whit Merrifield	KC	1B/2B/OF	+1
15	David Peralta	ARZ	OF	+2
16	Elvis Andrus	TEX	SS	+4
17	Jeff McNeil	NYM	2B/3B/OF	+6
18	Lorenzo Cain	MIL	OF	-3
19	Cody Bellinger	LAD	1B/OF	+3
20	Joey Votto	CIN	1B	-8
21	Xander Bogaerts	BOS	SS	-3
22	Andrew Benintendi	BOS	OF	+2
23	Jorge Polanco	MIN	SS	Unranked
24	Robinson Cano	NYM	2B	-5
25	Paul Goldschmidt	STL	1B	-4

Off the List: Bryce Harper

A little bit of a shakeup for this list, specifically at the top. Jose Altuve was finally removed from the top spot as he is currently hitting under .240 through the first six weeks or so. I’m not fully convinced Altuve has just completely forgotten how to hit, but his struggles to this point do need to be addressed accordingly on this list. His .224 BABIP leads me to believe that he should bounce back, it’s just a matter of when.

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

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Jeff McNeil	NYM	2B	–
2	Jorge Polanco	MIN	SS	–
3	Shin-Soo Choo	TEX	OF	–
4	Brandon Lowe	TB	2B/OF	+1
5	Cesar Hernandez	PHI	2B	Unranked
6	David Fletcher	LAA	2B/3B/OF	–
7	Andrelton Simmons	LAA	SS	–
8	Brian Goodwin	LAA	OF	+1
9	Leury Garcia	CHW	OF	Unranked
10	Dwight Smith Jr.	BAL	OF	–

Off the List: Eduardo Escobar (ownership), Jesse Winker

Jorge Polanco is an interesting case in terms of ownership. He is only 58% owned in Yahoo leagues but over 75% in ESPN. And Brandon Lowe is the opposite. He is 74% owned in Yahoo and only 48% in ESPN formats. Not really sure of the correlation there, but until they are more widely owned across all platforms, they will remain on this list.

 

Runs (R)

 

Top 25

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Christian Yelich	MIL	OF	–
2	Mookie Betts	BOS	OF	–
3	George Springer	HOU	OF	+1
4	Mike Trout	LAA	OF	-1
5	Charlie Blackmon	COL	OF	–
6	Nolan Arenado	COL	3B	+2
7	Andrew McCutchen	PHI	OF	+2
8	Jose Altuve	HOU	2B	-2
9	Cody Bellinger	LAD	1B/OF	+2
10	J.D. Martinez	BOS	OF	-3
11	Jean Segura	PHI	SS	+1
12	Lorenzo Cain	MIL	OF	+2
13	Bryce Harper	PHI	OF	-3
14	Freddie Freeman	ATL	1B	+1
15	Ronald Acuna Jr.	ATL	OF	-2
16	Ozzie Albies	ATL	2B	+2
17	Paul Goldschmidt	STL	1B	–
18	Mitch Haniger	SEA	OF	+2
19	Matt Carpenter	STL	1B/2B/3B	-3
20	Trevor Story	COL	SS	+3
21	Anthony Rendon	WSH	3B	–
22	Javier Baez	CHC	2B/3B/SS	+2
23	Whit Merrifield	KC	1B/2B/OF	Unranked
24	Edwin Encarnacion	SEA	1B	Unranked
25	Adam Eaton	WSH	OF	–

Off the List: Tommy Pham, Juan Soto

The ageless one, Edwin Encarnacion, has benefitted greatly from the early season success of the Mariners’ lineup. Even though they appear to be coming back to earth recently, Encarnacion continues to produce and he is scoring a ton. He is currently on a 130-run pace.

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

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Jorge Polanco	MIN	SS	–
2	Shin-Soo Choo	TEX	OF	–
3	Leury Garcia	CHW	OF	+1
4	Brett Gardner	NYY	OF	-1
5	Brandon Lowe	TB	2B/OF	+1
6	Max Kepler	MIN	OF	+1
7	Dwight Smith Jr.	BAL	OF	-2
8	Brian Goodwin	LAA	OF	+1
9	Yandy Diaz	TB	1B/3B	Unranked
10	Kevin Kiermaier	TB	OF	-2

Off the List: Randal Grichuk

Leury Garcia has been a nice little source of runs and steals so far this season. He is getting everyday run at the top of the ChiSox lineup and with Jose Abreu driving in runs the way he has so far, Garcia could flirt with 100 runs.

 

Home Runs (HR)

 

Top 25

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

Off the List: Mookie Betts

I have always been a big George Springer guy, so to see him produce so well the first several weeks of the year is a welcome sight. The power has always been legit for Springer and he’s one of the best leadoff men in baseball. When he is right, he is a multi-category stud and can carry you for weeks at a time. He is even running again this year! I am all in.

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

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Franmil Reyes	SD	OF	–
2	Jay Bruce	SEA	1B/OF	+3
3	Mitch Moreland	BOS	1B	+1
4	Daniel Vogelbach	SEA	1B	Unranked
5	Derek Dietrich	CIN	1B/2B/OF	Unranked
6	Max Kepler	MIN	OF	–
7	Rowdy Tellez	MIN	OF	–
8	Christian Walker	ARZ	1B	-5
9	Jorge Soler	KC	OF	Unranked
10	Eric Thames	MIL	1B	-2

Off the List: Asdrubal Cabrera, Hunter Dozier (ownership), Yandy Diaz

As I am writing this, Derek Dietrich has more home runs than Paul Goldschmidt, Manny Machado, Bryce Harper, and Mike Trout. So … there’s that. 

 

Runs Batted In (RBI)

 

Top 25

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

Off the List: None

Jose Abreu has looked much more like the slugger we saw consistently put up solid run production numbers from 2014 to 2017. After battling injuries lat year, he was somewhat cast aside as “washed up,” but I feel like that couldn’t be further from the truth. Expect Abreu to be as Abreu-like as he can moving forward posting his patented .290, 30 HRs and 100 RBI.

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

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Dansby Swanson	ATL	SS	–
2	Mitch Moreland	BOS	1B	–
3	Justin Smoak	TOR	1B	–
4	Jay Bruce	SEA	1B/OF	+1
5	Jorge Soler	KC	OF	+2
6	Daniel Vogelbach	SEA	1B	Unranked
7	Rowdy Tellez	TOR	1B	-3
8	Brandon Lowe	TB	2B/OF	Unranked
9	Derek Dietrich	CIN	1B/2B/OF	Unranked
10	Yandy Diaz	TB	1B/3B	-1

Off the List: Hunter Dozier (ownership), Chad Pinder, Randal Grichuk

While Mitch Moreland’s AVG leaves little to be desired, he is driving in his fair share of runs. Hitting around those big boppers in that BoSox lineup should provide him with plenty of RBI opportunities all year long.

 

Stolen Bases (SB)

 

Top 25

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

Off the List: Delino DeShields

Kevin Kiermaier has actually attempted more steals than Christian Yelich thus far. Health has always been an issue for the slick-fielding centerfielder, but when on the field his speed usually plays.

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

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Kevin Kiermaier	TB	OF	+3
2	Leury Garcia	CHW	OF	+1
3	Kolten Wong	STL	2B	Unranked
4	Mallex Smith	SEA	OF	-2
5	Delino DeShields	TEX	OF	-4
6	Jarrod Dyson	ARZ	OF	–
7	Dwight Smith Jr.	BAL	OF	–
8	Kevin Pillar	SF	OF	–
9	Brett Gardner	NYY	OF	-4
10	David Fletcher	LAA	2B/3B	-1

Off the List: Adam Frazier

Back-to-back weeks now we have lost a good source of steals to demotion. Delino DeShields is this week’s casualty, and while he really isn’t on the level of Mallex Smith in terms of stash-ability (yup, just made that word up), he still remains on this list because there just aren’t many good sources of SBs available. He should be back up with the big club relatively soon.

 

On-Base Percentage (OBP)

 

Top 25

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Mike Trout	LAA	OF	–
2	Bryce Harper	PHI	OF	–
3	Freddie Freeman	ATL	1B	–
4	Alex Bregman	HOU	3B/SS	+1
5	Christian Yelich	MIL	OF	+3
6	J.D. Martinez	BOS	OF	–
7	Cody Bellinger	LAD	1B/OF	+2
8	Jose Altuve	HOU	2B	-1
9	Mookie Betts	BOS	OF	+2
10	Joey Votto	CIN	1B	-5
11	Anthony Rendon	WSH	3B	+2
12	Rhys Hoskins	PHI	1B/OF	+3
13	Andrew McCutchen	PHI	OF	-1
14	Juan Soto	WSH	OF	–
15	Tommy Pham	TB	OF	+2
16	Nolan Arenado	CHC	3B/OF	+2
17	Kris Bryant	CHC	3B/OF	+2
18	Lorenzo Cain	MIL	OF	-8
19	Shin-Soo Choo	TEX	OF	+1
20	Anthony Rizzo	CHC	1B	+1
21	Carlos Santana	CLE	1B/3B	+2
22	Michael Conforto	NYM	OF	+2
23	Paul Goldschmidt	STL	1B	-7
24	Edwin Encarnacion	SEA	1B	+1
25	Joey Gallo	TEX	1B/OF	Unranked

Off the List: Matt Carpenter

Kris Bryant has been scorching hot over the past week or so and is finally starting to return some of that third or fourth round draft value. He is seeing the ball really well right now and is currently posting a career-high walk rate to this point in the season.

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

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Shin-Soo Choo	TEX	OF	–
2	Jeff McNeil	NYM	2B/OF	–
3	Jorge Polanco	MIN	SS	+3
4	Kolten Wong	STL	2B	Unranked
5	Yandy Diaz	TB	1B/3B	+4
6	Brandon Lowe	TB	2B/OF	Unranked
7	Brett Gardner	NYY	OF	-4
8	Cesar Hernandez	PHI	2B	Unranked
9	Dansby Swanson	ATL	SS	-1
10	Ben Zobrist	CHC	2B/OF	–

Off the List: Hunter Dozier (ownership), Josh Bell (ownership), Niko Goodrum

Amidst all of the great hitters in the Phillies’ lineup, Cesar Hernandez kind of gets lost in the shuffle. There was a lot of doubt heading into this season in regards to his production hitting towards the bottom of the lineup, but he’s done a nice job. Hernandez has always shown good plate discipline and that hasn’t changed this year.

 

Wins (W)

 

Top 25

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

Off the List: Jameson Taillon (injury)

Max Scherzer currently sits at 1-4 on the season. Scherzer has pitched far better than his record indicates. His ERA is at a very un-Scherzer-like 3.78 while his FIP and xFIP stand at 1.95 and 2.52, respectively. Don’t bail on Mad Max, the wins will come.

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

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Frankie Montas	OAK	SP	–
2	Yonny Chirinos	TB	SP/RP	–
3	Zach Eflin	PHI	SP	–
4	Brett Anderson	OAK	SP	–
5	Zach Davies	MIL	SP	+2
6	Martin Perez	MIN	SP	+3
7	Jordan Lyles	PIT	SP	-2
8	Brandon Woodruff	MIL	SP/RP	Unranked
9	Adam Wainwright	STL	SP	-1
10	Jeff Samardzija	SF	SP	-4

Off the List: Dereck Rodriguez

Brandon Woodruff has turned it around significantly over his last three starts. The strikeout upside has always been there, and with that high-powered Brewers offense backing him, he should be in line for his fair share of wins.

 

Earned Run Average (ERA)

 

Top 25

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

Off the List: Jameson Taillon (injury)

Padres’ rookie Chris Paddack has been electric and as advertised thus far. His fastball currently has the second-highest pVAL of all pitchers and he’s shown he can dial it up when needed. Right, Pete Alonso? The only issue I see with him in regards to these power rankings are his inevitable restrictions that San Diego will put on him as the season carries on. But until then, continue to reap the benefits.

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

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Spencer Turnbull	DET	SP	Unranked
2	Frankie Montas	OAK	SP	–
3	Zack Davies		SP	Unranked
4	Trevor Williams	PIT	SP	-3
5	Matt Strahm	SD	SP/RP	+2
6	Zach Eflin	PHI	SP	+2
7	Aaron Sanchez	TOR	SP	-3
8	Martin Perez	MIN	SP	+1
9	Jeff Samardzija	SF	SP	-6
10	Sonny Gray	CIN	SP/RP	-5

Off the List: Brad Keller, Merrill Kelly

Spencer Turnbull appears to be pretty legit. His slider has been very effective and he has good enough velocity to maintain relevancy in mixed leagues. He is available in almost 80% of ESPN leagues! 

 

Strikeouts (K)

 

Top 25

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

Off the List: Chris Archer (injury), Walker Buehler

Patrick Corbin is throwing his slider less than he did last year, but the strikeouts continue to pile up. After his first start of the year, Corbin has posted at least 9.00 K/9 in every outing since.

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

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Brandon Woodruff	MIL	SP/RP	+2
2	Anthony Desclafani	CIN	SP	–
3	Vince Velasquez	PHI	SP	-2
4	Luke Weaver	ARZ	SP/RP	–
5	Reynaldo Lopez	CHW	SP	–
6	Joey Lucchesi	SD	SP	–
7	Pablo Lopez	MIA	SP	+1
8	Spencer Turnbull	DET	SP	+1
9	Tyler Mahle	CIN	SP	Unranked
10	Jordan Lyles	PIT	SP/RP	-3

Off the List: Dylan Bundy

Luke Weaver has been able to work his cutter and curveball effectively so far and has shown why the Diamondbacks wanted him in return for their franchise first baseman, Paul Goldschmidt. 

 

Saves (SV)

 

Top 25

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

Off the List: A.J. Minter, Pedro Strop (injury)

Kirby Yates has been arguably the best closer in baseball to this point. He leads the majors in saves and is striking out 43% of hitters. 

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

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Hector Neris	PHI	RP	+2
2	Blake Parker	MIN	RP	+2
3	Matt Barnes	BOS	RP	Unranked
4	Sergio Romo	MIA	SP/RP	+1
5	Hansel Robles	LAA	RP	+3
6	Mychal Givens	BAL	RP	Unranked
7	Roenis Elias	SEA	SP/RP	-1
8	Chris Martin	TEX	RP	Unranked
9	Luke Jackson	ATL	RP	Unranked
10	Ty Buttrey	LAA	RP	-1

Off the List: A.J. Minter, Pedro Strop (injury), Shawn Kelley (injury), Jeremy Jeffress

It seemed as if Ryan Brasier had Alex Cora’s confidence in the ninth inning, but his recent struggles may have changed that. Matt Barnes has been Boston’s best reliever this year and he was already in the mix for saves. I don’t think Cora has completely given up on Brasier, but expect Barnes to be much more involved in this committee-style pen.

 

WHIP (Walks+Hits/Innings Pitched)

 

Top 25

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

Off the List: Jameson Taillon (injury), Masahiro Tanaka

Carlos Carrasco’s first three starts of the year put him in a hole. But over his last five he has looked much more like the “Cookie” we know and love. He has done an excellent job of limiting baserunners during that span, while also racking up 39 Ks.

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

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Yonny Chirinos	TB	SP/RP	+1
2	Trevor Williams	PIT	SP	-1
3	Jeff Samardzija	SF	SP	+1
4	Sonny Gray	CIN	SP/RP	-1
5	Matt Strahm	SD	SP/RP	+2
6	Wade Miley	HOU	SP	–
7	Anthony Desclafani	CIN	SP	+2
8	Zach Eflin	PHI	SP	+2
9	Frankie Montas	OAK	SP	-1
10	Pablo Lopez	MIA	SP	Unranked

Off the List: Steven Matz (injury)

Not a ton of change here from last week, but most of these guys should be owned in more leagues. They all have WHIPs around 1.20 or lower, which is difficult to find on the wire.

 

Quality Starts (QS)

 

Top 25

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

Off the List: Jameson Taillon (injury)

The sensation that is Matt Boyd continues. He has shown no signs of slowing down and has now thrown seven consecutive quality starts. If there is someone in your league who owns Boyd and might not be a believer, buy now.

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

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Trevor Williams	PIT	SP	–
2	Spencer Turnbull	DET	SP	Unranked
3	Anthony Desclafani	CIN	SP	Unranked
4	Frankie Montas	OAK	SP	–
5	Adam Wainwright	STL	SP	–
6	Martin Perez	MIN	SP	+1
7	Jordan Lyles	PIT	SP/RP	-1
8	Merrill Kelly	ARZ	SP	-5
9	Brett Anderson	OAK	SP	–
10	Mike Leake	SEA	SP	-2

Off the List: Steven Matz (injury), Brad Keller

I know I said it last week as well, but I really like the changes I have seen from Martin Perez. That cutter has been a revelation! He is under 50% owned in ESPN leagues and owned in only 60% of Yahoo leagues. He is looking more and more like a must-own as opposed to just a matchup-dependent streamer.

Featured Image by Justin Paradis (@freshmeatcomm on Twitter)