What is up party people? This isn’t the first time I’ve talked up Alec Burleson and all he’s done is keep up his breakout season. He’s now up to batting .285 with 12 home runs and is about to surpass last year’s point totals and we’re not even in July. There is no reason he should be available at this point in the season because he is not showing any signs of slowing down. If anything, it looks like he’s heating up with 7 home runs in his last 30 games. Even better he has let loose on the base paths. Speed wasn’t a part of his game in the minors so this may just be a blip but it’s nice to know the potential is there. There is still a small window here but it is rapidly slamming shut.
Josh H. Smith – When an injury opens the door to play regularly you have to take it, and Smith has taken full advantage of Josh Jung’s time on the IL. Jung is set to rejoin the team, although the exact date has not been determined, but Smith should continue to see the field while he’s this hot. He’s hitting for average with just a touch of pop and a pinch of speed. The positional flexibility is a nice bonus and his real world ability to play multiple positions should help him find a way into the lineup even when Jung does make his way back.
Luis Matos – Guess who’s back? This looks to be a short trip with Mike Yastrzemskihitting the IL with an oblique strain that, as of now, the team doesn’t consider to be too serious. We’ll have to wait and see how that situation plays out but the important part is it gives Matos another opportunity. He’s fresh off of a PCL Player of the Week award in which he racked up 9 runs, 6 doubles, 5 home runs, and 13 RBIs. Hopefully, that was the spark he needed to get his swing going again. I wouldn’t rush to grab him but I do think he’s worth a flyer to see if he figured some things out in the PCL or if Yaz’s injury keeps him out longer than expected.
Spencer Horwitz – There’s some prospect shine here but he hasn’t gotten big time hype due to his murky playing time situation. Could also be because he profiles more as a hit tool guy rather than a power guy. Fortunately for us, hit tool guys are right in our wheelhouse. Big time power isn’t his thing, never topping 12 in a single season throughout the minors. However, over his minor league career he has a .307 batting average with .275 being his lowest in a season. He’s batting over .350 this season which is obviously higher than we should expect but it has been nice to see and it’s not unreasonable to think that he could settle in around .300 and that’s very valuable. At this point, he is way undervalued for points leagues but don’t expect that to last. This depends on league format but he is potentially eligible at first, second, and designated hitter. If that is the case he is very interesting as a depth piece to see how it all plays out. Hard to say if it will last but there is big time upside here.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa – The ultimate utility man can be the same for your team. He is eligible at outfield, second, third, and shortstop. That alone makes him valuable, but he’s actually been a pretty good hitter all season long. He doesn’t really do any one thing at a high level but he does a little bit of everything and that is great. Looks like he should be fairly widely available so take your shot.
Colt Keith – Told you he would be good. The window to grab him is about to run out. The dude was a top prospect so obviously, there is some hype. He hasn’t been great if you’re only looking at his season numbers but it looks like he is about to wake up and take the league by storm. I told you he was worth a flyer but I don’t think he will fly under the radar for long.
David Hamilton – Steals are his bread and butter but he has done a whole lot more than that and has actually made himself very interesting for points leagues. The dude is batting over .280 and has even chipped in a few home runs. Looks like he will keep playing every day or at least close to it and suddenly we are in business. Don’t waste your shot.
Elly De La Cruz – How could I resist the chance to bring him up? The man is on a quest to take the league by storm and I am not about to stand in his way. If, and this is a big if, he can find a way to raise his batting average above .250 he will be a star. In spite of his low average, he has still been nothing short of amazing. The man is must see TV so enjoy the ride.
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