MLB Stock Watch: Adam Duvall rising, James Shields falling
STOCK UP
Madison Bumgarner: He’s allowed two runs or fewer in all of his last 11 starts, producing a 1.38 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP with an 86:19 K:BB ratio over 78.0 innings. Bumgarner has been dominant this season despite the lowest fastball velocity since his rookie season (90.9 mph). His 28.1 K% is the highest of his career. Bumgarner has been the No. 5 fantasy pitcher in Yahoo leagues so far in 2016.
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Adam Duvall: His 19 homers are the second most in MLB, and he’s still available in nearly 20 percent of Yahoo leagues. Duvall was a total unknown at draft season – a throw in when the Giants traded for Mike Leake last year – but he’s become a very good hitter and one fantasy owners shouldn’t overlook. He’s on pace to finish with 45 homers and 110 RBI.
Shawn Kelley: With Jonathan Papelbon serving his first trip to the disabled list of his career, Kelley is now Washington’s new closer. He owns a 2.45 ERA with a 0.82 WHIP and a 35:6 K:BB ratio over 25.2 innings this season, as he’s been one of the best relievers in MLB. The Nationals have the second most wins in baseball, so Kelley will be plenty valuable while closing.
Danny Espinosa: Over the last 20 games, he has eight homers with 19 runs scored (with a .962 OPS). Trea Turner remains in the wings, but Espinosa is now hitting well (and we know manager Dusty Baker loves his veterans) and has been one of the dozen best shortstops defensively this season.
Kevin Pillar: Over his last 11 games, Pillar is batting .391 and sports a 1.211 OPS with five homers over 46 at bats. The Blue Jays have scored the sixth most runs in MLB this season, and Pillar is owned in just 51 percent of Yahoo leagues.
STOCK DOWN
Adrian Gonzalez: He was an early draft pick before the season started and has now been dropped to fifth in the Dodgers’ lineup after a slow start in which he’s hitting .268/.347/.381. Gonzalez has been the No. 311 fantasy player so far in 2016.
Alex Rodriguez: I’m not ready to declare him totally done, but A-Rod sure looks it at this point. He has a .204/.250/.355 line against right-handed pitchers this season, which isn’t encouraging.
Randal Grichuk: Normally Cardinals players produce beyond expectations, but Grichuk has been the opposite. He’s been a big fantasy bust, including hitting .164/.263/.284 against lefties this season. Grichuk has been the No. 331 fantasy player so far in 2016.
Yan Gomes: Here are his OPS marks dating back from 2013 until this season, respectively: .826, .785, .659 and .543. Gomes is now batting .134 over his last 127 at bats, so he’s been a contributor to the big deficit at the catcher position.
James Shields: There was a problem with Shields’ fantasy value before he was traded to the White Sox, and now he’s a total disaster pitching in a park that’s increased homers by 11 percent over the past three seasons. His average fastball velocity (90.2 mph) is his lowest since 2007, and his 8.2 K-BB% is by far a career worst and ranks 87th in MLB. Shields has become borderline droppable in even shallow mixed leagues.
