Logan Morrison 1B/OF, Marlins
MIXED LEAGUES
(Yahoo: 20 percent owned)
Morrison has been very productive for the Marlins since returning from knee surgery, batting .304/.382/.557 with four home runs and nine RBI in 22 games. This includes an 11/9 K/BB ratio. He had an underwhelming .230/.308/.399 batting line in 93 games last season, so I understand the hesitation on the part of some fantasy owners, but there's reason to believe that the long-awaited breakout could be coming if his nagging knee issues are truly behind him. While it feels like Morrison has been around forever, he's still just 25 years old. There isn't a ton of help around him in the Marlins' lineup, but I think he can be useful in most formats the rest of the way.
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Jedd Gyorko 2B/3B, Padres
MIXED LEAGUES
(Yahoo: 44 percent owned)
Gyorko appeared primed to rejoin the Padres two weeks ago, but he ended up being shut down again after he suffered a setback with his groin during a rehab stint. The Padres have been extra cautious with him since, but he was able to restart his rehab assignment on Wednesday night and could be activated as soon as this weekend. The 24-year-old was really hitting his stride offensively prior to the injury, so hopefully he's ready to pick up from where he left off during the second half. With his multi-position eligibility, he should be owned in all formats.
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Evan Gattis C/OF, Braves
MIXED LEAGUES
(Yahoo: 42 percent owned)
Gattis has been sidelined since June 17 due to an oblique strain, but he took batting practice for the first time Wednesday and should head out on a minor league rehab assignment soon. If all goes according to plan, the 26-year-old slugger should be activated right after the All-Star break. Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez is going to have to pick his spots for Gattis, but there's no question that he can provide value in fantasy leagues. Even after three weeks away, he's currently tied for second among catcher-eligible players with 14 home runs and is also tied for 12th with 37 RBI. Grab him if he's still out there in two-catcher leagues.
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Brandon Beachy SP, Braves
MIXED LEAGUES
(Yahoo: 37 percent owned)
Beachy's return from Tommy John surgery hit a temporary snag last month due to some inflammation in his elbow, but he resumed a minor league rehab assignment on Tuesday, allowing two runs over three innings in a start with Triple-A Gwinnett. The 26-year-old right-hander figures to need at least two more starts in order to get stretched out again, but he could be an option for the Braves' rotation shortly after the All-Star break. It's unclear how they'll find room for him there, but don't worry about that right now. Remember, Beachy owns a 3.07 ERA in 41 career starts. Keep him stashed.
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Marlon Byrd OF, Mets
MIXED LEAGUES
(Yahoo: 11 percent owned)
The Mets weren't quite sure what they would get from Byrd after a lost season in which he served a 50-game PED suspension, but he has surprisingly been the team's best hitter outside of David Wright, batting .268 with 15 home runs, 49 RBI, and an .818 OPS through 76 games. The 35-year-old outfielder is already five home runs away from tying his career-high. He's getting there thanks to a huge spike in his fly ball rate. It's worth noting that he has never had a home run-to-fly ball rate quite like this, so it's fair to expect his pace to slow down somewhat. That's especially the case if he is traded somewhere and finds himself in a semi-regular role. But his ownership number is way too low based on his current situation and level of production.
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Eric Stults SP, Padres
MIXED LEAGUES
(Yahoo: 27 percent owned)
I haven't been a big believer in Stults in the past, but it's hard to argue with what he has done so far this season. Through 19 starts, the 33-year-old has a 3.50 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 74/25 K/BB ratio over 121 innings. This includes a complete game victory over the Rockies in his most recent start on Tuesday. Not surprisingly, Stults has enjoyed most of his success at home, compiling a 2.56 ERA at PETCO Park compared to a 4.31 ERA on the road. The southpaw will close out the first half with a start against the struggling Giants at home, so he makes for one of the more appealing streaming options out there.
Brian Dozier 2B/SS, Twins
MIXED LEAGUES
(Yahoo: 16 percent owned)
Believe it or not, Dozier has been one of the most productive middle infielders in fantasy leagues over the past six weeks, batting .269/.380/.485 with seven home runs, 22 RBI, and four stolen bases over 41 games. The 26-year-old has pulled his batting average up from .197 to .233 in the process. While he was really struggling to make contact in the early part of the season, he has an impressive 21/20 K/BB ratio during this 41-game span. He had a 184/154 K/BB ratio over 365 games in the minors, so perhaps he just needed some time to get comfortable at the major league level. If Dozier can continue to make contact and get on base at a high clip, the Twins figure to stick with him near the top of the order. That could result in some sneaky value the rest of the way.
Yonder Alonso 1B, Padres
MIXED LEAGUES
(Yahoo: 10 percent owned)
Out since the end of May with a broken bone in his right hand, Alonso is 6-for-11 (.545) with two RBI through three rehab games with Triple-A Tucson. Back to full health, he appears on track to be activated this weekend against the Giants. The 26-year-old first baseman was hitting .284 with six home runs and 29 RBI in 54 games prior to the injury, so he should be a useful CI (corner infielder) in most formats moving forward. Kyle Blanks has really come back down to Earth over the past few weeks, so playing time shouldn't be an issue.
Carlos Torres RP/SP, Mets
NL ONLY
(Yahoo: 0 percent owned)
Torres has been a nice find out of the Mets' bullpen this season, posting a 0.51 ERA and 15/2 K/BB ratio over 17 2/3 innings, but he'll get a chance in the starting rotation now that Shaun Marcum is done for the season due to thoracic outlet syndrome. The 30-year-old right-hander has never enjoyed success like this during his previous stints in the majors, so it would be dangerous to take the small sample too seriously, but his improved control (both with the Mets and during his time with Triple-A Las Vegas) is very encouraging. Jon Niese could be back in a month, but Torres is worth a short-term look.
Jeff Francoeur OF, Giants
NL ONLY
(Yahoo: 1 percent owned)
The Royals cut ties with Francoeur last week after he batted just .208/.249/.322 in 59 games, but the Giants quickly scooped him up in an effort to save their season. OK, just kidding about that. The 29-year-old will spend some time with Triple-A Fresno in order to get some work in left field and could join the big club at some point after the All-Star break. The Giants would be best served to use Francoeur strictly against left-handed pitching, but he has a knack for getting off to hot starts with new teams and earning regular at-bats as a result. Those desperate for outfield help should take a chance.
Jarred Cosart SP, Astros
AL ONLY
(Yahoo: 0 percent owned)
The time has come. After compiling a 3.29 ERA and 93 strikeouts over 93 innings this season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, Cosart will be called up to make his major league debut Friday night against the Rays. Acquired from the Phillies two years ago in the Hunter Pence deal, the 23-year-old right-hander throws in the mid-90s with his fastball and induces plenty of grounders. While control has been an issue for him (4.8 BB/9 this year), the Astros believe he's ready to make the jump. I see Cosart as more of a wait-and-see option in mixed leagues right now, especially against a red-hot Rays team, but he makes for a no-brainer pickup in AL-only formats.
Danny Duffy SP, Royals
AL ONLY
(Yahoo: 0 percent owned)
In his first season back from Tommy John surgery, Duffy owns a 4.85 ERA and 42/18 K/BB ratio in 42 2/3 innings through nine starts and one relief appearance between Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha. His control isn't all the way back yet, but that isn't unusual for a pitcher after this type of surgery. The good news is that his velocity is right where it should be. The Royals aren't going to rush him, but it's probably just a matter of time before he rejoins the starting rotation. The 24-year-old southpaw could be a nice sleeper during the second half.