July 1, 2016

Steven Conley analyzes the MLB's best and worst performers over recent weeks and suggest what to do with these struggling sluggers and surging pitcher.

The All-Star break is around the corner, but there are still some guys out there who can make a difference on fantasy rosters. Some teams will become sellers and turn playing time over to their young prospects. Building your own roster for the future may be your own best course of action.

Now is also the time to open the trade talks and make a potential blockbuster deal. What have you got to lose, anyway? Here are some guys who may be able to help you without making any trades.

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Fantasy Baseball Risers

Hitters

Jonathan Schoop (2B, BAL) - Nobody on the planet is hotter than Schoop at the moment. The Orioles second baseman has multiple hits in eight of his last 10 games, including a trio of three-hit games in his last four contests. He is hitting .352 with a .995 OPS over the last 30 days and is up to a cool .301 on the season. He is officially a top-10 fantasy second baseman, and will take his 13 home runs and 46 RBIs into Seattle this weekend.

Devon Travis (2B, TOR) - Travis has been scorching hot, hitting .426 (20-for-47) over the last 15 days entering Thursday. The Jays have been a hot-hitting bunch lately and the 25-year-old figures to see continued production. He hit .304 with with an .859 OPS in 217 at-bats last year, and will only improve with time. If he's sitting on your league's waiver wire, grab him now.

Adam Jones (OF, BAL) - Jones now has a nine-game hitting streak after going 2-for-4 on Wednesday. He had back-to-back four-hit games earlier this week and now has 16 home runs to go with 50 RBIs and 50 runs. The Orioles as a team have been on fire and Jones has slugged five of Baltimore's 23 home runs over the last 15 days. Hopefully you didn't give up on Jones back in April.

Brian Dozier (2B, MIN) - Dozier has rewarded those owners who were patient with him when he was hitting under .200 back in April and May. Over the last 30 days, Dozier is hitting .350 with seven home runs, nine doubles and a 1.102 OPS. If he were ever traded to a contender, he would only benefit further. There is really no future for him in Minnesota, so they may as well get what they can for him now.

Marcus Semien (SS, OAK) - Semien has been raking lately himself, going 9-for-27 with three home runs and nine RBIs in the last seven days. His 15 home runs and five steals are very solid for the position, and he's an under-the-radar guy at the position. His ownership is still low.

Kendrys Morales (DH, KC) - Morales could see time in the outfield with Lorenzo Cain hitting the disabled list recently. Morales is 13-for-23 with two home runs over the last seven days and will continue to see regular at-bats. The man can still hit.

Lonnie Chisenhall (3B/OF, CLE) - Chisenhall is in the midst of another hot streak, with 10 hits in his last 25 at-bats. He has gone deep three times in the last four games with seven RBIs for the streaking Indians. Insert him into your lineups NOW.

Angel Pagan (OF, SF) - Pagan has gotten hot with the weather, hitting .458 (11-for-24) over the last week with three doubles and six RBIs. He's been moved up to second in the Giants order now that Joe Panik is on the 7-day concussion DL.

 
Pitchers

Trevor Bauer (SP, CLE) - Bauer has been one of the better pitchers in baseball for over a month now, as he compiled a 5-1 record in June with a 2.01 ERA. He fanned 43 and walked 12 over 44.2 innings in that span. The Indians are the hottest team in baseball at the moment, and Bauer and the rest of the Tribe rotation are showing no signs of letting up.

Julio Urias (SP, LAD) - The Dodgers' prized left-hander has gotten better with each start, aside from the six walks he issued on Tuesday in Milwaukee. He will remain in the rotation through the All-Star Break, but what happens after that will depend on his performance. The 19-year-old has allowed just four runs in 16 innings with 20 strikeouts over his last three starts and he looks like a foundation piece for dynasty league owners.

Junior Guerra (SP, MIL) - Guerra hurled eight shutout innings with seven strikeouts against the Dodgers on Wednesday, trimming his ERA to 3.25 over 11 starts on the season. The 31-year-old right-hander did not make his big league debut until last season, but has come on strong in the first half of 2016 for the Brew Crew. He has a tough assignment on Monday in Washington, but if he comes out of that one clean fantasy owners will have to give him a serious look.

Daniel Mengden (SP, OAK) - Mengden continues to state his case to remain in the Oakland rotation, as he posted his fourth straight solid outing in San Francisco this week. The right-hander went 7.2 innings, allowing just two runs on four hits and three walks with five strikeouts. He will get the ball at home against the Pirates, a team who is not familiar with him, and should be good for another quality start.

Fantasy Baseball Fallers

Hitters

Jung Ho Kang (3B/SS, PIT) - Kang is hitting just .167 with 13 strikeouts over the last 15 days. He is playing 4-5 times per week as he continues to build up the strength in his knee. His 11 home runs are solid and he should be able to add to the total, but at the moment he is scuffling after missing most of the first half.

Matt Kemp (OF, SD) - Kemp is just 3-for-22 with eight strikeouts over the last seven days and has seen his average slip to .259. Owners who thought he might find some consistency this season have been fooled by the aging veteran. He owns a putrid .277 OBP and his numbers have steadily fallen across the board since he got to San Diego.

Justin Upton (OF, DET) - Upton has one hit in his last 15 at-bats and is now hitting .227 on the season. His eight home runs and five steals aren't bad but he is on pace for close to 200 strikeouts, which would be a career-high. He is another streaky hitter who will drive owners nuts at times, and now is one of those times.

Jhonny Peralta (SS/3B, StL) - Peralta has not exactly returned with a bang, as he is hitting .095 (2-for-21) with six strikeouts over the last week. He has started almost everyday since returning from the DL, so maybe he just needs a day or two off to get his mind and body right. Now is not the time to have him in your lineups, but he could provide some production at the infield spots in a few weeks.

 
Pitchers

Aaron Nola (SP, PHI) - Nola has failed to go beyond three innings in any of his last four starts. In that span he has given up 22 earned runs in just 13 innings, bloating his ERA to 4.45. It's a complete 180 for Nola, who posted a 2.31 ERA over six starts in May. It's not time to cut ties with him, unless you really need the roster spot for the playoff push. He will have to make an adjustment back to the  league as hitters clearly have a gameplan against him.

Nathan Eovaldi (SP, NYY) - Eovaldi will be happy once the calendar flips to July after posting an 8.65 ERA in five June starts. He posted a 3.25 mark in May but has not been able to maintain any consistency. Pitching in a hitter's park relegates him to streamer-status in road-friendly environs.

Trevor Rosenthal (RP, StL) - Rosenthal has lost his grip on the closer's role in St. Louis after giving up three more runs in a blown save against Seattle earlier this week. His 5.19 ERA and horrendous 2.04 WHIP just couldn't be withstood any longer for a team that fancies itself a playoff contender. He has always walked a tightrope with his control issues and will have to determine what is wrong with his mechanics.

Jordan Zimmermann (SP, DET) - Zimmerman has been rocked four seven runs in three of his last seven starts. His 3.81 ERA and nine wins represent something of value for owners, but he may be losing some steam as the first half of the season winds down. You won't be able to get much for him in a trade, so owners must hang onto him and hope to avoid any more blow-up outings.

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