FANTASY FURNACE

As we get set to approach the final third of the fantasy regular season, as well as the All-Star break 7/9 through 7/12, there is a virtual plethora of adds that are certain to help your leagues in several areas. Team owners should consider picking up the ones below before the break on Monday. Lets get right to them…

1. Alexi Amarista-2B-Padres- Since taking over the 2B duties from Logan Forsythe who had been struggling at the plate, the 23 year old who was picked up from the Angels earlier in the season, has given the usually anemic Padres offense a real boost. Amarista has started the last seven games at second base and has gone 11-30 (.366) with 3 home runs, 9 RBI, 7 runs scored, and 1 SB. What’s more impressive is that four of those seven games have been multi-hit ones! Take a flier out on the little guy (5’8″ 150 lbs.) in 12+ leagues. In N.L. only leagues he’s a must add. Amarista is available in 90% of leagues.

2. Tyler Colvin-1B/OF-Rockies- This 26 year old former 1st round pick of the Chicago Cubs is probably one of the best kept secrets in all of ‘fantasyland’. Colvin is just 2 years removed from hitting 20 homers with the Cubs in just 358 AB’s. If he continues to play regularly he’ll be on pace to reach a career high 30 HR. In just 180 AB so far this season, he is batting .311 with 26 runs scored, 13 HR, 40 RBI to go along with a SLG % of .644 which rivals Albert Pujols’ career SLG % mark of .609! Colvin has also hit safely in 12 of his last 13 games; (he was used as a pinch hitter in the lone hitless game). And oh, he also is the only player in MLB to hit two home runs off of fireballer Steven Strassburg…in one game! The mind boggles as he is only owned in 30% of leagues. We recommend him as a ‘Must Add’ in all leagues.

#21 Rockies Tyler Colvin homers in last Tuesday’s game against the Cardinals. He is the Furnace’s week #15 “Must Add”. Photo: Dilip Vishwanat – Getty Images

3. Norichika Aoki-OF-Brewers- If you have a need for speed and a consistent high batting average, (think Ichiro), then this 30 year old rookie could help your team. Aoki is batting .303 through 75 games this season, has scored 35 runs and has 11 stolen bases; 4 in one game back on June 23rd against the White Sox. He has played all three OF positions and usually bats 1st or 2nd in the lineup with Ryan Braun and Aramis Ramirez to help bring him home. He has knocked in 6 runs over his last five games and is 21-50 (.420) over his last 50 AB. The former Japanese batting champion should be owned in N.L. only and 12+ team leagues and is widely available-85% in most leagues.

4. Michael Fiers-SP/RP-Brewers- The 2nd year former reliever has started eight games since SP Shaun Marcum went down and by the way he’s pitched, he should be kept in the rotation when Marcum returns- probably several weeks after the All-Star break. Fiers currently has the lowest ERA of the Brewer’s starting five at 2.31. Randy Wolfe, who has been completely ineffective 5.83 ERA 1.57 WHIP, could be the one who gets sent to the bullpen once Marcum returns. In Fiers’ seven starts so far, he has struck out 50 while walking just 9. That’s incredible control! In his last start vs the Marlins he had 9 K’s in a 4-0 loss through 7 1/3 innings. Owned in only 34% of leagues, the young righty should be on most rosters, and yes, we think you should take a flier on Fiers. (had to say it…)

5. Jose Quintana-SP/RP-White Sox-With the devastating loss of SP John Danks (shoulder) and Phiip Humber (right elbow flexor strain), the 23 year old undrafted rookie has done more than admirably in their absence. In the seven games he has started, Quintana has recorder a 4-1 record to go along with a sparkling 2.04 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP. His control has been excellent, striking out 37 and walking just 10. For those of you who are streamers out there, Quintana will face the K.C. Royals after the All-Star break, however we recommend picking up the southpaw in most leagues as Danks is not expected to return until the end of July at the earliest while Humber continues to struggle in the minor leagues with an inflated 6.01 ERA. The rookie is available in around 75% of leagues- but won’t be for long.

#62 Jose Quintana has filled in better than anticipated for the injured John Danks and the ineffective “Mr. Perfect Game” Philip Humber. Photo: Nam Y. Huh / AP