Yangervis Solarte has been raking since returning from injury

Here is this week’s category analysis, providing you with a list of players that could help impact a particular category in a standard 5×5 scoring system.

Each week we’ll have an updated list of players, so make sure to check it out.

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HITTERS

RUNS

Marcus Semien (OAK – SS) – Owned in 35.2% of ESPN Leagues
You know, the thing about Tim Anders . . . . Ok, I get it, you want me to stop writing about Tim Anderson in this section. Fine! Well, you can make me stop writing about Anderson, but you can’t make me stop writing about shortstops. So, let’s talk about Marcus Semien. Semien has been on a pretty big tear the past two weeks, with six homers, 13 RBI, and 14 runs. Those 14 runs scored over that span are behind only Kris Bryant, Josh Donaldson, Wil Myers, and Mike Trout. So, in other words, Semien is now a top-10 fantasy player! Ok, not quite, but he’s getting on base consistently, he has some speed, and the A’s have been hitting a bit. He should provide a decent amount of runs going forward.

HOME RUNS

C.J. Cron (LAA – 1B) – Owned in 30.3% of ESPN Leagues
When you go 6-for-6 in a game with two home runs, you’re going to get noticed. That’s why Cron’s ownership percentage is at 30.3%, rather than 4%, as it was last week. July is eight days old, and Cron has five home runs already in the month. He’s a streaky player with power, and if you look at his historical stats, he usually goes on a major hot streak right about . . . now. His best months overall are July and August historically, and it’s not close. In other words, Cron should be a solid home run hitter for the next couple of months, until he remembers that he’s, you know, C.J. Cron.

RBI

Max Kepler (MIN – OF) – Owned in 15.9% of ESPN Leagues
As much as any other stat, RBI are influenced by opportunity. And Kepler’s got that. It looks like the Miguel Sano in right field experiment has mercifully ended, and Kepler has taken over that spot with regularity. He’s batting sixth and is showing that he can hit lefties. And here’s the weird thing about Kepler – I know it’s not really a “thing,” but throughout his minor league career, he actually seems to just have a nose for RBI. Last year, he had 26 RBI in 42 games. That’s 100-RBI pace. While playing in the minors in 2014, Kepler drove in 71 runs in 118 games played, a 97-RBI pace. And he’s got 16 RBI over the last 10 games. So, grab him quickly before anyone realizes that a player on the Twins is worth owning.

AVERAGE/ON BASE PERCENTAGE

Yangervis Solarte (SD – 1B, 2B, 3B) – Owned in 16.3% of ESPN Leagues
Evidently, my idea of recommending guys like Martin Prado and Derek Deitrich in this spot, who will help only in average or OBP but nowhere else, isn’t working for you guys, so let’s recommend someone who is going to help pretty much everywhere. That would be the perennially underrated Yangervis Solarte. Solarte missed most of the early part of the season with an injury, but he has been raking consistently ever since his return. In the two weeks, he has three homers, nine RBI, and seven runs scored. Oh, and he’s batting .478 over that span! His average on the season is .308 and his OBP is .390. Plus, he’s got eligibility all over the place. And a cool name. So, add him.

STOLEN BASES

Jose Peraza (CIN – 2B, OF) – Owned in 2.7% of ESPN Leagues
Let’s go way off the radar on this one. Nobody in your fantasy league is thinking about Jose Peraza right now. Within a few weeks, they probably all will be. Peraza is a guy with tremendous speed, as evidenced by his two 60-steal seasons in the minors. He’s currently getting sporadic playing time in the outfield with the Reds, but has swiped five bags in the last two weeks anyway. The word out of the Cincinnati, a team going nowhere this season, is that the Reds want to get a look at Peraza as their future second baseman, which will likely mean dealing Brandon Phillips (or forcing him to the bench until he agrees to the deal). Peraza will likely be a difference maker in steals in the latter half of the season, and this is the time to add him. Once he takes over that second base role for good, he’ll be gone from your waiver wire. Do a preemptive strike and add him now.

PITCHERS

WINS

Jake Peavy (SF-SP) – Owned in 18.3% of ESPN Leagues
This is the second time since I’ve started writing this column that I have recommended Jake Peavy. Yeah, I know, I’m as surprised as you are. But first, when you’re recommending someone who can help with wins, it’s much more about the team and division in which he pitches. And it doesn’t get too much better than the Giants and the NL West. And second, Peavy is not pitching badly. Ignore his season-long numbers, you guys, seriously. Peavy pitched to a 3.62 ERA in June and allowed just one run in his first start in July. He’s won three of his last five starts, and several teams in his division (I won’t name names, but they rhyme with the Miamondbacks, the Madres, and the Mockies) are about to start selling and weakening their teams and lineups. He will win a fair share of games and won’t hurt the rest of your numbers.

STRIKEOUTS

Bud Norris (LAD – SP) – Owned in 37.6% of ESPN Leagues
I could write about Norris in pretty much any of these categories except saves, but no. I refuse to believe that a guy with a career 4.41 ERA and 1.39 WHIP has suddenly figured out how to pitch like an ace midway through his 31-year-old season. But, I can believe that Norris can help you in strikeouts because, well, he has always been able to do that. Norris has a career K/9 rate of 8.3. His rate this year is 8.1. He’s fourth in strikeouts over the last month. So, yeah, if it’s strikeouts you need, this is your guy. And, since he’s on a run right now (2.29 ERA, 0.93 WHIP in the last month), you might be able to get a whole lot of good pitching generally. So, in other words, I’ve given you two recommendations for pitching, and their names are Jake Peavy and Bud Norris. It’s been nice writing you, weekly category analysis column. I think my editors will be replacing me soon.

ERA

Jerad Eickhoff (PHI – SP) – Owned in 37.1% of ESPN Leagues
You know, every week I consider writing about Eickhoff, but I keep expecting his ownership percentage to rise past 40% by the next week’s column without me mentioning him. But, it hasn’t, and I fully take the blame for that one, guys. My bad. What exactly is the problem with Eickhoff? Is it the fact that he’s given up more than three runs in just two of his 17 starts? Was it the 2.23 ERA in June? Is it that his last name gives you too many jokes for your fantasy team name? Look, I get that Eickhoff pitches for the Phillies, but this is just silly. He’s got a 3.30 ERA on the season, and had a 2.23 ERA in June. He’s essentially a must-own pitcher who is available in nearly two-thirds of leagues. I don’t get it . . . . Wait, it’s because his mom meant to name him Jared but switched the “a” and the “e” in his name, right? Come on, guys, let it go.

WHIP

Ervin Santana (MIN – SP) – Owned in 7% of ESPN Leagues
I know, I know. But this is the time when you need to ignore season-long numbers and focus on guys who are hot. Because, I’m just telling you, guys with incredible season-long ERAs and WHIPs are long gone, ok? Santana’s numbers aren’t pretty, but over the last month he’s thrown 39 innings and has a 1.05 WHIP. Santana is an interesting cat who seems to pitch better when he’s motivated, and there’s been a lot of trade talk lately as the Twins look to move him to a contender. I think he’s laser focused, and should continue to pitch well, especially if he is dealt to a better team.

SAVES

Brandon Maurer (SD – RP) – Owned in 11.1% of ESPN Leagues
It is very clear that Andy Green is in a hardcore fantasy baseball league, was chasing saves, and duped everyone into thinking Ryan Buchter would be the new closer so he could pick up Brandon Maurer himself. Maurer’s season-long numbers are ugly, but he has “closer’s stuff,” whatever that really means, and more importantly, he’s been named the closer. Entering Thursday, he had converted the only save opportunity since Fernando Rodney was traded. He should hold the job so long as he’s effective, or at least until Andy Green trades him in his fantasy league.

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Dan Harris is a correspondent with FantasyPros. For more from Dan, check out his archive or follow him @danharris80.