Jesse Winker (ESPN: 2.7%, Yahoo: 4%)

As a prospect, Winker was always known for good plate discipline and his feel for contact. When he came to the majors last year and hit for a .231 ISO in a 47 game sample, people began to wonder if he could hit for power as well with the new “juiced balls”. Well, so far this year the power hasn’t shown up, but the plate discipline (13.6 BB% and 14.1 K%) and the contact (.269 AVG) have. Statcast believes Winker deserves an even higher average thus far (.279 xBA) and his .446 xSLG combined with a 14-degree launch angle mean it’s very possible he will begin to tap more into his power sooner rather than later. Winker remains most valuable in points leagues where his gap power plays up but he remains an option even in standard leagues once he finds his power stroke. The main concerns with Winker right now are playing time and when the power will show up. But when one of those clears up, the other will follow suit and Winker will become a valuable asset.

Danny Valencia (ESPN: 1.1%, Yahoo: 2%)

Similar to Jung Ho Kang (albeit to a much lesser extent), Valencia is a much easier guy to have in your fantasy clubhouse rather than a real one. Personality aside, Valencia has been hitting well for the Orioles and deserves a look from anyone playing in a 12 team league or deeper. While manning 3rd this year for the birds, Valencia has swatted 6 home runs and driven in 19 RBIs over just 39 games, good for a .205 ISO. He’s been hitting .279 so far and there’s room for improvement with a .298 BABIP (career .312) and a .296 xBA. His already solid power could even see an increase as his launch angle is up almost 3 degrees and his xSLG is at .580 versus his actual .484 SLG. He’s cut his strikeouts down 7% from last year and worked his way into regular playing time. If you have a free spot, you should add him.

Daniel Palka (ESPN: 4.1%, Yahoo: 4%)

In 34 games for the White Sox, Daniel Palka has been crushing baseballs. His OBP isn’t for the faint of heart (.295) but the power he’s exhibited is well worth the trade-off. He has a .256 ISO which is supported by a 52.4% hard-hit rate, 13.7-degree launch angle and a .521 SLG percentage that matches up with his xSLG of .574. His average is also palatable as it sits at .265 with a reasonable .312 BABIP. Palka can be a good power option for leagues that don’t count OBP. The only problem is playing time. When Avisail Garcia returns from the DL, we don’t know what the White Sox will do with Palka. Right now he’s more of a wait and see than a must add.

Players from last time:

Adrian Gonzalez: In 96 PAs Gonzalez hit .244/.292/.367 with 8 R, 3 HR, and 9 RBI

Gonzalez is yet to break out of his season-long stupor but his low BABIP (.256) and positive xStats (xBA .280, xSLG .480) seem to point to better days ahead. Before investing in Gonzalez one should be wary of playing time (Dom Smith and Peter Alonso) and shift concerns (shifted 33.3% of the time and has a wOBA of .246). Both have the ability to derail his season.

Alcides Escobar: In 122 PAs Escobar hit .217/.248/.296 with 14 R, 2 HR, and 10 RBI

Maybe I missed the mark with Escobar but his xStats still indicate he deserves better with an xBA of .250 and xSLG of .381. He still seems to have a hold on the starting job in Kansas City so he will have the chance to heat up sooner or later. He can’t have a .244 BABIP forever.

Jung Ho Kang:

Kang has been promoted to High A and is tearing it up hitting 3 home runs in 6 games with an OBP over .500. It’s good for owners to see Kang can still hit professional pitching even if it is low level. In deep dynasty leagues he should be owned and in shallow ones, he should be monitored.