FAAB Factor-AL: Fields of Dreams

Starting Pitchers:

Lisalverto Bonilla, Rangers - Bonilla made his MLB debut Saturday, when he pitched six innings and allowed two earned runs with four walks and three strikeouts to the Braves. A September call-up, Bonilla had a 4.10 ERA (3.35 FIP) with 92 strikeouts and 25 walks over 74.2 IP at Triple-A Round Rock this season. He was making a spot start for Scott Baker, who is dealing with triceps tendinitis. Should he make another start for Baker, it would likely come against the Angels on the road, which isn't exactly inviting. He's a low-end talent to be taking a chance on this late in the season. Mixed: $1; AL: $4.

Chris Bassitt, White Sox - In his second MLB start this week, Bassitt pitched six innings and allowed just one earned run with two walks and five strikeouts against the A's. He was torched in his debut by the Tigers for five earned runs over 6.1 innings. He should get another start this coming week against the Royals on the road. This season at Double-A Birmingham he had a 1.56 ERA (3.26 FIP) with 36 strikeouts and 14 walks over 34.2 IP. Use caution if you decide to run him out there. Mixed: $1; AL: $4.

T.J. House, Indians - Since rejoining the Indians rotation, House has made four starts with a 2.25 ERA, 24 strikeouts and four walks over 24 IP. Those four starts were made against the Twins and White Sox (two each), so some context is needed there. Still, he's shown great command and really only had one poor outing in that bunch. For the season he has a 3.42 ERA (3.77 FIP) with 73 strikeouts and 21 walks over 92 IP. This coming week he should get the Twins again, this time on the road. Mixed: $3; AL: $12.

Nate Karns, Rays - Making his season debut, Karns pitched seven shutout innings against the Blue Jays on the road with only two hits allowed with two walks and eight strikeouts. Earlier this season at Triple-A Durham, he had a 5.08 ERA (3.87 FIP) with 153 strikeouts and 62 walks over 145.1 IP. That sort of ability to miss bats is impressive and showed up in his debut. This week he gets the Yankees at home. Last season with the Nationals he made three starts and was lit up for a 7.50 ERA over 12 innings, though he did have 11 strikeouts. Keeping the ball in the yard will be paramount to him finding continued success. Mixed: $2; AL: $8.

Nick Martinez, Rangers - In his last three starts Martinez has shown improved results with a 2.60 ERA, 11 strikeouts and five walks over 17.1 IP against the Angels, Mariners and Astros. On the season he has a 4.93 ERA (5.35 FIP) with 68 strikeouts and 52 walks over 122.1 IP, and really wouldn't be starting for the Rangers had injuries not seriously depleted their rotation depth. This coming week he'll face the A's on the road. His improved play is enough reason to start him in an AL only format, but in mixed leagues you can surely do better, especially against the A's. Mixed: $1; AL: $4.

Cory Rasmus, Angels - Rasmus should make two starts this week, one against the Mariners and the other against the Rangers, both at home. Moving from the bullpen into the team's rotation, Rasmus hasn't been stretched out yet, making only 49 pitches in his last start that lasted 3.1 innings. Because of that, it's hard to trust that he'll be out there long enough to be eligible for a win and help owners out. For the season, he has a 2.80 ERA (3.56 FIP) with 47 strikeouts and 15 walks over 45 innings, though that's mostly as a reliever. Mixed: No; AL: $2.

Nick Tropeano, Astros - Tropeano made his MLB debut this week when he pitched five innings and allowed two earned runs against the Mariners on the road with two walks and five strikeouts. Prior to this at Triple-A Oklahoma City he had a 3.03 ERA (3.31 FIP) with 120 strikeouts and 33 walks over 124.2 IP. He is not a highly regarded prospect within the Astros system, but with strikeout numbers like that it's hard not to at least be a bit interested to see what he can offer. This coming week he gets the Indians at home. Mixed: $2; AL: $8.

Relief Pitchers:

Josh Fields, Astros - With Chad Qualls dealing with a hip injury, Josh Fields has locked down his last two save opportunities, both in the last week. For the season he has a 4.45 ERA (2.16 FIP) with 70 strikeouts and 17 walks over 54.2 IP. Considering the Astros recommended rest for Qualls, we're unlikely to see him again this season. It's worth noting that Tony Sipp also got a save this week, though he hasn't been as effective as Fields over the last two weeks. Fields hasn't given up a run in his last nine appearances. Mixed: $4; AL: $16... Bid all that you have, if every save matters to you.

Catchers:

Tyler Flowers, White Sox - Flowers hit two home runs this week in a game where he went 3-for-4 as his second half-surge continues. In this second half he has hit .286/.349/.564 with nine home runs, making him a catcher that should be owned in all mixed leagues that use two catchers. The power is clearly there, it's just a matter of if he will make enough contact to not be a drain on batting average heading into 2015. Mixed: $5; AL: Owned.

Max Stassi, Astros - Stassi got to catch a game this week for the Astros and went 1-for-4 with a run and two RBI. It wouldn't be surprising to see him catch a few games a week for the last two weeks of the season, as the team views him as a possible successor to Jason Castro as Castro transitions to spending more time at DH in the coming seasons. This year at Triple-A Oklahoma City he hit .247/.296/.378 with nine home runs over 425 PA. It's a bit of a step back from the progress he showed last season at Double-A Corpus Christi, but he's still only 23 years old. If you're looking for a second catcher and still clawing your way in the standings, he's worth a look. Mixed: No; AL: $2.

Corner Infielders:

Jimmy Paredes, Orioles - With Chris Davis suspended for the remainder of the season, Paredes has started the last two games for the Orioles at third base. Over the last two weeks he's gone 8-for-22 with three doubles and three runs. This season between the Royals and Orioles at Triple-A Omaha and Norfolk he hit .289/.317/.436 with eight home runs and 21 stolen bases over 420 PA. He's 25 years old and is no one's idea of a prospect. Still, he's going to get playing time at third down the stretch and that's about all you can ask for, if you're looking for a corner bat to replace him off the wavier wire at this point in the season. Mixed: $2; AL: $8.

Adam Rosales, Rangers - Rosales continues to see playing time at first base for the Rangers as the season winds down. This is more a product of them not having any quality options, rather than giving Rosales a reward for his production. Over the last month, he's hit .247/.304/.342 with one home run and three stolen bases over 73 PA. Still, he has started three of the last four games at first, so he's at least someone to think about, if every last counting stat matters to your team. Mixed: $1; AL: $4.

Ryan Rua, Rangers - A late August call-up, Rua has been getting consistent playing time between first base, left field, and DH. This last week, he went 9-for-26 with three doubles, five RBI, a run and stolen base. Between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock earlier this season, he hit .306/.378/.488 with 18 home runs and six stolen bases over 529 PA. If he's still available on your waiver wire, he's a useful corner bat in AL only formats. Mixed: $2; AL: $8.

Danny Valencia, Blue Jays - Known for hitting LHP much better than RHP, Valencia has settled into an everyday role for the Blue Jays at third base and has started every game there this month. Tough to say he's rewarded the team for that decision, as he hit .225/.227/.375 with one home run over 40 PA this month. Still, he's getting playing time and this late in the season, and that's about all you can ask for if you're still looking for corner infield help. On the season, he's hit .276/.314/.394 with four home runs over 239 PA between the Royals and Blue Jays. Mixed: $1; AL: $5.

Middle Infielders:

Ryan Flaherty, Orioles - J.J. Hardy has been dealing with a back issue and has only started two of the last eight games for the Orioles. In his place Flaherty has stepped in and done a more than serviceable job, hitting .361/.415/.611 with one home run over 36 at-bats in the last two weeks. On the season Flaherty has been pretty poor offensively, so this recent surge shouldn't be read into much. Hardy's injury isn't considered to be serious, so expect him to see increased action these last two weeks. Mixed: $1; AL: $4.

Nick Franklin, Rays - Franklin was called up this Sunday as the Triple-A Durham season is now over. A part of the David Price trade, Franklin hit .272/.366/.412 with 11 home runs and 11 stolen bases over 446 PA between Triple-A Tacoma and Durham this season. Last season in Seattle, he hit a paltry .225/.303/.382 with 12 home runs and six stolen bases over 412 PA, before being kept in the minors for the vast majority of this season to work on his game. He's an intriguing player because of his power/speed combination, but he's going to have to become more disciplined at the plate and hit for more contact. With the Rays no longer vying for a playoff spot, he should get some good playing time these last two weeks. Mixed: $2; AL: $8.

Andrew Romine, Tigers - Romine has taken over the shortstop position for the Tigers this last week, starting five of the last six games there over Eugenio Suarez. Romine rewarded the team for his extra playing time, going 6-for-17 this week with three stolen bases and four runs scored. On the season he's hit .223/.269/.273 with two home runs and 10 stolen bases over 237 PA, which speaks to his true talent level. For now though, it seems the team will ride the hot hand and continue to give him playing time, so long as he produces. Mixed: $2; AL: $8.

Jemile Weeks, Red Sox - With Dustin Pedroia out for the season with a wrist injury, the Red Sox have opted to give Weeks a look at second base. He has started four of the last five games there and has gone 4-for-15 with three doubles, a stolen base and two runs scored. The speed is evident in his game; it's just a matter of making enough contact to showcase it. This season at Triple-A Norfolk, as a member of the Orioles, he hit .280/.392/.391 with one home run and eight stolen bases over 257 PA before being traded to the Red Sox at the end of August. If you're in need of stolen bases give Weeks a look. Mixed: $2; AL: $8.

Outfielders:

Rusney Castillo, Red Sox - Castillo will join the Red Sox major league team on Tuesday this coming week after spending time in the minors at various levels. A Cuban import, he's expected to have an impact on the team's roster next season, though it's tough to say to what level as expectations have been elevated by the recent play by other Cuban players that have come over. From the limited amount I've read on him, he has good power, it's just a matter of how much contact he'll make and how that transition to major league pitchers goes for him. As for his speed, this seems to be a stronger tool for him right now and might steal as many as 30 bases in a full season. If you're bidding for him in a keeper league, tough to say how invested you should be, but expect the interest from your fellow owners to be high and that alone should drive his price. For this season, he's about as good as it's going to get on taking a flyer on a player for two weeks, so bid aggressively. Mixed: $8; AL: $25... Bid all that you have left, if you're looking for power & speed.

Collin Cowgill, Angels - With Josh Hamilton dealing with a shoulder injury, Cowgill has started the last six games for the Halos in left field. Over the last week, he's gone 7-for-26 at the plate with two stolen bases and five runs scored. A player of somewhat limited skills offensively, Cowgill has shown good speed in the minors, but it's never really translated to the majors. This season with the Angels, he's hit .262/.340/.376 with five home runs and three stolen bases over 267 PA. Hamilton should be out for at least a portion of the upcoming week, if not the full duration of it, so expect Cowgill to continue seeing at-bats. Mixed: $2; AL: $8.

Kevin Pillar, Blue Jays - A late August call-up, Pillar has been hot at the plate this last week, going 9-for-25 with three runs. He has taken Melky Cabrera's spot in left field after he was lost for the season with a finger injury. At Triple-A Buffalo this season, Pillar hit .323/.359/.509 with 10 home runs and 27 stolen bases over 434 PA. He's going to strikeout often and he doesn't have much power, but at least he's getting playing time and making some contact, so hopefully some counting stats follow. Mixed: $2; AL: $8.

Michael Saunders, Mariners - Saunders was activated from the DL this week, after dealing with an oblique injury that kept him out for almost two months. In his return, he's gone 2-for-11 with one run. Still, he's someone worth taking a chance on, as he has hit .271/.329/.420 with six home runs and three stolen bases over 233 PA this season. In 2012 he was one home run shy of going 20/20, so he's got nice offensive skills, he just needs to get back into the groove of things to show them. He needs to be owned in all AL only formats and deeper mixed leagues, now that he's healthy and starting everyday again. Mixed: $3; AL: $12.

Chris Young, Yankees - A September call-up, Young has been hot this last week, going 10-for-24 with four doubles, three home runs, one stolen base, and six runs scored. Always known for his power/speed combination and lack of skills to hit for contact, Young is making consistent contact right now and is one the hottest hitters right now. Earlier this season with the Mets, he hit .205/.283/.346 with eight home runs and seven stolen bases over 287 PA. If he's available in your league, get him on your roster, if for nothing else than to see if he can keep some of this up for the last two weeks. Mixed: $4; AL: $15.

Note: If you have anyone else you'd like me to discuss, just drop a line in the comments section.