This one will be short as I had some fantasy football pieces to write last night, so I didn't get to the Roundup as early as I wanted to.
I wrote about Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper a few days ago, as he has been struggling at the plate since the All Star break. Remember when writers were saying he should be added to the All Star team? Yeah, me too. Harper went 2-5 with 2 HRs and 3 RBI last night to help the Nationals beat the Marlins 8-4. For the season, Harper is now hitting .250-.320-.425 with 14 HRs, 18 doubles, 6 triples, 69 runs, 40 RBI and 13 stolen bases, all in just over 400 at bats. The RBI are low because he has been hitting in the 2 spot in the Nationals lineup for most of the season. I see him putting up a 25 HR, 25 stolen base season in 2013.
Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez is like many power hitters, as when they hit home runs, there is usually more to come. Two nights ago, Alvarez had 4 hits and 2 home runs, and last night Alvarez homered again, going 2-4 with a double, HR, 2 runs and 3 RBI, raising his slash line to .249-.328-.494 with 26 HRs, 21 doubles, 55 runs and 70 RBI on the season. Could be be at the start of a Stanton-like home run streak?
Rays third baseman Evan Longoria has been DHing a lot since returning to the Rays lineup, and he has helped the team go on a very good run of wins. Last night, he went 2-5 with 2 home runs, 2 runs and 3 RBI, and is now hitting .293-.372-.516 with 9 HRs, 8 doubles, 23 runs and 34 RBI in just over 150 at bats. Longoria will certainly be my 2nd ranked third baseman behind Miguel Cabrera come 2013.
Mets starter Matt Harvey had another solid outing last night, going 6.1 innings, giving up 2 runs on 6 hits, 2 walks and striking out 6 to win his 3rd game of the season. He is now 3-3 with a 2.76 ERA, 3.05 FIP, 3.45 xFIP, 1.11 WHIP, a K/9 of 10.64 and a BB/0 of 3.61. Once he can limit the free pass, Harvey is going to be a solid starter at the major league level. OK, he could be an ace-level starter if he can keep this up after going through the league a few more times. Remember, Matt Moore's struggles this season in his first full season in the big leagues though.
Dodgers shortstop/third baseman Hanley Ramirez has hit well since being traded to Los Angeles a month or so ago. He went 1-5 with a HR and 2 RBI yesterday. For the season, he is hitting .256-.326-.456 with 22 HRs, 69 runs, 82 RBI and 16 stolen bases. But since his trade to LA, Hanley is hitting .283-.343-.520 with 7 HRs, 19 runs and 32 RBI in just 127 at bats. That projects to some monster numbers for a full season, and maybe he DID need a change of scenery out of Miami. Let's see how he performs in September, but he could force himself into the No.1 fantasy shortstop discussing in 2013.