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With another month down in the 2016 Fantasy Baseball season, it’s time to look back at the top performers in August. I will look at the best hitters, power and speed wise, the best starters, from strikeout artists to ERA & WHIP leaders, and the best closers, with emphasis on saves. I will also talk about what stood out to me in this past month’s sample of stats. Let’s get to it!
Top 10 Overall Hitters of August
| RNK | PLAYER, TEAM POS | R | HR | RBI | SB | AVG | PR30 |
| 1 | Trea Turner, Wsh 2B, OF | 27 | 5 | 15 | 11 | 0.357 | 12.43 |
| 2 | Charlie Blackmon, Col OF | 30 | 11 | 21 | 2 | 0.360 | 12.06 |
| 3 | Brian Dozier, Min 2B | 27 | 13 | 27 | 3 | 0.302 | 11.91 |
| 4 | Mookie Betts, Bos OF | 21 | 9 | 27 | 4 | 0.378 | 11.85 |
| 5 | Nolan Arenado, Col 3B | 27 | 10 | 36 | 0 | 0.356 | 11.44 |
| 6 | Kris Bryant, ChC 3B, OF | 29 | 10 | 22 | 1 | 0.383 | 11.29 |
| 7 | Jose Ramirez, Cle SS, 2B, 3B, OF | 21 | 5 | 18 | 9 | 0.350 | 10.54 |
| 8 | Gary Sanchez, NYY DH, C | 20 | 11 | 21 | 1 | 0.389 | 10.31 |
| 9 | Billy Hamilton, Cin OF | 18 | 0 | 2 | 19 | 0.270 | 8.95 |
| 10 | Manny Machado, Bal 3B, SS | 21 | 10 | 25 | 0 | 0.312 | 8.69 |
Josh Donaldson's and Jose Altuve's streak of being top 10 hitters of the month ends at 2 months each. Mookie Betts is the only hitter to remain in the top 10 from July. He looks to make it 3 straight month by the end of September. Here's a reminder of what he is currently on pace for: 129R 38HR 120RBI 27SB .320BA
Trea Turner narrowly beats out Charlie Blackmon to take the top spot in August. Turner's 11 SB help him value the most but putting up 5 HR and 15 RBI keeps him from being a 1 dimensional player. Blackmon, coming off of a 0HR 7SB month, knocked 11 HR in August. He had 3 multi-HR games including a 7 games stretch with 8 HR. Can he get 5 more SB to join the 20-20 club by season's end?
Jose Ramirez stands out on this list the most. Maybe it shouldn't be a surprise though. He is the #50 overall PLAYER for the season! He's on fire right now and the multi-position eligibility allows owners to use him at almost any position.
Top Power Hitters of August
| RNK | PLAYER, TEAM POS | R | HR | RBI | SB | AVG | PR30 |
| 1 | Brian Dozier, Min 2B | 27 | 13 | 27 | 3 | 0.302 | 11.91 |
| 2 | Charlie Blackmon, Col OF | 30 | 11 | 21 | 2 | 0.360 | 12.06 |
| 3 | Gary Sanchez, NYY DH, C | 20 | 11 | 21 | 1 | 0.389 | 10.31 |
| 4 | Nolan Arenado, Col 3B | 27 | 10 | 36 | 0 | 0.356 | 11.44 |
| 5 | Ryan Braun, Mil OF | 17 | 10 | 28 | 2 | 0.283 | 8.36 |
| 6 | Manny Machado, Bal 3B, SS | 21 | 10 | 25 | 0 | 0.312 | 8.69 |
| 7 | Kris Bryant, ChC 3B, OF | 29 | 10 | 22 | 1 | 0.383 | 11.29 |
| 8 | Mark Trumbo, Bal OF, 1B, DH | 19 | 10 | 21 | 1 | 0.184 | 4.67 |
| 9 | Yasmany Tomas, Ari OF, 3B | 17 | 10 | 20 | 0 | 0.232 | 5.48 |
| 10 | Jedd Gyorko, StL 2B, 1B, 3B, SS | 17 | 10 | 17 | 0 | 0.230 | 4.40 |
| 11 | Chris Davis, Bal 1B, OF, DH | 18 | 10 | 13 | 1 | 0.214 | 4.09 |
| 12 | Mookie Betts, Bos OF | 21 | 9 | 27 | 4 | 0.378 | 11.85 |
| 13 | Brad Miller, TB SS, 1B, OF | 16 | 8 | 26 | 2 | 0.283 | 6.94 |
| 14 | Evan Longoria, TB 3B | 16 | 8 | 25 | 0 | 0.279 | 6.44 |
| 15 | Jose Altuve, Hou 2B | 17 | 4 | 27 | 1 | 0.333 | 6.74 |
| 16 | Joey Votto, Cin 1B | 19 | 4 | 26 | 1 | 0.394 | 8.30 |
This month's criteria for top power hitters was either 10 HR or 25 RBI. 4 batters (Brian Dozier, Nolan Arenado, Ryan Braun, and Manny Machado) reached both of those numbers in August. Dozier lead all hitters with 13 HR this past month. He had a tremendous month and was the #3 overall hitter in August. Arenado put up the most RBI in August. His 36 RBI were 8 more than #2 on the list, Ryan Braun.
Gary Sanchez broke on to the scene in August and instantly made a huge impact. In 24 games the Yankees catcher hit .389 with 11HR and 21RBI. He also went from virtually unowned to now on 85% of fantasy baseball rosters (what's wrong with the other 15%, huh?). Sanchez looks to continue hit hot hitting into September and could make a strong case as a top 3 catcher in 2017 drafts.
The Orioles had 3 players (Machado, Mark Trumbo, and Chris Davis) hit 10 HR each in August. Those 3 combined to hit more August homeruns than the Athletics, Braves, Reds, Pirates, Padres, Giants, and Marlins!
Top Speedsters of August
| RNK | PLAYER, TEAM POS | R | HR | RBI | SB | AVG | PR30 |
| 1 | Billy Hamilton, Cin OF | 18 | 0 | 2 | 19 | 0.270 | 8.95 |
| 2 | Jonathan Villar, Mil SS, 3B | 19 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 0.302 | 8.59 |
| 3 | Trea Turner, Wsh 2B, OF | 27 | 5 | 15 | 11 | 0.357 | 12.43 |
| 4 | Keon Broxton, Mil OF | 13 | 4 | 9 | 11 | 0.275 | 7.04 |
| 5 | Travis Jankowski, SD OF | 18 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 0.308 | 6.69 |
| 6 | Jean Segura, Ari SS, 2B | 17 | 3 | 9 | 10 | 0.346 | 7.62 |
| 7 | Starling Marte, Pit OF | 13 | 1 | 8 | 10 | 0.252 | 4.43 |
| 8 | Jose Ramirez, Cle SS, 2B, 3B, OF | 21 | 5 | 18 | 9 | 0.350 | 10.54 |
| 9 | Rajai Davis, Cle OF | 13 | 3 | 10 | 9 | 0.268 | 4.63 |
| 10 | Hernan Perez, Mil 3B, OF | 16 | 6 | 15 | 8 | 0.250 | 7.07 |
| 11 | Dee Gordon, Mia 2B | 16 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 0.269 | 3.77 |
11 players stole 8 or more bases in August. Billy Hamilton once again led the way with 19 SB over the month. The Reds stolen base specialist has 54 SB for the season and 32 SB since the All Star break. Jonathan Villar lands at #2 but did post his 2nd straight 12SB month. Hamilton and Villar are the only two speedsters with 50 SB this season. In addition to Hamilton and Villar, Starling Marte (who has 46SB this year) Travis Jankowski, Trea Turner, and Hernan Perez all land on this list for the 2nd straight month. Hamilton, Villar, and Jankowski are the only players to be on this list all 3 months.
Top 10 Overall Pitchers of August
| RNK | PLAYER, TEAM POS | K | W | ERA | WHIP | _ | PR30 |
| 1 | Kyle Hendricks, ChC SP | 36 | 4 | 1.28 | 0.78 | 9.7 | |
| 2 | Max Scherzer, Wsh SP | 51 | 4 | 3.05 | 0.80 | 9.35 | |
| 3 | Rick Porcello, Bos SP | 41 | 4 | 2.62 | 0.83 | 8.92 | |
| 4 | Danny Duffy, KC SP, RP | 39 | 5 | 2.51 | 0.98 | 8.77 | |
| 5 | Justin Verlander, Det SP | 43 | 3 | 2.43 | 0.76 | 8.51 | |
| 6 | Corey Kluber, Cle SP | 44 | 5 | 2.43 | 1.13 | 8.31 | |
| 7 | Masahiro Tanaka, NYY SP | 38 | 4 | 3.00 | 0.90 | 7.65 | |
| 8 | Chris Archer, TB SP | 47 | 3 | 3.03 | 0.98 | 7.15 | |
| 9 | Jon Lester, ChC SP | 35 | 3 | 1.71 | 0.92 | 6.91 | |
| 10 | David Price, Bos SP | 35 | 4 | 2.93 | 1.10 | 6.51 |
Kyle Hendricks put up the top pitching month of August. He had a relatively easy schedule but did face the Cardinals at home and visited the Rockies at Coors. He is the #4 overall starter for the season. Hendricks is set to face the Brewers and Reds twice and also visits the Pirates and Astros. With only those teams remaining, he could be the #1 pitcher again in September.
Max Scherzer, who is the only pitcher to be in the top 10 all 3 months, lands at #2 in August. He is the #1 overall pitcher for the season and shows no signs of slowing down. Rick Porcello and Justin Verlander are top 10 pitchers for the 2nd straight month.
Top Strikeout Pitchers of August
| RNK | PLAYER, TEAM POS | K | W | ERA | WHIP | _ | PR30 |
| 1 | Chris Sale, CWS SP | 52 | 1 | 2.89 | 1.01 | 6.33 | |
| 2 | Max Scherzer, Wsh SP | 51 | 4 | 3.05 | 0.80 | 9.35 | |
| 3 | Chris Archer, TB SP | 47 | 3 | 3.03 | 0.98 | 7.15 | |
| 4 | Carlos Carrasco, Cle SP | 46 | 2 | 5.20 | 1.29 | 3.1 | |
| 5 | Yu Darvish, Tex SP | 45 | 3 | 2.95 | 1.11 | 6.47 | |
| 6 | Corey Kluber, Cle SP | 44 | 5 | 2.43 | 1.13 | 8.31 | |
| 7 | CC Sabathia, NYY SP | 44 | 2 | 5.35 | 1.35 | 2.54 |
7 pitchers posted 44 or more strikeouts in August. Chris Sale beats out Scherzer by 1K to lead the month. Both Sale and Scherzer hit the 50+ mark for the month. Carlos Carrasco and CC Sabathia both posted great strikeout totals in August. They also both had an ERA over 5.00!
Top ERA and WHIP of August
| RNK | PLAYER, TEAM POS | K | W | ERA | WHIP | _ | PR30 |
| 1 | Kyle Hendricks, ChC SP | 36 | 4 | 1.28 | 0.78 | 9.7 | |
| 2 | Carlos Rodon, CWS SP | 26 | 3 | 1.47 | 1.01 | 5.83 | |
| 3 | Jon Lester, ChC SP | 35 | 3 | 1.71 | 0.92 | 6.91 | |
| 4 | Ian Kennedy, KC SP | 31 | 3 | 1.86 | 1.09 | 6.20 | |
| 5 | Julio Urias, LAD SP | 22 | 4 | 1.99 | 1.50 | 3.79 | |
| 6 | Justin Verlander, Det SP | 43 | 3 | 2.43 | 0.76 | 8.51 | |
| 7 | Danny Duffy, KC SP, RP | 39 | 5 | 2.51 | 0.98 | 8.77 | |
| 8 | Rick Porcello, Bos SP | 41 | 4 | 2.62 | 0.83 | 8.92 | |
| 9 | Andrew Triggs, Oak SP | 24 | 1 | 2.77 | 0.85 | 3.51 | |
| 10 | Ivan Nova, Pit SP | 22 | 4 | 2.87 | 0.99 | 5.52 | |
| 11 | Masahiro Tanaka, NYY SP | 38 | 4 | 3.00 | 0.90 | 7.65 | |
| 12 | Chris Archer, TB SP | 47 | 3 | 3.03 | 0.98 | 7.15 | |
| 13 | Max Scherzer, Wsh SP | 51 | 4 | 3.05 | 0.80 | 9.35 | |
| 14 | Dallas Keuchel, Hou SP | 25 | 3 | 3.10 | 0.97 | 4.78 | |
| 15 | Jake Arrieta, ChC SP | 22 | 4 | 3.21 | 0.98 | 5.47 | |
| 16 | Michael Fulmer, Det SP | 24 | 1 | 3.24 | 0.99 | 3.12 | |
| 17 | Kendall Graveman, Oak SP | 17 | 3 | 3.40 | 0.98 | 4.37 |
The criteria for this list is to have either an ERA below 2.00 or a WHIP under 1.00. Last month this list had 23 members but this month it only has 17. The more interesting stat is for ERA. Last month 15 starters had an ERA under 2.00. This month only 5 starters pull that off. Only 2 (Hendricks and Jon Lester) had numbers that met both of those benchmarks. 9 did both last month. Hendricks posted the lowest ERA for the 2nd straight month. Julio Urias barely met the 2.00ERA mark and his 1.50WHIP for the month makes his overall number seem very fortunate they weren't far worse.
Top Closers of August
| RNK | PLAYER, TEAM POS | K | W | SV | ERA | WHIP | PR30 |
| 1 | Aroldis Chapman, ChC RP | 22 | 0 | 11 | 1.38 | 1.08 | 7.24 |
| 2 | Edwin Diaz, Sea SP, RP | 21 | 0 | 11 | 3.95 | 1.24 | 6.01 |
| 3 | Kelvin Herrera, KC RP | 18 | 0 | 10 | 2.35 | 0.78 | 6.36 |
| 4 | Tony Watson, Pit RP | 9 | 1 | 10 | 2.84 | 1.11 | 5.87 |
| 5 | Kenley Jansen, LAD RP | 25 | 0 | 9 | 3.97 | 0.71 | 6.17 |
| 6 | David Robertson, CWS RP | 10 | 2 | 8 | 2.38 | 1.32 | 5.33 |
| 7 | Fernando Rodney, Mia RP | 14 | 1 | 8 | 3.38 | 1.88 | 3.58 |
| 8 | Sam Dyson, Tex RP | 10 | 0 | 8 | 4.09 | 1.64 | 2.77 |
| 9 | Francisco Rodriguez, Det RP | 5 | 1 | 8 | 3.48 | 1.65 | 2.26 |
9 closers nailed down 8 saves or more. This number is up from only 5 last month. Kenley Jansen was the only closer with 2 straight 8 save months. Francisco Rodriguez come close but only had 7 in July. Jansen also led the way with 25K. Aroldis Chapman had the best month of any closer posting a 1.38ERA with 22K. Tony Watson actually had more saves (10) than strikeouts (9) over the month. K-Rod (8SV/5K) also accomplished this unique feat.
That's it for the top performing players of August. Let's do it all over again in September! Please leave comments if you have any further questions and feel free to let me know what you found most interesting in this research.
Thanks for the read!