Studs
Bryce Harper, WAS: 11-for-19, 3 HR, 8 RBI
Typically we like to feature players that could potentially be available in your league, but it just feels wrong to leave Bryce Harper off a list of studs. While you would think that Harper would cool down after hitting seven homers in six games in week five, he kept rolling and pushed his season OPS to a ridiculous 1.206. He's the best hitter in the league right now, and it's not particularly close.
Brandon Belt, SF: 10-for-27, 3 HR, 7 RBI
After starting his season 2-for-25, Belt has turned it around in a big way. In the course of just three games this past week against the Reds, Belt raised his season OPS from .732 to .901. If you want to get in on the hot streak, Belt is owned in just 38 percent of FOX Sports Fantasy leagues.
Brad Miller, SEA: 9-for-21, 4 HR, 5 RBI
When the Mariners started batting Brad Miller 2nd in the lineup, the ears of some DFS players perked up a bit. Miller is still young (25) and provides some pop at the tricky shortstop position, as the lefty has a career .759 OPS against right-handed pitching. With four homers in the last seven days, keep him on your watch list.
Shin-Soo Choo, TEX: 11-for-26, 3 HR, 4 RBI
The vultures were swarming when Choo fell flat on his face after signing a huge contract, but the month of May has been a resurrection of sorts. Choo has failed to record a hit in only two games this month, and his recent power surge is a sight for sore eyes. His base-stealing days may be over, but at least his bat is waking up.
Jason Hammel, CHC: 15 IP, 8 H, 1 ER, 14 SO, 1 BB
Hammel may not bring the name value of other aces, but he sure is pitching like one this season. It's incredible that Hammel is only owned in 66.7 percent of FOX Sports fantasy leagues, especially since the Cubs can provide run support these days. On the year, Hammel has a 49-to-6 strikeout to walk ratio and a WHIP of just 0.92. If he's available in your league, go get him.
Duds
Matt Adams, STL: 4-for-20, 0 HR, 0 RBI
It's understandable why Adams is owned in 48.7 percent of FOX Sports leagues. He usually occupies a prime spot in a solid Cardinals lineup, and he's hit around .285 with 15 homers the last two seasons. Adams just hasn't been producing lately, though, as he's batting just .160 in the month of May. If you're looking for a replacement, someone like Adam Lind, who is available is owned in just 31 percent of leagues, can provide similar production against right-handed pitching and a little more power to boot.
Martin Prado, MIA: 4-for-27, 0 HR, 1 RBI
Prado's dual-position flexibility, high career batting average and prominent place in Miami's lineup has made him a popular fantasy player, but he's been killing lineups over the last week of play. It might make sense to target someone with more power or stolen base upside, like Jimmy Paredes, Chase Headley or Trevor Plouffe.
Mookie Betts, BOS: 1-for-20, 0 HR, 1 RBI
Betts was all the rage at the beginning of the season, but his recent play has planted a few seeds of doubt. After a brutal week, Betts is now batting just .227 on the year. He's worth hanging on to because of his power and speed combination, but keep an eye on him if he doesn't start getting on base at a higher clip soon.
Troy Tulowitzki, COL: 3-for-19, 0 HR, 1 RBI (last seven games)
Don't panic. Tulowitzki has been dealing with a quad injury, which can mostly explain his awful performances as of late. Health and durability is always a concern, but now is definitely not the time to sell if you're getting antsy. Remember, Tulo hit 21 homers in just 315 at-bats last year, so he can go from "dud" to "stud" in almost no time at all.
Jonathon Niese, NYM: 13.1 IP, 17 H, 12 ER, 3 SO
Before this week, Niese was one of the surprise stories of this season. He came in with a 1.95 ERA and looked like a strong streaming option, if nothing else. Then it all blew up. Niese was rocked by both the Cubs and the Cardinals in the last week, and the low strikeout totals have shined a light on his lack of upside. Unless he has a great matchup, you probably want to avoid him.
