Brett Myers is and elite type pitcher when he is on. The only question is whether he has found his stuff during his stay in the minors.

Mixed League Options

Chris Ianetta, C, COL- We fantasy players are always looking for the next good offensive catcher. (I hesitate to say great, since very few catchers in the league qualify as great, so we’re happy to settle for good.) Ianetta seems like he’s been around for a while, but he is just 25, the same age as rookie sensation Geovany Soto. His slash stats of .277/.377/.527 actually compare favorably to Soto’s also, which are .274/.351/.491. His lower counting stats point only to way fewer at bats, which is actually probably a good thing for a catcher over the second half of the season. Ianetta is on pace for 15 Hrs in 295 at bats. It is safe to say though, that if he keeps hitting as well as he has, he will finish with more than 295 at bats. Bottom line, Chris Ianetta has arrived, very quietly, and is now a legitimate fantasy catcher.

Brett Myers, SP, PHI- After spending a few weeks in the minors to find himself as a pitcher, Myers returned to the majors with mixed results on Wednesday. Myers walked 5 batters, including 4 in the first inning, but still managed to hold the Mets to 3 runs over 5 innings. The 27-year old has a dynamic arm and should find his control at some point. He has been successful as a starter and a reliever in the past, so the bullpen is always an option, but I would bet that Myers figures it out. When he is going well, he is a great source of strikeouts and wins. Watch for Myers to regain his status as an above average starter who should be owned in most leagues as a mid rotation guy, as long as he can limit his walks.

Joel Hanrahan, RP, WAS- After Jon Rauch’s departure to Arizona, Hanrahan was named the closer by manager Manny Acta, and he is a pretty good choice. The 27 year old has been striking out hitters at a great pace this year, with 65 in 59.2 innings. Hanrahan was brought up as a starter, but since he was converted to the pen, he has really let his stuff rip. That explains the strikeouts, and also maybe his new found success. He won’t be as good as Rauch, but certainly will be serviceable in his new role, although the Nats probably won’t have too many games to save. In the fantasy baseball player’s never ending search for extra saves, Hanrahan provides the latest dose to give your team a boost. Dump Rauch, who will likely settle into a setup role for the D-Backs, and go with Hanrahan for some saves down the stretch.

AL Only Options

Francisco Liriano, SP, MIN- Liriano is back and has been tossing lights-out in the minor leagues. He made news recently with his complaint about the Twins keeping him in Triple A, and he has a point. He is after all the same guy who won 12 games with an ERA under two in his rookie season, and established himself as a great pitcher. Reports are that he has lost a little bit of stuff, but it hasn’t showed, as he sports a 0.26 ERA over his last 5 starts with 42 strikeouts in 35 innings. Liriano definitely deserves a spot in the rotation, unfortunately there are no openings right now. That likely means upon his promotion, he will be sent to the bullpen, pitching in long relief perhaps. If he does find a rotation spot, he’s definitely worth a pickup. Even as a bullpen guy though, he could have some use for your team, with some good strikeout numbers and ratios, and of course the possibility he becomes a starter. I list him as an AL only pickup because he is still in the minors. Upon his promotion he becomes a legit mixed league option also.

Matt Joyce, OF, DET- Called up recently, Joyce has hit .375 with 5 home runs in the 18 games since his arrival. He was never a top prospect, but always had some pop in his bat. His hot streak probably won’t last, but he has a shot to find a home in the Tiger’s outfield. The Tiger lineup has been hitting well recently, which will only provide Joyce with more run and RBI opportunities. He should be starting right now in AL only leagues, as he is hitting homers at a breakneck pace. He is probably a future 20 home run per year guy, with upside to hit 30. Joyce is probably not a mixed league starter, but should be looked at as a bench option, a keeper, and a potential sustained breakout. He is just 23, after all, and his hot streak could be for real. Don’t bet on it though, as his minor league production has been…uninspiring.

David Purcey, SP, TOR- With Jesse Litsch’s struggles leading to his demotion, David Purcey is going to get an extended look in his place for the Jays. The 26-year-old lefty has been great in Triple A this year, going 8-6 with a 2.69 ERA and 121 Ks in 117 innings. He is definitely going to get a chance to grab a permanent place in the Toronto rotation, and if he can pitch as well as he did in Syracuse, he will. Look to Purcey for some strikeouts in AL only leagues and the possibility for him to stick. He may not win many games with the weak Toronto lineup, but in any league where starting pitchers are at a premium, Purcey is a good find.

NL Only Options

Ian Stewart, 2B/3B, COL- Stewart has been a top prospect for some time, but has been blocked at third by Garrett Atkins. He has been hitting a storm this year, with 19 HRs in the first half of the year at Triple A Colorado Springs, and now 10 for 16 with 10 RBIs in his last 4 games for the Rockies. He still doesn’t have a full time job, but has been getting some time at second, and Clint Hurdle will continue to give him playing while he hits like he has. His lack of consistent at bats will keep him out of mixed league consideration for the time being, but NL leagues will love his power production, especially if he is eligible at second base in your league. Get him in the lineup as soon as you can and see if you can soak up the remainder of his hot streak.

Nomar Garciaparra, SS, LAD- No longer a fresh-faced, line-drive spraying prodigy, the 35-year-old Garciaparra has had more than his share of injury problems. Back from his latest injury, he’s been filling in at short for Rafael Furcal, whose back injury will keep him out until at least late August. The move to short does wonders for his fantasy value, as he goes from a very below average corner infielder to an above average shortstop (at least offensively). We all know he can hit, the only question is if he can stay on the field. While he has a starting job and his health, he is worth owning in NL only leagues and probably should be someone’s starting shortstop. He is also worth a look at short in mixed leagues while his health lasts. If he goes down again though, cut ties as soon as possible.

Lastings Milledge, OF, WAS- Back from a brief DL stint, Milledge will slide right back into his starting role in centerfield for the Nats. His first half numbers of 7 HRs and 13 SBs certainly indicate Milledge’s potential as a 30-30 player. Don’t forget that this guy was once talked about as a centerpiece to about every big deadline deal. There was a reason, Milledge has a full set of tools and as the 23-year-old continues to tap into them, his production will only increase. This is exactly the kind of player who could have a huge breakout down the stretch, a young, yet experienced player with great abilities, plenty of opportunities, and relatively low pressure. If he breaks out, it will be some thing to watch. NL teams should definitely take a gamble on him and hope for the homers and steals that could help any team out.