We'll identify three players each week whose fantasy stocks are rising, and three others whose stocks are falling.
Trending Up
Miguel Sano: In any other season, Sano's production as a rookie would be stealing headlines, but with Carlos Correa and Kris Bryant racking up more at-bats, the Minnesota Twins third baseman has flourished with little attention. The 22-year-old's batted an impressive .285/.394/.555 since being called up in July, trailing only Kyle Schwarber in OPS among rookies. He continues to heat up - he's already doubled his July production in home runs and RBIs with 10 games remaining in August.
Pedro Alvarez: Despite his shoddy defense at first base - he has more than twice the errors of anyone else at the position - Alvarez's offensive production has been massive for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He's boasting his best batting line since his rookie year (.255/.318/.470) and has had six multi-hit games in his last eight starts, blasting four home runs along the way. With the Pirates looking to open a bigger lead as the NL's first wild card and potentially catch the St. Louis Cardinals atop their division, Alvarez should get plenty of opportunities down the stretch.
Roberto Osuna: There are no longer any questions about who will handle the closer role in Toronto. Since the July 31 trade deadline, Osuna is 8-for-8 in save opportunities and has brought his ERA under 2.00 for the first time since June 9. The 20-year-old only has six strikeouts in his 8 1/3 innings of work, but with the Toronto Blue Jays rolling, there's no reason to think his level of play will dip - he seems to get better as the lights get brighter.
Trending Down
Jeff Samardzija: Teams who targeted the right-hander at the trade deadline should be relieved watching Samardzija in the month of August, since the Chicago White Sox elected to keep him. He's allowed over six runs in all three games, failing to pitch more than six innings after reaching the seventh in his ten previous starts. With his team struggling, it could be a long final six weeks of the season for the eight-year veteran.
Carlos Gomez: Gomez, who did get moved at the deadline, was having a disappointing year for fantasy owners through his first 74 games with the Milwaukee Brewers - and things have gotten worse following his trade to the Houston Astros. Since hitting a home run in his fifth game as an Astro on Aug. 4, the 29-year-old only has five hits in his last 12 games and is batting sub-.225 for a second consecutive month. The AL West leaders will need a boost from him to hold off the Los Angeles Angels and the hot Texas Rangers.
Brett Gardner: The New York Yankees have to be scratching their heads wondering what's happened to their left fielder since the All-Star break. After batting .302/.377/.484 to earn his first career appearance at the Midsummer Classic, the 31-year-old speedster has only three extra-base hits in his last 29 games and one stolen base in that period. With the Blue Jays continuing to battle for the division title, the Yankees need Gardner to return to his early season form.