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Stock Watch: 6 players trending up, down in fantasy

Joe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / Getty

We'll identify three players each week whose fantasy stocks are rising, and three others whose stocks are falling.

Trending Up

Wilmer Flores: When the New York Mets were unable to finalize a deal for All-Star outfielder Carlos Gomez at the trade deadline, who would have suspected they dodged a bullet? While Gomez has struggled to keep his average above .200 in August, Flores has hit .329 with four home runs and 14 RBIs since being left teary-eyed on the field after hearing about the rumored trade. With the Mets continuing to roll, it will be fascinating to see if the 24-year-old can continue to hit anywhere close to the pace he has set since the deadline.

Kris Medlen: His return to the mound after a second Tommy John surgery has been impressive enough, but after the 29-year-old won his first start since September 2013 on Monday, Medlen could be a major contributor for the AL Central-leading Kansas City Royals down the stretch. The right-hander struck out six and gave up zero walks in six innings of work for the win against the Baltimore Orioles. From a pitcher who posted a 1.57 ERA in 138 innings of work just three years ago, Medlen's eligibility as a starter and relief pitcher can make him a huge add for any fantasy team closing in on the playoffs.

Tom Wilhelmsen: After releasing Fernando Rodney earlier in the week, Wilhelmsen is now returning to the closer role he held with the Seattle Mariners in 2012 and 2013. The 31-year-old is 4-for-4 in save opportunities this season with two coming in the past week against the Chicago White Sox and Oakland Athletics. With Seattle set to face both of those struggling teams again in the next two weeks, Wilhelmsen should receive more opportunities to rack up saves and remain the Mariners closer for the rest of the year.

Trending Down

R.A. Dickey: The knuckleballer hasn't lost a start since July 9 but has had the Toronto Blue Jays offense to thank for that in his last two starts, as he's given up 10 earned runs in his last 10 innings of work. Dickey's ground ball-to-fly ball rate is 0.71 for the month of August, and in a home-run-friendly park like Rogers Centre, the 40-year-old is going to need to find a way to buck that trend if he hopes to start in the playoffs.

Joc Pederson: It's unbelievable to think the 23-year-old who hit nearly .300 in his first month of the season has fallen so far. The rookie outfielder was finally demoted to the bench after the Los Angeles Dodgers watched his average drop steadily as the season has gone on. In August, Pederson has just five hits and 17 strikeouts in 41 at-bats. He certainly has an impressive future in the league, but he is unlikely to offer a lot of fantasy value for the rest of 2015.

Hanley Ramirez: Ramirez's season has spiraled downward dramatically after exploding for 10 homers in April, managing just nine since and none in August. The 31-year-old has now seen his batting average eclipsed by teammate Jackie Bradley Jr. – who Boston Red Sox fans will remember finished last year in a 1-for-36 slump. Hanley may find a way to turn his game around, but it seems doubtful it will occur in 2015.

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