Some of you geniuses probably caught on weeks ago. But now, the inevitable frenzy to snag Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kevin Slowey is upon us like a medieval plague. Over his last four outings, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound right-hander is 3-0 with a 0.93 ERA and a 0.72 WHIP in 29 innings. On the season, he has consistently exhibited his pinpoint precision while whiffing 54 hitters and walking just nine. Another sign of his developing dominance is that he sports a lifetime WHIP of 1.21 and boasts a career total of 20 walks in 139 1/3 innings.  If for some odd reason you’re not sold yet, take into consideration that the 24-year-old control freak has two complete games this year with his most recent nine-inning rumba against the Milwaukee Brewers presenting itself in the shutout variety. Although his surname signifies his mound demeanor, don’t sleep on adding him, because he’s rapidly flying off waiver wire shelves at a discounted price.

I’m guessing that some of you are scared off by the fact that Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria is a rookie and could possibly be just another young and unpredictable hacker. If you think that, drop your whole team, because you should not be participating in the world of fantasy, you’re already living in one. On the year, Longoria is hitting a progressively ascending .267 with 15 dingers, 47 RBIs, 41 runs scored, four stolen bases and a gorgeous .864 OPS in 262 at-bats. Over his last 10 contests, the 22-year-old, Long Beach State alum is hitting a ridiculous .357 with four home runs, 12 RBIs and eight runs scored in 42 at-bats. Plus, in the month of June, he is cranking at a dastardly .300 clip with eight dingers, 19 RBIs, 19 runs scored and a gargantuan 1.024 OPS in 100 at-bats.  The only real knock the kid has against him is that versus left-handed hurlers he’s hitting a horrendous .224 and has a grand total of 69 strikeouts on the campaign. However, he is a developing stud on a nasty team, just ask the Sox. Not to mention, he shares a last name with one of America’s supreme beings.

I want to start this column off by congratulating Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester for his no-hitter against the Kansas City Royals May 19. So, without further adieu, congratulations Jon!

On the season, Lester is 3-2 with 42 strikeouts, 31 walks, a 3.41 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP in 66 innings. Over his last five starts, the 6-foot-2, 190-pound southpaw is 2-0 with 26 strikeouts, 12 walks, a 1.57 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP in 34 1/3 innings. His pitches are electric, his velocity has been dominant and his overall tenacious demeanor has morphed the once tentative hurler into a breakout stud. I’m not going to lie to you, I didn’t really see Lester’s rise to stardom coming. But when he tossed the no-hitter against the Royals, I saw a 24-year-old pitcher transforming right in front of my eyes. Lester should maintain his streak of solid starts, so grabbing him from a fellow owner is highly recommended as he has solidified himself as a definitive fourth option on any fantasy roster. Not to mention, he has been absolutely dominant inside the vibrant walls of Fenway Park this year while maintaining a solid 2.72 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP and a staunch .204 clip hit off him by opposing hackers in 39 2/3 innings.