It’s free agent time again, and while a lot of the same players can be found on our list and on your waiver wire, a few fresh faces are also proving worthy of a midseason pickup. Brian Giles continues to hit in front of Adrian Gonzalez in San Diego and the multi-position eligibility of utility players Alexei Ramirez and Maicer Izturis provides depth and flexibility.

With injuries beginning to creep up the fantasy leader board, any of the below can be an admirable stopgap or potential everyday start.

The full list:
Alexei Ramirez, 2B, SS, OF, Chicago White Sox
Status: Earning everyday job at second base
Key Stats: .455 average, 2 HRs, 9 RBIs in June
What to Watch For: Whether June production will plateau
Other Notes: Hitting .500 (14-28) with 1 strikeout in June

Maicer Izturis, 2B, Los Angeles Angels
Status: Providing a spark for streaking Halos
Key Stats: .425 average, 2 HR, 8 RBIs during 9 game hit streak
What to Watch For: If he shares playing time when Erick Aybar returns
Other Notes: 2 home runs in 132 AB as LHB, but 1 in 37 as RHB

Yadier Molina, C, St. Louis Cardinals
Status: Superb defender and increasingly consistent hitter
Key Stats: .320 average, 4 RBIs last 7 games
What to Watch For: If catching rigors affect his offense
Other Notes: Hits lefthanders well: .373 average in 59 at-bats

David DeJesus, OF, Kansas City Royals
Status: Rebounding after poor start
Key Stats: .357 average, 5 RBIs, 2 Sbs last 7 games
What to Watch For: Amount of run-producing opportunities
Other Notes: Hitting .393 in June after a .272 May

Brian Giles, OF, San Diego Padres
Status: Continues to produce for hapless Padres
Key Stats: 3 multi-hit games in last 4
What to Watch For: Increase in power numbers away from Petco Park
Other Notes: Walked 7 times in last 7 games

Gary Matthews, OF, Los Angeles Angels
Status: Streaking along with his club
Key Stats: .500 average, .517 OBP during 7-game hit streak
What to Watch For: More contact (57 strikeouts, 48 versus RHP)
Other Notes: 2 or more hits in 5 of last 6 games

Michael Bourn, OF, Houston Astros
Status: Starting centerfielder, but no longer leadoff hitter
Key Stats: Hitting only .224, but 24 stolen bases 3rd in MLB
What to Watch For: A move out of the leadoff spot should allow him to relax
Other Notes: 52 Ks in 223 at-bats, but .381 average in June

Melvin Mora, 3B, Baltimore Orioles
Status: Proving he deserves to remain in 3rd spot
Key Stats: 3 HR, 5 RBIs in last 4 games
What to Watch For: Lengthy hot streaks not uncommon for Mora
Other Notes: Hitting .320 with 5 home runs off of lefthanders

Yuniesky Betancourt, SS, Seattle Mariners
Status: Starting to climb toward potential
Key Stats: Multiple hits in 3 of last 8 games
What to Watch For: Little power, but average should stay around .300
Other Notes: Hitting .243 away from Safeco Park, but 10 RBIs have come on the road

Lastings Milledge, OF, Washington Nationals
Status: Showing tools that made him Mets’ top prospect
Key Stats: Hit safely in 6 of last 7 games
What to Watch For: No data to support or refute an imminent hot streak
Other Notes: Hitting .167 against his former team at Shea Stadium

Dave DeIuliis will be a senior at Penn State’s School of Journalism. He can be reached at dmd5042@psu.edu.