Beyond the Boxscore–Fantasy MLB News and Notes Weekend Edition 8/29-8/31
Not only did the Reds find that they have some exciting young pitchers for the future in Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto, but they also found some good hitters to give them hope for the future, and a few of them have been hot lately. Joey Votto had seven hits over the weekend, and also drove in five runs as he has hit a little hot streak. The thing that will stop Votto from taking the next step is his lack of power at a high power position, but in your utility spot, Votto is a great choice. He will approach both 20 HRs and a .300 batting average. Edwin Encarnacion has proven himself over the last month or so as well, and he had himself quite a weekend. Edwin crushed two homers and drove in eight runs in just three games, and although he hasn’t hit for much average in his career, he is starting to develop a little more pop in his bat. Finally, Chris Dickerson continues his hot start to his major league career. Dickerson had five hits over the weekend including a triple and a homer, drove in five runs and stole two bases. It appears that the Reds do have something to look forward to. All of these young players, and don’t forget phenom Jay Bruce who will find his way.
Marlins closer Kevin Gregg revealed he has been pitching on an injured knee, which gives his fantasy owners mixed emotions. On one hand they are relieved that there is an explanation for why he has blown two consecutive saves and given up four runs in each of his last two appearances. However, they are also pissed, because if you are hurt that bad that it is making you ineffective, than SAY SOMETHING!!!! Gregg is on rest right now, which gives us no indication on how long he might be out. My gut is saying a week or ten days at the absolute max, so hopefully this isn’t long term and he will be able to finish the season strong. Either Matt Lindstrom (my guess) or Joe Nelson have been tabbed to get save opps.
Carl Pavano was good again for the Yankees, further proving you never know what the hell is going to happen in this game. Pavano beat the Blue Jays and A.J. Burnett on Friday, by throwing six innings of one run ball. Pavano did strikeout only one, but the fact that he has been pitching effectively is one of the most unbelievable stories of the year. I guess at this point if you have a pitching need he is at least worth considering for your roster, but your options better be prettt slim.
The Rays bullpen is a bit of a question mark right now, with Troy Percival coming off the DL the other day. Dan Wheeler was doing an acceptable job as Percival’s replacement, so the question is inevitable…..does Tampa stay with Wheeler and rest up Percival for the postseason and keep him back or do they throw him out to the wolves right away?
Whether it pans out to anything great or not, but Rocco Baldelli has been hitting up a storm lately. He had five hits over the weekend, including three doubles, and drove in three runs. He isn’t playing everyday, but if you have a quick injury hole, perhaps he could be worth putting on your team. Just don’t expect regular production or playing time.
Brett Myers continued his dominance since his return from the minors. He did allow 11 hits, but Myers only allowed two runs over seven innings and struck out eight to win his fifth game in his last six decisions. There’s not too much more to say here. If he’s available in your league at this point, everyone else is asleep.
Myers’ teammate Jayson Werth had himself quite a Saturday and Sunday as well. Werth connected on three homers in the two games, giving him 21 on the season. He isn’t going to carry you to victory in any category, but with a .28 average, 21 homers, 56 RBI, and 15 steals, he is a nice player that can help you some across the board. Don’t expect this power surge to continue, but he might not be a bad guy to play the hot hand if you are in need of a boost.
Royals power prospect Billy Butler had himself a two homer game on Saturday, but is still showing absolutely no consistency with his power. Butler had great power numbers in the minors, but it has yet to translate to the major leagues. He has played nearly 200 games in the big leagues and has still only hit 17 round trippers. I think I would leave him alone for the rest of this year, but he is someone that I will have high hopes for in 2009.
Need help at catcher? Not that I expect him to turn into Brian McCann, but the Giants’ Pablo Sandoval has had a nice beginning to his major league career. He has been doing some catching and playing first base, and has a .393 average through his first 15 games with a homer and four driven in. He might not be filling the stat column, but he is hitting for a great average, and playing basically everyday.
September Callups
Some of the young minor leaguers have already descended on the big leagues. Here are some of the guys you might want to know about.
Travis Snider, Toronto Blue Jays. He is perhaps the best hitting prospect the Jays have, and he was doing pretty good at AA. Snider was hitting just .262, but had 17 homers and drove in 67 runs in just 98 games. Of course, like most young guys, he strikes out a ton (116 times), but that is starting to become the norm nowadays, so I guess it isn’t as much of a concern. He plays the outfield for Toronto, and for you keeper leaguers, he is just 20 years old, and why would the Jays have called him up if they weren’t going to play him?
Max Scherzer, Arizona Diamondbacks. No need for an introduction here. Scherzer put the fantasy world on its ear when he was called up originally, as he was going to be the next great pitching prospect. Not that he did bad by any stretch, but there was just no long term spot in the Arizona rotation for him at the time. He transitioned to the bullpen and did ok for himself before the Diamondbacks decided to get him back to a regular starting role at AAA. He continued to pitch great in the minors with a sub-3.00 ERA and 79 Ks in 53 IP. Scherzer will pitch out of the ‘pen again for Arizona barring injury, so he will only be so valuable for the rest of this season. IF there is an injury in the desert, be quick to the waiver wire.
Blake DeWitt, Los Angeles Dodgers. Another guy who had a good showing for himself in his first time in the majors, DeWitt took over 3rd base for LA after injuries hit Nomar Garciaparra and Andy LaRoche. He started out like a house of fire before cooling down and being sent back to Las Vegas. DeWitt is back with the Dodgers, this time playing second base most likely for the rest of the season after Jeff Kent went down injured. He won’t carry you to a title, but he should get 2B eligibility soon, and will at least keep you afloat.
Brandon Wood, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. I for one am finished with Wood, but fantasy owners still are hoping that this guy someday turns back into that glorious season in Single-A three years ago. Wood continues to rake in the minors, as he hit 31 homers this season, and his plate discipline is improving, but he has yet to show anything in the majors. He did have five hits over the weekend, but I am still not sold that he will develop into a good hitter in 2008. Keep him on your radar, especially if you have nothing to play for in a keeper league. He has talent, it is just a matter of time to see if it ever manifests itself for the Angels.
As always, your questions (adds, drops, trades), last minute help, and comments are welcome at fightingchancefantasy@gmail.com. I guarantee a response within 18 hours. Don’t forget to check me out at mlbfrontoffice.com on Tuesdays under In The News. Also go to fantasybaseballsearch.com to find me in the Gurus Blog, and listen to The True Gurus Show every Wednesday night at 9 pm. I am now a cohost on that show. For more information on this show and others like it, go to fantasygurusnetwork.com.
