Steve Shumansky @Stevietheshu is a professional writer and ardent baseball fanatic. Fell in love with baseball at a very young age. My dad claimed that Joe DiMaggio picked me up as a toddler when we were sitting behind the Yankee Dugout. Do remember walking across the lush green grass of the old Yankee Stadium outfield when there were three baseball teams in New York. Happy to be a member of the Fantistics Team. Fantasy baseball owner since 1992.
August 14, 2015 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Jose Reyes, (SS- Rockies) It was reported by Jon Heyman that Jose Reyes cleared waivers and that there is some interest in him from a couple of teams. Any team interested would have to take on a fairly sizable contract
August 7, 2015 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Ian Desmond (3B-Nationals) $3100 Ian Desmond has finally started to hit the ball with authority of late. In 65 PA's since July 20, he has clubbed 5 HR's, driven in 11, and scored 12 runs while batting .293 with a
July 31, 2015 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Yoenis Cespedes: (OF-NY Mets) In a move sure to excite their fans, the Met's acquired Yoenis Cespedes from the Tigers in exchange for RHPs Michael Fulmer and Luis Cessa. Fulmer and Cessa are in the Minors but both are reputed
July 29, 2015 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Jon Lester (SP-Cubs) Jon Lester gave up only two runs over eight innings and struck out a season high 14 for his 6th victory on the season. Overall, he has been as advertised. He combines an excellent 25% K rate
July 24, 2015 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Zack Greinke (SP-LAD) The Dodgers announced that Zack Greinke will return to start against the Mets on either Saturday or Sunday. Greinke was scratched from his scheduled start on Friday for the birth of the couple's first child. He has
July 17, 2015 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Kyle Schwarber (C- Cubs) Cubs recalled Kyle Schwarber from Triple-A today and he is catching and hitting second in the lineup. While he is a work in progress as a catcher, Schwarber is almost certain to receive the lion's share
July 10, 2015 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Addison Russell (2B-Cubs) Addison Russell walked all three times in today's game. The highly touted prospect has had a tough introduction to MLB batting .228 and striking out an unsettling 31% of the time. He has shown good gap power
July 3, 2015 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Yonder Alonso (1B-San Diego) With the Padre's trouble scoring runs, they decided to bat Yonder Alonso in the leadoff position for the first time in his career. He was 1-4 in today's game. Having watching Alonso play many times, he
July 1, 2015 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Taijuan Walker (SP-Seattle) Taijuan Walker pitched brilliantly today giving up only 1 hit and striking out 7 over 6 shutout innings. He is starting to show some of the promise that was expected of him. With today's outing he has
June 26, 2015 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Noah Syndergaard (SP- Mets) Noah Syndergaard pitched brilliantly today allowing only 1 run and 5 hits while striking out 5 for his 2nd win of the season. Syndergaard has rallied from a few rough outings to bring his ERA down
June 19, 2015 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Ian Desmond (SS-Nationals) Ian Desmond is not in the Nationals' lineup Friday as he is getting a scheduled day off. Danny Espinosa is filling in for Desmond at shortstop. Desmond is having a very bad year with only 5 HR's,
June 17, 2015 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Drew Hutchinson (SP-Toronto) Drew Hutchison was the winning pitcher tonight as he tossed 5.2 innings of scoreless baseball to pick up his 5th win of the season. Hutchison needed 105 pitches and was unable to get through the sixth inning.
June 12, 2015 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Jaime Garcia (SP-St Louis) With the injuries to Wainwright and now Lance Lynn, the Cardinals really need Jaime Garcia to add some stability to the rotation. So far, Garcia has pitched very well in the 5 starts since coming off
June 9, 2015 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Justin Verlander (SP-Detroit) The much anticipated return of Justin Verlander to the Detroit rotation is upon us with his first 2015 start set for Saturday. He is coming off a strong rehab outing where he struck out nine batters and
May 15, 2015 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Maikel Franco (3B-Phillies) The long awaited 2015 debut of power hitting Phillies 3B rookie happened today as he batted 5th in the Phillies lineup. Franco was 0-4 in today's game. He was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to become
May 12, 2015 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Alex Rodriguez (DH-NYY) $3300 Alex Rodriguez has been a very pleasant surprise for Fantasy owners this season batting .243 with 8 HR's and 20 RBI's. He is experiencing some hamstring soreness so we will have to watch his performance as
May 8, 2015 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Alex Colome (SP-TB) Alex Colome has gotten off to a good start after joining the Rays rotation in late April. He is 2-0 with a 26.3% K Rate and a .184 ERA. Small sample size to be sure but there
May 5, 2015 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Adam Eaton (OF-CWS) There was a lot of excitement in Chicago when Eaton was signed in 2014. He is a plus defender and seemed to be that stabilizing force atop the line-up that was needed. Last season he batted .300,
May 1, 2015 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Jon Lester (SP-Cubs) Jon Lester has pitched much better than his 1-2 record indicates and today he showed why. He pitched 7 innings of shutout ball giving up only three hits and striking out 4. Lester has been averaging just
April 24, 2015 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Michael Pineda (SP-NYY) Michael Pineda was masterful today as he picked up his third win pitching 7 innings of 1 run ball while striking out 7. He was extremely fortunate last year as his startling comeback from a 2 year
April 14, 2015 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
CC Sabathia (SP-NYY) In Sabathia's first start of the season, the strikeouts were certainly there but the outcome was a loss. Today's game was no different. Sabathia took the loss again giving up 4 runs on 7 hits while striking
April 10, 2015 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Chris Davis (1B- Baltimore) Chris Davis had his first 2 hits of the new season in the Orioles 12-5 loss to Toronto. Davis had what we term a very unlucky season last year. He had a BABIP of .242 that
April 9, 2015 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
AJ Burnett (SP-Pitts) AJ Burnett opened his season today against the Cincinnati Reds with a no decision pitching 5.1 innings giving up 4 hits, 1 walk, and 2 ER while striking out 7. Burnett is coming off an injury riddled
March 23, 2015 | article in Preseason Prep (456)
As we drive deeper into the Spring Training season, we will be looking at a few players from each of a trio of teams, the Padres, Cardinals and the Blue Jays. These 3 teams have the ability to be very
March 6, 2015 | article in Preseason Prep (456)
St Louis Cardinals Trevor Rosenthal (CL) - Closer Controversy? Trevor Rosenthal saved an impressive 46 games in 2014 but his lack of control resulted in 6 blown saves. After posting a 2.39 BB/9 rate in 2013 he ballooned to 5.37
September 19, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Matt Carpenter (3B-St Louis) Matt Carpenter is nearing the end of the 2014 campaign that has seen a lot of his fervent supporters jump ship. You don't have to look too hard at the numbers to realize how much regression
September 17, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Matt Shoemaker (SP-Angels) Matt Shoemaker has been a revelation for the Angels ball club this season. While he will miss his next start with an oblique injury it looks like he will be ready for the playoffs. Shoemaker has burst
September 5, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Travis D'Arnaud (C-Mets) Travis D'Arnaud had 3 hits and 4 runs batted in today as he clubbed his 13th HR of the season. D'Arnaud is starting to look more like the prized prospect that made him a 1st round draft
August 29, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Stephen Strasburg (SP-Wash) This has been a very confounding season for Stephen Strasburg. When I looked athim earlier in the year it looked like everything was pointing to a very strongseason. The results have been anything but. Since July 1st
August 27, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Albert Pujols (1B-LAA) After an injury plagued 2013 season that saw him only play in 99 games, many thought this year would be a major rebound for Pujols. It has been anything but. He is batting only .277 and he
August 22, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Adam Wainwright (SP-STL) Adam Wainwright was the loser this evening giving up 5 runs (4 ER) in 6 innings while walking 3 and striking out 2. He has been an absolute stud pitcher since 2009 but the fact is that
August 15, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Tyson Ross (SP-San Diego) Tyson Ross has emerged this season as a very strong pitcher for the hapless Padres. Tonight's performance was not his best as he gave up 3 runs in 6 innings on 5 hits and 4 walks
August 13, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Michael Pineda (SP-NYY) Michael Pineda returned to the mound today for his first start of the season since 4/23. He did not factor in the decision but pitched well giving up only 1 run and two hits while striking out
August 8, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Andrelton Simmons- (SS-ATL) It was a much anticipated season for Andrelton Simmons after hitting 17 HR and very good contact skills in 2013. While the contact rate has remained a strong 87.2%, the power has diminished significantly and the expected
August 1, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Grady Sizemore (OF-PHIL) Grady Sizemore went 2-3 with an RBI in today's game as he started in LF in place of Dominoc Brown who was ill. Grady was a budding superstar for the Cleveland Indians during the 2005-2008 seasons. He
July 30, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Kendrys Morales (DH-Seattle) Kendrys Morales was acquired by Seattle to provide an offensive spark after the dismal performance of Corey Hart. So far, he is 1-21 in his return to Seattle. His numbers with the Twins were hardly awe inspiring
July 27, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Rick Porcello (SP-Detroit) Rick Porcello pitched a very strong game throwing 7 innings of 1 run ball (no ER) on 5 hits while striking out 6 in a no decision. His ERA dropped to 3.24 on the year. Porcello, 25,
July 12, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
(David Robertson CL-NYY) David Robertson had to follow the legendary Mario Rivera and has been successful this year in a way that would make the Sandman proud. Robertson picked up his 23rd save today striking out 2 of the 3
July 11, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Jake Arrieta (SP- Cubs) Jake Arrieta pitched another quality start today giving up 4 runs (3ER) on 4 hits and 3 walks with 6K's in a no decision effort. The Cubs rotation was filled with question marks coming into the
July 4, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Matt Cain (SP-SF) What are we to make of Matt Cain this year? A prime rebound candidate after last year's 8-10 4.00 ERA swoon, Cain was always considered a front line pitcher whose peripherals did not always support his performance
July 2, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Justin Verlander (SP Detroit) Justin Verlander picked up his 7th win against 7 losses today giving up 9 hits and 2 runs with 4 K's in 6 innings of work. This type of performance is a far cry from what
June 21, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Marcell Ozuna (OF-Miami) Marcell Ozuna broke out of a 0-13 slump with a hit in 2 official AB's and two walks. In his 2nd year with the big club, Ozuna has displayed the power and the inconsistency that made him
June 20, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Starling Marte (OF, Pirates) Starling Marte was 0 for 4 today with two K's as his BA dropped to .258 in this somewhat disappointing follow-up to his fine season last year. Much was expected of Marte after a season where
June 18, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Ron Belisario (CL- CWS) Ron Belisario gave up a run and two hits over 1.2 innings to pick up his 7th save of the year. In the very muddled CWS closer situation, Belisario has emerged to pick up 4 saves
June 15, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Hisashi Iwakuma (SP- Seattle) Hisashi Iwakuma picked up his 5th win of the season today pitching 8 innings of 1 run ball giving up six hits and striking out 6. This strong performance brought his ERA down to 2.59. Looking
June 10, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Ian Kennedy (SP-San Diego) There was some real optimism that Ian Kennedy would have a much better year in 2014 as he moved to a much more comfortable ballpark in San Diego. For a pitcher who has had trouble with
June 6, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Matt Holliday, (OF-St Louis) After today's one for 4 performance, Matt Holliday's subpar season continues. In 270 plate appearances this year, Holliday has only 3 HR and is batting only .269. Holliday's 1.54 GB/FB rate points to one of the
May 30, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Madison Bumgarner (SP- Giants) Madison Bumgarner continues to show why he is the clear ace of the SF pitching staff with another brilliant effort tonight. He picked up his 7th win on 7 shutout innings and 10 K's. He now
May 23, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Kenley Jansen (RP, LAD) Kenley Jansen is 3rd in the NL with 14 saves after his outing tonight. His cut FB velocity is up almost 2 mph this year sitting at an impressive 95.5 mph. So what's the problem? Sometimes
May 18, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Yoenis Cespedes (OF- Oakland) Yoenis Cespedes had a monster game today going 2 of 5 with 2 doubles and 5 RBI's. This performance brought his BA up to .262 to go along with 7 HR, 23 runs and 27 RBI's.
May 16, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Yasiel Puig (OF-Dodgers) Yasiel Puig smacked his 8th HR of the year and knocked in his 33nd RBI going 3-5 in tonight's game. Puig continues to put on display the electric talent that made him a rookie sensation last year.
May 9, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Yovani Gallardo (SP-Mil) Yovani Gallardo suffered his second loss of the year as he gave up 4 runs on 4 hits and 3 walks while striking out 7 in 5.2 innings. Even with this off outing, Gallardo sports a 2.92
May 7, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Desmond Jennings (OF-Tampa Bay) Earlier in the year I had written that I expected Desmond Jennings to finally develop this year. Coming off a 2013 where he batted only .252, there was a lot of room for improvement. The promise
May 2, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Justin Morneau (1B-COL) All it took was a move to Colorado to revitalize Justin Morneau's moribund career. He has suffered through a variety of injuries which cost him an entire season of games between 2012 and 2011. The next two
April 26, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Brandon Philips (2B-Cinn) With a major decline in his speed production over the past few years to only 5 SB's last year, Brandon Philip's value has been refocused on his run production. He knocked in 103 runs last year which
April 23, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
John Axford (RP-Cleveland) John Axford picked up his league leading 8th save of the young season. Earlier in the year, I talked about a possible resurgence and we are seeing just that so far this year. But as the baseball
April 18, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Nate Eovaldi (SP, Miami) Nate Eovaldi is an upside candidate because of his outstanding velocity. His FB Velo near 96 MPH is holding steady early in the season, his K/9 is up, and his walks are artificially low. He pitched
April 11, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Devin Mesoraco (C-CINN) Devin Mesoraco entered the game hitting .500 and he continued his strong performance with a double and a walk in the game. Relegated to a part time role under Dusty Baker in the beginning of his career,
April 9, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Elvis Andrus (SS-TEX) Elvis Andrus stretched his hitting streak to 8 games with a 1 for 4 outing against Boston in Fenway today. Andrus is batting over .300 on the year. He is a prolific base stealer as he demonstrated
April 8, 2014 | article in Player Commentary (3271)
Chris Owings, (SS-ARI) Chris Owings is a young player to watch. He is 22 years old and won the SS competition on the Arizona club earlier this week. When a club decides to pass over the superior defender at SS,
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