Chris Sampson
When evaluating pitchers, we usually like to see a K/9 rate of at least 7.0 (or 0.78 K/I) if we're going to endorse a guy for long-term (or any) success. On that note, here are Sampson's numbers over his last three starts: 20 innings, 3.15 ERA, 5 walks, and 3 strikeouts. Three is correct. That's a 0.15 K/I for those scoring at home. Sampson though has maintained a 3.43 ERA for the year, this after allowing three runs over eight innings in a win Saturday against the weak-hitting Cardinals. For the year, Sampson's K/I stands at a feeble 0.43 and with a GB/FB rate at a so-so 1.10, it's easy to see a couple shellings coming Sampson's way in the near future. Still, there's some NL-only value to be had here while he's going well. Just don't expect it to continue for the 29 year-old.
Jose Bautista
Here's a guy we haven't written too much about, but he's turning into a nice little sleeper for the Pirates and in fantasy circles. Bautista was 3-for-4 with a run scored on Saturday against the Dodgers and is now batting .283/.360/.414. Give manager Jim Tracy some credit for both moving Jack Wilson to the bottom of the order where he belongs and Chris Duffy and his .293 OBP out of the leadoff spot. (Duffy incidentally is batting .310 in the two-hole versus .220 as a leadoff man). Bautista isn't your conventional leadoff guy (read: he's not a fast runner), but his OBP plays well there and he's done a good job hitting the gaps with his 16 doubles. He's also shown much more patience this year, raising his EYE from 0.42 to 0.76. Bautista will probably only be good for around a dozen homers and a handful of stolen bases, so his value outside of NL-only and deeper mixed leagues is minimal.
Russell Martin
Martin got a rare night off on Saturday after playing in 49 of the team's first 53 games. Martin, who has homered in three consecutive games, leads all NL catchers by far with 0.78 FP/AB with his closest competitor being Benji Molina at 0.61 (Martin ranks just behind Joe Mauer and Jorge Posada). His 38 RBI rank fifth in the NL ahead of guys like Carlos Beltran and Adam Dunn. Then factor in the eight stolen bases, and Martin could easily end the year as fantasy's most valuable catcher. He even sports a solid EYE at 0.82 (it was routinely at 1.00 and above as a minor leaguer). The only thing I worry about here is overuse. The Dodgers brought in Mike Lieberthal in the off-season to give them a viable backup, but he's hardly been used. I know it's tempting to roll a young kid like Martin out there every day, especially when your team isn't exactly loaded offensively, but watch for Martin to wear down in the second half if his off-days aren't increased. This is one of those cases where LESS games could make a guy more productive.
Brett Myers
It's sounding like Antonio Alfonseca's fantasy value is about to plummet even sooner than expected. Myers is expected to begin throwing this weekend. Depending on how his bullpen sessions go over the next few days, Myers could be activated as soon or close to when he's eligible (June 8). Myers' injury sure looked a lot more serious than it's apparently turning out to be, so Myers fans will have to hope he's not being rushed back. There are lots of theories surrounding the reason for Myers having to go on the DL for the first time of his career and though it's pure speculation, being converted from a starter to a reliever in-season and throwing as often as Myers did could certainly have led to the injury. It will be interesting to see Myers' usage pattern when he does come back. Finally, if you're wondering about Myers returning to the rotation, it seems highly unlikely, at least until 2008, especially considering the lack of viable replacements.
Mark Reynolds
I'm not sure how you can demote a guy batting .414/.470/.776 (58 at-bats), but that's what Arizona is facing once Chad Tracy returns from the disabled list, probably next weekend. Reynolds has experience at multiple positions including 2B, SS, 3B, and a little outfield, so they could be leaning towards keeping him as a super-utility type player, giving everyone a day off now and then. His defense at short is a little sketchy, so taking significant at-bats from the struggling Stephen Drew isn't likely, but look for Arizona to find a way to keep his bat in the lineup. There are a couple teams in the AL looking for a 3B (Texas and the Angels to name two), so a Tracy trade could be a possibility. Reynolds has cooled off a little since his five-hit game against Houston, but cooling off for him means 7-for-21 (.333). I was impressed with his bat when I saw him in the Arizona Fall League and he's done nothing but hit this year as well.
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