Brian Schneider: Schneider provides very little power, 6 home runs and 17 doubles in 352 AB, and no speed. However, he does have a good approach at the plate, 86% Ct% and a .94 BB/K, and with a few more breaks, .204 BHIP%, he could tack on some points to his .227 batting average.
Zach Duke: Duke, who has been out since June 28th with an elbow injury, will make his next rehab start in Triple-A and could be back pitching in the majors by early September. Prior to going on the DL, Duke was having a rough time, 3-7 with a 5.79 ERA. In his three major league seasons, Duke's K/9 has regressed to dangerously low levels, 6.2/4.9/3.2, without major improvements in his other skills, 2005/2006/2007 BB/9's of 2.4/2.8/2.1 and GB%'s of 47%/51%/50%. Chances are the elbow problem was affecting his ability to strike out batters, but for success during the rest of the year, he will need to get his K/9 back near his 2005 level.
Pedro Martinez: Martinez made his fourth rehab start Monday, allowing just an unearned run in 6 innings against Single-A competition. It is hard to know what to expect from Martinez, as he pitched with an injury last year, 4.48 ERA, but still had good underlying numbers, 9.3 K/9 and a 2.7 BB/9. He was hurt by the longball, 19 home runs in 132.2 innings, backed up by a growing FB%, 2003/2004/2005/2006 FB% of 36%/43%/45%/44%. Whether the home run problem was related to the injury or that as he is getting older, he is leaving the ball up in the zone more often remains to be seen.
Jimmy Rollins: Outside of Hanley Ramirez, there is not a better combination of speed and power from the middle infield position than Rollins, 23 home runs, 32 doubles, 15 triples, and 27 stolen bases. His speed, great contact skills, 88% Ct%, and power are driving his .288 batting average, as he is not catching many breaks, .218 BHIP%. With a little more luck, he could get his batting average to the .300 area by season's end.
Ryan Zimmerman: At just 22 years of age, Zimmerman is displaying nice power, 22 home runs and 33 doubles in 538 AB. The 5 triples and a perfect 4 for 4 in steals shows good speed, but he may be a little gun-shy after getting caught 8 times in 19 steal attempts in 2006. With a rising FB%, 40% up from 36% last year, and being a few years away from his prime, Zimmerman's power numbers should steadily improve. In a few seasons, he could be one of the premier power hitters in baseball with a chance to chip in with steals.
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