Jack Wilson was out of the starting lineup on Wednesday with a hamstring strain, but he's considered day-to-day at this point. Wilson has quietly put together two fantastic months to end the season. Since August 1st, he has hit .415 with a 1.190 OPS, 8 HR, 28 RBI, 25 runs, and an FPI of 1.11. This wasn't just a short-term hot streak. He put these numbers together over the course 137 plate appearances. Lets hope the hamstring problems don't keep him out of the lineup too long.
If you're looking for free agent pitching for the final 10 days of the season, make sure to include Mike Pelfrey in the mix. He has been brought up to the big leagues and sent back to down to the minors multiple times this season, but you could see improvement each time. He has 3 starts this month since being called up as part of the extended roster and is 3-0 with a 3.31 ERA, 1.71 WHIP, and K/9 of 7.7. The WHIP is high because of the scattered hits he has given up in his last two games, but Pelfrey has been considered a big-time pitcher in the Mets organization for quite some time. To see him emerge as a decent start in the last few weeks of the season is nice to see. I especially like his final week 2-start match-ups against Washington and Florida.
Brad Hawpe has a slightly higher HR total from 2006, but his overall fantasy production has slightly dropped. Hawpe hit his 26th HR of the season last night to bring is HR/AB rate to 18.2, compared to his 22 HR total last year at a rate of 22.7. His average has dropped from .293 to .278, OPS from .899 to .887, and BB/K from .60 to .56. Nothing dramatic, but it all leads to an FPI decline from 0.73 to 0.69.
Brad Penny was setup to earn his 17th win of the season. He had pitched a quality start of 6.0 IP / 3 ER against the Rockies and turned the game over to the Dodger bullpen to close it out. Middle relievers Scott Proctor and Joe Beimel finished the 7th inning to both earn holds, but Jonathan Broxton couldn't hold the lead. He gave up 2 ER in the bottom of the 8th inning on Brad Hawpe's 2-run HR. With one more scheduled start on the calendar for Penny on Tuesday aginast Colorado, Penny will surpass his personal single-season innings total and will definitely post the lowest ERA of his career. In over 200 IP this season, he has a 16-4 record with a 2.93 ERA, and 1.30 WHIP. His K/BB is just 1.9, but that's because his K/9 is only 5.9. A great season for Penny and his fantasy owners.
Stephen Drew was back in the starting lineup on Wednesday after sitting out with a bad back. He was 1-for-3 with a couple of walks. Drew entered 2007 as a big-time prospect and a rookie flier. In his debut season, his fantasy numbers never quite got to the level we all projected. With a little over a week left in the season, Drew is hitting .228 with 11 HR, 9 SB, 55 RBI, and 56 runs. His line is good for an FPI of 0.47. Not the best. We should cut the rookie a little slack for his first year and keep in mind the talent he brings to the table. It isn't unlikely for him to hit .300, 20 HR, 100 RBI, 100 runs, 20 SB in the very near future. I don't think it all comes together in 2008, but I think he'll still be worth the flier with lots of upside in fantasy drafts next season.
There are over 100 player news blurbs posted in the member area each morning. Members can read the rest of today's player news by clicking here. Not a member? Join today.
