John Danks: Danks allowed an ER in 6.2 innings in a no decision against Cleveland yesterday. On the negative side he had just 2 strike outs while also walking a pair. In his rookie season last year, Danks pitched better than his 6-13 record with a 5.50 ERA would indicate. A 7.1 K/9 in 139 innings points to better days ahead, but he will have to improve on his control, 3.5 BB/9. Also pitching for the White Sox may not be the best fit, as his 46% FB% clashes with tiny US Cellular Field.
Joe Crede: Crede went deep yesterday in a 2-1 White Sox win. Prior to missing most of last season with back problems, Crede was displaying excellent power growth, 2004/2005/2006 home runs of 21/22/30 and doubles of 25/21/31, fully supported by a fly ball rate befitting of one with his power, 2004/2005/2006 FB%'s of 49%/45%/51%. He could learn to work counts better, BB%'s of 6.5%/5.5%/4.9%, and the high FB% will put a cap on his batting average. However if he can maintain his unusually high Ct%, 89% in 2006, for a player with his skills, he will not hurt you in the batting average department. If his back doesn’t bother him, the soon-to-be 30 year-old Crede should have plenty of power left in his bat.
Luis Mendoza: Mendoza is scheduled to make a rehab start in Triple-A on Monday and if all goes well, he will join the Rangers starting rotation on April 12. Despite going 15-4 in Double-A last year, Mendoza’s ERA was 3.96 and his underlying numbers were not impressive, 5.6 K/9 and a 2.9 BB/9. With borderline control and not having the ability to consistently strike out Double-A hitters, expect Mendoza to have a hard time facing major league hitters, especially in his home park.
Ben Zobrist: Zobrist will be out until at least mid-April as his fractured thumb is not healing properly. Last season was a disaster, a .155 batting average in 97 AB. Part of it was due to bad luck, .164 BHIP%, but there was also some poor skills behind the average, 3% BB% and a 78% Ct%. It is doubtful that Zobrist has the skills to ever to be a regular.
Jeremy Accardo: It looks like Accardo and B.J. Ryan will share the closer role when Ryan comes off of the DL. Accardo pitched well as the closer in the first half of last year; 10 saves, 2.45 ERA, 9.5 K/9, and a 52% GB%, but his success in the second half, 1.84 ERA and 20 saves, was due more to luck, 25% H% and 5% HR/FB%, rather than skill; 5.8 K/9 and a 2.9 BB/9. We will get a better read this year of whether it was fatigue or that the league has caught up with him.
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