Clayton Kershaw
The Dodgers made it official Saturday, purchasing Kershaw’s contract from Double-A Jacksonville and designating the awful Esteban Loaiza for assignment. Loaiza incidentally ends his Dodgers career with these numbers: $8.5 million in pay and a 6.94 ERA in 46 2/3 innings. Kershaw will start against St. Louis on Sunday. He’s baseball’s #1 pitching prospect, having posted a 2.28 ERA and 47:15 K:BB in 43 1/3 innings this year. Even more impressive was the impression he left on the organization and on baseball this spring when he allowed just one run in 14 innings, often against teams’ best hitters (not guys currently driving beer trucks). Kershaw has true No. 1 starter potential with his mid 90s fastball, hammer curve, and improving changeup. He’s been no more than a six-inning guy this year, so temper the Sandy Koufax comparisons for now, but he’s likely to get three starts to show he belongs. Jason Schmidt could be ready in three weeks or less assuming his rehab from shoulder surgery continues going well, so Kershaw’s stay could be short. Regardless, you’re going to want to watch him Sunday.
Ian Stewart
The Rockies recalled Stewart from Triple-A on Saturday where he was batting .281/.374/.614. The AVG, particularly for the PCL, is not impressive at all, but you have to be encouraged by the increased power. Stewart’s SLG was .478 last year in Triple-A, and according to reports, he’s making a concerted effort to put a charge into the ball. It’s working, as 27 of Stewart’s 48 hits have gone for extra bases, including 12 home runs and an impressive six triples. He’s even stolen six bases. So where does that leave him with the Rockies? The Rockies really need a SS, but he’s seemingly not an option there. He could play some second or third (with Garrett Atkins sliding over to second), but he’ll need to bust out quickly with the bat for the Rockies to avoid being buried on the bench. He could also factor into the mix in the outfield with Brad Hawpe on the DL. Stewart is certainly an intriguing fantasy prospect, but probably more of a 2009 guy.
Shane Victorino
With Jayson Werth’s unfortunate strained oblique forcing him to the DL, Victorino owners will benefit. Victorino slides back over to center field and now won’t have to compete for playing time with Werth and Geoff Jenkins. At .268/.327/.377, Victorino has been a disappointment so far this year. Not only has he been out of the lineup on occasion, but the power is down (.107 ISO vs. .142 last year) and he’s currently nowhere near last year’s 37 SB pace (eight this year). There’s still time for a recovery of course, and hitting in the Philly lineup never hurts a guy’s chances. There are signs of a breakout lately – 10-for-23 with just one strikeout in his last five games prior to Saturday. Victorino may be on the waiver wire in 12-team mixed leagues, so if you need OF help, give him a go.
Ryan Spilborghs
With Brad Hawpe being placed on the DL, it would seem that Spilborghs would become an everyday player. That should be of interest to NL-only league owners given Spilborghs’ SB potential. He’s currently hitting .305/.410/.439 with one home run and three SB in 82 at-bats. Nothing too special there, but given regular playing time, Spilborghs has shown flashes in the past, including 11 homers last year in just 264 at-bats. He also has a 1.6 EYE, making him an ideal leadoff guy, though that’s probably going to remain Willy Taveras’ job for now. Consider Spilborghs a nice little sleeper, and if he does well with Hawpe out, the Rockies could make those Taveras trade rumors a reality.
Rafael Soriano
Soriano pitched a perfect inning in a Double-A rehab appearance on Friday and appears set to rejoin the Braves’ bullpen sometime next week. With John Smoltz allegedly going to be the closer once he’s ready shortly after Soriano, Soriano’s fantasy value may be minimal in the short term. Still, I’m not convinced that Smoltz is done as a starter. For one, the Braves really need him in the rotation as they’re currenly using the likes of Jorge Campillo, Jo-Jo Reyes, Jeff Bennett, etc. With Mike Gonzalez also nearing a return from Tommy John surgery, the Braves should have some depth in the bullpen, thus minimizing the need for Smoltz. Regardless, if the Braves’ doctors say that Smoltz’s shoulder will hold up better pitching in relief, that’s where he’ll be. Remember, Smoltz had one of the best three-year runs by a closer in baseball history between 2002-2004 – 144 saves and a 2.47 ERA, including a Gibsonesque 1.12 ERA in 2003.
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