Jesus Flores - Flores has jumped right into the Nationals' void at catcher with a modest five-game hitting streak, including a couple more singles last night against the O's. Rule V picks are tricky to project, because they always lose some development time switching organizations, but Flores looks like a pretty decent find. His plate discipline has improved quite a bit the past two years, and it's obvious from his age 21 performance in the FSL that he has significant power for a catcher. I would go so far as to say that the Nats would be best served having him remain the starting catcher even after the return of the veterans, although that's probably an unlikely scenario. At the very least he's worth a second starting spot in deeper leagues until they return, and a reserve spot after that (he's only 23).
Geovany Soto - Soto homered again last night, giving him eight for the year amid 2 extra-base hits already in mid-May. He's doing it by hitting over 20% of his flyballs for homers, which is right up there with the league's top HR hitters, but he isn't hitting as many total flyballs as they are, which is also allowing him to bat .328. As may forecast, Soto is blossoming into one of the best catchers in baseball, and at age 25 there might be quite a bit more of this down the road.
Jayson Werth - Werth hit three homers last night against the Jays, and his power/speed combo is going to become more interesting if the Phils start playing him against righties in lieu of Geoff Jenkins, which is exactly what it sounds like if you listen to Charlie Manuel right now. Jenkins definitely looks done, so although Werth's stats will suffer a bit facing righties as well, he might become a worthwhile option in deeper leagues if he can pick up 2/3 of the PT. He's only 29 and has a pretty spotty track record due to injury and platooning, so there might be a bit more here than meets the eye.
Johnny Cueto - Same old story for Cueto yesterday, as he cruises along for five no-hit innings, allows three homers in the sixth, and ends up with an extremely well-pitched game except for a few mistakes that hurt his line. Cueto is allowing 17.6% of his flyballs to go over the fence this year. By comparison, noted flyball pitcher Bronson Arroyo has allowed about 11% of flyballs to go for homers over the past two-plus seasons in Cincy. At age 22, you have to think that Cueto is going to learn to make his mistakes out of the strike zone more frequently, as every other aspect of his game, from his stuff to every other ratio, portends great things for him.
James Loney - Loney had a couple more singles last night, giving him a nine-game hitting streak. Loney's start to this season (290/343/465) only looks like a disappointment relative to last year's outstanding performance....a performance that was, at least in the power department, a bit out of keeping with his minor league track record. At age 24 it isn't unreasonable to expect him to add some more power over the next two or three years, but it's equally reasonable to expect him to regress a touch this year. His walks are up and K's are down, so even if he ends up with a 2008 that isn't as impressive as 2007, I still have high hopes for him as a player long term, and I think a batting title is a possibility down the road. To sum up, he is a better bet in keeper leagues than single season leagues in my opinion, although he should be at least adequate for you in the latter.
