Clayton Kershaw
Entering Saturday’s game against the Phillies, Kershaw had been in the midst of a stretch of five consecutive quality starts, going 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA and a 29:9 K:BB in those 31 innings. Saturday though, the expected ERA correction came and it came hard – four innings, seven hits, six runs, a pair of walks and five strikeouts. The big blow was a three-run Pat Burrell who also doubled in one of the other Kershaw runs (too bad it wasn’t time for an off-day for Mr. Burrell). I wouldn’t worry about this one in the least, as these things happen to the best of them. The four innings though brought Kershaw’s season total between the majors and minors to 138, leaving him 32 short of the reported organization-imposed cap of 170. That’s still probably five-to-six starts, something that can be handled simply by skipping his turn once in September. Kershaw v. Lincecum is going to be a great matchup to watch over the next several years.
Pablo Sandoval
I wrote about Sandoval last week and he continues to get significant playing time, starting the last four games (split between 3B and catcher). Sandoval was 1-for-4 with a double and two runs scored, even managing to coax a win out of Barry Zito as the catcher. Sandoval is now 12-for-28 with just two strikeouts (one walk) as a big leaguer. I wouldn’t worry about the lack of power yet, as it’s a small sample size and his .228 ISO down on the farm this year was plenty good. I won’t say he has Soto/Martin upside, but should the Giants find a taker for Benji Molina this offseason, Sandoval could work his way into the top 12 at his position offensively.
Pat Burrell
I was sure Burrell was primed for a strong finish, having hit .304/.375/.598 in July and last year hit 16 homers over the season’s final two months. Well, Burrell entered Saturday batting .175/.312/.365 in August. The Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw however, provided a panacea for Burrell’s woes, as the Philadelphia left –fielder was 3-for-5 with an RBI single, RBI double, and three-run homer. For the year, Burrell is now batting .268/.391/.558 with 30 homers and a 0.85 EYE. He’s walking in 17.1% of his PAs while maintaining a CT% of 75%, a mark that hovered in the 70% range a few years ago. Burrell gets unfairly compared to a guy like Richie Sexson for his long swing and lofty strikeout totals, but it’s an unfair comparison for one of baseball’s more underrated hitters.
Justin Upton
Fantasy owners who gambled on Upton’s upside were looking pretty good earlier this year, as Upton opened the year batting .340/.385/.577 with five homers in April. Since then? .216 in May, .123 in June, and just when he seemed to be coming around with a six game hitting streak and a couple homers to start July, Upton strained his left oblique and has been out ever since. Upton, who can legally purchase alcohol on Monday, is batting .297/.350/.458 in 37 at-bats on his minor league rehab assignment and should be ready to return to the Diamondbacks shortly. In what capacity that will be is unknown. There has been some consideration to playing Mark Reynolds at 2B, Conor Jackson in LF, Dunn at 1B, and Upton in his customary right field, but it’s unclear whether the Diamondbacks are willing to take the defensive hit with that configuration. Rest assured, Upton is still in the team’s long-term plans, but 2008? Rather fuzzy.
Tom Gorzelanny
In 17 starts earlier this year, Gorzelanny somehow managed a 6.57 ERA and 53:61. What was amazing was that he lasted that long before the Pirates finally sent him down to Triple-A. There, Gorzelanny seemed to turn things around, posting a 2.06 ERA and 33:4 K:BB in seven starts before being brought back this week. Saturday though was more of the same, as Gorzelanny allowed six runs in 4 2/3 innings against the Brewers. As good as he was in the minors, it’s too early to write him off, and we’ll assume that the Pirates give him another chance considering they have nothing to lose. Interestingly, he’ll get the Brewers again next time out. Keeper leaguers may want to throw a buck his was in the hopes a turnaround happens by next spring.
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.
