Doug Brocail: After a disastrous performance in which he allowed a home run and 3 walks in one inning, Brocail had his shoulder examined by team doctors. He said he couldn’t find an arm slot to throw from which he did not have pain. There was no structural damage, but that still does not sound good, especially considering that he turns 42 years of age next month. He was effective last year, 3.93 ERA in 68.2 innings, with solid skills, 8.4 K/9 and a 2.8 BB/9, which if healthy stills gives him value in NL-only leagues.
Carlos Ruiz: Ruiz was placed on the 15 day-DL with an oblique strain. He has a good approach at the plate, 2007/2008 BB%’s of 10%/12% and Ct%’s of 87%/88%, but either Ruiz is really unlucky, 2007/2008 BHIP%’s of .208/.197, or his combination of little power, 4 home runs in 320 AB in 2008 despite playing home games in homer happy Citizens Bank Park, no speed, 2 caught steals in 3 attempts last year, and a ground ball hitting approach, 54% GB% in 2008, just leads to a lot of easy outs, 2007/2008 batting averages of .259/.218. No matter what the answer is, you can do a lot better at the catcher position in fantasy baseball.
Chris Coste: With Carlos Ruiz out for a couple of weeks, Coste is expected to pick up most of the playing time behind the dish for the Phillies. He provides decent pop, 9 home runs and 17 doubles in 297 AB last year. Although he doesn’t like to take a walk, 2007/2008 BB%’s of 3%/6%, he makes enough contact, Ct%’s of 84%/81%, where he won’t be a drag on your fantasy team’s batting average, 2007/2008 batting averages of .279/.263.
Joe Martinez: After sustaining a hairline skull fracture in a scary incident of a line drive comebacker, Martinez is not expected to miss too much time. The timetable is anywhere from a couple of weeks to a month for the 26 year-old. Martinez was good in Double-A last year, 2.49 ERA, 6.8 K/9, and a 2.3 BB/9, but considering that he was a few years older than the competition, any enthusiasm should be tempered. He is worth using in NL-only leagues, but keep him on a short leash, especially if you see his K/9 dipping below 5.5 or his BB/9 rising above 3.0.
Nate McLouth: McLouth went deep yesterday against the Reds for the second time this season. His 2008 breakout season, 26/94/.276 with 23 steals, was fully supported by a solid skill set, 10% BB%, 82% Ct%, and a 47% FB%. It is also worth noting that he is one of the best % basestealers in baseball, 57 steals in 62 attempts for his career. McLouth should be good for 20+ home runs, 20+ steals, and a batting average that will not hurt your fantasy team.
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