Willie Bloomquist:
We haven’t touched on Bloomquist yet this year but the speedy/no power MI option has found a way to make himself fantasy valuable. Bloomquist had always been a deep AL only MI option because of the consistent double digit steals, but always fell in the power department (4.6% extra base hit career rate) and as a result couldn’t earn more than a pinch-running reserve type role. This year he’s nudging out enough power (6.4% exbh rate) and found an organization with a gaping hole at SS in order to get consistent playing time. The results have been good as Bloomquist’s typical high contact rate (85%) combined with a solid GB Rate (54%) to take advantage of his legs and hit .290. The .290 batting average has kept him in the lineup enough to garner 113 ABs so far (on pace for a career high) and swipe 11 bags (boosted by 3 SB’s last night). His playing time doesn’t appear threatened in the immediate term, which makes him a viable MI option in not only AL formats but deep mixed leagues for owners in need of speed.
Howie Kendrick:
In what has been a disastrous season so far for Howie Kendrick we’re starting to see some positive signs of life. Kendrick’s 2-4 effort on Tuesday night made him 6-19 here in June with a solid 3:2 BB:K Ratio (1.50 EYE). Kendrick’s batting average this year has been driven by some horrid luck (.221 BHIP%) so seeing him go 6-19 and start to raise the average isn’t a big surprise. What is telling is the improvement in the EYE, while it’s an extremely small sample the 3 BB’s in the last 5 games are exciting. Kendrick’s actually made slight improvements in his EYE this season and his HR Rate, but the decreased line drive rate and poor luck overall has sapped the usual BA contributions. It’s a small step in the right direction but the improved plate discipline of late may suggest Kendrick is turning the corner. For those needing BA help, the career .294 hitter may be worth stashing as the talent remains immense.
Scott Baker:
Baker pitching in Oakland is a match made in heaven for his fantasy owners. Baker’s lone weakness, the HR ball, is minimized significantly in the spacious Coliseum and the results were predictably strong. Baker was cruising through 8 innings before tiring in the 9th. The final line wasn’t as pretty as it could’ve been as he allowed 3 base-runners in the 9th and 3 ER’s, for the game he finished with 4 Hits, 1 BB, and 3 ER’s allowed while striking out 8. Baker’s now posted a 3.72 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 28:1 K:BB Ratio in his last 4 starts (29 innings).
Andruw Jones:
With Josh Hamilton out the Rangers have had to rely a bit more on Andruw Jones and as he’s been relied upon more it seems he’s being exposed a bit as well. Jones is just 5-28 since seeing everyday AB’s with just 2 BB’s and 10 K’s in that span. The overall peripherals and numbers look good for the season, but the recent struggles point to Jones being exposed as just a situational bench player at this point in his career.
Mark DeRosa:
DeRosa knocked out his 10th HR of the season on Tuesday, a game-winning grand slam in the 7th inning. Though DeRosa’s triple slash line and peripherals appear to have declined some, they’ve really just reverted to his AL line before moving to the NL. The good news is thanks to a high RBI rate and increasing HR power as he’s aged, DeRosa’s basically the same real-life player he was in the AL 3 years ago, but a slightly improved fantasy commodity. The HR/RBI totals from his NL Days along with the Run and BA totals from the AL days appear to be a reasonable expectation for DeRosa.
