Sean O'Sullivan (SP - Angels)
Sean O’Sullivan was scheduled to start on Monday night, but the game was postponed due to rain. Since the game never even started, it would seem logical to have O’Sullivan get the start Tuesday night against Sidney Ponson (like to get a W in that match-up). O’Sullivan is just 21 years old, and projects as a back of the rotation type starter (6.7 K/9; 2.2 BB/9 in minors), but he has been fairly effective in his starts thus far (3.80 ERA; 1.35 WHIP; 5.70 K/9; 2.28 BB/9). The ERA is due for some negative regression due to his 83.3% strand rate, but I do see some real value here in AL-only leagues. O’Sullivan is not going to dominate, but he has the command to minimize damage and keep the Angels in ball games. I see O’Sullivan as a decent source of wins for as long as he is in the rotation.
George Sherrill (RP - Orioles)
It is being reported that George Sherrill has been a topic of trade discussions. These rumors seem to be reasonable since Sherrill is having one of his best and luckiest seasons (would be selling high), and is of little value to an out of contention team like the Orioles. Sherrill has drastically improved his control this season (2.82 BB/9 vs. 5.57 BB/9 last season). However, he has been quite fortunate thus far with a strand rate of 85.4%, and a HR/FB rate of 5.5%. The latter of these two numbers is made even more concerning by the fact that Sherrill is a fly ball pitcher (50.9% FB rate). Sherrill looks to be a prime candidate for re-location, and the majority of the teams reported to have interest are NL teams. Those who own Sherrill in AL-only leagues may want to start shopping him around before it is too late. Chris Ray and Danys Baez would be the immediate candidates to pick up saves in Sherrill's absence. Both would be solid pre-emptive pick-ups for any Sherrill owner.
David Hernandez (SP – Orioles)
David Hernandez tossed a very solid game against the Yankees on Monday night to lower his ERA to 3.55 on the season. Despite this positive looking ERA, Hernandez had pitched quite poorly prior to last night’s performance. He was sporting a 4.78 K/9, along with a 3.38 BB/9. I am somewhat befuddled by the former number, since he has a career K/9 10.4 in the minors, which includes a 12.4 K/9 this year in Triple-A. There are plenty of scouts out there that will tell you that his heavy reliance on his slider won’t translate to bigtime strike out totals in the majors, and as of now they would appear to be correct. I remain dubious of this prognostication, and believe that a guy who has always been at the top of his level in K numbers will surely post higher than a 4.78 K/9 in the majors. Hernandez’s peripherals make him look like a very weak option right now (50% FB rate as well), but I would still keep a close eye on him, because I believe more K’s should be on the way.
Daric Barton (1B – Athletics)
Daric Barton was called up on Monday to replace Jason Giambi, who was just placed on the 15-day DL. Still just 23 years old, Barton has loads of potential, but did not impress in his first major league action last season (.674 OPS in 140 games played). Barton has posted his typical numbers in Triple-A this season (.844 OPS), and is sporting his always fantastic BB/K ratio (45/43). Barton definitely has the ability to hit for a solid average as early as this season in the majors (career .294 BA in minors), but the power has not quite arrived yet (9 HR this year). Giambi should not be out for any longer than the 15 day period, but Barton should be a solid source of at bats over the next 2 weeks.
John Smoltz (SP – Red Sox)
Despite getting knocked around in the 5th inning last night (3 HR), John Smoltz continued to mock both age and injuries last night by striking out 5 and walking none. After the start, his K/9 improved to 7.71, and his BB/9 improved 1.40. In addition to this beautiful looking K/BB ratio, he has a 50% ground ball rate thus far. His ERA and WHIP have both been ravaged by a .379 BABIP and a 60% strand rate. Once these numbers normalize, I believe you will be looking at a very valuable SP in any league (2.24 FIP).
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