Matt Kemp (OF-LAD) – It was encouraging to see Kemp in the fifth spot in the order Saturday against left-hander Mike Hampton, but Kemp was two slots lower Sunday against the right-hander Russ Ortiz. Just a thought, but Joe Torre may want to consider hitting him a bit higher in the order. All Kemp did Sunday was single twice, walk, and homer (his 12th) in four plate appearances, with the home run being of the go-ahead variety in the ninth inning. Kemp is now batting .321/.385/.500 with 20 stolen bases (in 24 attempts). What you really have to like about Kemp, other than his obvious athleticism and mammoth upside, is that he’s learning to work the count. In Kemp’s last two seasons, he’s grown his BB% from 5.1% to 7% last year and 9.2% in 2009. The sky is the limit.
Felipe Lopez (2B-MIL) – The Brewers finally acquired a suitable replacement for the injured Rickie Weeks, dealing a couple of expendable prospects for the .305/.368/.416-hitting Lopez. Lopez will likely fill the same role in Milwaukee as he did in Arizona: starting second baseman and leadoff hitter. His fantasy value goes up just a little as he’s in a better lineup, but don’t go crazy to acquire him. Additional fantasy fallout should have Mat Gamel headed for Triple-A with Casey McGehee sharing time with Craig Counsell at third base. In Arizona, the big league options include Augie Ojeda and Ryan Roberts, so perhaps the D-backs reach down to Triple-A Reno and try Rusty Ryal who made the Triple-A All-Star team.
Jonny Gomes (OF-CIN) – When Jay Bruce went down with a broken wrist, it was assumed that Gomes would be one of the beneficiaries of increased playing time, at least seeing the majority of the RF at-bats vs. LHP, but after Sunday, Gomes may be in for more playing time than we thought. Getting the start against right-hander Yovani Gallardo, Gomes was 2-for-4 with a home run (off RHP Seth McClung) and three RBI. In exactly 100 at-bats, Gomes is now batting a solid .310/.402/.560 with six home runs and 19 RBI. He is striking out in 32% of his at-bats, but considering his career rate is 33%, that’s not a surprise. With a .400 BABIP, Gomes’ AVG will fall, but the power is legit and it looks like the playing time will be there to give him some value in 12-team mixed leagues while Bruce is sidelined.
Mat Latos (SP-SD) – All things considered, it was a positive debut for San Diego’s top pitching prospect. Latos allowed two runs on just three hits over four innings, walking one and striking out four. Ian Stewart took Latos deep for one of the runs while the other scored on a throwing error (ESPN has both runs as earned, but that sounds like an unearned run here). Latos was allowed to throw just 75 pitches in the game, with 51 being for strikes as the Padres take no chances with one of the few bright spots in a desolate organization. Looking at the San Diego lineup Sunday, Latos probably had a 1% chance at picking up a win, as Bud Black rolled out a lineup consisting of one guy batting above .250 (Tony Gwynn Jr.), a leadoff man with a .325 OBP, and a cleanup hitter “slugging”.382. Regardless, Latos should be owned in all keeper and deeper mixed leagues as his future looks bright (especially if the Padres can find some bats).
Ryan Hanigan (C-CIN) – It’s sounding more and more like Ramon Hernandez is headed for the DL with a sore left knee. Hernandez was out of the lineup Sunday for the third straight day in favor of Hanigan, who stands to be the obvious beneficiary of Hernandez’s injury. Entering Sunday’s action, Hanigan was batting an impressive .329/.420/.396 in 149 at-bats. He doesn’t offer much power (one homer), but the high OBP is a byproduct of an excellent knowledge of the strikezone (1.6 EYE), as Hanigan has struck out just 15 times all season (or a week’s work for Mark Reynolds). If you need a #2 catcher in deeper leagues, Hanigan is your guy. Late edit: Hernandez will miss 4-to-6 weeks after undergoing knee surgery.
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