Julio Borbon (OF – Rangers)
Julio Borbon was recalled on Friday, and should have the opportunity for some fairly regular playing time while Nelson Cruz is sidelined. Borbon was a supplemental 1st round pick two years ago, who would have been chosen higher if not for being a Scott Boras client. He posted a .321 / .362 / .425 line with 53 SB between Single and Double-A in his first minor league season in ’08, and he has followed that up with a .307 / .367 / .386 line and 25 SB in Triple-A this year. I view him as a Juan Pierre-type (low BB rate, low K rate, loads of speed), but with the potential to develop more pop in the bat. Numbers comparable to Coco Crisp seem like a reasonable expectation once he is in mid-career. Even with just a limited window for playing time, he is worth a shot in AL-only leagues purely based on his SB ability.
Tommy Everidge (1B – Athletics)
The release of Jason Giambi has opened up the everyday 1B spot in the A’s lineup for Tommy Everidge – at least until the return of Daric Barton in a week or two, that is. Everidge was mostly an afterthought in the A’s organization while starting out the ’09 season as a 26 year old playing Double-A ball. He has quickly changed people’s perceptions with a monster ’09 campaign split between Double and Triple-A (.338 / .402 / .552 with a .73 EYE). Everidge had never shown even a decent EYE in the minors prior to this season, and had always struggled to post a BA of even .270. Where he now stands as a prospect is debatable, but the early major league returns have been somewhat positive as his improved EYE from this season in the minors has carried over in the majors thus far (.80 EYE in 38 AB). He could be a nice source of power (13.2 extra base hit rate in 38 major league AB) in the short-term until Daric Barton’s return clouds the playing situation.
Junichi Tazawa (SP – Red Sox)
Junichi Tazawa was called up to the big leagues on Friday. The 23 year old from Yokohama, Japan has impressed mightily between Double and Triple-A (mostly Double-A) in his first season in the States. Between the two levels, he posted a 2.55 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 7.7 K/9, 2.2 BB/9. Tazawa could be called upon to take John Smoltz’s now vacant rotation spot, and in this instance, is an immediate grab in AL-only leagues at the least. If he goes to the pen, he should still have some minor value in AL-only leagues for the duration of ’09. Tazawa was tossed into the fray immediately and surrendered a walk-off HR to A-Rod in the 15th inning last night. I do not think that the Sox had intended to use Tazawa, but their hand was forced by the long game. Since this appearance out of the pen did not look to be planned, I still believe that the Sox are looking at him as a potential starter this year. It is always difficult to project Japanese imports, but it is slightly easier with Tazawa since he has pitched in the minors. I would add him and see what happens if you have the roster flexibility.
Alex Avila (C – Tigers)
The son of Tigers VP and Assistant GM, Alex Avila, homered in just his 2nd major league game on Friday night. Avila has now started behind the plate over Gerald Laird in both games since getting the call-up. Avila is just 22 years old, and is not an overwhelming talent, so I do not foresee him overtaking Laird as the primary catcher. Although he has started his major league career off with a bang, he comes to the majors with .264 / .365 / .450 line in Double-A. That line does indicate that he has a future as a major league catcher, but it also tells me that he has some more seasoning to do. Laird has been completely miserable this year (.646 OPS), so Avila does warrant some consideration in 2 catcher AL-only leagues.
Jeremy Sowers (SP – Indians)
Jeremy Sowers pieced together his 3rd consecutive quality start on Friday night. Sowers now has a 1.80 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP in these last 3 starts. Despite his recent success, his being chosen 6th overall in the ’04 draft, and his impressive minor league track record (2.53 ERA, 1.18 WHIP) – I just cannot get excited about Sowers. First of all, his 6.7 K/9 in his minor league career concerns me. But, most of all, even during this successful 3 game stretch, his K/9 and BB/9 have both been 3.6. Although it is tough to argue with the results from his last 3 starts, I am not optimistic that Sowers will continue having success this season.
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