Miguel Montero (C - Diamondbacks)
Chris Synder got the start behind the plate on Tuesday night, which gives Montero 4 starts in the 7 games since Snyder's return. In these 7 games, the Diamondbacks have faced left-handed pitching 4 times, with Synder starting in 3 of these contests. The appearance of a RHP/LHP platoon is certainly disappointing for Montero owners due to his .845 OPS on the season compared to Snyder's OPS of .738; however, the platoon is not all that surprising given their splits (Montero .670 OPS vs. LHP; Snyder .803 OPS vs. LHP). Even with the platoon, Montero is still in line to get more than 50% of the starts, as he will steal an occasional start against a lefty due to his overall superior play. Nevertheless, Montero owners were undoubtedly hoping for more.
Tom Gorzelanny (SP - Cubs)
After clamoring on many different occasions about Gorzo deserving another crack at the starting rotation in Pittsburgh, he finally got his shot last night in a Cubs uniform. Strange that the Cubs seemingly have an easier to crack starting rotation than the Buccos - who would have thunk it? But anyhow, Gorzo has dominated Triple-A this season with a 2.48 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 8.8 K/9, and 3.1 BB/9. In fact, this type of production is not surprising from Gorzo, as he has a career 2.78 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP in 6 minor league seasons. This fantastic production in the minors combined with his fairly decent '07 in the majors that the Pirates clearly had forgotten about (3.88 ERA, 1.40 WHIP) serves to make Gorzo a nice little 2nd half sleeper in my book if he can seize a rotation spot. As is the case in many instances, a change of scenery for a former Pirate can result in very good things. After writing this blurb, Gorzo tossed quite an impressive start in his debut, and I am not the least bit surprised.
Ryan Roberts (2B – Diamondbacks)
Ryan Roberts found himself hitting in the 2-hole in the D’Backs lineup on Tuesday night, and responded by going 4 for 5 with a pair of home runs. Roberts is currently getting uncontested playing time at 2B, and with virtually no competition in the minors is likely to retain the everyday job for the remainder of the season. Despite largely being thought of as a career minor leaguer, I see some real fantasy value here from the 28 year old Roberts. His BA is likely to be inconsistent and probably harmful in roto leagues based on his career .278 BA in Triple-A and his K rate of 21.4%. Where he could provide value is in all of the counting stats. Thus far he has 4 HR and 5 SB in just 151 AB, which project to 13 HR and 17 SB over 500 AB. Additionally, if he can hit in the 2-spot with any regularity, he should put up solid run and RBI totals for a middle infielder. Just based on the number of AB he is scheduled to receive in the near-term at least, he should be owned in NL-only leagues.
Yusmeiro Petit (SP – Diamondbacks)
Petit had his no-hit bid broken up by the unlikeliest of all hitters in the 8th inning on Tuesday night, Ronny Cedeno. Don’t look now, but Petit has looked pretty solid over his last 4 starts by posting a 24/9 K/BB ratio in 24 innings. For the season, Petit’s 8.03 K/9 and 3.65 BB/9 certainly indicate a starting pitcher that is roster-worthy in all NL-only leagues, but Petit’s flyball tendencies (44.2% FB rate) will continue to inflate his ERA at home and make him unusable in those starts. With that being said, Petit looks like he could be a decent option in a spot-start on the road while in a pitcher’s ballpark. Just don’t make the mistake of starting him while at home, or you will be burned by his home splits that include a 7.13 ERA and 1.73 WHIP.
Jonathan Sanchez (SP – Giants)
Now this is more like it. Since rejoining the rotation, Jonathan Sanchez is looking more like the potentially dominating pitcher that we had envisioned. In his last 5 starts he has posted a 10.03 K/9 and a 2.83 BB/9. These are truly dominating peripherals that are typically reserved for only the best pitchers in the game. I previously advised to keep an eye on Sanchez to see if he had figured anything out. The early returns are in and they are positive. It is unlikely that his control problems are completely behind him, so he could be in for a rough start every now and then. He is a good candidate to use mostly in spot-starts (use him at home) until he has more time to prove that he has truly grown as a pitcher.
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