Jeremy Hermida (OF – Marlins)
Jeremy Hermida left Wednesday night’s game with a strained intercoastal muscle. He is likely to miss a game or two at the minimum. I can’t quite figure out what to make of Hermida. In ’09 he made improvements in all of the peripherals that you like to see from a hitter: BB rate up 2.9%, K rate down 4.1%, LD rate up 2.4%, GB rate down 5.6%, FB rate up 3.0%. But, for some reason, it did not result in any improved numbers from the disappointing season he had in ’08 (.729 OPS in ’08, .742 OPS in ’09). Hermida is still just 25, but you only get so many full seasons where you can put up sub-.750 OPS’ and maintain an everyday job. Look for Hermida to be drafted even lower next season than where he was taken this season. I can’t think of many better ways to spend one of your last picks than on a 26 year old former top prospect. Plus, the improvement in peripherals is slightly encouraging.
Bud Norris (SP – Astros)
The Astros have announced that Bud Norris will get the starting nod on Sunday against the Phillies after having his rotation spot skipped last week. Norris has been thoroughly beaten about in his last 4 starts, and you will not want him anywhere near your lineup this weekend against the Phillies. Norris’ 4.0 BB/9 in Triple-A this season scared me away from Bud this year, and quite logically, the command problems have worsened against major league hitters (5.23 BB/9). Bud has struck out 8.27 per 9 in the majors this year, which does flash his potential down the road. But, until he can start finding the strike zone with more regularity, Bud is going to find the transition to the majors to be quite difficult.
Chris Young (OF – Diamondbacks)
Chris Young has continued to struggle since being recalled by going 1 for 14 with 7 strike outs. 2009 has been a lost season for Young as he has posted a .188 / .294 / .347 line in 329 at bats. Still just 25 years old, it is still far too early to write Young off. You cannot forget about the 32 HR 27 SB season that he posted as a 23 year old rookie in ’07. Also do not forget about the .868, .922, and .896 OPS’ that he posted in Single, Double, and Triple-A at ages 20, 21, and 22. It is certainly going to be difficult to wash away the bad taste of ’09 for next year’s draft, but I urge you to look at the body of work, and the very rare HR/SB potential that he possesses when you snatch him up at near the end of the 2010 draft.
Pat Misch (SP – Mets)
Pat Misch turned in another sharp start on Thursday by allowing just 2 ER through 7 innings. In Misch’s two starts this season he has a 1.92 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and a 5/4 K/BB ratio in 14 IP. Clearly, the K/BB ratio signals to me that trouble is on its way. Misch is 28 years old, and does not even project as a starting pitcher in the major leagues. While he does have a nice and tidy 7.0 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 at the Triple-A level, it is important to consider that the majority of these numbers were cultivated from the bullpen. Many NL-only leaguers will probably take a chance on Misch after these 2 starts, but I wouldn’t recommend him. I foresee him being clobbered once or twice in the coming weeks.
Casey McGehee (3B/2B – Brewers)
Casey McGehee has been on a bit of a power binge recently as he hit his 3rd homer in his last 4 games on Thursday night. McGehee has never shown this type of power before in the minors, seeing as his 13 HR this year in the majors tops any single season that he has ever produced at any level. To this point, he has been a very solid power source in NL-only leagues at the 2B position, but I just cannot see this lasting throughout September. His solid K rate (17.6%), and his great LD rate (23.0%) tell me that he could potentially flirt with a .300 BA at the end of the season, which still does make him valuable in NL-only leagues. Just don’t be expecting this power to continue.
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