Dustin Pedroia: Pedroia turns 27 years of age in August and has increased his power. 2008/2009/2010 AB’s 653/626/144, HR’s 17/15/7, and Doubles’ 54/48/13, with just some minor erosion is his plate skills, 2009/2010 BB%’s 10%/8% and Ct%’s 93%/87%. The tradeoff for more power is definitely worth it, as it hasn’t hurt his batting average, 2009/2010 .296/.299. With his ability to contribute in every category, 20 steals in each of the last two seasons, Pedroia is amongst the most valuable players in Fantasy Baseball.
Mark Teixiera: Teixeira’s power is off from last year, 2009/2010 AB’s 628/131, HR’s 39/6, and Doubles’ 43/6, but there is nothing wrong with his approach at the plate, 2009/2010 BB%’s 12%/15% and Ct%’s 81%/80%. With a depressed .151 BHIP% there is some nice upside from his current .198 BA. Remember last year, he hit for little power in April, 3 home runs, and then turned it on in May, 13 HR. After hitting just 2 in April, he has 4 this month, so the power could be on its way back.
Marco Scuturo: The 34-year-old Scutaro has an outstanding approach at the plate, 2009/2010 BB%’s 13%/12% and Ct%’s 87%/90%, and was valuable last year when he showed a decent power/speed combo, 12 home runs and 14 steals. However this year, he is showing little power or speed, 2 HR in 137 AB and 2 caught steals in 3 attempts. Last year’s power and speed looks like a fluke as it was the only year in his career where he had double digit HR or steals. He shouldn’t hurt your batting average, 2008/2009 BA’s .282/.270, but doesn’t offer much else.
Joba Chamberlain: After seeing his skills decline, 2007/2008/2009 K/9’s 12.8/10.6/7.6 and BB/9 2.6/3.5/4.4, as the Yankees tried by turn Chamberlain into a starter during the 2008 season, he looks like he is back where he belongs, 2.30 ERA, 10.3 K/9, and a 2.9 BB/9 in 15.2 relief innings. With that settled Chamberlain will likely be a key set-up man on a great team so he has value in any league that uses holds as a category. More important, he is the heir apparent to Mariano Rivera and would be the first choice for saves if Rivera is out for any period of time.
Joel Zumaya: Zumaya burst onto the scene in 2006 as a 21-year-old fireballing reliever, 1.94 ERA and a 10.5 K/9, but then struggled over the next three years, 2007/2008/2009 ERA’s 4.28/3.47/4.94, as he battled injuries and control problems, BB/9’s 4.5/8.5/6.4. However now healthy, not only has the now 25-year-old Zumaya been blowing hitters away, he is also showing pinpoint control, 10.1 K/9 and a 1.3 BB/9 in 21.1 relief innings. With his dominance, as long as he can keep his BB/9 under 3.0, he should find success. Given his age and power, you would think he would be first in line for saves if closer Jose Valverde were injured, but he has blown as incredible 19 saves in 23 career chances, so he may have be content in a set-up role.
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