Ryan Zimmerman:
Zimmerman was a one-man wrecking crew on Thursday night hitting 2 HR’s and driving in 6. At just 25 Zimmerman continues to show impressive improvements in his power. With the 2 HR’s on Thursday he’s up to 19 XBH’s in just 95 AB’s. His XBH Rate has jumped from 9% to 12% up to the near 20% rate he’s posting this season. That type of rate is likely unsustainable but even reduced down to a 13-15% rate and we’re looking at a run towards a .300 BA and 40 HR’s. While most pegged Zimmerman as a star I’m not sure those types of power numbers were expected, but that seems down the path we’re heading. He’s quickly passed David Wright and is moving towards the Longoria/ARod group rather quickly at 3B.
Jhoulys Chacin:
Chacin threw 15 1/3 scoreless innings upon his recall showing elite peripherals (16 K’s, 5 BB’s, 69% Contact Rate), but I remained a bit skeptical. While Chacin dominated a depleted Dodgers lineup and the Giants, I couldn’t get the thoughts of his command problems last year at the big league level (9.0 BB/9) or this year at the minor league level (4.6 BB/9) out of my head. In fact the 22 year old hadn’t posted a BB/9 below 3.7 since being promoted above A ball. Surprisingly enough while Chacin struggled on Thursday night (allowing 6 ER’s in 5 innings), it wasn’t the control that hurt him as he walkd just 1. Instead it was two long balls off the bat of Ryan Zimmerman that accounted for 5 of the 6 runs. In total he allowed just 7 base-runners, but 6 of them crossed home plate indicating a regression in his perfect 100% Strand Rate. While I’m still not sure I believe the good command so far, the fact he’s not beating himself is a big positive for fantasy owners. He’ll get the Astros or Cubs in his next start, a favorable matchup against impatient offenses and while owners might want to reserve him to see if he starts nibbling agains after struggling on Thursday, it’s a matchup worth considering given the opponents lack of patience.
Mat Latos:
Early in the season I highlighted Latos noting I thought it would take some time, but the upside was tremendous. Well… after 17 consecutive scoreless innings in which he’s allowed just 3 hits, walked none, and struck out 15; I think it’s apparent just how big the upside is. He pitches in a tremendous home park and has the benefit of some favorable matchups pitching in the NL West and he posted career minor league peripherals of 10.5 K/9, 2.3 BB/9, 0.3 HR/9, while being promoted aggresively. Because he’s been moved so aggressively and he’s pitching in a small market, he hasn’t had the same hype of some other pitching prospects, but from a fantasy perspective he’s just as elite. He’s had tremendous luck early on (.261 BABIP, 80.1% LOB%), but he’s also shown very good skills (51% GB Rate, 1.9 BB/9, 6.6 K/9). As a strike-thrower (63%) who is generating ground balls, he can succeed immediately. Throw in the improving K Rate (7.43 K/9 in May) and you’ve got a high upside young pitcher pitching in a tremendous home park. He should be added everywhere immediately.
Jonathan Sanchez:
Sanchez was magnificent again on Thursday allowing just 1 ER on 5 hits and 1 BB over 8 innings against the Padres. It was a bit of an unusual performance for Sanchez as he was efficient with his pitches (105, 13 pitches/inning) and struck out just 5. For the season Sanchez is showing some mild improvements with a few more GB’s (42%) and a few less BB’s (4.09 BB/9) but what’s really standing out is his dominance as a matchups play. In Sanchez’s 3 starts against SD and PIT, he’s struck out 26 and walked 7 in 25 IP while allowing 7 Hits and just 2 ER’s. The total line 1-2 (thanks for the run support) with a 0.32 ERA and 0.56 WHIP. In his 4 outings against NYM, COL, PHI, and ATL, Sanchez has gone 1-1 with a 4.71 ERA and 1.74 WHIP. With two matchups on deck next week in SD and OAK, Sanchez looks in line to continue to post elite numbers. He’ll continue to be a great matchups play and overall source of K’s but savvy owners looking for a sell high opportunity may find Sanchez’s value at its peak 7 weeks into the season.
Mike Stanton:
Stanton didn’t homer on Thursday for the Marlins AA affiliate in Jacksonville, which at this point is almost as newsworthy as when he does homer. He’s posted a .349/.493/.844 line at AA that includes an improved EYE (0.94) and absurd XBH Rate (22%). He’s still striking out a TON (30%) and has a very long swing, which makes me wonder what kind of adjustment period Stanton will have this year. The Marlins aren’t going to risk super 2 status on Stanton, so no matter what he does he’s not going to be up until early June. While he’ll deserve an immediate look in all formats because of the immense raw power (I’m not sure we’ve ever seena prospect with this power at age 20), the peripherals are so all or nothing that I have no idea what to project. I’m stashing Stanton in leagues I have space and I suggest doing the same, but I’m not sure there’s a wider range of potential outcomes for any prospect than Stanton’s 1st year. Long-term he’s going to be fantastic and while there’s a good chance he’ll be able to contribute right away this year, the 30% K Rate at AA suggests it’s not guaranteed to happen this year.
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