Blake DeWitt (2B-LAD) – We haven’t updated DeWitt since May 3, so it’s time. Sunday, DeWitt was 2-for-3 with a run scored to bring his batting line to .286/.366/.403. The first two numbers are fine, as is a 0.79 EYE, but as usual, the questions surrounding DeWitt remain his long-term power potential. DeWitt continues to have issues getting the ball in the air, as his 32% FB% isn’t quite as high as you would want to see. He’s more of a gap hitter at this point, but as DeWitt rose though the prospect ranks, most analysts figured he’s eventually develop 15-20 HR power. That’ would be fine now that DeWitt has moved off a corner position, and his status as a former first-round draft pick combined with his solid plate discipline would seem to indicate the best is yet to come.
Jason Bay (OF-NYM) – Bay entered Sunday’s game with just one homer in 161 at-bats as he does his David Wright circa 2009 impression, but if you were looking to buy low, it’s too late. Sunday, Bay slugged two homers while drawing a HBP and a walk in his four plate appearances. For the year, Bay is batting .307/.395/.472. Bay is now 10-for-15 in his last three games. Bay entered Sunday’s game with a ridiculously low 1.9% HR/FB rate, so the two homers shouldn’t exactly be a big surprise. Instead, consider how streaky Bay has been in the past and get ready for an explosion. His fantasy owners will just have to hope that Jose Reyes can improve dramatically on his .266 OBP and that Jerry Manuel realizes that hitting Alex Cora second is a poor idea. Seriously, why was Angel Pagan (.351 OBP) batting sixth on Sunday?
Aaron Cook (SP-COL) – Another “blah” start for Cook on Sunday – four runs on nine hits over 4.1 innings. Cook walked four and struck out just one, and with a 25:25 K:BB, that ratio isn’t much of a surprise. Cook has never been much of a strikeout guy (to say the least with a 3.7 K/9 career), but he’s had success due to his command (2.7 BB/9) and his ability to do a decent job limiting the long ball. He’s done the latter, but after Sunday, Cook now has a 4.4 BB/9 this season. Cook’s velocity has dropped nearly 2.5 mph the last few years, and combined with declining command, Cook is in trouble. Jhoulys Chacin has impressed in his brief time in the Colorado rotation, and with Jorge De La Rosa due back at some point in the near future (finger injury), could Cook’s rotation status be in jeopardy? Maybe…
Gaby Sanchez (1B-FLA) – It seems like only a matter of time before Logan Morrison takes over at first base in Florida, but Sanchez for now is keeping Morrison down. Sunday, Sanchez was 3-for-5 with a double and three RBI, continuing to thrive via hitting in front of Hanley Ramirez. Just think how much more productive he’d be if the Marlins didn’t have a leadoff man with a .260 OBP (Chris Coghlan, who 442. Sanchez never showed the power of a prototypical 1B in the minors, recording a 28.2 AB/HR in well over 1,700 at-bats. He did have a .393 OBP and 1.0 EYE, so he could carve out a nice career as a starting first baseman, but there won’t be any All-Star appearances in his future.
Bud Norris (SP-HOU) – As I was about to express my outrage at Astros manager Brad Mills slotting Jason Michaels and his .231 OBP in the 2-hole, I looked at the rest of the roster and nodded my head at the decision. That’s now pathetic the Astros are. Anyway, I digress. Bud Norris. Sunday, Norris had an interesting game – five innings, five runs (four earned), three homers, and 10 strikeouts. I’m going to go out on a limb and call Norris the best pitcher in baseball with a 6.80 ERA. Why? – a very impressive 11.1 K/9. Unfortunately Norris also has a 5.4 BB/9 and his line drive rate is over 27%, which is well above league average. The general rule is that if a guy is underperforming but misses bats, that said guy is a sleeper, and that guy is Bud Norris.
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