Nick Markakis:
Markakis has been a huge disappointment this year and a close look at his peripherals reveals a 3rd straight year of declining ISO and SB attempts. His plate patience skills are still good (.97 EYE, 19% LD Rate), but the declining power and speed has made him a less valuable fantasy commodity. Throw in an injury to Brian Roberts which has left the Orioles with a rotating black hole of OBP-inept leadoff men and Markakis’ RBI opportunities have dropped significantly. With less men on base, less power to knock himself in or others from 1B, and less speed… Markakis is very ordinary. He’ll provide a good batting average and decent run potential thanks to his keen EYE at the plate, but the days of 90-100 RBI’s aren’t coming unless the ISO gets well above .150 again. If you can still capitalize on Markakis’ name value, I’d strongly consider making a move. Even with Brian Roberts eventual return helping Markakis’ RBI Opportunities, the power/speed contributions will be mild and leave you wanting more.
Gordon Beckham:
The rebound many were hoping for just hasn’t come for Beckham and while he’s put together a very modest 3 game hitting streak (hit safely in 6 of 8), Beckham’s starting to see some issues with job security popping up. Ozzie Guillen indicated Jayson Nix may get some playing time at 2B and also indicated Beckham is not an option at 3B. Even while Beckham’s seen his batting average climb a bit of late it’s been very singles driven (last XBH was APRIL 29th). For Beckham to get back to last year’s level of success the power is going to have to come. His .039 ISO is just 20% of last year’s power outage and the big reason for Beckham’s Sophomore slump. With no sign of the power coming and concerns over playing time creeping up, owners have to cut bait on Beckham if they haven’t yet. In deep keeper leagues I’d try to stay patient but if I was contending I’d be willing to let go the future upside of Beckham for a shot this year.
Adam Lind:
I know there’s an assumption that Adam Lind will eventually rebound given his monstrous season last year and his pedigree, but the further I dig into his peripherals, the more I get concerned. His K Rate of 27% is going to severely limit his BA upside and if his .257 ISO last year isn’t sustainable (.161 this year, .206 final year in AA), we’re looking at a .260/.320/.460 type guy, very ordinary. Yes his .247 BABIP allows some upward regression for Lind in the BA department, but for anything close to last season’s performance you’re going to have to see some considerable improvements in his contact rates, plate discipline and power; and frankly I don’t think it’s coming.
Bobby Jenks:
I feel like Jenks peripherals from last season have put him in this shaky closer category that isn’t necessarily deserved based on his peripherals this season and his manager’s impression of his skill. Every blow-up generates tons of intrigue on Thornton or Putz but we haven’t seen Ozzie Guillen’s faith tremble and Jenks usually comes back with a couple good outings. Such was the case this week as Jenks tossed 4 scoreless innings and picked up 2 saves after his last blow-up on May 26th. For the season Jenks K and GB Rates remain elite, he’s just struggling some with his command. His xFIP is actually a very solid 3.20 as he’s suffered from some bad luck on HR’s and some horrible luck on balls in play .429 BABIP. Add in the fact that Ozzie Guillen has repeatedly said he feels most comfortable with Jenks in the closer’s role and I don’t think he’s leaving anytime soon. It will be a bumpy ride with Jenks because of the high LD Rate (26%) and BB Rate (4.95 BB/9), but I think it will take a massive implosion to lose the role and given he’s due for some positive regression on balls in play, I’m not sure we’ll see it. He’s not an elite closing option, but I don’t think he’s close to losing his job either.
Johnny Damon:
Without the short porch in Yankees Stadium to help boost Damon’s power rates we’re beginning to see just how ordinary a fantasy player he is. Damon’s EYE is right in line with past seasons and actually a bit improved as he’s taking a few more BB’s this year. His LD Rate is right in line with last year as is his BABIP (.311). But a drop in his HR/FB Rate by over half and a 70 point reduction in ISO has dragged all of Damon’s other numbers down with him. As a Yankee we could expect .280/.370/.460 or so with 20 15 HR’s and 20 SB’s and a whole bunch of Runs. But without the power being aided by a home park suited to his swing, the HR pace has dipped down to barely double digits. At 36 the speed and willingness to steal bases has declined and now he’s basically just a Run specialist for those in Roto formats. His high OBP makes him a decent run scorer (on pace for over 100), but fantasy owners need to look past the name and realize Damon is just a 1 category contributor at this point in his Roto career.
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