Ryan Kalish:
After collecting 2 hits in his major league debut, Kalish went 0-3 on Sunday with a K and a Sac Fly. With Mike Cameron banged up and Jacoby Ellsbury rehabbing Kalish will be guaranteed AB’s this week, but what happens when they’re healthy? My guess is the Red Sox will find ways to get Kalish’s AB in the lineup 4-5 days a week as they shift into development mode. As a fantasy option any Red Sox player deserves attention as they play in a hitters paradise with a deep lineup, but a closer look at Kalish suggests it might take a bit of time for him to contribute. His 20% K Rate at AAA coupled with a bit of a power drop from AA to AAA, makes me believe he might not be ready to replicate the big minor league numbers he was putting up (on pace for 20 HR-40 SB season). He was posting just a .832 OPS at AAA and while he killed it at AA he’s shown a consistent pattern of needing a half year at level to adjust and then dominate. AL Only leaguers should take a chance on the upside, but I wouldn’t blow a significant portion of my FAAB given the playing time concerns and the statistical profile which suggests it may take some time.
CC Sabathia:
This isn’t exactly the 2nd half surge we’re used to seeing from CC Sabathia. For the 4th straight outing Sabathia walked 3 or more and allowed 8 or more hits. Thomas touched on Sabathia’s declining peripherals in a post earlier this week and there’s some real reason for concern here. At the root of the problem is fastball command. Sabathia is throwing more two seam fastballs this year (up 13% from just 3%) in an attempt to generate more ground balls. While the ground balls are up, the command is down as Sabathia doesn’t have as good a feel for his 2-seamer. In addition the K’s are down as CC throws his 2-seamer with a little less velocity. The trade-off to limit FB’s in Yankees Stadium is an adept decision but Sabathia’s inability to command his 2-seamer is hurting fantasy owners. If the trade was a straight trade for less K’s and less HR’s (better ERA, similar WHIP), fantasy owners would be fine, but the loss of command is hurting CC’s WHIP with little real improvement in ERA. Sacrificing K’s and WHIP for a slight boost in ERA, isn’t the trade-off fantasy owners were hoping for, but it’s the one CC is giving them. I’d imagine as he gets used to throwing the two-seamer more (it appears from pitch F/X data he just started throwing it 2 years ago, the command will improve. But for this season we might have to suffer through a bit of an adjustment period with CC.
Alex Gordon:
Nothing like 2 HR’s over the weekend to get Alex Gordon back on fantasy radars. Gordon extended his hitting streak to 7 games with a 2-3 effort that included his 3rd HR of the season. Gordon’s now 8-35 since returning with 3 XBH’s and 4 K’s. He continues to suffer from some horrid luck (.179 BHIP%) since returning which has been consistent all season. Despite posting a solid 21% LD Rate Gordon’s BABIP sits at just .204. The power he’s flashed in the minors still hasn’t come but he’s improved his contact rate, his LD Rate, and his EYE. Gordon took his demotion in stride pounding AAA pitching to the tune of .315/.442/.577 and from talking to a friend within the Royals organization he suggested Gordon appears to have mentally given himself a fresh start. The production hasn’t quite been there since he’s returned to the major leagues, but the indicators are promising. It’s a very small sample we’re dealing with here, but its enough that I think mixed leaguers in 14 team leagues or deeper should take the chance.
Michael Saunders:
Saunders picked up one of the two hits against Francisco Liriano on Sunday with a 3B in the 5th inning. Saunders 2010 numbers don’t look that intriguing (.243/.316/.441) but a look at his last few weeks suggests he’s worth a 2nd look. Saunders has picked up hits in 11 of his last 13 games while posting a 1.00 EYE (4 K’s, 4 BB’s), collecting 5 XBH’s, and going 14-41. Saunders hit an impressive .310/.378/.544 last season at AAA earning him a Top 30 prospect ranking from Baseball America. While the recent improvements come in a small sample, they do indicate some improvement in skills that are significant. At AAA Saunders posted a K Rate around 17%, but at the major league level he’s been striking out in closer to 30% of his AB’s during last season and this season. With improved contact, Saunders good power skills are starting to show. Mixed leaguers in leagues of 14 or more (as well as AL Only leagues) with 5 OF’s should take a look as Saunders has locked up playing time for the rest of the season. The lineup support won’t be great as indicated by Saunders accruing just 4 Runs and 5 RBI’s in this great stretch, but there’s power upside and his skills warrant an improvement in batting average as well. It won’t be a big breakout because of the lack of lineup support, but Saunders is taking nice steps forward as a 23 year old at the big league level.
Gavin Floyd:
A quietly remarkable run for Gavin Floyd continued on Sunday as Floyd made it the 10th time in his last 11 outings that he’s allowed 1 ER or fewer (the other outing he allowed 2) by limiting the A’s to just 1 ER on 4 hits and 3 BB’s over 7 innings of work. He struck out and droppd his ERA to 3.54 while picking up his 7th win of the season. Floyd was awful early in the season but we preached patience and noted the solid peripherals. As they’ve regressed his owners have gotten a huge boost. It’s hard to believe but Floyd’s actually improved his peripherals from his breakout 2009 season by upping his GB Rate to a fantastic 51%. He hasn’t allowed a HR since June 2nd and with good command, he’s making hitters beat him by stringing together 1B’s. He’s quietly become an elite #2 fantasy starter.
There are over 100 player news blurbs posted in the member area each morning, members can read the rest of today's player news by clicking here link:www.fantistics.com/baseball00/. Not a member? Join today link:www.fantistics.com/join/join.php3
Also if you're interested in daily updates and analysis from my vantage point. Follow me all season long on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DrewDinkmeyer
