Kelly Johnson - Johnson did have an RBI triple and a pair of walks yesterday, but the massive K totals this year are killing his production. Johnson's ISO has maintained its expected bump from the move to Arizona last year here in 2011, and he still has a decent batting eye and enough speed to be a 15 SB threat as well, but after striking out 25% of the time last year Johnson has accelerated that pace to close to 33% of the time this season. Furthermore, he's fanning even more here in June than he did in April or May, striking out 29 times in 75 AB's already this month. Normally K's aren't an issue for me, but when you aren't putting the ball in play over 40% of the time (between walks and K's) it makes it that much harder to produce. Johnson still offers enough in power and speed to be a worthwhile start at 2B in deeper formats, but this year looks much more like his difficult 2009 than his "emerging star" years of 2008 and 2010.
Trent Oeltjen - With the Dodgers still one OF shy of a full complement, Trent Oeltjen's big day yesterday might give him some value going forward in deeper formats. Oeltjen had two singles, a walk, a triple, and a homer in the 15-0 pasting of the Twins yesterday, and while the 28 year old journeyman is not going to be a consistent power threat, he does have enough speed and AVG capabilities to be worth a look. I'm curious to see if this buys him some more PT, as their other options right now (Gwynn and Thames) leave plenty to be desired. Oeltjen merits watching here over the next week or so for a potential pickup in deep leagues.
Mat Latos - Latos had a much easier time with the Royals than the Red Sox and Rockies before them, holding Kansas City to three runs over six innings. Latos walked two and struck out six in the 4-3 win. He really looks like he's taken a small step backward this year, as his velocity and control have both deteriorated a bit, but even so his FIP ERA is down around three and a half. Therefore, although the injury risk is apparent, he's still firmly a buy-low candidate, albeit one with a bit more risk than others.
Matt Garza - Garza definitely scuffled a bit, particularly with his control, in the first three starts off the DL this month, but his last two outings (including a very solid 7 1/3 yesterday against the Rockies) certainly make it seem like hes righted the ship. Garza has walked one and fanned ten over 12 1/3 his last two times on the hill, getting back to the sort of pitching that had all of us pounding the table on him as a buy-low candidate back in May. As successful as he was in the AL East the past few years, you've got to expect the NL Central will end up kicking his stats up a notch by the end of the year anyway, and there's been no degradation of stuff to offset a much improved GB rate. All things considered, I'm very optimistic about the rest of Garza's season.
Mike Leake - Mike Leake has been on fire since returning to the rotation at the end of May, rattling off six quality starts in seven outings including last night's six shutout innings against the Rays. Leake isn't doing anything special this year outside of improved control and an increased reliance on his cutter, but those minor improvements have resulted in a pitcher that has been very steady for five weeks now. A little bit of average-related regression is likely, but Leake should remain a mid-rotation option in all formats going forward.
