Kosuke Fukudome- CLE- Hot- Regression to the mean had been hitting Fukudome, as he went 3-for-26 in the 7 games before last night. That was to be expected as he came to the Indians with a .330 BABIP. He countered the trend last night, going 2-for-4 with a homer and 3 RBI. His BABIP is still at .317, so when looking at him for 2012, figure him for somewhere between this performance for the Cubs and that for the Indians.
Blake Beavan- SEA- Hot- Beavan showed off his one skill to good advantage yesterday. For the third straight start and 4th time in his last 5 he walked no one. The control as well as some good luck (.276 BABIP) since he was recalled from the minors has helped keep his ERA and WHIP low. Because he doesn't miss many bats (3.72 K/9) Beavan will be extremely luck dependent. You will be able to find more consistency elsewhere next year.
Kyle Seager- SEA- Hot- Seager has a 5-game hitting streak going in which he has hit 7-for-19. He will also be playing games at SS with the injury to Luis Rodriguez. Seager has experienced some regression to the mean, as his average has dropped to .265 as his BABIP has gone down to .321. His Batting EYE is still below his minor league norm. If Seager can increase that next season he could end up contributing in the average an homer categories (he has 9 between the majors and minors this season) at a middle infield position.
Anthony Swarzak- MIN- Idea- Swarzak tossed his 3rd quality start in his last 4 outings and there are signs that he might be a better starter than his numbers indicate. In these past 4 starts he has struck out 14 batters in 21.2 IP, a much better ratio than his overall 4.61 K/9. Across all 10 of his starts his K/9 is only 4.71 so the uptick began after he was installed as a member of the rotation. Consistency has been his problem and if that can be remedied with a better defined role, then Swarzak could be a sleeper in 2012. See if he continues this trend in Spring Training and see if you can grab him as a low risk type of pick if he does.
B. J. Upton- TB- Hot- Upton has gone 8-for-17 with a double, triple, homer, 4 runs, 3 RBI and a steal in his last 4 games. He has experiencing very good luck this month, with a .469 BABIP driving a .346 average. This regression to the mean has gotten Upton back to where you can expect him to be. It's not a preview of a monster 2012.
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