Matt Harrison- TEX- Idea- Harrison credits his June success to working with the team psychologist. Maybe that helped, but it certainly didn't hurt that Harrison had a BABIP of .260 and a LOB% of 89.5% for the month. His FIP of 3.02 for June indicate that his ERA of 1.29 was more a product of regression to the mean than mental revelation. Harrison's BABIP stood at .322 entering June.
Hector Noesi- SEA- Stats- Noesi's K/9 has dropped from 7.19 last year with the Yankees to 5.59 this season with the Mariners. His HR/9 has jumped from 0.96 to 1.86. His GB% has gone down to 35.7% from 40.9%. Those are the major components in his collapse this season. Manager Eric Wedge is rightfully considering dropping Noesi from the rotation and possibly even sending him to the minors. Noesi isn't worth looking at in fantasy leagues until he gets his strikeout and ground ball rates back up.
Scott Diamond-MIN- Stats- Diamond's differential between his ERA of 2.63 and FIP of 4.00 indicate that he has been a beneficiary of good luck, but it goes deeper than looking at his overall BABIP of .289 and LOB% of 80.2%. The southpaw has held righthanders to a .250 average but been lit up by lefthanders to the tune of a .324 average. Looking at the respective BABIPs can sort that out. Lefties have a .346 BABIP and righthanders a .273 mark. When regression to the mean kicks in it might be uneven depending on what lineups Diamond faces.
Justin Verlander- DET- Great player- Verlander hit the 110-pitch mark for the 10th time this season yesterday. He had done it 15 times by this point in 2011, so his usage is actually down. This is despite him already having 5 complete games, one more than all of last year. It seems like Verlander is more efficient and looks to be in position to continue his strong performance.
Deunte Heath- CHA- Rookie- Heath's fastball hits the upper 90s, which makes him intriguing and drives his 10.26 K/9 at AAA Charlotte after a 13.11 mark at AA in 2011. He doesn't have as much control of the heat as is desirable and his offspeed pitches are lacking. That's how he has ended up with a 5.44 BB/9 so far this season. Heath has both started and relieved in the minors but is slated for relief in his major league debut because of the control issues. Getting his pitches under control will be a necessity for success at the major league level and a role with more fantasy value. Right now he is a very deep sleeper at best.
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