Mike Fiers- MIL- Idea- I went to the Nashville Sounds game on Sunday and saw Fiers pitch. He was dominant, throwing 6.2 scoreless IP and allowing 5 hits and a walk while striking out 5. Of his 96 pitches, 60 were for strikes. In his previous start Fiers allowed just one run at Iowa, giving up 3 hits, walking none and striking out 9. His 2013 season was cut short by a broken arm so he couldn't build on his first big league contribution of 2012. At least in his first two minor league starts this year Fiers looks to be fully recovered. Right now there is no room for him in Milwaukee but they likely wouldn't hesitate to call him up should the need arise. If so he could be a sleeper candidate.
Kevin Frandsen- WAS- Cold- Frandsen has been seeing more work than the typical super utility player lately. Last night was his 3rd straight start, all of them in the OF. He has also played 2B this season. Some regression may have set in last night, as he went 0-for-4 with a walk. That dropped his average from .467 to .368 and his BABIP from .500 to .412. In his journeyman career Frandsen has seen his average correlate directly with his BABIP. They have never been more than 28 points different, and other than one season, never more than 19 points apart. More playing time will likely mean more regression and a drastic drop in his average.
Brad Hand- MIA- Cold- He's a pitcher for Miami and his last name starts with "H." However, it doesn't end with "ernanadez" so Hand isn't much of a fantasy contributor. Last night he only lasted 3 innings against the Nationals, charged with 5 runs on 8 hits and a walk while striking out 2. Overall, Hand has walked 6 in 1.1 IP this season, giving an early indication that he hasn't mastered the control issues that make him avoidable in the fantasy world.
Dan Uggla- ATL- Hot- Uggla hit his first two homers of the season of what should be quite a few more. He is projected to end up with 21, which is what gives him value as a 2B. His average of .222 is being dragged down by bad luck (.250 BABIP) but not to the absurd lengths it was in 2013. Importantly, Uggla walked for the second time this season, inching his BB% up to 4.1%. It was over 14% in each of the past two seasons. Uggla can usually hold his own in OBP leagues, with his power a plus from his position.
Homer Bailey- CIN- Cold- Maybe Bailey should consider changing his name to Single Bailey. Last night he allowed 4 of his namesake in 5 IP. After 3 starts this season, Bailey has an 8.16 ERA but his xFIP is only 2.78. Last season he only allowed 20 long balls in 32 starts so the 6 he has given up so far this season look likely to be an anomaly. Bailey might be a buy low opportunity.
Follow me on Twitter all season - @fantisticspaul
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