Phil Hughes - Hughes continued his solid start to the season on Wednesday, moving to 5-1 by scattering seven Padre singles over seven innings, fanning seven without walking a man. Hughes has taken his typically solid control to new levels this year, as he's walked just six men in nine starts, with none coming in his last 38 2/3 innings. Aside from the increase in strike-throwing and a reborn reliance on his cutter, there isn't much that's surprising here. Hughes was very likely to pitch well in a more forgiving park, and that's what he's been doing. Next week, with the Rangers at home and then the return to Yankee Stadium, could be interesting. I still like him in most matchups, but in smaller parks I'd likely have him reserved no matter how well he's been pitching.
Chris Tillman - The backsliding continues for Chris Tillman, who has now failed to strike out more than 3 batters in four straight outings. As opposed to last week's complete-game shutout of the Royals, where every ball ended up in an Oriole glove, Tillman walked three and allowed six hits in just one-plus innings against the Pirates Wednesday. Even prior to Wednesday's outing, Tillman's numbers were all drifting back toward the bad old days of the AAA/MLB shuttle....all except ERA and W/L record, of course. His velocity is down, his control is very spotty again, and his inability to generate punchouts is concerning to say the least. Even though he has a two-start week against the Brewers and Astros next week, I'd think twice about using him.
Joe Nathan - Nathan had rattled off saves in 7 straight opportunities coming into Wednesday's game, but a two-run shot by David Murphy in the 9th brought that string to an end. Even in those 7 straight saves, Nathan had walked 3 and only fanned 4 over 7 innings, and he's still posting the worst BB rate, K rate, and velocity of his career as a reliever. He's trying to compensate by throwing more sliders than he ever has previously, which has been his only positive-value inducing pitch in 2014. I'm a bit concerned, both for his health and for the ongoing quality of his performance. I certainly wouldn't mind shopping him if I had some extra in the saves department.
Lonnie Chisenhall - Chisenhall homered, doubled, and walked in Wednesday's slugfest, bringing his season line up to 367/436/510. It's always interesting when we talk about players showing or not showing power early in the season, only for a couple of games to completely re-adjust things. Chisenhall has been hitting line drive after line drive to start this season (34% LD rate), which helps support that monstrous .466 BABIP, but he hadn't hit a ball out until connecting off of Max Scherzer yesterday. With 11 doubles to go along with that one homer in just 98 ABs, the power issue doesn't concern me a bit compared to the positives seen from the LD rate. He only plays against RHP, so his value is certainly limited a bit relative to full-timers, but he deserves a spot in many formats nonetheless.
James Jones - Jones walked and tripled in the 4-3 loss to Texas Wednesday, and the 25 year old has now hit in 11 straight and has moved atop the Mariner order. Jones is a tall, skinny OF with solid contact ability, a patient approach at the plate, and good speed offset somewhat by a lack of over-the-fence pop. He only came into the 2014 season with 4 games played above the AA level, but he's looked pretty solid thus far in working his way into the good side of a platoon with Stefan Romero for Seattle. As a NYC kid, he may very well be a bit behind the normal developmental curve, although I don't think double-digit power will ever show up. He's been hot, while Abraham Almonte's star has dimmed considerably at present, so Jones is worth a look right now in AL-only leagues as a potential AVG/R/SB play.
