Scooter Gennett was a trendy sleeper pick this draft season after a solid finish to the 2013 season with the Brewers. His 2014 numbers mirror last season's late surge, and with Monday's home run, the pop is checking out too. More importantly for the fake-baseball community though, Gennett appears locked into the leadoff spot with the Brewers. Entering last night's game, Gennett had played five games atop the team's lineup and slashed .429/.455/.619. His four runs, four doubles and three RBIs, with a steal are a solid week of production. The Brewers have been searching for a leadoff hitter since the offseason trade of Norichika Aoki, and appear to have their man. Setting the table for a high-octane offense is fantasy gold. Gennett is an above-average contact hitter, with just enough speed and power to chip in across all categories. However, it is his potential to touch a lot of bases, which could make him a fantasy star.
Miami Marlins highly-touted prospect Andrew Heaney will make his major league debut Thursday, June 18 against the New York Mets. The left-handed pitcher was called up from Triple-A New Orleans Monday. Heaney is an automatic add in all league formats, and getting the Mets for his first start is a bonus. Between New Orleans and Double-A Jacksonville, the 23-year old Heaney posted a 79/15 K/BB ratio across 76.2 innings, with a 2.47 ERA and 1.10 ERA. He has solid movement on his fastball, with a plus slider and changeup. His progression this season has been impressive, showing increased maturity and mound savvy. It is unlikely Heaney bursts onto the scene and becomes a front-end fantasy starter. Although, with the NL East being far from a powder keg offensively, and the spacious confines of Marlins Park, there is plenty of potential for fantasy success. If you own Heaney, or land him off waivers in the near future, don't be afraid to test the trade waters. Flipping him for a proven talent is highly advised, he only has 175 innings pitched as a pro.
2013 was a disaster for Starlin Castro. The Cubs shortstop was thrown out of whack at the plate by then-manager Dale Sveum, had off-the-field issues with his finances and ultimately played poorly in every aspect of the game. 2014 has been a polar opposite. Castro has thrived in the cleanup role, entering Monday with a slash line of .284/.335/.497, with seven home runs and 26 RBIs. Castro's run production is a rare find among his shortstop-eligible peers. His three-run blast Monday night, was No. 10 on the season and brought his run total up to 31 and it was RBI No. 38. Castro is boasting a career best .180 ISO, perhaps answering the question of whether he would develop more power as he aged. Castro's stock was so low to begin the season, but at 24-years old, and with almost 3000 plate appearances already, there is a lot to like going forward. Castro's LD%, FB% and BB% are up above his career averages, while his K% and GB% are down below. The arrow is pointing straight up as he enters his prime.
It has been an up-and-down season for Allen Craig, who started slow, heated up in May, and appears to be slowing down again. Monday night's offensive outburst will hopefully kick start another solid stretch. Craig has some ground to make up if he is going to post his third straight 90 RBI campaign. The biggest statistical outlier for Craig is the plunge in his LD%, which has raised his GB% to 54.4. Craig's ISO and BABIP are suffering the consequences. His 2012 and 2013 numbers were pretty beastly and likely unrepeatable, but the correction to the norm has swung too far. Expect Craig's batting average to climb into the .285 area by season's end. His LD% has to improve. Craig is an excellent buy-low candidate. The Cardinals' offense has the sixth fewest runs scored in baseball: They're far better than that. Next week's trip to Coors Field will likely slam the buy-low window shut.
The Colorado Rockies called up their 2010 first-round pick Kyle Parker Monday, June 16. He didn't play Monday night, but given his pedigree the Rockies wouldn't promote him to sit on the bench, so expect him to see close to regular playing time. He has pop in his bat, which always plays well in Coors Field. The Rockies begin a six-game home stand Friday, June 20, so Parker will have a chance to show off his pop. In 66 games at Triple-A Colorado Springs Parker slashed .292/.347/.478, with 30 extra-base hits and identical 38 RBI and run totals. Parker is a talented athlete who was the Clemson Tigers starting quarterback. He is also the only player in NCAA Division I history to throw 20 touchdowns and hit 20 home runs in the same year. The Rockies crowded outfield is an issue, but Walt Weiss will find at bats for the right-handed hitting Parker. He has played right field at Triple-A Colorado Springs, but could also play first base, which he did in the Fall League. He isn't an immediate add in all formats, but one to certainly keep an eye on. He has a short-powerful swing and quick hands, which should play well in the thin air.
