All posts under "Player Commentary" - Page 128

Lots of movement this week with the trade deadline just a day a way. The Pirates look to be the big winners so far, acquiring Jeff Clement, Tim Alderson, and a host of others in return for guys who won't...

Jason Marquis (SP – Rockies) As has been his style this year, Jason Marquis wiggled his way through 6 effective innings on Tuesday night. As Paul pointed out yesterday, Marquis’ .274 BABIP and 7.7% HR/FB rate are ripe for some...

Melky Cabrera - Let's call this a big up arrow, as Brett Gardner's injury opens the door for Cabrera to get even more playing time to take advantage of his semi-breakout season. Cabrera's stats sell him a bit short I...

Adam Wainwright- STL- Caution- Wainwright has performed very well this season but he has been throwing many more pitches than he has done in the past. In his first two seasons as a starter he hit the 110 pitch mark...

Todd Wellemeyer (SP-STL) – Wellemeyer might very well find himself out of the St. Louis rotation after Sunday’s performance in Philadelphia. Lasting 5.2 innings, Wellemeyer allowed seven runs (five earned) on a whopping 11 hits, walking one, striking out three,...

Jason Frasor: Frasor worked a clean 9th inning, striking out 1 in the process, and now has 7 consecutive scoreless appearances. It was a 4 run lead so there is no indication of a switch in the closer’s role but...

Deolis Guerra - RHP Minnesota Twins Yes, he's still around ... and he's still only 20. Deolis Guerra came to the Twins in the Johan Santana trade and I talked at the time about how I feel that despite the...

Jorge de la Rosa - Jorge won his sixth in a row yesterday, holding the Giants to two runs over 7 1/3 innings, striking out seven without a walk. De la Rosa has made great strides this year in almost...

Luke Hochevar (SP—Royals) There is little doubt that Luke Hochevar has plenty of upside and after Saturday’s start against a potent Ranger lineup where he struck out 13, you might suspect that there is a sense that Hochevar might be...

Aaron Rowand: Rowand has missed some time after getting hit with a Tommy Hanson pitch earlier in the week, but he should avoid the DL. His skills are heading in the wrong direction, 2007/2008/2009 BB%’s of 7%/7%/7% and Ct%’s of...

Carlos Guillen (OF – Tigers) Carlos Guillen returned from the DL on Friday, and started both games of a double-header. He was used at DH, and batted 5th in both contests. Guillen returns to quite an ugly .200 / .267...

Mark Reynolds: I continue to be amazed by Reynolds development. Depsite making few improvements to his K:BB Ratio, an area most experts thought he’d need to vastly improve to maintain consistent success, Reynolds has taken giant steps forward in 2009....

Chris Duncan: The Red Sox sent the newly acquired Duncan to Triple-A. Prior to the deal, Duncan had been mired in a horrible slump, just 1 hit in his last 31 AB, so a stint in Triple-A to regain his...

Jarrod Washburn- SEA- Caution- A couple of things have come together for Washburn in this career (so far) year. One is under his control and one is not. First, Washburn has put together his best K rate EVAR! Second, he...

Miguel Montero (C-Diamondbacks) –Generally, fantasy owners fall into three different categories. You’ve got one type who have assembled their All-Star team and will ride that team ‘til the end, win or lose, with the belief that the cream will rise...

American League 10 Desmond Jennings TAM OF A- On fire: .485 in last 10. .328/.412/.510 with 36 SB and 1.02 EYE. Crawford's replacement? 11 Jesus Montero NYY C A- Just .211 in last 10 games but HR in 2 of...

Gaby Sanchez (1B – Marlins) Gaby Sanchez was called up on Tuesday. Sanchez’s defensive skills are ideally suited for 1B, but he has shown the ability to handle the hot corner adequately in Triple-A this year. It is way, way...

Doug Davis- ARI- Cold- Davis was crushed yesterday, giving up 8 runs on 6 hits and 4 walks in just 2-1/3 IP. Since a run of 4 consecutive starts in which he threw 110 or more pitches he has gone...

Sean O'Sullivan (SP - Angels) Sean O’Sullivan was scheduled to start on Monday night, but the game was postponed due to rain. Since the game never even started, it would seem logical to have O’Sullivan get the start Tuesday night...

Matt Kemp (OF-LAD) – It was encouraging to see Kemp in the fifth spot in the order Saturday against left-hander Mike Hampton, but Kemp was two slots lower Sunday against the right-hander Russ Ortiz. Just a thought, but Joe Torre...

Marc Rzepczynski (SP—Blue Jays) Marc Rzepczynski nailed down the first victory of his career and did it impressive fashion against a tough team in the Red Sox. Rzepczynski has only logged 18 innings in 3 starts this season but he...

Ted Lilly: Lilly missed his start yesterday due to inflammation in his left knee, but may start tomorrow in Philadelphia. He always had the dominance to succeed, 2006/2007/2008/2009 K/9’s of 7.9/7.6/8.1/7.6, but it was not until Lilly improved his control,...

Fausto Carmona (SP – Indians) Carmona has certainly surprised with his immediate effectiveness in the minors. He was dominant in his lone Single-A and lone Double-A start, and now has looked very solid in his three starts at Triple-A (3.79...

Bronson Arroyo: Arroyo’s struggled all season battling a declining K Rate, increasing BB Rate and general overall decline, but for the last 2 outings; he’s been spectacular. Arroyo started off the 2nd half right where he left the first half...

Seth Smith: Seth Smith continues to get the raw end of the Colorado OF rotation. A commitment to get youngsters Carlos Gonzalez and Dexter Fowler AB’s and Ryan Spilborghs dominance against LHP leaves Smith as the odd man out in...

Jose Bautista: Bautista’s powerless .266 batting average, just 2 home runs in 143 AB, is even worse than it appears. With a 69% Ct%, an inflated .310 BHIP%, and a history of low BHIP%’s, 2006/2007/2008 BHIP%’s of .221/.217.227, expect Bautista’s...

John Smoltz (SP—Red Sox) – There are a lot of red flags where John Smoltz is concerned. First, he’s 42; he’s no spring chicken and is certainly in the twilight of a hall of fame career. Second, he’s returning for...

Russell Branyan: With a BHIP% over 90 points higher than Branyan’s career average in the middle of June, some significant batting average regression was expected. Here in July we’re seeing it come fast and furious. Branyan’s in the midst of...

Miguel Montero - Montero hit in his eighth straight, dragging his AVG up 20 points during that stretch to .273. The 26 year old backstop isn't showing as much power growth as I would have expected this year, but his...

Brandon Wood (3B - Angels) Brandon Wood was called up yesterday; but, with Vlad Guerrero and Torii Hunter landing on the DL, he still does not have a consistent place to find at bats. Wood ripped up Triple-A last year...

Livian Hernandez: After a poor outing on Thursday, 8 ER in 4 innings, Hernandez’s spot in the Mets starting rotation could be in jeopardy. With his skill set, 4.7 K/9, 3.4, and a 40% GB, Hernandez is lucky just to...

Joel Pineiro: Pineiro’s resurrection as an extreme control/ground ball specialist continued on Thursday as he manhandled the Brewers on Thursday with ease. He needed just 100 pitches to finish off the Brewers in a complete game effort and rolled 19...

Marco Scuturo: As the Jays starting shortstop, Scuturo is having a good season, 6/37/.283 with 62 runs scored in 410 PA. With a great approach at the plate, 14% BB and an 88% Ct%, Scuturo has no problem getting on...

Alfredo Aceves- NYA- FYI- Aceves takes the mound for a spot start today and will have a limit of about 65 pitches. That may or may not give him enough to stick around for a potential win, but his performance...

Oliver Perez (SP--Mets)—Dim the lights, cue scary music. Yes, Oliver Perez is back. And were you thinking that now would be a good time to add Perez to your lineup? The “New and Improved” Oliver Perez? Did the notion enter...

In case you're wondering, I'm not adding 2009 draftees until they sign a pro contract. Stephen Strasburg for example, isn't likely to sign until just prior to the August 15 deadline. American League 30 Lars Anderson BOS 1B B .299...