TheFantasyScout

Some NBA stuff

2012-02-01T22:03:00.000-08:00

And speaking of stuff, that's what Serge Ibaka did with Mavericks shots tonight.
I helped cover the Oklahoma City-Dallas game tonight for The Associated Press, and the Thunder's Ibaka had an unusual double-double of 11 rebounds -- and 10 blocks!
Like his teammates, the Congolese big man didn't even start playing defense until the second quarter. OK City allowed just 57 points over the final three periods in its 95-86 victory.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
It got to the point where it appeared that Ibaka had posted a "No trespassing" sign at the foul line. So while the Thunder were (AP style)/was (grammatical) scoring 42 points in the paint against Dallas's Brendan Haywood-less defense, the Mavs were mostly bombing away from long range. And missing.
Dirk Nowitzki -- roughed up by the Thunder's defense, primarily Kendrick Perkins, and playing on a bad knee -- made just 2 of 15 field goal attempts.
As a center, Ibaka is far more Russell than Chamberlain, but don't you dare ever say I compared him favorably to either of those literal and figurative giants. However, while Ibaka would score very few points for your fantasy basketball team, he was already a giant in the blocked-shots category. He ranked third in the league before his double-digit night.
It might be that the Mavericks just suck inside, or it might be that I've seen some of the NBA's better defensive centers recently. The Suns' also impressed me when I saw him against Dallas. Gortat even can contribute offensively, so there's another low-profile guy to consider for an NbA fantasy team.
On the other hand, you might want to reconsider a number of your Mavericks picks. Tonight especially, they looked old and slow. Shawn Marion went limping out of the American Airlines Center after the game. He almost qualifies as young on a team that most resembles the 2005 All-Star team.
The lone exception could be Jason Terry, who never saw a shot he didn't like and still can make them.
True, the Mavs were playing without Haywood, who helped bring a defensive presence in the middle for a team that had lacked one seemingly forever. Without him, Oklahoma City resembled the Warriors who ran at will through the middle of Dallas' defense in the 2007-08 playoffs. Kevin Durant and especially Russell Westbrook played the roles of Steven Jackson et al. tonight.
OK, so Lamar Odom didn't play. (He's not getting any younger either.) And Jason Kidd, who might begin collecting his pension the day after he retires.
A last basketball note: The Thunder is/are for real.
My original intention for this post was to remind baseball fans, if you didn't already know or remember, why Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 are two of the best dates on the calendar. I decided while driving home that I can hold that topic for a day or so.

How many vegetables can Prince Fielder eat in 9 years?

2012-01-29T14:43:00.000-08:00

While driving home last night from a basketball game in Stephenville (or was it the Mavericks' game in Dallas the night before?), I heard a discussion about whether the Tigers overpaid for Prince Fielder in dollars or length of contract.

One of the announcers kind of threw a theory and names he heard once against the wall to justify his case. His premise was that the most difficult commodity to obtain in baseball now is an "elite slugger" in the "post-steroid era."

That announcer apparently never has heard of ace pitchers. He might not even have heard of Ryan Braun, a player in Fielder's same lineup for the last few years, who metaphorically was busted with an MVP award in one hand and a syringe in the other. The announcer's best argument was that teams no longer can find a "John Jaha to hit 50 home runs."

Dude quite obviously knows more baseball than I, who wasn't even award of Jaha's 50-home run season.

Another guy -- sorry I don't have names, the voices all blend together -- agreed with the point of the Detroit Free Press' Drew Sharp, whose contention has been that the Tigers overpaid to replicate Miguel Cabrera.

Nine years and $214 million?

Point 1. GM has made a comeback. President Obama told us that. But will auto workers pay higher ticket prices to watch Cabrera, Fielder and in time presumably Victor Martinez fight to see which one could be the DH that day and not have to wear a glove?

Point 2. In the last 4 or 5 of those years, Fielder will be past his prime even as a hitter. He'd have to play at Ruthian levels during the first 4 or 5 years, during which he'd have to justify about 4150 million of that contract.

Point 3. The world's largest vegetarian already is pushing 300 pounds. Unless he lays off Cap'n Crunch for the next 9 years, it might not be long before they'd have to wheel him out to the plate. I'd endorse a rule change that would allow him to sit at his position in an easy chair on the days Justin Verlander pitches.

Of course, the Tigers overpaid. The winners in this scenario are Fielder and agent Scott Boras, who will make close to eight figures from this contract. In years to come, agents with "elite slugger" or even lowly "elite aces" will be patient, waiting for just the right opportunity -- such as the Martinez injury -- to get their clients a few dozen million extra bucks.

Even with the injury, it's difficult to believe that other teams were offering anything close to 9 years or $214 million.

Hats off to Boras and Fielder for cashing in. For the Tigers, though, their poor judgment seems likely to bring bad karma.

Pitchers and catchers -- in camp1

2011-02-13T20:27:00.000-08:00

The day we've been waiting for since early last November: The first pitchers and catchers reported to spring training today.
More than a third (11) of the teams welcomed their batterymen to camps in Florida and (increasingly) Arizona.
Those same pitchers and catchers for the Diamondbacks, Cubs, Angels, Padres and Mariners in Arizona and the Orioles, Tigers, Phillies, Pirates, Cardinals and Blue Jays in the Sunshine State will hold the first official workouts of the spring Monday.
More than half of the pitchers and catchers will be in camp Monday and working out Tuesday, because six teams will be greetigg their poorest hitters Monday.
The only new training site is at Talking Stick in North Scottsdale, Ariz., where the D-backs and Rockies are moving from Tucson. The Orioles are changing locales, moving from Fort Lauderdale to Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, which the Reds abandoned a year ago to move to Goodyear, Ariz. There now are more teams training in the desert than among the beaches, swamps and strawberry fields of Florida.
USA Today reported that Cardinals 1B Albert Pujols rejected the team's offer for a contract extension. His agent, Danny Lozano, had said that his client wouldn't negotiate on the extension after he reports to spring training, which (according to USA Today) will be Tuesday, a day early. Pujols' contract will expire after this season, for which he's receiving $16 million.
There have been some minor free agent signings during this week, which I spent mostly in San Antonio and mostly with a migraine while I was there.
Yankees: 3B/1B Eric Chavez and RHP Luis Ayala
Mariners: RHP Manny Delcarmen
Red Sox: RHP Alfredo Aceves, LHP Dennys Reyes
Rockies: RHP Claudio Vargas
Ayala and an aging minor league invitee, 1B Jorge Vazquez, will be at New York's training site in Tampa after performing well in winter ball.
Speaking of winter ball, even though it's summer ball there, the Australian Baseball League playoffs concluded today. The Perth Heat, who played the entire best-of-three series at home, lost the first game but came back to win the final two games.
In Game 3, the Heat defeated the Adelaide Bite 7-1. RHP Benjamin Moore painted the corners and shut out Adelaide until 3B Stefan Welch (Mets organization) hit a ninth-inning solo homer. Moore's pitching line was 94110 10. For Perth, LF Robert Widlansky hit a two-run homer in a four-run eighth inning. A "crowd" of 1,876 saw that game, played without a full complement of network TV commercials in 2:22.
Speaking of TV, you can sign up to see as many as 150 exhibition games and 2,400 regular-season games on mlb.tv.
You can sign up here. I don't give you that link because I get a kickback, but because I enjoy the product.

Mexico watches Caribbean Series title come its way

2011-02-07T23:14:00.000-08:00

Mexico rallied with three sixth-inning runs this afternoon to defeat Venezuela 3-2. That made Mexico the leader in the clubhouse with just one Caribbean Series game to be played.
Host Puerto Rico needed only to defeat the Dominican Republic to match Mexico's 4-2 record and win the four-team, double-round-robin Series on the strength of its two head-to-head victories over the Mexicans.
However, that didn't happen.
LHP Raul Valdes from the Cardinals organization and RHP Julio Manon combined for a four-hit shutout as the Dominicans took down Puerto Rico. LF Alejandro De Aza (White Sox) had the game's biggest hit, a fourth-inning triple against losing pitcher Willie Collazo that drove in two unearned runs.
Valdes had a pitching line of 7 2/3 40016. Manon saved all three of the Dominicans' Series wins.
For Mexico, 3B Augustin Murillo sent a run home with a groundout and DH Jorge Vazquez, a Yankees farmhand, followed with a two-run homer against losing pitcher Seth Etherton.
CF Eliezer Alfonzo had plated Venezuela's runs with a two-run, fourth-inning homer.
RHP Luis Ayala pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings for his second save of the Series.
* * *
Two stories have dominated the news in the Metroplex since the big-game circus left town. One is whether the goings-on surrounding the game here were a "disappointment," a "disaster" or a "debacle."
The local ESPN radio station's position seemed softest, that "of course" the NFL would bring the big game back as soon as five years hence, as Super Bowl L. The local talk-radio station known as The Fan seemed to think the big game wouldn't return until at least Super Bowl M or whenever Hell joined North Texas in freezing over, whichever comes first.
The least critical talk-show host on The Fan was Josh Lewin. The Rangers' TV play-by-play man through last season called the Super mess "disappointing." That was the same word Rangers 3B Michael Young used to describe his own situation. And that situation was the other big story here.
Young told mlb.com's T.R. Sullivan, "The suggestion that I've had a change of heart and asked for a trade is a manipulation of the truth. I want to be traded because I have been manipulated and misled in this process and I'm not going to take it anymore."
With the addition of 3B Adrian Beltre and 1B/C Mike Napoli, like Young right-handed batters, to Texas' offense, the Rangers' long-term all-star's projected at-bats have been shriveling faster than the late Ken Caminiti's nuts.
Beltre has taken away Young's third base job before his Range Factor could shrink to 0, and Napoli would spend some time as a right-handed DH and platoon player with lefty-swinging 1B Mitch Moreland, limiting the 34-year-old's time at another possible sanctuary.
The catch is that Young's contract has both $48 million remaining over the next three years and a limited no-trade clause that exempts eight teams. Though his limited range could make Young better suited to the American League with its DH role, reportedly just three of the eight teams exempted are in the AL: the Yankees, Twins and Angels. He would seem to fit in very well with the Twins, sometimes giving them needed pop at third base and at others serving as a DH complement to the left-handed Jason Kubel.
None of those AL teams would seem to have a wealth of what the Rangers would want in return: a useful proven player or a prospect or two. Minnesota's farm system is drying up in the post-Terry Ryan era. Trading with the Yankees would mean Texas wouldn't have to send along as much cash (possibly $20 million for some teams) as they would to other places with smaller budgets. But Michael Young in a Yankees uniform? Just doesn't seem right.

Puerto Rico moves close to Caribbean title

2011-02-06T21:25:00.000-08:00

Got within a few keystrokes of making this post a few minutes ago when my foot hit the AC adaptor cord and wiped out what I'd done -- another reason why I don't like Macs.
Anyway, tonight Puerto Rico allowed Mexico to score a ninth-inning run on Gabriel Gutierrez's single, but held off the Mexicans for a 7-6 victory in the Caribbean Series.
That left both teams with 3-2 records. There are some arcane rules in the Caribbean Series, but I think if Puerto Rico wins the Series' final game Monday night over the Domincian Republic, PR would take the championship regardless of whether Mexico defeats Venezuela this afternoon, because the host team has defeated Mexico twice.
Going into the final day of the four-team, double-round-robin tournament, Mexico and Puerto Rico are 3-2 and the Dominican Republic and Venezuela are 2-3. I don't know how the tie would be broken if the Dominicans and Venezuelans won Monday so that all four teams would finish 3-3.
1B Aaron Bates and SS Luis Figueroa each drove in two runs for Puerto Rico tonight. Juan Padilla won his second game in the Series by pitching 5 1/3 relief innings. He allowed a solo homer to Mexico OF Karim Garcia. LHP Joe Torres recorded the final out to record a save.

Adelaide advances; Mexico near Series title

2011-02-06T20:43:00.000-08:00

The Adelaide Bite rallied today from being no-hit in the first game of the best-of-three Round 2 of the Australian Baseball League playoffs to defeat the Sydney Blue Sox in 15 innings and advance to the finals.

In a game that had been tied since the seventh inning, Adelaide scored three times in the top of the 15th for a 7-4 victory that moved the Bite in next weekend's best-of-three finals at Perth. Mathew Smith's infield single sent home the tie-breaking run, and he scored the second run in the inning. RHP Mark Brackman, the losing pitcher in LHP David Welch's no-hitter Friday, pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings to record a win. The losing pitcher was Dae-Sung Koo, who had held Adelaide scoreless after entering the game in the eighth inning.

In the Caribbean Series, Mexico had a chance to clinch the title tonight by defeating Puerto Rico, but trailed 7-5 in the bottom of the eighth inning tonight.

Puerto Rico had improved to 2-2 Saturday night by defeating Venezuela 4-2 in 10 innings. The host team's two runs in the top of the 10th scored on bases-loaded walks to Edgardo Baez and Javier Valentin by Venezuela's Jean Toledo. RHP Kiko Calero recorded a save with a binary line of 100001.

This afternoon, Venezuela defeated the Dominican Republic 3-0 with four pitchers combining on an eight-hit shutout. RHP Francisco pitched the ninth inning (line: 110000) for his second save in the series. LF Alexis Espinosa hit a fifth-inning solo homer.

Both the Dominican and Venezuela teams are 2-3 and with a Puerto Rico win tonight could finish in a four-way tie for the Series championship by winning Monday, the final day. Venezuela is scheduled to play Mexico at 3 p.m. EST, with the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico meeting at 7:30 p.m. EST.

If the hosts complete their victory over Mexico, they would improve to 3-2, matching the Mexicans' record. If those teams finish tied at 4-2, Puerto Rico would have a tiebreaker because it would have defeated Mexico twice. To win, Mexico would have to defeat Venezuela with Puerto Rico losing to the Dominicans.

However, if Mexico rallies to win tonight, it would take the title because at 4-1 it would have a two-game lead over each of the other teams with one game to play.

It's about the money

2011-02-05T21:29:00.000-08:00

Two points about the NFL during this Super Bowl weekend:
1. Sure the weather has been horrendous in North Texas this week. It's back somewhat to normal, because Friday's snow melted the next day. But it's ridiculous to say that the area shouldn't have another Super Bowl because a once-in-20-years-or-more storm happened to hit this year. The NFL deserves some credit for sticking up for its sponsor/partners who will lose expected revenue because the influx of visitors to the area is (a) smaller than it otherwise would be and (b) increasingly holed up in hotel rooms keeping warm instead of out on the towns involved. After all, the NFL is getting almost as much ticket/parking/merchandise revenue as it expected.
The same NFL and its apologists who seem so concerned about inclement weather continue to schedule the big game for February, possibly the worst weather month of all, and in areas even farther north, such as Indianapolis and New Jersey.
2. And this money grab really has me hot, the negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement have only one issue. That issue is green on the back and includes dollar signs.
The owners, who give lip service to player safety, want to add two games to the regular season, despite knowing full well that the longer schedule statistically means we could expect 12.5 per cent more injuries. Also, you can bet that while acknowledging almost in so many words that preseason exhibitions suck, the league would not lower prices for the remaining exhibitions below the price for regular-season games.
Reportedly, the players would not receive a pro rata 12.5 per cent salary increase, nor would there be a higher roster limit and therefore more jobs. It would make sense at least to make the current practice squad players part of the regular roster or to make all 53 players on the current active roster eligible to play in each game. For their part, the players aren't really willing to play even for just a 12.5 per cent increase. Their position is very logical. A player's career isn't measured so much in games as in years. A few veteran players currently could be paid for 128 games in eight seasons (16 X 8 = 128). Theoretically, players entering the league when it goes to an 18 game season could be paid in seven seasons for 126 gams (18 X 7 = 126). But with a 12.5 per cent higher chance of getting hurt, he might not even make it through that seventh season, let alone into an eighth. Keep in mind that this is a league in which the average player lasts about three years.
3. A bonus gripe: The idea of a lockout to take effect within weeks after the Super Bowl is ludicrous. That's the same as if your boss gave your whole company two weeks off at the same time, then said it was locking you out for those two weeks. There's not really anything for NFL players to be locked out of until the season begins, unless you want to count the ridiculous OTAs.
We probably should expect more players, established veterans at least, simply to adopt the Brett Favre stance and not show up until mid-August.

Mexico makes its move

2011-02-05T21:03:00.000-08:00

The afternoon's game in the Caribbean Series in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, matched the two teams that entered the day with 2-1 records to lead the series.
Mexico took sole possession of the series lead at 3-1 when 1B Jorge Vazquez broke a 3-3 tie with the Dominican Republic by hitting a three-run homer in the ninth inning. The Mexican squad won 6-3. Vazquez is in the Yankees' organization, but he isn't a prospect. He's allegedly 28 years old, but he was playing in the Mexican League in 2000.
The Dominican team had edged Puerto Rico 4-3 Friday night by rallying for three runs in the top of the ninth. Esteban German tied the game with a two-run triple against RHP Saul Rivera, then scored as DH Kevin Barker grounded into a reverse-force double play. German scored before a runner was tagged at second base for the third out. RHP Julio Manon picked up his second save of the series. Puerto Rican SS Alex Cora led off the bottom of the ninth with an infield hit, but Luis Figueroa popped out on a sacrifice attempt and Hiram Bocachica grounded into a game-ending 6-4-3 double play.
Barker has signed a contract with the Nationals, who have compensated for overpaying OF Jayson Werth by surrounding him with bargain-basement free agents. Another was RHP J.D. Martin, who re-signed with Washington.
A player from the Mexican ntry in the Caribbean Series, OF Justin Christian, signed with the Giants. The day's best known signings were OF Jim Edmonds, back with the Cardinals, and OF Gabe Gross with the Mariners.
In addition ...
The Twins signed LHP Francisco Liriano for one year at $4.3 million.
News out of Colorado said the Rockies seem close to trading for Rangers 3B Michael Young, but Texas could be balking at paying $18 million or so of the $48 million remaining on Young's contract.
The Indians reportedly are interested in free-agent RHPs Jeremy Bonderman and Kevin Millwood for a spot in their rotation.
Finally, from the Australian Baseball League playoffs' Round 2, Adelaide evened the best-of-three series at 1-1 by defeating Sydney 4-0 tonight. RHP Brandon Maurer, a 19-year-old from the Mariners organization, had a pitching line of 740045. DH Quincy Latimore, a Florida State League all-star last season when he slugged 19 homers and drove in 100 runs for the Pirates' Bradenton farm team, drove in three runs.
The Sunday afternoon rubber game, taking place as I write this on Saturday night in the U.S., was tied 4-4 in the eighth inning.

Tight squeeze in Caribbean Series

2011-02-04T18:34:00.000-08:00

The Caribbean Series couldn't get any closer than it was after the first two of its six days.
Each team had a 1-1 record, acquired in a rock-scissors-paper manner. On Wednesday, Mexico defeated the Dominican Republic, which on Thursday beat Venezuela, which on Wednesday had defeated Puerto Rico, which scored its victory Thursday over Mexico.
The Mexico-Dominican Republic game was so close than it went 15 innings to a 4-3 decision. DR then won by a run, 6-5 over Venezuela. In that game, the Dominicans overcame two homers and three RBI by Venezuela's Luis Ramirez. The winners' Kevin Barker, a left-handed batter, also drove in three runs, including a homer against Marlins LHP Renyel Pinto. RHP Julio Manon saved the win by retiring 3B Luis Nunez, who represented the tying run after Jackson Melian had hit a two-out, two-run homer for Venezuela.
In Thursday's other game, host Puerto Rico defeated Mexico 7-3 after scoring five runs in the first inning against Roberto Valdez. For Puerto Rico, Juan Padilla pitched four scoreless innings in relief. Luis Figueroa paced the offense with three hits and two RBI.
One 7-3 victory deserves another, and Mexico turned the tables to get that one this afternoon over Venezuela. Marco Quevedo, who had pitched the Mexican representative into the Caribbean Series, was the winning pitcher with a line of 5 1/3 42202. The Dominican and Puerto Rican teams are meeting tonight.
In another Friday night game, LHP David Welch pitched a no-hitter to lead his hometown Sydney Blue Sox to an 8-0 victory over the Adelaide Bite in the first game of Australian Baseball League Round 2. His line was 90003 10. Welch pitched a seven-inning no-hitter and combined on another no-no while pitching in the Brewers' organization. Welch led the ABL during the regular season with a 1.44 ERA and two complete games.
2B Trent D'Antonio led off and led Sydney's offense with a homer and four RBI. The second game of the best-of-three series will be Saturday at 7:30 p.m. AET, or 2:30 a.m. EST. You might be able to watch the game at australianbaseballleague.com. The winner will meet Perth in next weekend's best-of-three championship round. Sydney took the regular-season championship by half a game over Perth.
With spring training barely a week away, you won't find many top prospects or good sleepers in these winter-league championships. The Dominican Republic has the most players (15) under contract to major league organizations of any of the Caribbean Series teams, but the most advanced is Dodgers RHP Ramon Troncoso. Puerto Rico's nine players in North American organized ball feature Nationals SS Alex Cora and Cubs OF Lou Montanez. Venezuela's players in organized ball include four from the Yankees organization, of whom C Gustavo Molina is the most advanced. Mexico has just four, including Padres SS Everth Cabrera.
Cora is one of a group of recent cut-rate free agents to sign with major league teams. Washington also has signed OF Laynce Nix and RHP Cla Meredith.
The Orioles had been the most active bottom feeder, signing LHPs Mark Hendrickson and Clay Rapada, OF Randy Winn, SS Nick Green and back-from-the-dead RHP Ryan Drese. Now Baltimore reportedly has agreed to terms on a one-year, $8-million deal with DH Vladimir Guerrero, pending a physical exam next week. If he has a season like 2010's, the O's might have been better off signing him for half a year and $4 million.
Other signings: Mark Kotsay, listed at first base, Brewers; 3B Pedro Feliz, Royals; RHP Juan Cruz and 2B Felipe Lopez, Rays; LF Lastings Milledge, White Sox, and LHP Yohan Flande, Braves. You probably haven't heard of Flande unless you live in Reading, Pa. The 25-year-old was 10-8 with a 4.38 ERA last year for the Double-A Reading Phillies, for whom he struck out barely four strikeouts per nine innings.
In a trade, the Yankees obtained OF Justin Maxwell from the Nationals for a Double-A pitcher named Adam Olbrychowski. Maxwell can play center field, and could be a useful extra outfielder with little fantasy value.
Yes, spring training is barely a week away. Florida and Arizona seemed to have missed the brutal winter weather that has struck most of the U.S. during the past week. Even the Rangers players who were scheduled for a caravan appearance in Fort Worth, one of dozens of events that were canceled in North Texas this week, will be looking forward to getting to warm weather.
For me, the worst weather in my six winters in North Texas, meant no wireless or cable for three days. Thus, I missed some blog days. I expect to make those up by making multiple posts some days.

It's baseball somewhere

2011-02-01T20:13:00.000-08:00

I realize that most of us are turning up the thermostat or sitting near the fireplace or piling another comforter on the bed.
But there is baseball being played.
Well, maybe not tonight, but tomorrow at least.
The Caribbean Series begins Wednesday at 3 p.m. EST in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. that's when the Dominican Republic's representative, Toros del Este is scheduled to take on the Mexican Pacific League champions, Yaquis de Obregon.
Venezuela's representative, Caribes de Anzoatequi, is scheduled to take on the home country's (or commonwealth's) hope, Criollos de Caguas.
Puerto Rico's 14 Caribbean Series championships trail only the Dominican's 18. But Caguas has been a perennial contender on its home island, winning 15 league championships. The other three teams in this year's Caribbean Series are relative newcomers, with just five league titles among them -- two each for Los Toros and Los Yaquis, and only one for Caribes.
The competition remains a double round robin, with two games each day for six days and the team with the best record claiming the crown.
The Caribbean Series title could be decided before the teams even get to the last day, meaning that it could be a huge anticlimax compared to the winter league playoffs in each country.
The Mexican, Venezuelan and Puerto Rican series all went to their seven-game maximum. The shortest series was in the Dominican Republic, where the best-of-nine championship was a five-game sweep for Toros del Este.
Some playoff highlights:
-- In Mexico, the Yaquis' Marco Quevedo pitched seven innings, giving up only one run on a home run by Marshall McDougall, in a 5-2 Game 7 victory over Guasave. In a four-run fourth inning, Iker Franco hit a leadoff home run and Mario Valdez drove in two runs with a pinch-hit single.
-- In Venezuela, Mariners farmhand Luis Jimenez homered and drove in four runs as Caribes edged Aragua 8-7 in the deciding game. Josh Kroeger, a prospect turned hanger-on, showed his new Florida employers that he still can hit. He hit a three-run homer in Game 7 after leading the league with a .369 regular-season average. Keep an eye on him in the Marlins' camp. The Rockies' Jonathan Herrera went 3-for-4 and scored two runs for Caribes, and Endy Chavez, most recently in the Texas organization, had four hits including two doubles.
-- In Puerto Rico, Royals farmhand Rey Parano went 3-for-5, including a two-run single in the eighth inning, Caguas took Game 7 from Ponce 7-5. The Cubs' Lou Montanez had a homer and four RBI for the champs, who received clutch relief pitching from Eddy Ramos (4 1/3 hitless innings).
-- In the Dominican Republic, Los Toros completed their sweep with a 4-2 victory over Estrellas despite having just three hits. Two unearned runs made the difference.
Twelve days before pitchers and catchers report, there wasn't much major league news. The only transaction reported on mlb.com was that the Padres designated OF/1B Oscar Salazar for assignment.
The White Sox extended Alexei Ramirez's contract for four years and $32.5 million, with a $10-million option for a fifth year. Rockies RHP Rafael Betancourt received a far more modest extension, receiving an extra year for $4 million in 2012, with a mutual option for '13.
The Orioles have signed RHP Justin Duchscherer, limited to five games before undergoing surgery on his left hip last season, to a one-year contract for $700,000. That number would go up to $1.1 million if he makes the major league roster.
Despite winning 12 games (12-6, 4.64 ERA) for the White Sox last season, RHP Freddy Garcia could get no more than a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training for the Yankees. He's expected to compete for one of the last two spots in New York's underwhelming rotation with Ivan Nova, Sergio Mitre and another veteran, RHP Bartolo Colon.
More tomorrow, when we'll say, "Play ball!" even if it is beisbol.

Thoughts on Game 5

2010-11-02T06:11:00.000-07:00

I’d like to say I saw the Giants coming a year ago.
It was in Scottsdale during spring training, and I was impressed with Pablo Sandoval and Buster Posey and Madison Bumgarner and a number of young players I saw there. In fact, I saw enough from players such as Sandoval and Fred Lewis and Nate Schierholtz that I predicted San Francisco would have the majors’ most improved offense in 2009.
That turned out to be an oversight, even though Sandoval was one of the National League’s most exciting hitters last season.
Over a period of several years covering spring training in Arizona, I had chances to observe pitchers such as Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum on the field and to talk with them in the locker room. Cain caught me by surprise a few years back. He could pitch, but I had doubts about him because he was so clearly out of shape. Lincecum was pretty much what you see on TV – happy, smiling, bouncing around and leaving us shaking our heads trying to figure out how such a little guy could throw so hard without having his arm come out of its socket.
During the same span, I saw a lot of the Rangers in Arizona and for the last five years back home in Texas. Their arrival was easier to anticipate than the Giants’ youth movement because the Rangers had some spectacular prospects. Most notable were pitchers Neftali Feliz and Derek Holland. There were others – Elvis Andrus, Julio Borbon, Chris Davis, Justin Smoak, Mitch Moreland and a seeming tidal wave of pitching prospects that included Blake Beavan, Tanner Scheppers, Josh Lueke and Michael Kirkman.
My rule of thumb is that if half of the top prospects actually pan out, that’s a good track record. Clearly, and despite Holland’s control breakdown in World Series Game 2, Texas has done player development well.
GM Jon Daniels deserves whatever accolades come his way, and probably more. He traded away a passel of prospects – including Smoak, Beavan and Lueke – to obtain LHP Cliff Lee and C Bengie Molina and RF Jeff Francoeur. Texas also picked up 1B/3B Jorge Cantu and SS Cristian Guzman, whose impact was negligible. But for the most part, Daniels’ prospects-for-proven talent tack worked well.
Again, the Giants’ player moves were more subtle. But in the end, the additions GM Brian Sabean made were more important toward a short-term goal of winning the World Series. A goal that either general manager probably would admit was more dream than reality back in March and April.
Anyway, this year’s Giants picked up retreads and castoffs such as Aubrey Huff and Pat Burrell and Cody Ross and Javier Lopez. Mixing those players with the prospects I saw in Arizona in March 2009 proved to be an inexpensive, and winning, combination.
It occurred to me that the Rangers’ trades and the Giants’ deals fell into the two categories I’ve found are successful in fantasy leagues. Those are the Big Deals, bringing in a superstar as represented by Lee, and the Small Moves, improving a team incrementally and with little cost. I won this year in a league I had no business winning because, needing stolen bases, I acquired Scott Podsednik. In a weak division, my team held on even though Podsednik barely played in September.
The Rangers also won in a weak division, but the Giants’ National League West was hardly weak. The Padres (and surprisingly the Rockies) had young starting pitching that could rival San Francisco’s.
In the end, despite the hitting heroics of Ross and Edgar Renteria, pitching won the 2010 World Series.
Casual baseball fans asked me if it was common for a team’s batters to fail as spectacularly as the Rangers’ had. Thinking back to their being swept at home in a four-game series by the Orioles and other offensive breakdowns, I replied that they had several stretches of games when they didn’t hit.
Then I threw out the answer, which was so obvious once it hit me in the face:
The Rangers were facing much better pitching on a consistent basis in the World Series.
While they were compiling the majors’ best team batting average against a steady diet of second-line starters from the Mariners and Angels, and even facing some marginal major league starters in the playoffs against the vaunted Yankees and Rays, the Giants were going to battle every day against top pitchers. Mat Latos, Ubaldo Jimenez, Jorge De La Rosa. In the NLCS, against Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels. Far more daunting than a worn-out C.C. Sabathia, a not-quite-there Phil Hughes and an elderly Andy Pettitte.
As I’ve pointed out before, defense played a big role throughout the Giants’ run to their first World Series win since they shocked the invincible 1954 Indians (after all, they beat out the Yankees, the only interruption in their run of 9 pennants in 10 years).
The Rangers’ impatience and all-or-nothing swinging hurt them too.
Both teams had good pitchers, but the Giants’ were clearly better in this series. In a different series, Cliff Lee might win twice over Tim Lincecum.
But in the right now, the difference was a simple case of good pitching beating good (if somewhat flawed) hitting.

Thoughts on Game 4

2010-11-01T03:29:00.000-07:00

Thoughts on Game 4

Here’s the first thought I wrote down during the game: In the early innings, Hunter has been throwing too many pitches.
He didn’t throw too many late in the game because again he was out after four innings.
Neither of the two things happened tonight that I wrote the Rangers had to do to win.
1. Hunter did not make it through six innings.
2. Texas’ batters didn’t work counts so they could manufacture runs instead of swinging for home runs. There apparently weren’t a whole lot of home-run cuts. Maybe by Ian Kinsler with two on when he was the tying run.
The difference there was that Giants batters were able to prolong at-bats by fouling off pitches they couldn’t handle. Credit Madison Bumgarner for much of that. He lasted twice as long as Hunter, but threw just about 25 per cent more pitches.
Texas also gave Bumgarner some easy outs, holding his pitch count down.
The game’s worst play came when Josh Hamilton tried to steal second base with two out and Nelson Cruz at bat in the bottom of the fourth. The Rangers trailed 2-0 with a right-handed batter against the lefty Cruz. Sure, it would have been nice to get one run there to cut the deficit, but that was a case when a home-run swing could have been desirable. Instead, when Buster Posey threw out Hamilton, Bumgarner got an out without having to throw another pitch to Cruz that time around the batting order.
The two double-play balls also gave Bumgarner outs without having to work very hard.
Another big factor in San Francisco’s lineup was something I pointed out before the series began: DEE-fense. If there’s one area where Bruce Bochy has had an advantage over Ron Washington, this is it.
In Game 1, Washington opted for offense over defense by using Vladimir Guerrero in right field and Nelson Cruz in left. The Rangers committed four errors, two by Guerrero. In Game 4, Bochy chose defense over offense by inserting Travis Ishikawa at first base and Nate Schierholtz in right field. The benefit to taking Aubrey Huff off of first base turned out to be more on the offensive side. Unlike Pablo Sandoval, Huff has extensive experience as a DH. That might have helped; he hit a two-run homer that put San Francisco ahead to stay. The defense wasn’t hurt, either.
Already, Bochy had moved Juan Uribe from shortstop to third base and put Edgar Renteria at shortstop to improve the range but more importantly steady the left side of the infield. Renteria’s history of World Series offensive success didn’t hurt any, either.
Darren Oliver must be a good guy. He has always seemed to get a free pass from the media. This season, he has been living off his good start – which was very impressive. The latter part of the season has not been so impressive. He gave up another run in Sunday’s game.
Even though it’s a tough break for Alexi Ogando apparently to be injured, I think it’s totally wrong for the Rangers to be able to replace him for the final games. It’s just too easy to fabricate a pitching injury to help bail out a struggling bullpen. A team shouldn’t need 12 pitchers for a seven-game series with just four starters anyway.
As a side note, I’m already tired of Little Wash. That’s a sight gag that has more than run its course.
This was probably the worst day in the history of Arlington, Texas. The Rangers were only slightly better than the Cowboys. A lot of the blame, home-run swings or not, has to fall on the middle of the lineup and most notably Guerrero (three strikeouts) and Josh Hamilton (2-for-16 for the series). Others aren't doing much better, but those two are supposed to supply power and runs.

Thoughts on Game 3

2010-10-31T09:58:00.000-07:00

During the off day, I thought of a bunch of thoughts I wanted to add. Not only did I not have time to add those that day, but I've pretty much forgotten them. That was a Friday, and I spent from 9:30 a.m. until 11 p.m. at Wilkerson-Sanders Memorial Stadium preparing for and directing The Scoreboard Show. I'd like to say that was a rousing success, but ...

Anyway, for me Game 3 was a mishmash of checking progress on my phone and then listening to the game in the car on the way home and on the radio here. I spent Saturday afternoon at my second and third high school football games in a 24-hour period.

As a result, I don't have a huge handle on the play by play and its intracacies, so even these thoughts will be short.

Because the radio broadcast was a few seconds behind the telecast, I could get a pretty good idea of what was going to happen by hearing Margaret's reactions from the living room. For instance, I heard "Catch it!" followed by a grown and realized that a Giant had reached base on a long fly ball. Turns out it was a home run. Another team, an "Oh, no!" indicated to me that Bengie Molina probably had grounded into a double play.

And I guess that double play was kind of indicative of the Cowboys' game, and something I consider a warning sign.

By that time, the Rangers had a 4-0 lead, built on two home runs. After that, they put runners on base but couldn't bring them home. The danger is that they might have gone into their mode of "All we have to do is hit enough home runs and we'll win."

That mode leads to a lot of frustrating fly balls to the warning track and popups with runners on second and third with one out.

On the pre-game show* as well as my observations at the two afternoon football games, I knew that there was a relatively strong wind. At Rangers Ballpark, that wind usually is collected behind home plate, then blows out toward right-center field with greater force. Because it was a south wind, it also would have helped fly balls to left.

Despite that wind advantage, the Rangers still managed just two homers, and none after starter Jonathan Sanchez left the game. If they continue to go for homers today, might they have less success?

Just checked tonight's weather forecast for Arlington. Weather.com says the wind will be 9 mph from the south, so the conditions should be similar.

*-The Rangers' pre-game show on 103.3 ESPN wa an unprecedented four hours, giving way to another hour on the ESPN network. Four hours is about half of what the Cowboys get for their pre-game shows any regular-season week when their game starts after 1 p.m. Eastern.

Colby Lewis' continued strong pitching reminded me of a conversation I had with someone from the Cowboys' minor league staff during the regular season. The question was whether Lewis or Tommy Hunter would be a better choice as Texas' third postseason starter behind Cliff Lee and C.J. Wilson.

His side of the conversation was that Lewis had been pitching well but had been the victim of poor run support.

My contention was that at some point, he had to take charge and win a game. That was while he was on a streak of nine games without a win, granted with poor run support. All but his final two starts during that span went six innings or more. Five were "quality starts."

Well, Lewis' last four starts all fit the lame quality criteria, and he was 3-1 during that stretch. That earned him a spot in Texas' playoff rotation and made our disagreement moot.

Meanwhile, "Big-Game" Hunter made five more starts -- with only one win, and none of which went more than six innings. He hasn't made it past four innings in either postseason start.

Two factors have to improve for the Rangers to win Game 4.

1. The offense has to manufacture runs, take more pitches and forget about home run trots until the ball clears a fence.

2. Hunter has to make it through six or more innings to help avoid a bullpen meltdown similar to the one in Game 2.

I'm more confident that Hunter could succeed than that the offense could go atainst its nature. That has happened off and on this season. Rangers fans had better hope that switch is on tonight.

Thoughts on Game 2

2010-10-28T20:16:00.000-07:00

The first sign of trouble for Texas tonight came in the top of the fifth inning. After a leadoff double by Ian Kinsler, both David Murphy and Matt Treanor failed to hit the ball to the right side to move Kinsler over to third base in a scoreless game.
Thus, instead of potentially taking a lead, the Rangers fell behind 1-0 in the bottom of the inning. After that, Texas gave the Giants insurance runs by walking batters in the seventh and eighth.
The decreased offensive output from seven runs to none made it easy for Joe Morgan to second-guess manager Ron Washington. Morgan was all over the decision not to play Vladimir Guerrero. The announcer also pointed out that “the other good hitter,” Bengie Molina, was out of the lineup.
It’s surprising that the Hall of Famer, who was considered a good defensive second baseman would dismiss the importance of defense out of hand. Guerrero showed that he no longer can play right field in what must have been the saddest display since Willie Mays was stumbling around in center field for the 1973 Mets. By the way, that was my only direct interaction with Mays, in the Mets’ locker room after Game 2 in Oakland.
Another by the way, tonight in addition to following the fake pitches to the fake batters on the fake field at MLBAM’s Gameday, I listened to the ESPN radio broadcast. I was disappointed that radio broadcasts on the internet are blacked out.
Anyway, Guerrero didn’t belong in the lineup because he can’t play in the field and also because he hasn’t really hit much since July. I attribute Morgan’s stance to what I call the Monday Night Football Syndrome, in which out-of-town network hotshot announcers come to town and pretend they know more about the local team than the local-yokel hicks broadcasting and writing about the games. That extra knowledge usually is nonexistent.
Also, Molina, who hit very little for Texas during the regular season, wasn’t playing because starting pitcher C.J. Wilson established a rapport with Matt Treanor before Molina arrived in Texas.
So it’s possible that Guerrero could have given up some runs on defense and that Wilson might have given up more than one run in the first six innings with Molina behind the plate.
I didn’t hear what Morgan said when Julio Borbon pinch-hit to lead off the eighth inning, with the score 2-0. To me, that was an OK move for several reasons. 1. Guerrero couldn’t tie the game with a home run and could be a liability if he reached base ahead of speedster Elvis Andrus. With at least one runner on base, Vlad would have been the correct pinch-hitting choice. 2. I envisioned Borbon as bunting for a hit, then Andrus reaching base and the two of them working a double steal to get into scoring position ahead of Michael Young, Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz. Borbon exploded that thought bubble like a cartoon character with a shotgun by swinging at the first pitch and grounding out. Perhaps he wanted to earn his Historical Texas Rangers card by swinging the bat recklessly but my God, man, you have to take at least a strike and you’re up there to get on base.
A note on Hamilton. Thus far, he has been down, up and down in the three postseason series. The biggest difference was that in the ALCS the Yankees continually pitched around him, walking him as if they were afraid of him and his bat.*
On the other hand, we have Derek Holland. I really like Holland’s future, but in the present – tonight – he entered the game with a runner on first base and two outs and gave up Darren O’Day’s run by walking three batters on 13 pitches. Was he afraid to throw a strike that could be hit? He shouldn’t be, because his pitches are good enough to get batters out.
*Joe Morgan, whom I think can do a good job but may now be too impressed with his own work, probably would say that Hamilton is a Teixeira-like 0-for-the Series because Guerrero wasn’t batting behind him tonight.
Could the Rangers’ biggest problem be Mark Lowe bad karma?
OK, so it’s two games to none, a lot worse than 1-0, but still not critical because the Rangers can regain the lead in games by winning the three games they’re “supposed” to win at home.
The biggest mystery with Texas is what the Rangers might do to win a close game. There was none after the first game against the Yankees in the ALCS. Texas’ bullpen has been spotty – with brown spots in tonight’s game. Because there have been so few close postseason games, closer Neftali Feliz, who had 40 regular-season saves, has none in any of the three playoff series.

Thoughts on Game 1

2010-10-28T17:49:00.000-07:00

There were two very obvious warning signs during last night’s game.
1. When the Rangers came to bat in the top of the third leading 2-0, and all three batters hit fly balls for outs without seeing many pitches.
2. When the fifth inning came along and Cliff Lee had thrown about 30 pitches more than Tim Lincecum had.
The first of those sent the message that Rangers batters figured, “With Lee pitching, we have enough runs to win. We don’t have to work to score runs. Let’s just hit the ball as hard as we can.” That’s never a good approach, and even worse on the banks of McCovey Creek.
The second meant that regardless what was going to happen right then, Lee wouldn’t pitch as deep into the game as Lincecum would. It would become a game decided by the bullpens. As it turned out, the pitch count was an indicator of an even worse thing for Texas: The Rangers would lose the game with Lee before the game even got to the relievers.

FYI, this post will be more random thoughts than any coherent, cohesive narrative. I’ll be throwing out the thoughts and in some cases commenting and putting those in perspective.
 The Rangers’ first six lineup positions totaled four hits and five total bases. The 7-8-9 spots contributed seven hits and 10 total bases. That’s not a winning formula, either.
 I have no idea what the over/under was on this game, but if you bet it over, you won easily. In fact, I’m pretty sure you won before both starters were out of the game. I tried to find online a list of the highest-scoring games in World Series history, to no avail. I wouldn’t be surprised if 18 runs ranked among the 20 highest all-time.
 My World Series Preview Email talked about the grossly underrated impact of defense. Ron Washington certainly didn’t read it, or he wouldn’t have gone into a park with a big outfield with starters left to right of Nelson Cruz, Josh Hamilton and Vladimir Guerrero. Cruz is far better in right – where, if he wanders around under a fly ball into the right position he also can throw out a runner if his throw happens to be accurate. Hamilton is at least average, but not ideal in center field, and by far Texas’ best overall defensive outfielder. There was a time, such as when I saw Guerrero in Double-A a couple of decades ago, when he was a wonderment in right field. Now I wonder what he was doing out there.
 I didn’t watch the game on TV because I’m still on my Fox/Lone Star boycott. But I did “see” what was going on through MLB’s Gameday. That was useful for observing pitch counts and pitching patterns, but I have no idea whether some of those Giants doubles might have been outs or possibly singles with competent outfielders tracking them down. But there’s no mistaking that Guerrero wasn’t capable when he committed his two eighth-inning errors.
 There was a time when I might have dreamed about Freddy Sanchez’s hitting four doubles in a World Series game, but it’s pretty clear that would never happen in a Pirates uniform. Still, good for Freddy, an overlooked good player because of where he has played.
 Here’s a pet-peeve observation. The Rangers added Mark Lowe to their World Series roster. Whether he had struck out the side or pitched as badly as he did, I’d still feel the same way. Namely, that he shouldn’t have been allowed to be on a Rangers postseason roster. He was nowhere near the team before the Sept. 1 roster “deadline.” He pitched a few games after he came off the disabled list during the regular season’s last week. I heard that he had been pitching in the Arizona Instructional League after that, though I’m not sure whether that was the case. It used to be that players had to be on the active roster before Sept. 1 to be eligible for the – well, not playoffs, but World Series. Now it seems that the only requirement is to be somewhere on the 40-man roster, and the major league team can pick and choose from about 20 players for the last few postseason roster spots. Why is it that people now complain about having an expanded roster for September but don’t give a crap who plays in the World Series.
When I’m commissioner, the only players eligible for the postseason will be the 25 on the active roster at the end of Aug. 31, plus those few players on the disabled list then who had been active with the major league team when they were hurt.
Oh, a last point. There’s always overreaction after the World Series’ first game. It’s as if the losing team has no chance.
That attitude has some relevance if the home team loses the opener in a matchup that seems pretty even.
That isn’t the case here. The Rangers lost on the road, where they’re “supposed” to lose. If they win tonight, they’ll actually be ahead of the game – tied 1-1 with three games remaining at home, where they’re “supposed” to win.
I do understand that nearly everyone had Texas penciled, if not inked, in to win because Cliff Lee is “unbeatable” in the postseason and the Rangers were “supposed” to win whenever he pitches. However, he didn’t pitch very Cliffly. So it must be devastating that he lost, right?
Well, no, not really. During the regular season, he had a losing record with the Rangers. Sure, he was 7-0 in his career during the postseason, but could any reasonable person expect him NEVER to lose a postseason decision?
A more damaging sign for either team would be if its bullpen doesn’t pitch any better during the remainder of the series. Also, the Rangers can take heart in having some success against both Tim Lincecum and Brian Wilson. Or was that an anomaly?
I lied. I still have one other point to make, and that is about Ian Kinsler’s infuriating nature. Both, or perhaps all three, of the sides to that nature showed up in Game 1.
First, there was the issue of his hitting the first pitch into an inning-ending double play with a run in, the bases loaded and one out in the top of the first. That’s a situation when a batter should be at his most selective, looking for that one pitch that is best for him to hit. Clearly, the best pitch wasn’t the one that Kinsler swung at without seeing any others.
Then in the sixth, he partially redeemed himself by working a walk with a 10-pitch at-bat. Even though the walk came with two out and no one on base, that was a good thing because it drove up Lincecum’a pitch count. It became a better thing when Texas managed to score two runs with two out and drive him from the game.
Finally, Kinsler undid that good on his next plate appearance, when he singled but thought first baseman Aubrey Huff had missed a throw. Ian started toward second base, and Huff tagged him out. That wasn’t an unusual play for Kinsler, a talented player who makes more bone-headed moves than even Nelson Cruz.

Some hockey hints

2010-10-17T01:00:00.000-07:00

I've never played fantasy hockey.
However, I have covered an NHL game in two of the last three nights, and I've liked what I have seen from some players.
The Stars' top line features Brad Richards, a supremely talented offensive player who is making linemates Loui Eriksson and James Neal look even better than they are. Dallas doesn't have three lines of scorers -- Brenden Morrow and Mike Ribeiro seem to be the only other forwards capable of scoring -- so Eriksson and Neal might not maintain the benefit of playing with Richards for the whole season. But they would seem to be good short-term pickups at the very least.
Another surprise is goalie Kari Lehtonen. The Finn is a dude, even though he has what would be considered a girl's name in this country. He had 41 saves in Saturday's overtime game, but he might have had more good stops with maybe 25 saves Thursday night. Lehtonen is a big reason the Stars are 4-0 (don't expect that success to last either).
Perhaps the Stars are trying to emulate the Rangers. When last hockey season ended and the current baseball season was beginning, both teams were owned by impecunious ex-millionnaire Tom Hicks. Therefore, almost no money was spent on increasing salaries. Mike Modano and Marty Turco were the highest-profile free-agencydepartures. The Rangers, developing a core of young stars in their farm system, played well despite turmoil to the point where the team has gone the farthest in the franchise's 50 seasons. Don't expect the Stars to do that, which would require winning another Stanley Cup. There's a good chance they might not even reach the playoffs -- especially if the NHL can't find a buyer and players such as Richards have to be unloaded at the trade deadline. I also don't expect that coach Marc Crawrod will do cocaine and have his team rally around him.

My fantasy lineups

2010-10-16T23:43:00.000-07:00

I'm currently competing in three fantasy leagues: one baseball and two football.

1. Lenny Brazis Inner League, Inner League Baseball. I have been in this league since it was formed in 1988. It's the Championship Series, for which statistics for the majors' Division and Championship series are combined to determine who will go on to the Inner League World Series.

This league has two factors that differentiate it from most fantasy baseball leagues. 1) Scoring is by only one player in each of nine stat categories. Thus, it's possible for both my opponent and I to have the same player in different categories. In this case, I have Mark Teixeira for runs and my opponent has Tex for home runs.
2) There's a draft before each round to fill gaps in lineups caused by having players whose major league teams didn't qualify or no longer are in the playoffs.
So I trailed 16-11 in my head-to-head series after the Division Series ended. After that, I had to replace six players from the Twins, Reds and Rays whose teams lost in part because they perform well. I picked up a point to trail 15 1/2-11 1/2 after Friday's game because Hamilton's home run pulled me into a tie in that category, but stayed the same after Saturday's contests by falling behind in runs while I was taking the lead in batting average. My current lineup:
RBI-Guerrero
BA-Utley
R-Teixeira
HR-Hamilton
H-Young
SO-Halladay
SB-Victorino
W-Lee
S-Feliz

2. Andy Memorial Football League (charter member, since 1987). This is a scoring-only league. I'm in second place at 4-1 going in. This week for the first time I have players sitting because of byes. I think I used the same lineup of my first draft picks in each category for each of the first five weeks. In fact, I discovered that three of my four running backs have a bye this week, causing me to have to acquire a free agent. I didn't really take the time to investigate which RBs are owned in this 10-team league, but merely looked at the available freed agents in my deeper 10-team ESPN.com league. The free-agent RBs projected there to score the most points this week were John Kuhn and Earnest Graham, whom I requested in that order. My first choice, Kuhn, was available so I got him and waived Jonathan Stewart. My lineup:
QB-New York Giants (we get all of a team's quarterbacks, not just Eli Manning in my case)
RB-Chris Johnson and Kuhn
WR-Brandon Marshall and Roy Williams (replacing Larry Fitzgerald)
TE-Orlando Gates
K-New England (we get the team there too, and not an individual)
D/ST-Philadelphia

3. ESPN.com fantasy league. I'm 1-4 in this league, for which I got a crappy autodraft. Either I missed something or ESPN doesn't allow you to move players around in the draft order. I found I had to move any players I absolutely didn't want to the bottom of the list of a thousand or so players. I didn't have the time to figure out how to move the player I wanted 15 but ESPN ranked 30th ahead of a guy ESPN ranked 12th but I thought was more like 30th, so I pretty much took my chances with ESPN's order. That yielded two players I absolutely hadn't heard of on my opening-day roster. One of them, Aromasomething, had a pretty good first week so I played him the next week. I don't think the Bears have let him on the field since that first week. The other guy, whose name I don't even remember, hasn't been on my roster since the first week. But at least I could banish Brett Favre and T.O. to places from which they could never be autodrafted for me.
I this league, as I told you, I'm 1-4 but under what I believe are false pretenses. The league has two five-team divisions. Before the first week's games, my schedule said I had a bye so I didn't see any point in adjusting a crappy starting lineup to make it only slightly less crappy for a game I wasn't playing. In the second week, my team rallied for what the box score told me was a 1-point victory after Monday night.
This ESPN league has a feature called League Manager. As far as I can tell, that means whoever is the League Manager can pretty much do whatever he or she pleases. For example, changing the first week schedule after the second week's games have been played. For another example, losing the second week's game by 1 point but later adding in a 2-point "scoring adjustment" so you can win by 1. I have questioned first the necessiry of having a bye, and then taking away the bye and adding a "scoring adjustment," but haven't received an answer to either. In fact, there has been no response to any of my message board questions. I'm not really complaining about the bye-bye bye because I would have been killed that week in any event, even if I could have used my entire bench in addition to my starters.
Enough bitching about the screwed-up league structure. I've been patching together holes and making incremental improvements, in the manner of Lou Saban's 1963 Buffalo Bills. They were something like 0-5-1 and finished 7-6-1 and in a division playoff game with almost an entirely different team from opening day. That's a good story, maybe worth a book some day. So here's my lineup.
QB-Donovan McNabb -- I'd been following ESPN's projections for the most part, but have finally said, "Hell, I never wanted Matt Schaub on my autopicked team anyway" and benched him.
RB-Steven Jackson and Ryan Mathews
WR-Reggie Wayne and Roy Williams
RB/WR flex-My new main man, or at least 1st St. man, John Kuhn
TE-Tony Gonzalez
K-Matt Bryant
D/ST-Chicago
I think I have a chance to win again. The lineup of the guy I'm playing against includes two players on byes. I'd think he's waiting until the last minute to set his lineup if he hadn't played last week with three players on byes. This particular league sucks for more reasons than one. Of course, no one replied to my post about how many players with byes were "playing" in our league.

Thoughts on Rangers-Yankees

2010-10-16T23:08:00.000-07:00

Ron Washington either doesn't have firm convictions or he hasn't been true to those convictions. Anyway, his handling of the Rangers' bullpen could come back to bite them in the butt.

First there was Game 3 of their ALDS against the Rays. Wash seemed to panic a bit, bringing in Neftali Feliz in the eighth inning, then having to go with Dustin Nippert in the ninth. That was a losing proposition.

After getting 40 saves during the season, Feliz still doesn't have one in the postseason.

By the way, as well as Feliz pitched this year, his major league "rookie" record seems tainted to me because the definition of a rookie pitcher is based on innings rather than appearances. That makes it so a starting pitcher could arrive in the majors during September and use up his innings limit, where a reliever can spend nearly half the season and still qualify as a rookie the next year.

Anyway, I think Washington did the right thing getting Feliz into a game in a non-save situation in the ALDS to have postseason experience. But I'm not sure he needed to struggle through another non-save situation today. He needs to pitch in a closer's role.

OK, I digress. Anyway, after going short (10 pitchers) during the ALDS, Washington, or maybe Jon Daniels and Nolan Ryan, did the right thing by jettisoning Nippert and replacing him with two left-handers who will be useful at Yankee Stadium. Darren Oliver has run out of gas each of the last two years. I'm not sure Clay Rapada is the right lefty to add. Matt Harrison has more experience, and there probably was a reason Rapada spent the entire season at Oklahoma City. I'm also not sure when the majors loosened their rules so that virtually anyone can be on the postseason roster even if he joined the team after th August 31 deadline. The Yankees always used to add a veteran, somebody like Hector "Skinny" Brown or Suitcase Simpson, down the stretch even knowing that they couldn't use that player in the postseason.

Back to Rapada. He redeemed himself today by striking out Marcus Thames in a non-favorable matchup when he could have turned a 7-2 game into 7-5.

This brings me back to my main point. One of the first questions I asked Washington in March 2007 in Surprise, Ariz., when he was a new major league manager, was whether he would run his bullpen based on lefty-righty matchups. He was adamant that he wouldn't just go by that book. So in Friday night's game, after lefty Oliver failed, Wash went to righty Darren O'Day against one right-handed batter -- for one pitch. Then it was Rapada for one lefty batter -- for one pitch. Derek Holland finally came in and got out of that awful half-inning. So much for not going by the book.

The manager did get through a soft portion of Texas' rotation (C.J. Wilson and Colby Lewis are pretty much 6- or 7-inning starters) with the bullpen in much better shape than the Yankees'. That effect will be lessened somewhat with a day off. But if Cliff Lee can go eight or nine innings deep, and the Rangers can get Andy Pettitte, whose complete games are rare these days, that bullpen edge can grow in the Rangers' favor again. That edge could stay even though neither Game 4 starter, Tommy Hunter or the Yankees' A.J. Burnett, could be expected to go more than six or seven innings.

However, Washington could fritter away that advantage by going too much left-right-left or misusing Feliz.

There are problems inherent with facing the Yankees. The lineup is so deep top to bottom, and so capable of waiting out pitchers, that it puts extreme pressure on opponents. For example, in the current series, the longer it goes, the more pitches Texas throws and the more opportunities that there are up and down the lineup, the more likely it is that Mark Teixeira or Alex Rodriguez would break out of their slumps.

I still like the Rangers in six. If the series goes to seven games, I'm just afraid that ticking time bomb would work in New York's favor.

Another somewhat related thought: The first two games, especially the eighth inning for Game 1, were interminable. One way to cut down the excessive time of American League games would be to ditch the designated hitter. It's not needed for either of the reasons cited when it arrived in 1973 (declining offense and a place for star players to make a transition into the retirement). Having a pitcher around to make more frequent, but not automatic, outs wouldn't hurt. Those same pitchers could have a breather against their counterparts that they could allow them to throw fewer pitches and be fresher for the batters who really could hurt them.

Just a thought. A darn good one at that.

Recent Emails you might have missed

2010-05-09T22:12:00.000-07:00

Sunday's Email to Fantasy Baseball Scout subscribers was our Weekly Preview/Pitching Chart.

In it, we told those subscribers about an American League team to jump on while making out their lineups this week.

We also told them about our strong record with our pitching recommendations for last week. The seven pitchers we singled out combined for an 8-3 record (that would translate to 117-45 over a 162-game schedule).

Our other regular Emails went out as well -- Weekend Update/Hot and Not, Minor League Update, Injury Update and Updating News and Notes.

Elsewhere on this blog, you can find out how to subscribe to the Emails. We'll also be telling you how to do that periodically in other posts. It's getting late now, though.

High scores mixed in with stellar pitching performances

2010-05-03T18:13:00.000-07:00

Here’s our usual Monday Email containing a Weekend Update and who’s Hot and Not. It’s going out to the whole list for two reasons:
1. We haven’t finished forming the subscribers’ mailing list.
2. It doesn’t hurt to let those who haven’t yet subscribed see what they’re missing.
Just so you know, this is your last chance to subscribe at a reduced rate for the remainder of 2010. See below to find out how.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Subscribers will be able to ask questions specific to their fantasy teams and leagues, and receive answers through these Emails, the web site or personal Emails.

Hot
The weekly Hot and Not for batters is based on 20 at-bats for batting average, and at least a .280 BA for the other categories.
Pos. Player, Team H-AB BA HR-RBI SB
OF Austin Jackson, Tigers 15-30 .500 0-2 2
2B Adam Rosales, Athletics 10-21 .476 1-4 0
1B Albert Pujols, Cardinals 10-21 .476 0-7 1
3B David Freese, Cardinals 12-26 .462 3-11 0
OF Torii Hunter, Angels 9-20 .450 2-6 0
2B Robinson Cano, Yankees 11-25 .440 4-7 0
OF Austin Kearns, Indians 11-25 .440 2-8 1
3B Adrian Beltre, Red Sox 11-25 .440 0-3 0
SS/2B Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians 11-25 .440 0-1 0
C John Buck, Blue Jays 9-21 .429 3-7 0
Home runs – Cano, Dodgers OF Andre Ethier, White Sox 1B Paul Konerko, Marlins SS Hanley Ramirez and Cubs OF Alfonso Soriano 4.
RBI – Freese 11; Ethier, Konerko, Soriano, Rockies OF Carlos Gonzalez and Diamondbacks 1B Adam LaRoche 10; Mets 3B David Wright 9; Kearns, Ramirez, Pirates C Ryan Doumit and Yankees SS Derek Jeter 8.
Stolen bases – White Sox OF Alex Rios 4; Gonzalez, Athletics OF Rajai Davis, Rockies OF Dexter Fowler and Padres OF Tony Gwynn 3.
Runs – Jackson 8; Ethier, Soriano, Rays 3B Evan Longoria, Orioles OF Nick Markakis and Yankees OF/1B Nick Swisher 7.
Konerko was the American League Player of the Week; Freese won the same award in the National League.
Repeaters on a Hot list are Cano, Konerko and Longoria. Wright was on a Not list in each of the previous two weeks, and Jackson was on last week’s Not list.
Requirements for pitchers to make these lists are 7 innings pitched for ERA and WHIP, 10 strikeouts in K:W ratio and an ERA under 4.00.
Hand Pitcher, Team IP W-L ERA WHIP K:W
RHP Colby Lewis, Rangers 9.0 0-0 0.00 0.44 10:1
RHP A.J. Burnett, Yankees 8.0 1-0 0.00 0.50 4:1
RHP Jhoulys Chacin, Rockies 8.0 1-0 0.00 0.50 9:3
RHP Matt Cain, Giants 8.0 1-0 0.00 0.50 8:3
RHP Doug Fister, Mariners 8.0 0-0 0.00 0.38 3:0
LHP Jon Lester, Red Sox 7.0 1-0 0.00 0.43 11:2
LHP Jaime Garcia, Cardinals 7.0 1-0 0.00 0.71 5:1
LHP Cliff Lee, Mariners 7.0 0-0 0.00 0.43 8:0
RHP Zack Greinke, Royals 15.0 0-1 0.60 0.67 11:0
RHP Justin Verlander, Tigers 14.0 1-1 0.64 0.71 14:3
Wins – Orioles RHP Matt Albers, Cardinals RHP Chris Carpenter, Rays RHP Wade Davis, Brewers RHP Yovani Gallardo, Padres RHP Jon Garland, Marlins RHP Joshua Johnson and Twins LHP Francisco Liriano 2.
Saves – Padres RHP Heath Bell 3-for-3; Nationals RHP Matt Capps, Reds RHP Francisco Cordero, Rangers RHP Frank Francisco, Red Sox RHP Jonathan Papelbon, Orioles RHP Alfredo Simon, Royals RHP Joakim Soria, Rays RHP Rafael Soriano and Tigers RHP Jose Valverde 2-2.
WHIP – Fister 0.38; Lee and Lester 0.43; Lewis 0.44; Giants RHP Tim Lincecum 0.48; Burnett, Cain, Chacin and Braves RHP Tommy Hanson 0.50; Marlins RHP Chris Volstad 0.56.
K:W ratio – Marlins RHP Clay Hensley 13:0; Greinke 11:0; Reds RHP Aaron Harang and Rays RHP James Shields 12:1; Lincecum and Phillies RHP Roy Halladay 11:1; Lewis 10:1; Lester 11:2; Cardinals RHP Kyle Lohse 10:2; Liriano 19:4.
Repeaters on pitching Hot lists were Pettitte, Pelfrey, Rodney, Carpenter and Sanchez.

Not
Pos. Player, Team H-AB BA HR-RBI SB
SS/3B Ronny Cedeno, Pirates 1-21 .048 1-1 0
3B Chipper Jones, Braves 1-20 .050 0-1 0
1B Casey Kotchman, Mariners 2-23 .087 0-0 0
SS Yuniesky Betancourt, Royals 3-26 .115 0-1 0
OF Jose Guillen, Royals 3-25 .120 0-2 0
2B Rickie Weeks, Brewers 4-32 .125 1-2 1
C Russell Martin, Dodgers 3-24 .125 1-2 0
OF Juan Pierre, White Sox 3-22 .136 0-0 1
3B/OF Mark Teahen, White Sox 3-21 .143 0-0 0
OF Hideki Matsui, Angels 3-21 .143 0-2 0
OF Josh Willingham, Nationals 3-21 .143 0-2 0
This week’s (dis)honorable mention goes to Rays C Dioner Navarro, who was 0-for-10.
W:K ratio (10 or more strikeouts) – Astros OF Michael Bourn 0:10; Padres 3B/OF Chase Headley 1:12; Tigers 3B Brandon Inge 1:11; Nationals 1B/OF Adam Dunn 1:10; Padres OF Max Venable 3:12; Weeks 4:15; Guillen and Padres OF Kyle Blanks 3:11; Mariners OF Franklin Gutierrez 4:12; Diamondbacks OF Justin Upton 5:11.
Caught stealing – Giants OF/3B Mark DeRosa 0-for-2; Pierre 1-3: Bourn, Indians OF Shin-soo Choo and Mariners OF Ichiro Suzuki 2-4; Rockies OF Dexter Fowler and White Sox OF/1B Andruw Jones 3-5.
There were no repeaters on the hitters’ Not list. Bourn and Guillen both dropped down from the Hot list a week earlier.
Hand Pitcher, Team IP W-L ERA WHIP K:W
RHP Edwin Jackson, D-backs 6.1 0-2 25.58 3.95 2:3
RHP Ben Sheets, Athletics 7.1 0-2 20.86 3.00 4:3
RHP Bud Norris, Astros 9.2 0-2 11.17 2.28 9:8
LHP Zach Duke, Pirates 10.0 0-2 10.80 2.40 9:6
LHP Dana Eveland, Blue Jays 9.2 0-1 10.24 2.28 4:6
RHP Mat Latos, Padres 8.2 0-2 9.35 2.19 8:6
LHP Johan Santana, Mets 9.2 1-1 9.31 1.76 7:5
RHP Josh Beckett, Red Sox 10.0 0-0 9.00 1.80 9:3
LHP David Huff, Indians 10.1 0-2 7.84 2.25 6:3
LHP John Lannan, Nationals 11.0 0-1 7.36 2.00 3:8
The pitchers eligible for this list all started twice during the week
Losses – Duke, Huff, Jackson, Latos, Norris, Sheets, White Sox LHP Mark Buehrle, Mariners RHP Felix Hernandez and Yankees RHP David Robertson 2.
Blown saves – Brewers RHP Trevor Hoffman 1-for-3.

News and Notes
The Nationals will decide after a bullpen session Tuesday in Harrisburg, Pa., whether to advance RHP Stephen Strasburg from the Double-A Senators to Triple-A Syracuse.
In two extra-inning losses to the Rangers over the weekend, the Mariners totaled only one run in 23 innings. Friday’s loss happened after OF Eric Byrnes missed a squeeze bunt, allowing a runner to be put out at home plate. As a result, Seattle has released Byrnes and demoted SS Matt Tuiasosopo to Triple-A Tacoma, and brought SS Josh Wilson and OF Ryan Langerhans back up from the Rainiers.
A couple of players relatively new to their teams are helping out. In the Blue Jays’ 9-3 victory over the Athletics Sunday, OF Fred Lewis had a home run, three RBI and a stolen base. Making his major league debut, C Wilson Ramos went 4-for-5 in the Twins’ 8-3 win over the Indians.
The Marlins defeated the Nationals 9-3 with SS Hanley Ramirez slamming two homers and driving in four runs and RHP Josh Johnson improving his record to 3-1.
9-3 was a popular score Sunday. Andre Ethier also had two homers and four RBI to help the Dodgers beat the Pirates by that margin.
Remember Cubs LF Alfonso Soriano? He slammed two homers and drove in – guess what – four runs in a 10-5 victory over the Diamondbacks.
The Orioles completed an unlikely sweep of the Red Sox by winning 3-2 on a 10th-inning double by 2B/3B/1B Ty Wigginton.
The Diamondbacks’ choice to start tonight’s game was RHP Cesar Valdez. The 25-year-old began this season 1-1 with a 3.80 ERA for Triple-A Reno. I was impressed with Valdez when I saw him in the high Class A California League for Visalia. The Modesto lineup he defeated that night including injury-rehabbing SS Troy Tulowitzki. To make room for Valdez, Arizona optioned to Reno RHP Kevin Mulvey, who had been another candidate to move into the rotation.

In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
There were few close games Sunday. As a result, there were just two saves – in the two best-pitched games on both sides. Rays RHP Rafael Soriano picked up his sixth save in a 1-0 victory over the Royals that included just seven hits by both sides. Tampa Bay RHP Wade Davis out-dueled Kansas City RHP Zack Greinke in that game. Rangers RHP Neftali Feliz recorded his fifth save on what’s listed as his 22nd birthday. Texas won 3-1 in 11 innings at Seattle, with OF David Murphy breaking a 1-1 tie on a sacrifice fly. The starting pitchers were Rangers LHP C.J. Wilson and Mariners RHP Doug Fister, who both have pitched very well this season.

Promotion
To subscribe for our five-times-weekly Emails and anything else we're able to provide this season, Email us at lary@fantasybaseballscout.com. Through today, Sunday, May 2, you can subscribe for just $20, a 20 per cent savings from our established price of $25.
Include your name, address, phone number and the Email address where you would like to receive the Emails. PayPal then would send you an invoice that would allow you to pay in one step.

Lots of home, sweet home pitchers this week

2010-05-02T16:46:00.000-07:00

Here is our Weekly Preview and Pitching Chart for the coming week.
We have received payments from a number of you and are in the process of adding you to a new Email list for this season.
PayPal has sent out requests for payment for those of you who have expressed interest in subscribing to our Emails. We are adding to our new mailing list those of you who have made the payment.
Because the new mailing list hasn’t been set up entirely, we still are sending out free Emails to everyone on our preseason mailing list. That free lunch will end soon. We encourage all of you who have been receiving our Emails to subscribe for the remainder of this year.
You or any of your friends – or even you signing friends as gifts to them – can subscribe. You can see how to subscribe below.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to our blog and whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Subscribers will be able to ask questions specific to their fantasy teams and leagues, and receive answers through these Emails, the web site or personal Emails.

Projected starting pitchers, May 3-9, 2010
AL Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Bal @NYY-Guthrie @NYY-Matusz @NYY-Hernandz @Min-Bergesen @Min-Millwood @Min-Guthrie2 @Min-Matusz2
Bos LAA-Buchholz LAA-Lester LAA-Lackey LAA-Mtsuzka* NYY-Beckett NYY-Bchholz2 NYY-Lester2
CWS KC-Peavy KC-Floyd KC-Garcia Tor-Danks Tor-Buehrle Tor-Peavy2 Tor-Floyd2
Cle Tor-Talbot Tor-Wstbrook Tor-Carmona --- Det-Mastrson Det-Huff Det-Talbt2**
Det @Min-Scherzer @Min-Willis @Min-Porcello --- @Cle-Bondrmn @Cle-Verlander @Cle-Scherzer2
KC @CWS-Meche @CWS-Hochevar @CWS-Bannister @Tex-Davies @Tex-Greinke @Tex-Meche2 @Tex-Hochevr2
LAA @Bos-Saunders @Bos-Santana @Bos-Pineiro @Bos-Kazmir @Se-Weaver @Se-Saundrs2 @Se-Santana2
Min Det-Baker Det-Bkbrn-3* Det-Slowey Bal-Pavno-4* Bal-Liriano Bal-Baker2 Bal-Blakbrn2
NYY Bal-Sabathia Bal-Burnett Bal-Pettitte --- @Bos-Vazquez @Bos-Hughes @Bos-Sabathia2
Oak Tex-Braden Tex-Mzzro-5* Tex-Cahill-6* --- TB-Gonzalez TB-Sheets TB-Braden2
Se --- TB-Vargas TB-Lee TB-Rwld-Sh LAA-Hernandz LAA-Fister LAA-Vargas2
TB --- @Se-Shields @Se-Garza @Se-Niemann @Oak-Price @Oak-Davis @Oak-Shields2
Tex @Oak-Harden @Oak-Feldman @Oak-Lewis-7* KC-Harrison KC-Wilson KC-Harden2 KC-Feldman2
Tor @Cle-Cecil @Cle-Romero @Cle-Morrow @CWS-Eveland @CWS-Marcum @CWS-Cecil2 @CWS-Romero2

*-RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka is scheduled for his second major league start this season Thursday.
**-The Indians could have the option of moving their Opening Day starter, RHP Jake Westbrook, ahead of RHP Mitch Talbot in their rotation to pitch Sunday.
3*-The Twins expect RHP Nick Blackburn to return from a family medical emergency in time to start Tuesday.
4*-Blackburn’s return would make it so that RHP Carl Pavano could start Thursday with two extra days to recover from a stiff neck.
5*-Athletics RHP Justin Duchscherer is scheduled Monday to go to Nashville to see Dr. Thomas Byrd, who has performed two hip operations on Duchscherer. Most likely, he wouldn’t make Tuesday’s start. A likely replacement would be RHP Vin Mazzaro from Triple-A Sacramento.
6*-Already new to Oakland’s rotation, replacing injured LHP Brett Anderson, is RHP Trevor Cahill. He has made just one major league start this season after recovering from a shoulder injury.
7*-RHP Colby Lewis has been a different pitcher since returning from two years pitching in Japan. He re-signed with his original North American team at what is appearing to be a bargain price. In Rangers history, only Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan had more strikeouts in one season during April than Lewis’ 38. He has been mixing four pitches for strikes. He might still be available in your league. Don’t expect him to remain undefeated all season, but you too should be able to get him at a relatively low price.
AL Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Ari @Ho-Buckner* @Ho-Kennedy @Ho-Lopez @Ho-Haren Mil-Jackson Mil-Buckner2 Mil-Knnedy2
Atl --- @Was-Kawkami @Was-Hanson @Was-Hudson @Phi-Lowe @Phi-Jurrjns** @Phi-Kwkami2
ChC --- @Pit-Dempster @Pit-Lilly @Pit-Wells @Cin-Gzlny-3* @Cin-Silva @Cin-Dempstr2
Cin NYM-Leake NYM-Arroyo NYM-Cueto --- ChC-Bailey ChC-Harang ChC-Leake2
Col @SD-Jimenez @SD-Smith @SD-Cook --- @LAD-Rogrs-4* @LAD-Chacin @LAD-Jimenez2
Fla --- SF-Sanchez SF-Robertsn SF-Nolasco @Was-Volstad @Was-Johnson @Was-Sanchez2
Ho Ari-Paulino Ari-Oswalt Ari-Myers Ari-Rdriguez SD-Norris SD-Paulino2 SD-Oswalt2
LAD --- Mil-Kershaw Mil-Blingsley Mil-Haegr-5* Col-Kuroda Col-Mnsts-6* Col-Kershaw2
Mil --- @LAD-Nrvsn-7* @LAD-Davis @LAD-Bush @Ari-Gallardo @Ari-Wolf @Ari-Narvesn2
NYM @Cin-Perez @Cin-Maine @Cin-Niese --- SF-Pelfrey SF-Santana SF-Perez2
Phi StL-Hamels StL-Blantn-8* StL-Kndrk-9* StL-Halladay Atl-Moyer Atl-Hamels2 Atl-Blanton2
Pit --- ChC-Maholm ChC-Mrtn-10* ChC-Duke StL-Krtns-11* StL-Brres-12* StL-Maholm2
StL @Phi-Garcia @Phi-Wainright @Phi-Penny @Phi-Penny @Pit-Carpenter @Pit-Garcia2 @Phi-Wanrght2
SD Col-Correia Col-LeBlanc Col-Richard --- @Ho-Latos @Ho-Garland @Ho-Correia2
SF --- @Fla-Lincecum @Fla-Zito @Fla-Cain @NYM-Sanchez @NYM-Welemyr @NYM-Lincecm2
Was --- Atl-Hernandz Atl-Atilano Atl-Olsen Fla-Stammen Fla-Lannan Fla-Hrnandz2

*-With RHP Kris Benson (strained shoulder) going on the disabled list, the Diamondbacks recalled RHP Kevin Mulvey to take Benson’s roster spot. Mulvey could start Monday’s game, but more likely Arizona would recall RHP Billy Buckner from Triple-A Reno to take that role. He last started in the Pacific Coast League Wednesday, so he would be pitching on his usual rest.
**-RHP Jair Jurrjens left Thursday’s game after one inning because of a hamstring injury. The Braves believe Monday’s day off would allow them to push him back in the rotation so he would be ready to start Saturday.
3*-mlb.com indicates that the Cubs would move LHP Tom Gorzelanny, who has pitched well without achieving results, ahead of RHP Carlos Silva in their rotation to start Friday.
4*-The Rockies weren’t excited about RHP Esmil Rogers’ first major league start this season, when he gave up four runs in four innings Saturday. He still might stay in rotation to start Friday, or Colorado could slide another rookie, RHP Jhoulys Chacin, and RHP Ubaldo Jimenez ahead one day each and bring back LHP Greg Smith on the usual four days’ rest to start Sunday.
5*-The Dodgers’ rotation – well, much of their team – is a mess. They could keep ineffective RHP Charlie Haeger as a starter for Thursday’s game, or they could give rookie RHP John Ely another start.
6*-RHP Carlos Monasterios went four innings in his first emergency start against the Pirates, and could be brought back Sunday against the Rockies. Haeger or Ely also could be an option.
7*-The Brewers liked LHP Chris Narveson well enough to have him supplant veteran RHP Jeff Suppan in their rotation. The Dodgers didn’t show the southpaw any respect by spelling his name “Naverson” in their game notes.
8*-The Phillies are likely to bring RHP Joe Blanton back from an injury-rehab assignment to start Tuesday. That assignment wouldn’t go to LHP J.A. Happ, whom they shut down after 20 pitches on the side Friday because he was feeling more forearm pain.
9*-RHP Kyle Kendrick’s spot in Philadelphia’s rotation is tenuous. The Phils could replace him with veteran RHP Nelson Figueroa, who also could take Tuesday’s start to give Blanton more time on rehab.
10*-On most major league teams, RHP Charlie Morton no longer would be starting. The Pirates don’t currently have much choice.
11*-Pittsburgh recalled RHP Jeff Karstens from Triple-A Indianapolis to start Sunday’s game. His next turn would be Friday.
12*-RHP Ross Ohlendorf isn’t yet ready to return to the Bucs. He threw 43 pitches Friday, and is expected to make an injury-rehab start Wednesday at Double-A Altoona or high Class A Bradenton. Pittsburgh’s plan is for Ohlendorf to return to the major league rotation May 10. His continued absence most likely would leave LHP Brian Burres as Friday’s starter. In his first start this season, Burres pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings.

Schedule notes
In the American League this week, a majority of the teams are scheduled to play seven games, while the other six would play six. That means if you use batters and relief pitchers from the Indians, Tigers, Yankees, Athletics, Mariners or Rays, you would be at a 14 per cent playing-time disadvantage over players from the other eight. The Red Sox, White Sox and Twins would play all seven times at home. That means it could be a marginally better week for batters with games at hitter-friendly parks in Boston (Angels four times, Yankees three) and Chicago (Royals three, Blue Jays four). Pitchers would have an advantage in the six games scheduled in Oakland (Rangers and Rays three each) and Seattle (Rays and Angels three). And those are a couple of additional reasons to stay away from Tampa Bay batters.
The National League is somewhat opposite in that just four teams – Diamondbacks, Astros, Phillies and Cardinals – are scheduled for seven games, with the others playing six. It could be an even better week for NL batters with seven contests in Philadelphia (Cardinals four, Braves three) and a slightly hitter-friendly park in Houston (D-backs four, Padres three). In addition, there are six games scheduled in Cincinnati (Mets and Cubs) three. In the pitchers’ favor are Dodger Stadium (Brewers and Rockies three) and Pittsburgh (Cubs and Cardinals three).
An oddity in this week’s schedules is that except for six teams – Yankees, Rangers, D-backs, Marlins, Mets and Padres – every other squad would play exclusively at home or exclusively on the road.
Pitchers scheduled to start twice at home are RHPs Clay Buchholz, Jake Peavy, Gavin Floyd, Mitch Talbot, Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn, Mike Leake, Felipe Paulino, Roy Oswalt, Joe Blanton and Livan Hernandez, and LHPs Jon Lester, Dallas Braden, Jason Vargas, Clayton Kershaw, Cole Hamels and Paul Maholm. The list is long because 12 teams would be playing at home all week. Despite that, we have only one highest recommendation: Hamels. Plenty of pitches are somewhere between Highest Recommendation and Live Longshot – Peavy, Floyd, Baker, Lester and Kershaw. And what the heck, we’ll give you Oswalt as a very high recommendation.

Injuries
In addition to a herniated disk and an abdominal injury, Orioles 2B Brian Roberts has been battling the flu. He said he might be out another three weeks or three months.
With Twins C Joe Mauer suffering a bruised left heel when he jammed it into a base Friday, C Wilson Ramos from Triple-A Rochester has joined Minnesota.
Yankees CF Curtis Granderson has gone on the disabled list because of a strained left groin muscle. In his absence, Brett Gardner would play center field and Randy Winn left field. Those are much better alternatives than New York has had in several years. To take Granderson’s roster spot, the Yanks recalled RHP Mark Melancon from Triple-A Scranton.
The Athletics put C Kurt Suzuki on the DL because of a strained intercostals muscle in his left side. Up from Triple-A Sacramento to replace him is C Josh Donaldson. He would be worth a shot as a fantasy backup because he has power and is a good defensive catcher, and is a better alternative than C Landon Powell.
News and notes
The word in Washington is that RHP Stephen Strasburg would be promoted to Triple-A Syracuse if he pitched well today for five innings or 85 pitches, whichever comes first, in his start for Double-A Harrisburg. It’s not clear what will happen; he allowed Altoona (Pirates organization) three earned runs in 4 2/3 innings. Another rookie pro, RHP Drew Storen, already has moved up from Harrisburg to Syracuse.
Before we think the Mets’ troubles are over, consider that 16 of their first 24 games were played at home.
The Rockies have designated RHP Juan Rincon for assignment.
The headline looks impressive: Three No-Hitters the Last Two Days in the Midwest League. However, that is just a low Class A league, and none of the three was by one pitcher in a nine-inning game. It took three Cedar Rapids Kernels (Angels) for one no-no; Nick Struck’s no-hitter for Peoria (Cubs) was in a rain-shortened game, and LHP Dan Osterbrock of Beloit (Twins) pitched his in a seven-inning doubleheader game. Osterbrock’s effort was noteworthy in that the only runner to reach base against him was on a 3-and-2 leadoff walk in the seventh. A double play erased that runner, so the lefty faced the minimum 21 batters.

In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
It appears that RHP Alfredo Simon could be settling in as the Orioles’ closer and that the Baltimore bullpen is taking shape. In a 12-9 game Saturday against the Red Sox that included nine home runs, Simon picked up his second save with a pitching line of 100011.
The Rangers’ bullpen might not be the place to look for a front-line closer. RHP Frank Francisco’s second save came with a line of 100021 in a 6-3 victory at Seattle, indicating that he could take the primary role from RHP Neftali Feliz. The solution also could become RHP Chris Ray, who may already have usurped a setup role from Feliz or Francisco.
Cardinals RHP Ryan Franklin didn’t record a save, but did something much rarer for a closer by winning a game while pitching well. He entered a 3-3 game with two runners on base and two out in the bottom of the eighth inning and received a win when St. Louis scored three times in the top of the ninth for a 6-3 victory.
Other saves went to Royals RHP Joakim Soria, seventh, 4-2 in 11 innings at Tampa Bay; White Sox RHP Bobby Jenks, fifth, 7-6 at Yankee Stadium; Cubs RHP Carlos Marmol, fourth, 7-5 over the Diamondbacks; Brewers RHP Trevor Hoffman, fourth, 2-1 at San Diego, and Athletics RHP Andrew Bailey, third, 4-3 at Toronto.

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Konerko and unlikely Johnson are HR leaders

2010-04-30T09:47:00.000-07:00

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In the normal schedule for our five weekly Emails, the Thursday Emails update News and Notes from around baseball.

LeBlanc blanks Brewers
It wasn’t long after Rangers TV play-by-play man Josh Lewin remarked that it didn’t appear that anyone would hit 10 homers in the majors this April that White Sox 1B Paul Konerko pounded numbers 9 and 10 in the eighth and ninth innings to help beat Texas. He had begun the day tied with Diamondbacks 2B Kelly Johnson for the major league lead. The surprising Johnson hit his ninth as Arizona routed the Cubs. D-backs 1B Adam LaRoche drove in five runs in that game.
One of today’s superlative performances was by Padres LHP Wade LeBlanc. In a 9-0 shutout of the Brewers, ho allowed no runs and no walks in 6 1/3 innings to improve his record to 2-0 since being recalled from Triple-A Portland.
We’re getting to the point where statistics begin meaning something. What the numbers could mean includes that Cardinals OF Colby Rasmus (batting .344) and Tigers CF Austin Jackson (.330) could be breaking out as stars. As much as I hate to say such things so early in a season, Jackson is making a move toward becoming the American League Rookie of the Year.
On the other hand are some players in deep slumps. Athletics 2B Rickie Weeks struck out in all three at-bats to extend his slump to 1-for-25. Royals OF Jose Guillen was even worse, going 0-for-4 with four strikeouts and playing his usual brutal defense in right field as the Rays (17-5 this season) routed KC.
LHP Alan Embree is back with the Red Sox, who purchased his contract from Triple-A Pawtucket. To make room on the roster, Boston designated serviceable 2B/SS Kevin Frandsen for assignment.

Minor matters
The minors had their second no-hitter in two days, with Double-A Arkansas (Angels) RHP Ryan Brasier shutting down Tulsa (Rockies). Brasier is not a top-level prospect.
His no-no was just one of the day’s excellent pitching performances. Kyle Gibson pitched a one-hit shutout for high Class A Fort Myers (Twins). For Triple-A Buffalo (Mets) journeyman RHP R.A. Dickey gave up a single to the first batter for Durham (Rays), then retired 27 consecutive batters.

Injuries
Athletics RHP Justin Duchscherer could be returning to his accustomed place on the disabled list after leaving today’s start because of a hip injury.
Braves RHP Jair Jurrjens left his start at St. Louis after the first inning because of a strained left hamstring. The Cardinals won 10-4 behind 3B David Freese’s home run and six RBI.
Reds CF Chris Dickerson left their game because of s sprained right wrist, and returned to Cincinnati for an MRI exam. OF Drew Stubbs replaced Dickerson.
Yankees C Jorge Posada sat out today after being hit on the right knee Wednesday by a pitch from Orioles RHP Jeremy Guthrie. C Francisco Cervelli started in Posada’s place.
The Astros said LHP Wandy Rodriguez will not make his scheduled start Friday because of back spasms. RHP Brett Myers will move up a day to start at Atlanta. It’s possible that Rodriguez would be able to start Saturday.
Phillies RHP Brad Lidge will return from the disabled list Friday, in time for their series against the Mets. New York no doubt is glad that Mets-killing OF Pat Burrell won’t also be coming back.

In closing
The Dodgers began the season as one of the majors’ hottest-hitting teams. So what would you have expected them to do against the Pirates’ pitching trio of LHPs Brian Burres and Jack Taschner and RHP Evan Meek? Probably not being shut out – which they were, 2-0, with both of Pittsburgh’s runs scoring on C Ryan Doumit’s first-inning triple. Meek pitched one inning for his first major league save. Manager John Russell said RHP Octavio Dotel would remain its closer, pointing out that he had pitched in two of three games during the previous series in Milwaukee. However, over time Meek’s 0.60 ERA might win the job over Dotel’s 10.61 and two blow saves in five chances.
Speaking of the Dodgers, they’ll have to get better hitting because their pitching rotation is a mess. This week they’ve already brought up heretofore unknown John Ely to start one game, and will have RHP Carlos Monasterios start Friday. He at least has a 1.69 ERA in relief for LA.
RHP Kevin Gregg picked up his sixth save in the Blue Jays’ 6-3 victory over the Athletics, during which Toronto C John Buck hit three home runs.
Other saves went to Reds RHP Francisco Cordero, eighth, 4-2 at Houston, and Tigers RHP Jose Valverde, 3-0 against the Twins after LHP Dontrelle Willis started with six scoreless innings.

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Today's shake up: Injuries do a number on Rockies

2010-04-30T07:01:00.000-07:00

Good news for all of you! And for us.
1. We have received payments from a number of you and are in the process of adding you to a new Email list for this season.
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3. Because the new mailing list hasn’t been set up entirely, we still are sending out free Emails to everyone on our preseason mailing list. That free lunch will end soon. We encourage all of you who have been receiving our Emails to subscribe for the remainder of this year.
You or any of your friends – or even you signing friends as gifts to them – can subscribe. You can see below how to do that.
In the normal schedule for our five weekly Emails, the Wednesday Emails contain Injury Updates, including our Due Dates feature to let you know when to begin looking for key players to return to their lineup.

Kinsler looks ready to go
In addition to losing two starters, LHP Jorge De La Rosa (hand injury, for up to five weeks) and RHP Jason Hammel (strained right groin) to injuries, the Rockies also learned that LHP Jeff Francis’ return from a shoulder injury will be delayed until mid-May. They originally had hoped he could pitch for them this week. There’s some better news for Colorado. In an extended spring training game, RHP Taylor Buchholz (elbow) threw 36 pitches and 2B/SS Omar Quintanilla (sprained left knee) played the entire game. RHP Huston Street (shoulder) threw 20 pitches in Tucson. Hammel and Street are expected back in mid-May, Buchholz not until mid-June.
I saw all three of Rangers 2B Ian Kinsler’s injury-rehab games at Double-A Frisco. He certainly appeared able to play and ready to return to the parent team. Returning from a high ankle sprain, Kinsler appeared to move as he normally does – tracking down grounders to his right much better than those to his left, and stealing a base in his final rehab game. He played all 27 innings at second base. At bat, he was neither exceptional nor deficient. Playing for a team struggling to score runs, Kinsler had two run-scoring singles in his final game for the RoughRiders, leading to a 4-2 victory over San Antonio (Padres organization).
The Pirates are hoping RHP Ross Ohlendorf (back) can return to start Friday, May 7, against the Cardinals.
Questionable for this weekend’s games are Brewers OF Jim Edmonds (back), Athletics C Kurt Suzuki (left side), Dodgers SS Rafael Furcal (hamstring), Royals CF Rick Ankiel (quadriceps), Marlins OF Cody Ross (foot, flu) and Padres SS Everth Cabrera. Giants 2B/3B Jose Uribe (elbow) is expected to be ready only to pinch hit.
Twins C Joe Mauer played despite having fluid drained from his right big toe, hit by a foul ball Tuesday, but 1B Justin Morneau was out of Minnesota’s lineup.
Phillies RHP Brad Lidge (knee, elbow) pitched two scoreless innings Tuesday in his injury-rehab assignment at Double-A Reading. His fastball reached 93 mph, and Lidge said he was “ready to go.” RHP Joe Blanton (strained left oblique) could return to Philadelphia’s rotation Tuesday despite giving up five runs in five innings of a rehab start for Reading.
The Red Sox are planning to have RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka come off the disabled list to make his 2010 debut starting Saturday’s game at Baltimore.
Diamondbacks RHP Kris Benson (shoulder) is listed as doubtful for his scheduled start Monday at Houston.

Due dates
Instead of giving you the entire list of when players are expected to return from the disabled list or an injury, we’ll let you know the due dates for players whose status has changed. Remember that any time a players’ anticipated return date is pushed back, that could be a sign of greater short-term and longer-term problems for that player. Especially dangerous are pitchers’ forearm injuries, which often foreshadow Tommy John surgery.
Delayed from late April to mid-May – Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins (calf)
From early May to mid-May – Orioles 2B Brian Roberts (back), White Sox C Ramon Castro (heel), Indians RHP Kerry Wood (back), Twins C Jose Morales (wrist) and LHP Jose Mijares (elbow), Yankees RHP Chan Ho Park (hamstring), Athletics OF Coco Crisp (finger) and 2B Mark Ellis (hamstring), Blue Jays 3B Edwin Encarnacion (shoulder) and LHP Brian Tallet (forearm), Nationals C Chris Coste (elbow) and 1B/OF Mike Morse (calf) and Padres RHP Chris R. Young (shoulder).
Expected back in mid-May from a new injury – Rockies OF Brad Hawpe (quadriceps), Tigers OF/3B Carlos Guillen (hamstring), Marlins LHP Dan Meyer (calf), Angels C Bobby Wilson (concussion, ankle), Dodgers OF Manny Ramirez (calf), Twins 2B/3B Nick Punto (groin, hip), Athletics OF Travis Buck (oblique), Pirates RHP Chris Jakubauskas (concussion), Rangers OF Nelson Cruz (hamstring) and Nationals RHP Garrett Mock (neck).
Delayed from mid-May to late May – Braves OF Jordan Schafer (hand), Indians RHP Anthony Reyes (triceps), Brewers 3B/2B Mat Gamel (shoulder), Mets CF Carlos Beltran (knee) and Nationals RHP Jason Marquis (elbow).
Back from a new injury in late May – Athletics LHP Brett Anderson (forearm) and Cardinals SS/3B Felipe Lopez (elbow).
From mid-May to early June – Rays OF Matt Joyce (elbow).
Back from a new injury in early June – Dodgers RHP Vicente Padilla (forearm) and Athletics RHP Joey Devine (elbow).
From early June to mid-June – Twins RHP Clay Condrey (elbow).
From early August to possibly the remainder of the season, possibly forever – Dodgers C Brad Ausmus (back).
Delayed from early May to out for the season – Royals 3B Josh Fields.

Minor matters
Orioles RHP Chris Tillman pitched the first nine-inning no-hitter in the minors this season in Triple-A Norfolk’s 6-0 victory over Gwinnett (Braves). He threw 105 pitches, with a pitching line of 900016. He could be in Baltimore’s rotation before long.

In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
The most action for would-be closers came in the Phillies’ 7-6, 11-inning victory at San Francisco. The Giants’ starter, RHP Tim Lincecum, left the game with one out and a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning. San Francisco’s closer blew a save when Philadelphia RF Jayson Werth hit an opposite-field, three-run double down the right field line. RHP Ryan Madson, closing games while Lidge is on the disabled list, blew a save after the Phils had taken a lead in the 10th. Then in the 11th, RHP Nelson Figueroa, who had been starting, survived with a save despite a pitching line of 131100. Giants RF Nate Schierholtz drove in that run with a double – his fifth hit of the day, raising his average to .378, five points higher than 3B/1B Pablo Sandoval’s .373.
A night after RHP Frank Francisco had earned a save, Rangers RHP Neftali Feliz, received a shaky save in a 6-5 victory over the White Sox. Feliz’s line was 132200.
RHP Juan Gutierrez was credited with a save in another wild game, the Diamondbacks’ 12-11 win at Colorado in 11 innings. Before that, Arizona had blown a 6-0 lead and the Rockies let an 11-6 advantage drift away.
Red Sox RHP Jonathan Papelbon’s seventh save came in a 2-0 victory at Toronto, but it also came with a concern. He revealed that one reason he was unavailable to save Tuesday’s game was that he had a sore lower back. Papelbon’s condition could become another factor leading Boston in the wrong direction this season.
Also receiving saves were Nationals RHP Matt Capps, a major league-leading 10th, 3-2 at Wrigley Field; Mariners RHP David Aardsma, eighth, 6-5 at Kansas City, and Padres RHP Heath Bell, sixth, 6-4 at Florida.
Promotion
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Include your name, address, phone number and the Email address where you would like to receive the Emails. PayPal then would send you an invoice that would allow you to pay in one step.

Email us at lary@fantasybaseballscout.com. Include your name, address and phone number so we could contact you with any questions, and (most important) tell us the Email address where you would like to receive the Emails. You then would receive an invoice from PayPal, which you could pay by following simple instructions within that Email. Once we receive your payment, we’ll add you to the subscription list so you would receive all of this year’s Emails and have access to any other features from fantasybaseballscout.com.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Subscribers will be able to ask questions specific to their fantasy teams and leagues, and receive answers through these Emails, the web site or personal Emails.

How new will Rangers' new look be?

2010-04-29T23:12:00.000-07:00

Good news for all of you! And for us.
1. We have received payments from a number of you and are in the process of adding you to a new Email list for this season.
2. PayPal has sent out requests for payment for those of you who have expressed interest in subscribing to our Emails. We are adding to our new mailing list those of you who have made the payment.
3. Because the new mailing list hasn’t been set up entirely, we still are sending out free Emails to everyone on our preseason mailing list. That free lunch will end soon. We encourage all of you who have been receiving our Emails to subscribe for the remainder of this year.
You or any of your friends – or even you signing friends as gifts to them – can subscribe. You can see below how to do that.
In our normal schedule, the Tuesday Emails contain Minor League updates, letting you know which players you could look for to move up from the minors or up through an organization.

Players of the Week
Class League, Team (Organization)
Pos. Name H-AB BA HR-RBI SB
Triple-A International, Harrisburg (Nationals)
OF Roger Bernadina 13-28 .464 1-6 3
Triple-A Pacific Coast, Iowa (Cubs)
OF Brad Snyder 12-25 .480 3-7 1
Double-A Eastern, Bowie (Orioles)
DH Paco Figueroa 13-27 .481 1-7 2
Double-A Southern, West Tenn (Mariners)
CF Carlos Peguero 8-24 .333 3-6 0
Double-A Texas, Northwest Arkansas (Royals)
3B Mike Moustakas 8-17 .471 3-8 0
High Class A California, Inland Empire (Dodgers)
RF Kyle Russell 9-24 .375 2-6 0
High Class A Carolina, Salem (Red Sox)
SS Oscar Tejeda 11-25 .440 3-7 1
High Class A Florida State, Tampa (Yankees)
2B Corban Joseph 10-26 .385 2-6 0
Low Class A Midwest, Great Lakes (Dodgers)
CF Jerry Sands 9-20 .450 5-7 0
Low Class A South Atlantic, Greenville (Red Sox)
C Daniel Butler 9-20 .450 2-7 0
Bernadina raised his season average to .377 with eight RBI and seven stolen bases in 14 games, earning a promotion to Washington.
Sands repeated as the winner of both Midwest League Player of the Week awards for this season.
Moustakas and Russell both were first-round draft choices. Moustakas hadn’t played before last week because of a strained oblique muscle. Russell and Sands both represent part of the Dodgers’ future.
Pitchers of the Week
Class League, Team (Organization)
Hand Name IP W-L ERA WHIP K/W
Triple-A International, Durham (Rays)
RHP Aneury Rodriguez 14.0 2-0 0.00 0.57 10:3
Triple-A Pacific, Portland (Padres)
RHP Radhames Liz 6.0 1-0 1.56 0.83 11:2
Double-A Eastern, Reading (Phillies)
RHP Phillippe Aumont 17.0 2-0 0.53 0.47 11:6
Double-A Southern, Huntsville (Brewers)
RHP Amaury Rivas 13.0 2-0 0.69 0.85 9:6
Double-A Texas, Northwest Arkansas (Royals)
LHP Edgar Osuna 7.0 1-0 0.00 0.86 6:0
High Class A California, Visalia (Diamondbacks)
RHP Joshua Collmenter 5.0 0-0 0.00 0.40 9:1
High Class A Carolina, Wilmington (Royals)
LHP Michael Montgomery 12.2 1-0 1.42 1.03 14:3
High Class A Florida State, Clearwater (Phillies)
RHP Austin Hyatt 11.0 2-0 0.82 0.91 15:5
Low Class A Midwest, Beloit (Twins)
LHP Daniel Osterbrock 13.1 1-0 1.35 0.83 14:3
Low Class A South Atlantic, Charleston (Yankees)
RHP Graham Stoneburner 14.0 0-0 1.29 1.00 16:3
Rodriguez was making his first two starts in Triple-A.
Osuna made it through the first 2 ½ weeks of this season with an 0.00 ERA. He succeeded as Texas League Pitcher of the Week Federico Castaneda, who already has moved up to Triple-A Omaha. We already told you he’s likely to be pitching out of Kansas City’s bullpen during this season.
Montgomery has won both Carolina Pitcher of the Week awards this season. He, Osuna and Castaneda show there is pitching talent in the Royals organization.

News and Notes
The face of the Rangers’ farm system changed today more than at any time since Texas discovered that pitching is part of baseball. The Rangers optioned underperforming Cs Taylor Teagarden and Salty to Triple-A Oklahoma City, removing Salty from his injury-rehab assignment with the Redhawks early and taking him off the disabled list. C Max Ramirez, a far better offensive threat than any of the other three backstops Texas has used this season, was recalled. With RF Nelson Cruz going on the DL, the Rangers recalled OF Craig Gentry from OK City. He’s primarily a center fielder, and Texas could give the overachiever from the University of Arkansas an extended trial to decide whether to send slumping CF Julio Borbon back to the minors to straighten himself out. Here’s another indictment of the free-swinging Rangers: Rookie 1B Justin Smoak set a team record for the longest streak with at least one walk in a game to start a major league career by walking in each of the first four games after he was recalled to replace 1B Chris Davis.
Another shakeup is taking place in Colorado, where the Rockies put two starting pitchers, LHP Jorge De La Rosa (torn flexor band in his middle finger) and RHP Jason Hammel (strained right groin muscle), on the disabled list. They also demoted a catcher, Chris Iannetta, to Triple-A Colorado Springs. Joining the major league team are RHPs Jhoulys Chacin, who will take De La Rosa’s rotation spot, and Juan Rincon, who will go to the bullpen, and journeyman C Paul Phillips.
We’re especially disappointed to see De La Rosa injured. We always like any player who makes us look good, and he has been our greatest hit since LHP Johan Santana in 1995. Since we recommended DLR as “a pitcher to seek” when he was 0-6 last season, he has won 19 games, more than any other pitcher in the majors. We also really like Chacin, who was part of one of the best group of pitchers to graduate from the Double-A Texas League since who knows when. He has begun the season 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA at Colorado Springs.

In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
If you’re looking for even more change in Texas as the result of RHP Frank Francisco’s first save this season, forget it – at least for now. Rangers manager Ron Washington said that RHP Neftali Feliz remained their closer, but that he had pitched in two consecutive games (blowing a save himself) and needed a day off. As a result, Francisco, who began the season as Texas’ closer, pitched the ninth inning of Texas’ 4-2 victory over the White Sox.
Similarly, Red Sox RHP Ramon Ramirez received his first save of 2010 in a 2-1 win at Toronto. Boston’s closer, RHP Jonathan Papelbon, had pitched in five of its previous seven games.
Another unfamiliar name earning a save was that of Cardinals RHP Jason Motte. He entered their game against the Braves in the eighth inning and picked up his first save this season with a pitching line of 1 2/3 00020. St. Louis’ closer, RHP Ryan Franklin, wasn’t available because he had pitched each of the two previous days.
The Orioles haven’t really established a closer, and RHP Alfredo Simon doesn’t seem to be the man despite his first save in a 5-4 victory over the Yankees. Shortstop Julio Lugo’s error led to two unearned runs in the top of the ninth, leading to a line of 122012. Baltimore manager said that at least until the nominal closer, LHP Mike Gonzalez, returns from the disabled list the team’s closer would be “whoever can get outs.”
Other saves went to Nationals RHP Matt Capps, ninth, 3-1 at Wrigley Field; Twins RHP Jon Rauch, seventh, 2-0 at Detroit; Mariners RHP David Aardsma, seventh, 3-2 at Kansas City; Padres RHP Heath Bell, fifth, 4-1 at Florida, and Rays RHP Rafael Soriano, fifth, 8-6 against the Athletics.
The most notable blown save was Brewers RHP Trevor Hoffman’s third this season. Milwaukee led 3-2 when he entered the game to begin the ninth inning against the Pirates. Hoffman gave up a game-tying home run to SS Ronny Cedeno and C Ryan Doumit’s grand slam to take a 7-3 loss.

Promotion
Email us at lary@fantasybaseballscout.com. Include your name, address and phone number so we could contact you with any questions, and (most important) tell us the Email address where you would like to receive the Emails. You then would receive an invoice from PayPal, which you could pay by following simple instructions within that Email. Once we receive your payment, we’ll add you to the subscription list so you would receive all of this year’s Emails and have access to any other features from fantasybaseballscout.com.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
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Morales, Reynolds named Players of the Week

2010-04-27T06:31:00.000-07:00

We haven’t been able to get out all of the PayPal payment requests to subscribers yet. Therefore, all of you are getting any extra day’s Email. It’s our usual Monday Email containing a Weekend Update and who’s Hot and Not.
If you haven’t already, you still can subscribe at a reduced rate for the remainder of 2010. See below to find out how.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
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Subscribers will be able to ask questions specific to their fantasy teams and leagues, and receive answers through these Emails, the web site or personal Emails.

Hot
The weekly Hot and Not for batters is based on 20 at-bats for batting average, and at least a .280 BA for the other categories.
Pos. Player, Team H-AB BA HR-RBI SB
1B Kendry Morales, Angels 13-24 .542 3-10 0
SS Ryan Theriot, Cubs 14-28 .500 0-6 1
OF Marlon Byrd, Cubs 12-24 .500 0-5 1
1B Justin Morneau, Twins 10-21 .476 2-7 0
3B/1B Pablo Sandoval, Giants 10-22 .455 1-2 0
1B Paul Konerko, White Sox 9-20 .450 4-6 0
C Matt Wieters, Orioles 10-23 .435 0-4 0
2B Robinson Cano, Yankees 9-21 .429 1-4 1
OF Johnny Damon, Tigers 11-26 .423 0-3 1
OF Vladimir Guerrero, Rangers 8-20 .400 1-6 2
Home runs – Konerko and Diamondbacks 2B Kelly Johnson 4; Morales, White Sox OF Andruw Jones, Diamondbacks 3B Mark Reynolds and Athletics C Kurt Suzuki 3.
RBI – Reynolds 11; Morales 10; Dodgers 3B/1B Casey Blake, Brewers OF Ryan Braun, Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera and Rangers 3B Michael Young 8; Johnson, Morneau, Suzuki, Blue Jays OF/3B Jose Bautista, Twins OF/1B Michael Cuddyer, Royals OF Jose Guillen and Rays OF B.J. Upton 7. Reynolds was the National League Player of the Week, and Morales won the same award in the American League.
Stolen bases – Astros OF Michael Bourn 7; Rangers OF Nelson Cruz and Padres 3B/OF Chase Headley 5; Dodgers SS Rafael Furcal 4; Braun, Rangers OF Julio Borbon, Padres SS Everth Cabrera and OF Will Venable, Pirates OF Andrew McCutchen and Mets SS Jose Reyes 3.
Runs – Reds 3B Scott Rolen 8; Braun, Cano, Damon, Morales, Reds OF Jay Bruce and Rays 3B Evan Longoria 7.
Repeaters on a Hot list are Theriot, Cuddyer and Guillen. Cruz and Reyes were on a Not list a week earlier.
Requirements for pitchers to make these lists are 7 innings pitched for ERA and WHIP, 10 strikeouts in K:W ratio and an ERA under 4.00 for the other categories.
Hand Pitcher, Team IP W-L ERA WHIP K:W
RHP Mike Pelfrey, Mets 12.0 2-0 0.00 1.33 9:8
RHP Roy Halladay, Phillies 9.0 1-0 0.00 0.67 7:1
RHP Felix Hernandez, Mariners 9.0 1-0 0.00 1.00 6:0
LHP Barry Zito, Giants 8.0 1-0 0.00 0.75 10:3
LHP Francisco Liriano, Twins 8.0 1-0 0.00 1.00 6:2
RHP Ubaldo Jimenez, Rockies 7.1 1-0 0.00 0.95 5:2
RHP Mat Latos, Padres 7.0 1-0 0.00 0.71 2:1
LHP Jon Niese, Mets 11.0 0-0 0.82 1.91 13:8
LHP Andy Pettitte, Yankees 8.0 1-0 1.13 0.75 8:0
RHP Ricky Nolasco, Marlins 8.0 1-0 1.13 0.88 9:0
Wins – Pelfrey, White Sox LHP John Danks and Cardinals RHP Brad Penny 2.
Saves – Astros RHP Matt Lindstrom 4-for-4; Nationals RHP Matt Capps, Reds RHP Francisco Cordero and Mets RHP Francisco Rodriguez 3-3; Cardinals RHP Ryan Franklin, Blue Jays RHP Kevin Gregg, Red Sox RHP Jonathan Papelbon, Angels RHP Francisco Rodney, Royals RHP Joakim Soria, Tigers RHP Jose Valverde and Giants RHP Brian Wilson 2-2.
WHIP – Yankees RHP Phil Hughes 0.41; Royals RHP Zack Greinke 0.43; White Sox RHP Freddy Garcia, Twins RHP Carl Pavano and Giants LHP Jonathan Sanchez 0.57.
K:W ratio – Nationals RHP Tyler Clippard 10:1; Danks 14:2; Cubs RHP Randy Wells 11:2; Hughes and Cardinals RHP Chris Carpenter 10:2; Braves RHP Tommy Hanson 12:3; Twins RHP Kevin Slowey 11:3; Sanchez, Zito and Brewers RHP Yovani Gallardo 10:3.
Repeaters on pitching Hot lists were Pettitte, Pelfrey, Rodney, Carpenter and Sanchez.

Not
Pos. Player, Team H-AB BA HR-RBI SB
OF Carlos Quentin, White Sox 1-20 .050 1-2 0
3B Aramis Ramirez, Cubs 2-25 .080 0-1 0
2B Akinori Iwamura, Pirates 2-23 .087 0-0 0
3B/2B Chone Figgins, Mariners 2-21 .095 0-1 0
OF Angel Pagan, Mets 3-24 .125 1-2 0
1B Mark Teixeira, Yankees 3-23 .130 1-2 0
SS Erick Aybar, Angels 3-22 .136 0-0 1
OF Cody Ross, Marlins 3-22 .136 0-2 0
OF Adam Lind, Blue Jays 3-22 .136 1-3 0
2B Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox 4-29 .138 0-0 0
This week’s (dis)honorable mention goes to Rays C Dioner Navarro, who was 0-for-10.
W:K ratio – OF Austin Jackson, Tigers 3:15; Mets 3B David Wright 2-10.
Caught stealing – Nationals OF Nyjer Morgan 1-for-4; Dodgers OF Matt Kemp 0-2; Rays OF Carl Crawford 2-4.
Repeating a place on a Not list last week were Quentin, Navarro and Wright. Crawford was on a Hot list a week earlier.
Hand Pitcher, Team IP W-L ERA WHIP K:W
RHP Charlie Morton, Pirates 4.0 0-2 22.50 4.00 3:5
RHP Rick Porcello, Tigers 8.1 0-2 12.96 2.64 8:4
RHP Justin Masterson, Indians 8.0 0-2 10.13 2.75 10:9
RHP John Lackey, Red Sox 10.1 1-1 9.58 2.13 6:3
RHP Chris Volstad, Marlins 10.1 0-1 8.71 1.55 2:4
RHP Javier Vazquez, Yankees 9.0 1-1 8.00 1.89 9:6
RHP Homer Bailey, Reds 11.1 0-0 7.15 1.68 13:4
RHP Brian Bannister, Royals 11.2 1-1 6.17 1.89 6:6
LHP Scott Olsen, Nationals 9.0 1-1 6.00 1.67 9:2
RHP David Bush, Brewers 10.2 1-1 5.91 1.78 4:6
The pitchers eligible for this list all started twice during the week
Losses – Masterson, Morton, Porcello, Orioles RHP Matt Albers and Blue Jays LHP Scott Downs 2.
Blown saves – Royals LHP John Parrish 0-for-2.

News and Notes
Pelfrey is 4-0 with an 0.69 ERA after a rain-shortened five-inning, 1-0 shutout of the
Braves Sunday. The loser in the duel was Atlanta RHP Tommy Hanson, who allowed only an unearned run. Danks is 3-0 with a 1.55 ERA. Pelfrey and Danks were two of the pitchers we recommended most highly in the April 18 Weekend Update/Hot and Not report.
Apparently preceding Rangers RHP Colby Lewis to the mound in Arlington, Texas, Sunday was Mr. Hyde. The pitcher in Lewis’ uniform allowed the Tigers’ first 11 batters to bat .700 (7-for-10). After that, Detroit was 0-for-15 against him.
The Phillies and 1B Ryan Howard agreed on a five-year contract extension through 2016 that will pay him at least 4125 million.
The Marlins put LHP Daniel Meyer on the disabled list because of an injured left calf. Taking his place on the active roster is RHP Brian Sanches, coming off the DL from a strained right hamstring.
Padres 1B Adrian Gonzalez hit a home run in four consecutive games; White Sox 1B Paul Konerko had a three-game homer streak going.
Athletics 1B Daric Barton suffered a fractured right middle finger and left the game after sliding into the visitors’ dugout in Oakland to catch a foul ball in the seventh inning.

In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
Nationals RHP Matt Capps took over the major league lead with his eighth save in a 1-0 victory over the Dodgers Sunday. We took you before last week that a good showing in a week with seven home games could tell us something about Washington. The Nats went 4-3 to improve their record to 10-9. That’s not enough to say they could be a .500 team this season, but they’ve shown that they’re not going to lose 100 games either.
The fifth save for Royals RHP Joakim Soria didn’t come easily. His pitching line was 121102. After entering the game with a 4-2 lead, he and Kansas City emerged with a 4-3 victory. Orioles RHP Cla Meredith rescued their nominal closer, RHP Jim Johnson, who had allowed two runs and put two other runners on base with one out in the bottom of the 10th inning. Meredith finished with a line of 2/3 00000 for his first save this season, 7-6 at Boston.
Others receiving saves were Reds RHP Francisco Cordero, seventh, 5-4 over the Padres; Cardinals RHP Ryan Franklin, sixth, 2-0 at San Francisco; White Sox RHP Bobby Jenks, fourth, 3-2 against Seattle, and Diamondbacks RHP Chad Qualls, fourth, 8-6 vs. the Phillies.
I think I forgot to mention to you that I’ve now seen Rangers RHP prospect three or four times for Double-A Frisco. He has reached 98 mph on the stadium radar gun. In his last two appearances, he has struck out nine batters in four innings and allowed just a scratch single. He’s ready for a promotion to Triple-A Oklahoma City, and probably to the majors before long.

Lefties Lee, Francis finally return to rotations

2010-04-25T20:35:00.000-07:00

Here is our Weekly Preview and Pitching Chart for the coming week.
We’re getting back toward our five-Emails-per-week regular-season schedule, which would send you News and Notes each Thursday.
The scheduled free period for these Emails has ended. After this, the Emails would go only to those who subscribe.
The good news is that you now CAN subscribe. See below to find out how.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to our blog and whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Subscribers will be able to ask questions specific to their fantasy teams and leagues, and receive answers through these Emails, the web site or personal Emails.

Projected starting pitchers, April 26-May 2, 2010
AL Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Bal --- NYY-Millwood NYY-Guthrie NYY-Matusz Bos-Hernandz Bos-Berken* Bos-Mlwod2
Bos @Tor-Beckett @Tor-Buchholz @Tor-Lester --- @Bal-Lackey @Bal-Mtszka** @Bal-Beckett2
CWS --- @Tex-Buehrle @Tex-Peavy @Tex-Floyd @NYY-Garcia @NYY-Danks @NYY-Buehrle2
Cle @LAA-Huff @LAA-Talbot @LAA-Wstbrook --- Min-Carmona Min-Mastrson Min-Huff2
Det @Tex-Bondrmn Min-Verlander Min-Scherzer Min-Willis*** LAA-Porcello LAA-Bndrmn2 LAA-Verlandr2
KC Se-Davies Se-Greinke Se-Meche @TB-Hochevar @TB-Bannister @TB-Davies2 @TB-Greinke2
LAA Cle-Weaver Cle-Saunders Cle-Santana --- @Det-Pineiro @Det-Kazmir @Det-Weaver2
Min --- @Det-Liriano @Det-Baker @Det-Pavano @Cle-Blakburn @Cle-Slowey @Cle-Liriano2
NYY --- @Bal-Hughes @Bal-Sabathia @Bal-Burnett CWS-Pettitte CWS-Vazquez CWS-Hughes
Oak --- @TB-Sheets @TB-Braden @Tor-Duchschr @Tor-Adrsn-4* @Tor-Gonzalez @Tor-Sheets2
Se @KC-Hernandz @KC-Snell @KC-Rld-Smth --- Tex-Lee-5* Tex-Fister Tex-Hrnandz2
TB --- Oak-Davis Oak-Shields KC-Garza KC-Niemann KC-Price KC-Davis2
Tex Det-Harrison CWS-Wilson CWS-Hardn-6* CWS-Feldman @Se-Lewis @Se-Harrison2 @Se-Wilson2
Tor Bos-Eveland Bos-Marcum Bos-Cecil-7* Oak-Romero Oak-Morrow Oak-Eveland2 Oak-Marcum2

*-RHP Jason Berken is likely to make a spot start Saturday for the Orioles, who are trying to go with a four-man rotation as much as possible. They’d be better off cloning LHP Brian Matusz.
**-As we indicated in Thursday’s Email, RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka is expected to replace RHP Tim Wakefield in the Red Sox rotation.
***-LHP Dontrelle Willis didn’t make his scheduled start at Texas Saturday because he was sick. He pitched an inning in relief today, walking three and giving up two runs on 3B Michael Young’s single.
4*-Athletics LHP Brian Anderson left his most recent start after six innings because of soreness in his forearm and elbow, but said he expects to make his next scheduled start. Watch him closely; similar symptoms have resulted in Tommy John surgery for other pitchers.
5*-Mariners LHP Cliff Lee pitched six shutout innings in an injury-rehab start today for Triple-A Tucson, putting him on schedule to return to Seattle’s rotation Friday. He would replace RHP Ian Snell or possibly LHP Jason Vargas.
6*-RHP Rich Harden’s wildness and high pitch counts could knock him out of the Rangers’ rotation. Wednesday’s start also would be on schedule for LHP Derek Holland to be recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City for a major league start.
7*-LHP Brett Cecil won his first start back in the majors – replacing LHP Brian Tallet, who went on the disabled list. Cecil would be on schedule to start again Wednesday.
AL Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Ari @Col-Haren @Col-Jackson @Col-Benson @ChC-Kennedy @ChC-Lopez @ChC-Haren2 @ChC-Jackson2
Atl @StL-Hudson @StL-Lowe @StL-Kawkami @StL-Jurrjens Ho-Hanson Ho-Hudson2 Ho-Lowe2
ChC Was-Silva Was-Gorzlany Was-Dempster Ari-Lilly Ari-Wells Ari-Silva2 Ari-Grzlany2
Cin --- @Ho-Harang @Ho-Leake @Ho-Arroyo @StL-Cueto @StL-Bailey @StL-Harang2
Col Ari-Hammel Ari-Jimenez Ari-Francis* --- @SD-Smith @SD-Cook @SD-DeLaRsa
Fla SD-Johnson SD-Sanchez SD-Rbrtsn** --- Was-Nolasco Was-Volstad Was-Johnson2
Ho --- Cin-Norris Cin-Paulino Cin-Oswlt*** @Atl-Rdriguez @Atl-Myers @Atl-Norris2
LAD @NYM-Kuroda @NYM-Towrs-4* @NYM-Haeger Pit-Kershaw Pit-Bilngsley Pit-Kuroda2 Pit-Towers2
Mil Pit-Gallardo Pit-Wolf Pit-Nrvsn-5* @SD-Davis @SD-Bush @SD-Gallardo2 @SD-Wolf2
NYM LAD-Perez LAD-Santana LAD-Maine --- @Phi-Niese @Phi-Pelfrey @Phi-Perez2
Phi @SF-Halladay @SF-Moyer @SF-Hamels --- NYM-Fgroa-6* NYM-Hlladay2 NYM-Kendrick
Pit @Mil-Duke @Mil-McCn-7* @Mil-Maholm @LAD-Hart-8* @LAD-Morton @LAD-Duke @LAD-McCtcn2
StL Atl-Lohse Atl-Carpenter Atl-Garcia Atl-Wainright Cin-Penny Cin-Lohse2 Cin-Carpentr2
SD @Fla-Latos @Fla-Garland @Fla-Correia Mil-LeBlanc Mil-Richard Mil-Latos2 Mil-Garland2
SF Phi-Sanchez Phi-Wlemeyr Phi-Lincecum --- Col-Zito Col-Cain Col-Sanchez2
Was @ChC-Lannan @ChC-Hernandz @ChC-Atilno-9* --- @Fla-Stammen @Fla-Olsen @Fla-Lannan2

*-Rockies LHP Jeff Francis is expected to return from the disabled list for his first major league appearance this season Wednesday. He could replace RHP Jason Hammel or LHP Greg Smith in Colorado’s rotation.
**-After Friday’s game at Colorado was postponed because of rain and snow – the first postponement this season – LHP Nate Robertson and RHP Ricky Nolasco started in Saturday’s doubleheader. Florida indicated that Robertson would start Wednesday on three days’ rest.
***-Astros RHP Roy Oswalt might not be available to start Thursday. He has gone to Weir, Miss., where a tornado destroyed his family’s home. The off-day Monday makes it so that LHP Wandy Rodriguez and RHP Brett Myers could slide ahead a day and still pitch on their usual rest. Thus, Oswalt wouldn’t be needed until Saturday.
4*-The Dodgers put RHP Vicente Padilla on the disabled list. His replacement in the rotation could be RHP Josh Towers from Triple-A Albuquerque or Jesus Castillo from Double-A Chattanooga.
5*-The Brewers have replaced RHP Jeff Suppan in their rotation with LHP Chris Narveson.
6*-Well traveled RHP Nelson Figueroa replaced injured LHP J.A. Happ in the Phillies’ rotation Saturday, and would be scheduled to start next on Friday.
7*-Pirates RHP Daniel McCutchen hasn’t made it past the fifth inning in his last three starts. He could be replaced by LHP Brian Burres.
8*-However, McCutchen doesn’t represent the only hole in Pittsburgh’s rotation. RHP Chris Jakubauskas, who replaced injured RHP Ross Ohlendorf, went on the disabled list himself after Astros 1B Lance Berkman’s line drive struck the back of Jakubauskas’ head Saturday. Pittsburgh could recall RHP Kevin Hart from Triple-A Indianapolis, or could use McCutchen or Burres to start Thursday.
9*-RHP Luis Atilano was promoted to a starting role for Washington because of an injury to RHP Garrett Mock. Atilano allowed the dodgers only one run in six innings Friday, and would be scheduled to pitch again Wednesday.

Schedule notes
Half of the National League is scheduled for seven games this week, but just four American League teams – the Tigers, Royals, Rangers and Blue Jays – would play every day, giving their batters and relief pitchers 17 per cent more potential playing time than those on the AL’s other 10 rosters. Toronto, along with the Cubs and Cardinals in the NL, is scheduled to play all seven at home.
Wrigley Field would be the most hitter-friendly park in play all week (three games against the Nationals, four with the Diamondbacks). St. Louis (Braves four games, Reds three) would favor pitchers the most of those three everyday stadiums. Overall, the American League could slightly favor batters, with the Orioles and Rays each home for six games. The National League could be kinder to pitchers, with the Marlins and Giants home for six games.
For the record, the other NL teams playing seven games are the Diamondbacks, Braves, Dodgers, Brewers, Pirates and Padres.
Pitchers scheduled to start twice at home are RHPs Kevin Millwood, Justin Verlander, Wade Davis, Shaun Marcum, Carlos Silva, Josh Johnson, Kyle Lohse and Chris Carpenter, and LHPs Dana Eveland, Tom Gorzelanny and Jonathan Sanchez. Our highest recommendations are Marcum, Johnson, Carpenter and Sanchez, with Verlander and Marcum live longshots.

Injuries
Rangers 2B Ian Kinsler was to play in a four-inning “live batting practice” game today in Arizona, then fly back to Texas to begin a three-game injury-rehab assignment at Double-A Frisco. GM Jon Daniels said Kinsler might be the DH in one game, but would play primarily and possibly exclusively at second base.
OOO Tigers SS Adam Everett left Saturday’s game at Texas in the third inning because of a right hamstring injury. With OF/3B Carlos Guillen going on the disabled list, Detroit has used OF Brennan Boesch in its lineup for the first three games of its series against the Rangers.
OOO Royals CF Rick Ankiel has been out because of a strained quadriceps.
OOO The Angels put C Bobby Wilson on the disabled list because of a concussion and ankle injury caused when Yankees 1B Mark Teixeira ran over the catcher on a play at home plate.
OOO Athletics C Kurt Suzuki sat out because of a sore left side he injured during a workout. 3b Kevin Kouzmanoff fouled a pitch off his left foot.
OOO Braves 3B Chipper Jones left Saturday’s game because of a hip injury but returned for tonight’s game.
OOO The Rockies put OF Brad Hawpe (groin injury) on the disabled list.

News and notes
The Padres’ improvement shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone who saw their Double-A farm team at San Antonio frequently during the past two years. The names in San Diego – 3B/OF Chase Headley, OF Will Venable, C Nick Hundley, LHP Wade LeBlanc, RHP Mat Latos – would be very familiar. They were among the Texas League’s best players. During the eight-game winning streak that ended with today’s 5-4 loss to the Reds, the Padres’ starters had a 1.04 ERA. LeBlanc pitched six scoreless innings to win Saturday.
OOO On Saturday, the Orioles started rookie Rhyne Hughes at first base instead of 1B/3B Garrett Atkins.
OOO To help their injury-depleted outfield, the Red Sox reacquired OF Jonathan Van Every from the Pirates’ organization.
OOO Fox announcer Joe Buck betrayed his man love for the Yankees during Saturday’s telecast. We’ll take factual or perceptual issues with two of his comments. 1. That New York had made “only” six errors. I didn’t see much of the Rangers’ series at Yankee Stadium, but Texas’ announcers indicated that on judgment calls that could have gone either way, hits were being given away like Halloween candy. 2. That the Yanks had had two “near no-hitters” this season. Granted, hardly anyone pitches nine innings anymore, but we’d really prefer to see a guy go more than eight hitless innings or pitch a complete-game one-hitter before we hear about near no-hitters.
OOO Marlins 1B/3B Jorge Cantu had his hitting streak stopped at 21 games.
In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
Two closers blew saves Saturday. Mariners RHP David Aardsma had the more explosive collapse. He entered their game on the south side of Chicago with a 4-2 lead, and left with a blown save, a loss and a pitching line of 2/3 23311. 1B Paul Konerko pulled the White Sox within a run with a solo home run, and OF Alex Rios won the game with a two-run homer. Twins RHP Jon Rauch blew a save with a line of 231110. He stayed around to pitch the bottom of the 12th inning and was the winning pitcher in Minnesota’s 9-7 victory.
Red Sox RHP Jonathan Papelbon had a shaky fifth save. Boston led the Orioles 7-3 entering the ninth inning, but Baltimore scored once and had a runner on base when Papelbon entered with one out. He allowed that runner, plus one of his own, to escape despite a line of 2/3 31102.
Other saves were by Astros RHP Matt Lindstrom, his sixth (among seven Houston victories), 5-2 over the Pirates; Marlins RHP Leo Nunez, fourth, 4-1 at Colorado; Phillies RHP Ryan Madson, fourth, 3-2 at Arizona; Giants RHP Brian Wilson, fourth, 2-0 against the Cardinals, and Mets RHP Francisco Rodriguez, third, 3-1 vs. Atlanta.

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Matsuzaka to take Wakefield's spot

2010-04-25T17:51:00.000-07:00

We’re getting back toward our five-Emails-per-week regular-season schedule, which would send you News and Notes each Thursday.
The free period for these Emails is scheduled to end Sunday, April 25. After that, the Emails would go only to those who subscribe.
The good news is that you now CAN subscribe. See below to find out how.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Subscribers will be able to ask questions specific to their fantasy teams and leagues, and receive answers through these Emails, the web site or personal Emails.

Pirates fall 20 short of 20-20
The Red Sox will bring RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka back from his injury-rehab assignment. He will replace RHP Tim Wakefield in their rotation. That might be a greater indictment of Boston’s catchers, who are having great difficulty throwing out base stealers, than of Wakefield. The Sox might not be able to afford having his slow pitching motion and slow pitches giving opposing runners even greater chances to steal.
OOO The Brewers became the first team in major league history to win a game 20-0 to complete a three-game sweep in Pittsburgh during which they outscored the Pirates 36-1. LF Ryan Braun hit his fifth homer, and 1B Prince Fielder finally hit his first. OF Jim Edmonds and C George Kottaras also connected for the first time this season.
OOO Filling in for injured SS Jimmy Rollins, Phillies SS/2B Juan Castro went 3-for-5 with two runs and an RBI in an 8-3 victory over the Braves.
OOO Mets rookie 1B Ike Davis had three hits and scored two runs.
OOO On the flip side, Angels 3B Brandon Wood’s average slipped to .087.
OOO White Sox RHP Jake Peavy allowed seven earned runs in 4 1/3 innings, causing his ERA to expand to 7.66.
OOO The Rays and OF/2B Ben Zobrist agreed on a contract extension through 2013, with team options for ’14 and ’15.
OOO In an episode reminiscent of how the Rays established themselves as a presence two years ago against the Yankees, Athletics LHP Dallas Braden engaged in a war of words with New York 3B Alex Rodriguez. Braden took offense when A-Rod ran across the mound after a foul ball. Rodriguez said, “He just told me to get off his mound. I’d never heard of that, especially from a guy that has a handful of wins in his career.” Braden said he hopes the Yankees realize “We’re not the doormat anymore.” A collision at home plate in a 2008 exhibition game that injured Yankees C Francisco Cervelli was Tampa Bay’s way of letting New York know the Rays had arrived.

Minor matters
3B Mike Moustakas, the Royals’ first-round draft pick in 2007, made his first Double-A appearance at Northwest Arkansas, and hit two home runs. Another prospect for the Naturals, OF Tim Smith, went on the disabled list because of a quadriceps injury.
The pitching-prospect twins, Reds LHP prospect Aroldis Chapman and Nationals RHP prospect Stephen Strasburg, again pitched on the same day. Chapman had control problems, with half a dozen walks and a pitching line of 5 1/3 31068 for Triple-A Louisville. Strasburg has a 2-0 record and 0.73 ERA for Double-A Harrisburg following a line of 510017, and should be ready to move up to Triple-A Syracuse.
Indians C prospect Carlos Santana left Wednesday’s game after fouling a pitch off his right knee, and is considered day to day.
When 1BJustin Smoak left Triple-A Oklahoma City’s game, speculation was that he had hurt himself by fouling a ball off his foot. After the game, though, the Rangers said they would recall Smoak and option struggling 1B Chris Davis to the Redhawks.

Injuries
Tigers OF/3B Carlos Guillen could go on the disabled list because of a hamstring injury.
OOO LF Manny Ramirez left the Dodgers’ game at Cincinnati in the sixth inning because of a strained right calf muscle. He expected to miss at least two games. RHP Jeff Weaver (back injury) has gone on the disabled list.
OOO The Red Sox learned that LF Jacoby Ellsbury’s injury is four fractured left ribs. He’s eligible to come off the DL Tuesday, and Ellsbury still is optimistic that that could happen.
OOO Nationals 3B Ryan Zimmerman is doubtful for this weekend’d games because of a hamstring injury.
OOO Rangers C Salty, rehabbing a left shoulder injury at Oklahoma City, made a throwing error on a stolen base. That could indicate that his throwing still isn’t good enough to have him playing in the majors.
OOO The Athletics fear that OF Travis Buck could be out until mid-May because of an oblique injury.

In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
Rockies LHP Franklin Morales’ third save came in a 2-0 victory at Washington, where bigger news was that RHP Ubaldo Jimenez improved to 4-0 with an 0.95 ERA by pitching another 7 1/3 scoreless innings on the heels of his no-hitter.
LHP Darren Oliver picked up his first save – since 1994! – as the Rangers won in Boston 3-0. Texas’ closer, Neftali Feliz, wasn’t able to pitch, and RHPs Frank Francisco and Dustin Nippert had lost games the previous two nights, so Oliver apparently was the best option.
Mets RHP Francisco Rodriguez finally received his first save, an easy one in a 5-2 win over the Cubs.
Other saves went to Reds RHP Francisco Corderon, sixth, 8-5 over the Dodgers; Tigers RHP Jose Valverde, fifth, 5-4 at LA/Anaheim, and Athletics RHP Andrew Bailey, second, 4-2 against the Yankees.

Promotion

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Include your name, address, phone number and the Email address where you would like to receive the Emails. PayPal then would send you an invoice that would allow you to pay in one step.
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Red Sox have turnaround despite injuries

2010-04-24T07:32:00.000-07:00

We’re getting back toward our regular schedule for our five weekly Emails, including the Wednesday evening Injury Updates.
The free period for these Emails will end Sunday, April 25. After that date, the Emails would go only to those who subscribe.
The good news is that you now CAN subscribe. Here’s how:
Email us at lary@fantasybaseballscout.com. Include your name, address and phone number so we could contact you with any questions, and (most important) tell us the Email address where you would like to receive the Emails. You then would receive an invoice from PayPal, which you could pay by following simple instructions within that Email. Once we receive your payment, we’ll add you to the subscription list so you would receive all of this year’s Emails and have access to any other features from fantasybaseballscout.com.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Subscribers will be able to ask questions specific to their fantasy teams and leagues, and receive answers through these Emails, the web site or personal Emails.

Willis, Blackburn expected to make next start
The Red Sox have been struggling at or below .500 in part because of injuries to starting OFs Mike Cameron (strained lower abdominal muscle) and Jacoby Ellsbury. That hasn’t mattered the last two nights as prospect Josh Reddick and especially journeyman Darnell McDonald have been producing at bat. McDonald arrived from Triple-A Pawtucket Tuesday in time to hit a game-tying home run and a game-winning single. Against the Rangers He homered again in a game Boston won in 12 innings. Don’t run out and pick up McDonald figuring he’s some phenom. His total major league experience before this year was fewer than 150 at-bats and just two homers.
OOO Diamondbacks 3B Mark Reynolds (quadriceps) is questionable for this weekend’s series against the Phillies. OF/1B Conor Jackson (knee) is eligible to come off the disabled list May 4.
OOO Also questionable for the weekend is Marlins C Ronny Paulino (quad). RHP Brian Sanches (hamstring) could go on an injury-rehab assignment Monday.
OOO Despite a finger injury, Tigers LHP Dontrelle Willis is expected to be able to start Saturday’s game at Texas.
OOO Also likely to start Saturday is Twins RHP Nick Blackburn (back). 2B/3B Nick Punto (groin) is questionable for the weekend series in Kansas City.
OOO Phillies RHP Joe Blanton (strained oblique muscle) is scheduled to make a rehab start for Double-A Reading Friday.
OOO Mariners LHP Cliff Lee could make a rehab start Sunday at Tacoma. If that goes well, he could start at home Friday, April 30, against the Rangers.
OOO The Rangers are hoping 2B Ian Kinsler (high ankle sprain) could be back “next week.” But then, they’ve been saying that every week since he was hurt during spring training.

Due dates
This is a rough idea of when teams expect to have some injured players back.
Thursday – Blue Jays 2B Aaron Hill (hamstring).
Friday – Cubs LHP Ted Lilly (shoulder, knee, back).
Late April – Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins (calf), Pirates RHP Ross Ohlendorf (back), Orioles RHP Koji Uehara (hamstring).
Early May – Orioles 2B Brian Roberts (abdominal muscle), Indians RHP Kerry Wood (back), Rockies LHP Jeff Francis (shoulder), Royals 3B Josh Fields (hip) and 2B Chris Getz (oblique), Athletics OF Coco Crisp (finger) and 2B Mark Ellis (hamstring), Phillies LHP J.A. Happ (elbow), Padres RHP Chris R. Young (shoulder), Blue Jays 3B Edwin Encarnacion (shoulder) and LHP Brian Tallet (forearm) and Twins C Jose Morales (wrist) and LHP Jose Mijares (elbow).
Mid-May – Mets CF Carlos Beltran (knee), 1B/OF Daniel Murphy (knee) and RHPs Sean Green (rib) and Ryota Igarishi (hamstring); Giants CF Aaron Rowand (head) and 2B Freddy Sanchez (shoulder, knee); Braves OF Jordan Schafer (hand) and LHP Jo-Jo Reyes (knee); Orioles LHP Mike Gonzalez (shoulder); Red Sox CF Mike Cameron (abdomen); Rockies RHP Huston Street (shoulder); Rays LHP J.P. Howell (shoulder) and OF Matt Joyce (elbow); Rangers RHP Tommy Hunter (a very large oblique muscle); Blue Jays LHP Marc Rzepczynski (finger); Nationals RHPs Garrett Mock (neck) and Jason Marquis (elbow); Astros 3B Chris Johnson (side); Angels RHP Anthony Ortega (triceps), and Brewers 3B/2B Mat Gamel (shoulder).
Late May – Diamondbacks C Miguel Montero (knee surgery), Angels C Jeff Mathis (wrist), Mariners LHP Erik Bedard (shoulder) and Nationals LHP Ross Detwiler (hip).
Early June – Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Webb (shoulder), Blue Jays RHP Dustin McGowan (shoulder, knee), Nationals RHP Chien-ming Wang (shoulder), Tigers LHP Bobby Seay (arm), Twins RHP Clay Condrey (elbow), Mets RHP Kelvim Escobar (shoulder) and Rays C Kelly Shoppach (knee).
Mid-June – Red Sox SS/3B Jed Lowrie (mononucleosis), Giants SS/2B Emmanuel Burriss (foot), Blue Jays RHP Scott Richmond (shoulder), Nationals C Jesus Flores (shoulder), Rockies RHP Taylor Buchholz (elbow) and Pirates RHP Jose Ascanio (shoulder).
Late June – Dodgers RHP Cory Wade (shoulder) and Rangers RHP Eric Hurley (shoulder).
Early July – Brewers RHP David Riske (elbow) and Blue Jays RHP Jesse Litsch (forearm).
Late July – Orioles LF Felix Pie (shoulder), Indians RHP Anthony Reyes (elbow), Reds RHP Edinson Volquez (serving a suspension while rehabbing his elbow) and Athletics LHP Josh Outman (elbow).
Early August – Dodgers C Brad Ausmus (back).
Mid-August – Nationals RHP Jordan Zimmerman (elbow).

Smoakin’ hot
Much more than a year ago when fans clamored for his promotion, Rangers 1B prospect Justin Smoak has been showing that he’s ready for a major league trial. With 1B Chris Davis struggling to make contact and producing very little, Smoak has presented an attractive alternative. In his first 12 games this season at Triple-A Oklahoma City, he batted .333 (13-for-39). More important, he had a whopping .509 on-base percentage, with 14 walks and just five strikeouts. The one reason keeping Davis in Texas’ lineup has been his superior defense.
OOO Rays 2B Sean Rodriguez, who had a power surge during spring training, hit his first regular-season homer in a 12-0 victory over the White Sox. If he hits more than a homer every two weeks or so, consider that a bonus.
OOO Dodgers OF Matt Kemp has been on fire. His seventh homer helped LA outscore the runs its pitching staff gave up in a 14-6 win over the Reds.
OOO There’s no pitching problem for Phillies RHP Roy Halladay. He improved to 4-0 with an 0.82 ERA by shutting out the Braves 2-0 with a pitching line of 950017.
In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
The blowups were far more spectacular than the saves.
Angels LHP Brian Fuentes returned from the disabled list, assumed a 3-2 lead in the top of the ninth against the Tigers and left with a 4-3 loss, a blown save and a pitching line of 2/3 22221. Included was a home run by Detroit 1B Miguel Cabrera. RHP Fernando Rodney saved five games for LA/Anaheim while Fuentes was out, so his job might not be safe.
Diamondbacks RHP Chad Qualls entered with a 4-4 tie in the top of the ninth against the Cardinals. The line in his loss was 1/3 33300, including OF Colby Rasmus’ second homer of the game. RHP Bob Howry, a potential candidate to replace Qualls as closer, finished the game with a line of 2/3 22200, including a homer by 2B Skip Schumaker.
Earning saves were Nationals RHP Matt Capps, seventh, 6-4 over the Rockies; Yankees RHP Mariano Rivera, sixth, 3-1 at Oakland, and fourth saves for Royals RHP Joakim Soria, 4-3 in 10 innings at Toronto; Tigers RHP Jose Valverde in the game at LA/Anaheim, and Astros RHP Matt Lindstrom, 5-4 against the Marlins.
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Look for hot pitchers Holland, Hellickson in majors

2010-04-23T14:20:00.000-07:00

We’re getting back toward our normal schedule, when the Tuesday Emails will contain Minor League updates, letting you know which players you could look for to move up from the minors or up through an organization.
The free period for these Emails will end Sunday, April 25. After that date, the Emails would go only to those who subscribe.
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Leading the way
The first group of minor league Players of the Week and Pitchers of the Week include the usual overaged suspects and inconsistent or previously underachieving prospects.
Seven of the 10 minor leagues that have started their season used the entire season since Opening Day, April 8, as the basis for these first awards. The Triple-A International League and Double-A Southern and Texas leagues based their awards on the calendar week April 12-18.
The shining stars on the list are two of baseball’s best young pitchers, who won the weekly awards from the two Triple-A leagues: LHP Derek Holland (Oklahoma City, Rangers organization, Pacific Coast League) and our Best Arm from the Farm, RHP Jeremy Hellickson (Durham, Rays, IL).
Holland spent most of last season with Texas. Even though he could be a better pitcher than anyone currently in the Rangers’ rotation, he began this season with the 89ers again and has gone 2-0 with an 0.46 ERA and 15:3 strikeout/walk ratio in 19 2/3 innings during three starts. Hellickson improved to 3-0 in a week when he was 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA and 15:2 K/W ratio in 14 innings.
The biggest surprise among the award winners was that three catchers had big weeks at bat. They were 25-year-old Robinson Chirinos (Tennessee, Cubs, Southern League), who batted .444 (8-for-18) with three homers, eight RBI and four runs; Ryan Lavarnway (Salem, Red Sox, high Class A Carolina League), .462 (18-39), three homers, 15 RBI, 13 runs, and Travis d’Arnaud (Dunedin, Blue Jays, high Class A Florida State League), .425 (17-40), three homers, 10 RBI, seven runs and a stolen base. D’Arnaud was one of the prospects Toronto received from the Phillies in the Roy Halladay trade.
Other than 24-year-old Nick Evans, who already has played in the major leagues, the Triple-A and Double-A award winners are at least 25 and thus marginal prospects at best. The PCL Player of the Week, 1B John Lindsey of Albuquerque (Dodgers) is 33! He batted .538 (21-39) with two homers, 13 RBI and 13 runs in a hitters’ home park. OF John Mayberry, 26, of Lehigh Valley (Phillies) had an 11-for-21 (.538) week with a homer, five RBI and eight runs.
In Double-A, 25-year-old 1B Andrew Brown began the Texas League season 3-for-18, but last week batted .423 (11-26) with three homers, 11 RBI and five runs for Springfield (Cardinals). In the two games where I saw him play, he was 1-for-8 (a home run) and didn’t impress me as a prospect. Evans began the season 16-for-43 (.372) with three homers, 10 RBI and 11 runs.
The other Players of the Week were LF Dan Robertson of Lake Elsinore (Padres, high Class A California League), .400 (16-40), one homer, eight RBI, eight runs and a stolen base); RF Jerry Sands of Great Lakes (Dodgers, low A Midwest League), .439 (18-41), two homers, 12 RBI, 11 runs, two steals, and 3B Tyler Kolodny of Delmarva (Orioles, low Class A South Atlantic League), .386 (17-44), six homers, 11 RBI, 11 runs and two stolen bases.
The Double-A Pitchers of the Week also were older than the prime age for a prospect – 25-year-old LHP Luis Perez of New Hampshire (Blue Jays, Eastern League), 2-0, 0.53, 11:6 K/w ratio in 17 innings; 27-year-old Tom Cochran, a former independent-league pitcher now with Carolina (Reds, Southern League), 2-0, 0.75, 15:3 K/W ratio in 12 innings, and 26-year-old RHP Federico Castaneda of Northwest Arkansas (Royals, Texas League), 0-0 with an 0.00 ERA and 11:1 K/W ratio in 9 2/3 relief innings. Castaneda, who has spent five years in the Mexican League, could find a spot in Kansas City’s bullpen this season.
Another Royals farmhand, 2008 first-round draft pick Michael Montgomery, was the Carolina League Pitcher of the Week at Wilmington. The lefty was 1-0 with an 0.75 ERA and 19:1 K/W ratio in 12 innings, including a 17-strikeout game against Kinston (Indians). He’ll also get to the major leagues, though not likely this year.
Other Class A Pitchers of the Week were RHP Juan Nicasio of Modesto (Rockies, California League), 1-0, 2.65 ERA, 13:2 K/W ratio in 17 innings; RHP Hector Noesi of Tampa (Yankees, FSL), 2-0, 1.50, 16:1 K/W ratio in 12 innings; Australian RHP Lian Hendriks of Beloit (Twins, Midwest League), 0-0, 0.00, 20:1 K/W ratio in 17 innings, and LHP Nick Hernandez of Lakewood (Phillies, Sally League), 2-0, 1.29, 20:1 K/W ratio in 21 innings.
In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
Padres RHP Heath Bell earned his fourth save in the day’s best-pitched game, a 1-0 victory over the Giants in which the winning pitcher, RHP Mat Latos, had a pitching line of 740012.
The only save with any kind of trouble was by Astros Lindstrom, whose third save came in a game he entered with a 7-4 lead against the Marlins and left with a line of 121100.
The other saves were by Reds RHP Francisco Cordero, fifth, 11-9 vs. the Dodgers; Angels RHP Fernando Rodney, fifth, 6-5 over the Tigers; Blue Jays RHP Kevin Gregg, fourth, 4-3 against the Royals; White Sox RHP Bobby Jenks, third, 4-1 vs. the Rays, and Diamondbacks RHP Chad Qualls, second, 9-7 over the Cardinals.

Jeter, Podsednik, Garza, Jimenez stay hot

2010-04-19T22:26:00.000-07:00

A's pay Anderson as ace of surprising rotation

2010-04-17T15:33:00.000-07:00

Weekly Preview/Pitching Chart
April 17, 2010
A’s pay Anderson as ace of surprising rotation
Here is our Weekly Preview and Pitching Chart for the coming week.
NOTE: We have extended the free period for these Emails again – through Sunday, April 25. After that date, the Emails would go only to those who subscribe.
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Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
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Projected starting pitchers, April 19-25, 2010
AL Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Bal @Se-Bergesen @Se-Hernandz @Se-Millwood --- @Bos-Guthrie @Bos-Matusz @Bos-Bergesn2
Bos TB-Lackey Tex-Wakfield Tex-Beckett Tex-Buchholz Bal-Lester Bal-Lackey2 Bal-Wkfield2
CWS --- TB-Danks TB-Buehrle* TB-Peavy Se-Floyd Se-Garcia Se-Danks2

Cle --- @Min-Mastersn @Min-Huff @Min-Talbot @Oak-Wstbrook @Oak-Carmona @Oak-Mastrsn2
Det @LAA-Willis @LAA-Porcello @LAA-Bondrmn @LAA-Verlander @Tex-Scherzer @Tex-Willis2 @Tex-Porcello2
KC @Tor-Bannister @Tor-Davies @Tor-Greinke --- Min-Meche Min-Hochevar Min-Bannistr2
LAA Det-Pineiro Det-Kazmir Det-Weaver Det-Saunders NYY-
Santana NYY-Pineiro2 NYY-Kazmir2
Min --- Cle-Slowey Cle-Liriano Cle-Baker @KC-Blckburn @KC-Pavano @KC-Slowey2
NYY --- @Oak-Vzquez** @Oak-Sbthia-3* @Oak-Beckett @LAA-Pettitte @LAA-Hughes @LAA-Vazquez2
Oak --- NYY-Gonzalez NYY-Sheets NYY-Braden Cle-Dchschrr Cle-Adrsn-4* Cle-Gonzalz2
Se Bal-Fister Bal-Vargas Bal-Hernandz --- @CWS-Rld-Smth @CWS-Snell @CWS-Fister2
TB @Bos-Niemann @CWS-Price @CWS-Davis @CWS-Shields Tor-Garza Tor-Niemnn2 Tor-Price2
Tex --- @Bos-Lewis @Bos-Harrison @Bos-Wilson Det-Feldman Det-Harden Det-Lewis2
Tor KC-Morrow KC-Eveland KC-Marcum --- @TB-Tallet @TB-Romero @TB-Morrow2

*-The White Sox are skipping their fifth starter, RHP Freddy Garcia, and using their Opening Day starter, LHP Mark Buehrle, on his usual four days’ rest following a day off. Garcia pitched so poorly Thursday against the Blue Jays that there’s media speculation that Chicago could soon bring up RHP Daniel Hudson to go into its rotation.
**-We thought it was strange when the same Yankees fans who booed RHP Javier Vazquez out of New York in 2004 were excited that he was coming back. Those same fans booed him again when his first 2010 start at Yankee Stadium didn’t go well. Through it all, Vazquez has remained the stand-up guy he has been going back to his days in Montreal.
3*-Following Monday’s off day, it seems likely that the Yankees will move up LHP C.C. Sabathia, RHP Josh Beckett and LHP Andy Pettitte one day each, ahead of their fifth starter, RHP Phil Hughes. It’s almost certain that Sabathia would pitch on four days’ rest because his winning start Friday night ended after just six innings because of rain.
4*-LHP Brett Anderson has been the leader of an Athletics rotation that has a 6-0 record. The 22-year-old was rewarded Friday, possibly as much for his improved conditioning as for his pitching, with a new four-year contract worth $12.5-million and including team options for 2014 and ’15.
AL Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Ari StL-Lopez StL-Haren StL-Jackson --- Phi-Benson Phi-Kennedy Phi-Lopez2
Atl --- Phi-Hanson Phi-Hudson Phi-Lowe @NYM-Kawkmi* @NYM-Jurrjens @NYM-Hanson2
ChC @NYM-Wells @NYM-Zmbrano @NYM-Silva @NYM-Grzlny** @Mil-Dempster @Mil-Wells2 @Mil-Zmbrno2
Cin --- LAD-Bailey LAD-Harang LAD-Leake SD-Cueto SD-Arroyo SD-Bailey2
Col @Was-Cook @Was-DeLaRsa @Was-Hammel @Was-Jimenez Fla-Smith Fla-Cook2 Fla-DLaRsa2
Fla --- @Ho-Volstad @Ho-Johnson @Ho-Sanchez @Col-Nolasco @Col-Robertsn @Col-Volstad2
Ho --- Fla-Myers Fla-Norris Fla-Paulino Pit-Oswalt Pit-Rdriguez Pit-Myers2
LAD --- @Cin-Bilngsley @Cin-Kuroda @Cin-Padilla @Was-Haeger @Was-Kershaw @Was-Bilngsly2
Mil --- @Pit-Bush @Pit-Gllrdo-3* @Pit-Wolf ChC-Davis ChC-Suppan ChC-Bush2
NYM ChC-Niese ChC-Pelfrey ChC-Perez ChC-Santana Atl-Maine Atl-Niese2 Atl-Pelfrey2
Phi --- @Atl-Kendrick @Atl-Hllday-4* @Atl-Happ @Ari-Moyer @Ari-Hamels @Ari-Kndrick2
Pit --- Mil-Morton Mil-Duke Mil-Olndrf-5* @Ho-Maholm @Ho-McCtchn @Ho-Morton2
StL @Ari-Penny @Ari-Lohse @Ari-Carpenter --- @SF-Garcia @SF-Wanright @SF-Penny2
SD SF-Richard SF-Latos SF-Garland --- @Cin-Correia @Cin-LeBlc-6* @Cin-Richard2
SF @SD-Cain @SD-Sanchez @SD-Wlemeyr --- StL-Lincecum StL-Zito StL-Cain2
Was Col-Stammen Col-Olsen-7* Col-Lannan Col-Hernandz LAD-Marquis LAD-Stammn2 LAD-Olsen2

*-Braves RHP Kenshin Kawakami has pitched better this year. The credit for his improvement has gone to replacing a cut fastball with a sinking fastball.
**-Cubs LHP Tom Gorzelanny is considered day to day after leaving today’s game when Astros 3B/1B Pedro Feliz hit a line drive off Gorzelanny’s left shoulder. An alternative for Thursday’s game could be LHP Ted Lilly, currently scheduled to make his final injury-rehab start in the minor leagues Monday. It also seemed possible that Lilly could replace RHP Carlos Silva in the rotation, but Silva allowed no earned runs Friday against the Astros.
3*-With an off day Monday, the Brewers are skipping fifth starter Jeff Suppan in their rotation, moving him from Wednesday to Saturday.
4*-If you had RHP Roy Halladay in your rotation, you’d also probably move him ahead of LHP J.A. Happ to pitch on Halladay’s customary four days’ rest.
5*-The Pirates skipped RHP Ross Ohlendorf’s most recent start because of back spasms. If he couldn’t pitch Thursday, a possible replacement would be LHP Brian Burres. Pittsburgh also is moving LHP Zach Duke ahead in the rotation to pitch on four days’ rest after Monday’s day off.
6*-It would be recently recalled LHP Wade LeBlanc’s turn to pitch Saturday, but … well, there are two buts. One is that the Padres could skip LeBlanc and move LHP Clayton Richard and RHP Mat Latos ahead one day to pitch on their usual rest following Thursday’s off day. The other is that RHP Chris R. Young, who has had a tight shoulder, is eligible to come off the disabled list in time for the weekend series in Cincinnati.
7*-The Nationals recalled LHP Scott Olsen from Triple-A Syracuse to move into their rotation Thursday. His next turn would be Tuesday.

Schedule notes
Four teams in each league are scheduled for seven games this week, which would give their hitters and relief pitchers 17 per cent more chances to perform well (or poorly) than the players on the other 22 teams. Those teams are the Red Sox, Tigers, Angels and Rays in the American League and the Cubs, Rockies, Mets and Nationals in the National League. Boston, LA/Anaheim, the Cubs and Washington will have the added advantage of playing all seven games at home.
It appears that batters could have a slight edge in the NL. Even though the seven games each in New York and Washington might favor pitchers, six games are scheduled in very good hitters’ parks at Arizona and Cincinnati, and another six in a pretty good hitters’ park in Houston. In the American League, seven games in Boston and six on the south side of Chicago, where batters have the upper hand, are balanced by seven at LA/Anaheim and six at Oakland’s extreme pitchers’ park.
Washington’s seven home games could give us an idea of whether the Nationals (currently 6-5) are becoming a legitimate major league team. They’re definitely better than the Orioles up I-95 a little way and the Astros in Washington’s own league.
Pitchers scheduled to start twice at home are RHPs John Lackey, Tim Wakefield, Joel Pineiro, Rodrigo Lopez, Homer Bailey, Brett Myers, Jon Niese, Mike Pelfrey and Craig Stammen, and LHPs John Danks, Scott Kazmir, Gio Gonzalez and Scott Olsen. Our highest recommendations are Lackey and Danks, with Pelfrey a live longshot. Rodrigo Lopez? Come on! Do the Diamondbacks actually have a home-field advantage over Philadelphia with RHPs Kris Benson, Ian Kennedy and Lopez as their starters?

News and notes
Today, these are primarily observations made while researching teams’ rotations.
OOO The Orioles put LF Felix Pie (shoulder injury) on the disabled list and recalled OF Lou Montanez from Triple-A Norfolk. Expect to see Baltimore in last place for the remainder of the season, and for manager Dave Trembley to be the scapegoat instead of team president Andy MacPhail.
OOO Yankees RHP Chan Ho Park (hamstring) went on the DL, with LHP Boone Logan up from Triple-A Scranton as a replacement.
OOO Athletics 2B Mark Ellis has missed five games because of a sore hamstring.
OOO A few suggestions for the Rangers: 1. Before merely shipping CF Julio Borbon, a leadoff batter who hasn’t drawn a walk, back to Triple-A Oklahoma City for more seasoning, drop him to eighth in the lineup. The current No. 9 batter, SS Elvis Andrus, has reached base multiple times in multiple games. Treat C Taylor Teagarden, currently in the 8 hole, as a pitcher and have him bat ninth. He doesn’t have a hit yet, and if he did get on base at least he wouldn’t be slowing down Borbon if he also reached safely. 2. Make a deal for a real major league catcher. 3. Last year, suggestions to replace 1B Chris Davis with 1B prospect Justin Smoak were premature. This season, the time might be right. Again Davis has started slowly at bat, but he isn’t even playing good defense in 2010.
OOO The Rockies have returned RHP Esmil Rogers to Triple-A Colorado Springs, where he might be able to work as a starter and return to replace RHP Jason Hammel in the rotation. LHP Joe Beimel came up from Air Force Academy Land to assume a relief/setup role. RHP Manny Corpas might become a long reliever after 2 1/3 effective innings in his most recent appearance.

In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer. In fact, there’s an update there today.
Just five saves were recorded Friday, but the biggest impact on a team’s closer situation came at San Diego, where Diamondbacks RHP Juan Gutierrez blew a save. He was trying to close the game because Arizona’s closer, RHP Chad Qualls, had pitched – and blown saves – each of the two previous nights. Gutierrez entered the game in the bottom of the ninth with a 3-2 lead. He left with a pitching line of 2/3 24421 after giving up a game-winning three-run home run to Padres 3B/OF Chase Headley. Other options to close games for the D-backs are RHPs Bob Howry and Blaine Boyer. You might remember that earlier this week we told you that the Blue Jays have a surplus at the position with RHPs Jason Frasor and Kevin Gregg. Toronto already has noted that it is willing to trade, having acquired OF Fred Lewis from the Giants, and could be willing to deal for another hitter.
Cardinals RHP Ryan Franklin turned an easy fourth save into an adventure. He entered with a 4-1 lead in the top of the ninth, then escaped with a 4-3 victory over the Mets and a line of 132200 that shot his ERA up to 7.20. We wouldn’t consider Franklin a sure thing; last year was the only time he was very effective in any major league role. If he’s on your fantasy roster, keep an eye on him and look for an alternative.
The Phillies seemed to have an even easier win when they led the Marlins 8-2 after eight innings. However, RHP David Herndon allowed three runs while retiring only one batter, and left two runners on base for RHP Ryan Madson. He allowed one of the runners to score, but with a line of 2/3 10000 Madson picked up his third save.
Other saves went to RHP Matt Capps, a big reason for the Nationals’ success with saves in their first five victories, 5-3 over the Brewers; Angels RHP Fernando Rodney, second, 7-5 at Toronto, and Athletics RHP Andrew Bailey, first, 4-2 against the Orioles. That’s how good Oakland’s starting pitching has been; Bailey has been needed for only one save.

Early standings could reveal some weaknesses

2010-04-17T15:30:00.000-07:00

We’re getting back toward our five-Emails-per-week regular-season schedule, which would send you News and Notes each Thursday.
NOTE: We have extended the free period for these Emails through Sunday, April 18. After that date, the Emails would go only to those who subscribe.
Before then, we’ll tell you how you can subscribe to receive these Emails five or more times per week, along with timely Articles and other information that will be added to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Let us know of your interest and what you’d like to see by Emailing lary@fantasybaseballscout.com.
Subscribers will be able to ask questions specific to their fantasy teams and leagues, and receive answers through these Emails, the web site or personal Emails.

We told you about Benson
There are some surprises among the teams currently leading the major leagues’ division, but the most interesting position is fourth place in four of the six divisions.
The American League leaders are Toronto (7-3) in the East, Minnesota (7-3) in the Central and Oakland (7-4) in the West. In the National League, Philadelphia leads the East at 7-2, with Florida not far behind at 6-4; St. Louis tops the Central at 6-3, and San Francisco (7-2) is first in the West.
But look at who’s fourth in the AL divisions – the Red Sox (4-5) in the East, White Sox (4-6) in the Central and Angels (3-7) in the West. All were considered playoff teams going into the season, and all still could be. Our thinking is that that the team in the greatest jeopardy is Boston, which really is beginning to show its age. It didn’t help that CF Mike Cameron couldn’t play because of a strained lower abdomen, which the Sox were checking to make sure it wasn’t appendicitis. With bruised ribs also sidelining LF Jacoby Ellsbury, another 30-something, Bill Hall, played center field and committed an error. Don’t even get us started about Jason Varitek, Mike Lowell, Tim Wakefield and Big Grandpapi.
In the National League, the Dodgers are fourth at 4-5, and it could be difficult for them to finish the season above .500. Their pitching staff is a mess. Is that Russ Ortiz or Ramon Ortiz on the roster? Both? Oh, no!
LA did win, with its 2009 hero, OF Andre Ethier, driving in the winnng run with a walk-off single.
The current order of the NL Central (separating the three teams tied for third) could easily be the way it finishes. It’s also possible that St. Louis could be the division’s only team to finish above .500.
OOO It was getaway day in Cleveland, and the Indians’ 3-2 victory over the Rangers took just 2 hours, 3 minutes to play. It helped that Tribe LHP David Huff pitched a complete-game four-hitter. Texas LHP Matt Harrison was about as good, but was victimized because two errors preceded Indians OF Shin-soo Choo’s three-run homer in the eighth inning.
OOO Hey! We told you the Diamondbacks would bring up RHP Kris Benson to start Saturday’s game, and the team now has announced that fact.
OOO We also told you Blue Jays LF Travis Snider’s current stint in the majors could be short. It won’t help him that Toronto traded cash or a player to be named to the Giants for OF Fred Lewis, who just completed an injury-rehab assignment at Triple-A Fresno. For now, the Jays have optioned OF Jeremy Reed to Triple-A Las Vegas and put RHP Dustin McGowan on the 60-day disabled list to make a roster spot for Lewis.

Cantu can
Marlins 1B/3B Jorge Cantu set a major league record with his 10th consecutive game with at least one hit and one RBI. That performance actually stretched his streak to 14 games over last year and this, four short of the major league record for H/RBI games at any point in a season. Ray Grimes established that mark for the 1922 Cubs. His streak no doubt has helped Florida OF Cameron Maybin score at least one run in each of his last nine games. It hasn’t helped Cantu that LF Chris Coghlan has been out for two games because of bruised left ribs. He could play Friday. OF Brett Carroll started in Coghlan’s place Wednesday and hit a home run.
Another streaking player is Phillies 2B Chase Utley, with four home runs in the last three games. And then there’s Astros LF Carlos Lee, in an 0-for-18 slump. Without his help, Houston won for the first time in 2010 – with the winning pitcher, RHP Bud Norris, striking out nine Cardinals in five innings.

Injuries
LF Felix Pie left the Orioles’ game in the seventh inning, holding his left shoulder. He also had injured it making a throw during Baltimore’s opening game. RHP Koji Uehara (strained left hamstring) threw on the side and could pitch batting practice Saturday.
OOO Yankees RHP Chan Ho Park suffered a right hamstring injury while warming up, so he was unable to pitch in relief.
OOO Phillies RHP Joe Blanton (strained left oblique) is scheduled to throw in the bullpen Friday and could begin an injury-rehab assignment Tuesday.
OOO The Diamondbacks scratched 1B Adam LaRoche (tight right quadriceps). They moved OF/1B Conor Jackson to first base and started OF Gerardo Parra in left field.
OOO RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (strained neck) could return to the Red Sox soon. In his second injury-rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket, he had a line of 630002 against Buffalo (Mets organization). He has given up five hits in 11 scoreless innings, and is eligible to come off the disabled list Sunday.

In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
The biggest news about closers is that the Orioles have put LHP Mike Gonzalez on the disabled list because of a strained shoulder, and moved RHP Jim Johnson into the closer’s role. They also recalled RHP Kam Mickolio, who might have some save opportunities. Gonzalez isn’t expected back for 3-4 weeks. And, by the way, we also told you that Gonzalez appeared to be hurting and that Johnson might replace him.
Yankees RHP Mariano Rivera’s fourth save wasn’t difficult. He entered the game with two out and two runners on base, with New York leading the Angels 6-2. Rivera retired the only batter he faced to end the game.
Nationals RHP Matt Capps also received his fourth save, but had to work harder. In 1 2/3 innings of Washington’s 7-5 victory over the Phillies, he allowed three hits and one run on CF Shane Victorino’s homer.
In the Brewers’ 8-6 win over the Cubs, RHP Trevor Hoffman picked up his third save, but gave up a run tainted by a hit awarded when RF Corey Hart and 2B Rickie Weeks allowed a popup to fall safely.

Back injury puts Angels' Fuentes on DL

2010-04-16T13:32:00.000-07:00

We’re getting back toward our regular schedule for our five weekly Emails, including the Wednesday evening Injury Updates.
NOTE: We have extended the free period for these Emails again -- through Sunday, April 25. After that date, the Emails would go only to those who subscribe.
Before then, we’ll tell you how you can subscribe to receive these Emails five or more times per week, along with timely Articles and other information that will be added to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Let us know of your interest and what you’d like to see by Emailing lary@fantasybaseballscout.com.
Subscribers will be able to ask questions specific to their fantasy teams and leagues, and receive answers through these Emails, the web site or personal Emails.

Berkman could begin rehab this weekend
LHP Brian Fuentes saved the Angels’ opening game April 5, but the struggling team didn’t need a closer for the next week. At that time, he wasn’t available because he had suffered a strained muscle in the middle of his back while lifting weights a day after the opener. He’s eligible to return from the disabled list Tuesday, but in the meantime RHP Fernando Rodney will be LA/Anaheim’s closer and RHP Kevin Jepsen the setup man. Rodney pitched a perfect inning for his first save in a 5-3 victory at Yankee Stadium. RHP Francisco Rodriguez – not THE Francisco Rodriguez – was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake City to take Fuentes’ place on the active roster.
LHP Scott Kazmir came off the disabled list to return to the Angels’ rotation. LA/Anaheim also took OF Reggie Willits off the DL and outrighted OF Terry Evans to Salt Lake.
OOO Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins went on the disabled list because of a strained right calf muscle suffered during pregame warm-ups Tuesday. To take his roster spot, Philadelphia recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley SS Wilson Valdez, whom we told you Tuesday was off to a fast start. SS/2B Juan Castro, a 16th-year veteran, started in the Phils’ 14-7 victory over the Nationals. Neither replacement is likely to have much fantasy value.
OOO Astros 1B Lance Berkman, recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, could begin an injury-rehab assignment this weekend at Triple-A Round Rock. He would like to return to play in the majors Tuesday.
OOO Marlins RHP Brian Sanchez (strained right knee) threw 40 pitches in the bullpen, but isn’t likely to come off the DL before Monday, April 26.
OOO Diamondbacks C Miguel Montero was scheduled for surgery to repair partially torn meniscus in his right knee, and is expected to be out 4-6 weeks. C Chris Snyder would have most of the playing time while Montero is out, with rookie C John Hester as the backup. Snyder could be a reasonable No. 2 fantasy catcher with some power, though he could hurt a team’s batting average.
OOO Red Sox LF Jacoby Ellsbury missed his second game because of bruised left ribs suffered when he collided with 3B Adrian Beltre’s right knee.
OOO Phillies RHP Brad Lidge, recovering from elbow surgery, pitched a scoreless inning in his third injury-rehab appearance, lowering his ERA to 16.87. He’s not expected back with Philadelphia until the end of April. LHP J.C. Romero pitched two scoreless innings in his rehab at high Class A Clearwater, and could move his rehab up to Lehigh Valley or Double-A Reading.

Noteworthy
RHP Jenrry Mejia, the 20-or-so-year-old Mets rookie, gave up the winning run without retiring a batter in the 10th inning of their 6-5 loss at Colorado.

In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
Mariners RHP David Aardsma struggled during spring training, but picked up his fourth regular-season save in their 4-2 victory over the Athletics. Uneventful third saves went to Cubs RHP Carlos Marmol, 7-6 against the Brewers; Red Sox RHP Jonathan Papelbon, 6-3 at Minnesota, and Cardinals RHP Ryan Franklin, 2-1 vs. the Astros in Houston’s eighth consecutive loss.
The Marlins had RHP Burke Badenhop go two innings (pitching line: 200003) for his first save in a 5-3 victory over the Reds. He pitched because Florida’s closer, RHP Leo Nunez, had pitched in each of the three previous games.
The Rangers’ new closer, RHP Neftali Feliz, had his second save with a line of 1 1/3 00011 in a 6-2 win at Cleveland. He entered the game with two runners on base and two out in the eighth inning. Perhaps Texas should have kept Feliz in the most recent blown save by the former closer, RHP Frank Francisco. Feliz struck out all three batters he faced in the eighth inning, but then Francisco entered and gave up three ninth-inning runs. Against the Indians, RHP Colby Lewis continued his surprising return from Japan by striking out 10 in 5 1/3 innings.
Royals RHP Joakim Soria had a slightly easier second save than Feliz did. Soria entered a 6-3 game with a runner on base and two out in the eighth, and finished the game with a line of 1 1/3 00012 as Kansas City won in Detroit 7-3.

Trio of hot teams in Eastern Western

2010-04-16T11:24:00.000-07:00

We’re getting back toward our normal schedule, when the Tuesday Emails will contain Minor League updates, letting you know which players you could look for to move up from the minors or up through an organization.
NOTE: We have extended the free period for these Emails again – through Sunday, April 25. After that date, the Emails would go only to those who subscribe.
Before then, we’ll tell you how you can subscribe to receive these Emails five or more times per week, along with timely Articles and other information that will be added to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Let us know of your interest and what you’d like to see by Emailing lary@fantasybaseballscout.com.
Subscribers will be able to ask questions specific to their fantasy teams and leagues, and receive answers through these Emails, the web site or personal Emails.

Leading the way
Through the first six games, no team in Triple-A or Double-A remained undefeated. And for a change, the schedules weren’t disrupted by inclement weather.
The top records were 5-1. In Triple-A, Syracuse (Nationals organization) had the best record in the International League, and Nashville (Brewers) and Las Vegas (Blue Jays) were 5-1 in the Pacific Coast League. The 5-1 teams in Double-A all were in the same division. Akron (Indians), Altoona (Pirates) and Bowie (Orioles) all were 5-1 in the Eastern League’s Western Division.
Here are some of the early individual leaders:
In Triple-A, the top batting averages belonged to veteran players rather than prospects. Atop the IL were SSs Wilson Valdez of Lehigh Valley (Phillies) and Brett Lillibridge of Charlotte (White Sox), both 10-for-22 (.455). The PCL leaders were 1B John Lindsey of Albuquerque (Dodgers), 13-for-22 (.591) and OF Chris Denorfia of Portland (Padres) 10-for-20 (.500).
Home runs – C Carlos Santana, Columbus (Indians), 4.
RBI – 3B/1B Dallas McPherson, Sacramento (Athletics), 11, and OF Chris Duffy, Lehigh Valley 10.
Stolen bases – OFs Clete Thomas, Toledo (Tigers), 5, and Jason Bourgeois, Round Rock (Astros), 4.
Saves – RHP Dale Thayer, Durham (Rays), and Chris Smith, Nashville, 3. There was a wide discrepancy in their effectiveness, however. Thayer’s ERA was 5.40 and Smith’s 0.00 with a pitching line of 310012.
The best starting pitchers in each league have been Sacramento RHP Vin Mazzaro – with a 1-0 record, 0.00 ERA and 12:3 strikeout/walk ratio in 10 1/3 innings – in the PCL, and our Best Arm from the Farm, RHP Jeremy Hellickson of Durham in the IL. He’s 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA and 13:2 K/W ratio in 11 1/3 innings.
The Double-A batting leaders include 2B David Adams of Trenton (Yankees) at .500 (12-for-24) in the Eastern League and C Guillermo Quiroz of West Tenn (Mariners) at .467 (7-for-15) with seven RBI in the Southern League.
The RBI leaders include OF Lance Duda of Binghamton (Mets) in the EL and 1Bs Koby Clemens of Corpus Christi (Astros) and Steve Kleen of Midland (Athletics) in the Texas League. You’ve probably heard of Clemens’ father. RF Ty Wright of Tennessee (Cubs) also had seven RBI in the Southern League. His teammate, OF Tony Campana, led Double-A with four stolen bases.
The Double-A saves leader was RHP Neil Wagner of Akron with three, from a pitching line of 4 1/3 31124. RHP Matt Buschmann of San Antonio (Padres) was off to a good start in the TL with a 1-0 record and 0.00 ERA in 5 2/3 innings.

In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
RHP Francisco Cordero picked up his fourth save in the Reds’ 10-8, 11-inning victory at Florida.
Yankees RHP Mariano Rivera’s third save came after he entered their game against the Angels with one out in the ninth inning after Angels OF Bobby Abreu had cleared the bases with a grand slam. Rivera faced just two batters to preserve New York’s 7-5 win. Also receiving his third save was Mariners RHP David Aardsma. Seattle defeated the Athletics 3-0, with its starter, RHP Doug Fister, producing a line of 830004 and all of the runs coming on OF Milton Bradley’s three-run homer in the eighth inning against Oakland RHP Brad Ziegler.
Another third save was by Blue Jays RHP Kevin Gregg in a 3-2 victory over the White Sox. He could take the closer’s job away from RHP Jason Frasor, who also has three saves, or one of them could be traded to a team with some hitters – perhaps an outfielder? – but needing a closer.
RHP Octavio Dotel’s second save for the Pirates was more difficult that it should have been. He entered the game in the bottom of the ninth with a three-run lead in San Francisco, and gave up a two-run homer to OF/2B Eugenio Velez. Dotel and the Bucs escaped with a 6-5 win.
Other second saves went to Tigers RHP Jose Valverde in a 6-5 victory against the Royals, and Rays RHP Rafael Soriano despite giving up a run in an 8-6, 10-inning win at Baltimore.

Prado, De La Rosa still going strong

2010-04-12T13:55:00.000-07:00

The Monday morning updates review what happened over the weekend and indicates which batters and pitchers are hot – and which are not.
NOTE: We have extended the free period for these Emails through Sunday, April 18. After that date, the Emails would go only to those who subscribe.
Before then, we’ll tell you how you can subscribe to receive these Emails five or more times per week, along with timely Articles and other information that will be added to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Let us know of your interest and what you’d like to see by Emailing lary@fantasybaseballscout.com.
Thanks for your continuing interest in and support of Fantasy Baseball Scout. Thanks also to those who have made suggestions as to content they’d like to see. A reminder: Subscribers will be able to ask questions specific to their fantasy teams and leagues, and receive answers through these Emails, the web site or personal Emails.

Hot
The weekly Hot and Not for batters is based on 20 at-bats for batting average, and at least a .280 BA for the other categories.
Pos. Player, Team H-AB BA HR-RBI SB
2B/3B Martin Prado, Braves 13-24 .542 0-1 0
2B Edgar Renteria, Giants 11-21 .524 1-5 0
1B/3B Miguel Cabrera, Tigers 12-23 .522 2-8 0
OF Vladimir Guerrero, Rangers 12-24 .500 1-3 0
2B/3B Placido Polanco, Phillies 13-27 .481 1-8 0
OF Jeff Francoeur, Mets 10-21 .476 2-6 0
OF Magglio Ordonez, Tigers 12-26 .462 2-6 0
OF Nelson Cruz, Rangers 9-20 .450 4-9 0
OF Franklin Gutierrez, Mariners 12-27 .444 0-2 2
3B/OF Chase Headley, Padres 11-25 .440 0-1 1
Prado is a repeater from the list of who was Hot during spring training. He is for real.
Encouraging for their teams are some young players who could be on the way to realizing their potential – Francoeur, Cruz, Gutierrez and Headley. Francoeur and Cruz have to prove they now are laying off bad pitches and aren’t just on a hot streak. Cruz had a couple of hits, including an opposite-field home run up in the Rangers Ballpark jet stream, on tough pitches away that he fought off.
Home runs – Cruz, Blue Jays SS Alex Gonzalez and OF Vernon Wells, and Cardinals 1B Albert Pujols 4; Braves RF Jason Heyward, Cardinals LF Matt Holliday, Phillies 1B Ryan Howard, Diamondbacks 2B Kelly Johnson and OF Chris B. Young, White Sox 1B Paul Konerko and Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia 3.
RBI – Young 11; Howard, Pujols and Marlins 1B/3B Jorge Cantu 10; Cruz 9; Cabrera, Heyward and Polanco 8; Konerko, Pedroia, Wells, Athletics 1B Daric Barton, Dodgers OF Matt Kemp and Nationals LF Josh Willingham 7.
Here are more young players who could break out – Heyward, Barton and Kemp.
Stolen bases – Athletics OF Rajai Davis and Royals OF Scott Podsednik 4; Dodgers SS Rafael Furcal and Yankees OFs Brett Gardner and Curtis Granderson 3; Gutierrez, Rays SS Jason Bartlett, Pirates SS Ronny Cedeno, Red Sox OF Jacoby Ellsbury, Tigers OF Austin Jackson, Yankees SS Derek Jeter and Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins.
Are the Yankees going to be a running team, or were their numbers merely helped by playing against the Red Sox? Will Gardner and Granderson push themselves to new heights on the bases? One week isn’t long enough to know for sure, but we’ll monitor the situation.
Runs – Holliday, Polanco, Rollins and Athletics 2B Mark Ellis 8; Davis, Pujols, Wells, Twins 1B Justin Morneau and White Sox OF Carlos Quentin 7.
Additional repeat Hot players from the spring training report are Cruz and Headley. Francoeur and Howard were on the exhibition-game Not list.
Requirements for pitchers to make these lists are 7 innings pitched for ERA and WHIP, 10 strikeouts in K:W ratio and an ERA under 4.00 for the other categories.
Hand Pitcher, Team IP W-L ERA WHIP K:W
RHP Hiroki Kuroda, Dodgers 8.0 1-0 0.00 0.75 7:1
RHP Luke Hochevar, Royals 7.2 0-0 0.00 0.78 2:1
LHP Dana Eveland, Blue Jays 7.1 1-0 0.00 0.95 2:2
LHP Jorge De La Rosa, Rockies 7.0 1-0 0.00 0.29 9:1
LHP C.J. Wilson, Rangers 7.0 0-0 0.00 1.00 9:2
RHP Livan Hernandez, Nats 7.0 1-0 0.00 1.14 1:3
RHP Roy Halladay, Phillies 16.0 2-0 0.56 0.94 17:2
RHP Matt Garza, Rays 8.0 1-0 1.13 0.75 9:2
RHP Bronson Arroyo, Reds 8.0 0-0 1.13 0.88 6:3
RHP Tim Lincecum, Giants 14.0 2-0 1.29 0.71 17:1
You probably already suspected that Halladay and Lincecum are good. De La Rosa was the star of our “Pitchers to seek” Article last season, and looks even better this year. Since we named him a “Pitcher to avoid” in 2009, Arroyo seemingly has been on a mission to prove us wrong. Beware the K:W radios for Hochevar, Eveland and Hernandez.
Also with 1.29 ERAs, but in just 7 innings pitched, were Rangers RHP Colby Lewis, Twins RHP Carl Pavano, White Sox RHP Jake Peavy and Blue Jays LHP Ricky Romero. A strategy with Romero might be to trade him at the All-Star break while his value is high, and avoid the possibility of his slumping during the season’s second half as he did last year.
Wins – Blue Jays RHP Casey Janssen 3; Halladay, Lincecum, Giants LHP Jeremy Affeldt, White Sox LHP Mark Buehrle, Pirates LHP Zach Duke and Rockies RHP Ubaldo Jimenez 2.
Saves – Twins RHP Jon Rauch 4-for-4; Nationals RHP Matt Capps 3-3; Mariners RHP David Aardsma, Padres RHP Heath Bell, Reds RHP Francisco Cordero, Blue Jays RHP Kevin Gregg, Cubs RHP Carlos Marmol, Rockies LHP Franklin Morales, Yankees RHP Mariano Rivera and Giants RHP Brian Wilson 2-2.
The word is that Capps has rediscovered the fastball that might have dwindled away while he was waiting for save opportunities with the Pirates away.
WHIP – De La Rosa 0.29; Braves RHP Tim Hudson 0.43; Lincecum and Cardinals RHP Adam Wainwright 0.71; Garza and Kuroda 0.75; Hochevar 0.78; Athletics LHP Dallas Braden and Yankees LHP C.C. Sabathia 0.85; Pavano 0.86.
K:W ratio – Lincecum 17:1; Orioles RHP Kevin Millwood 11:1; Halladay 17:2; Diamondbacks RHP Dan Haren 13:2; Braden 12:2; Blue Jays RHP Shaun Marcum 11:2; Angels RHP Jered Weaver 13:3; Jimenez 13:4; Astros RHP Roy Oswalt 11:4.
Pitchers repeating their strong spring-training performances were De La Rosa, Eveland, Affeldt, Brian Wilson and Hudson. Arroyo, Buehrle and Aardsma were on the exhibition Not list.

Not
Pos. Player, Team H-AB BA HR-RBI SB
CF Julio Borbon, Rangers 1-21 .048 0-2 0
OF Milton Bradley, Mariners 1-21 .048 1-2 0
1B Lyle Overbay, Blue Jays 2-23 .087 0-1 0
RF Hunter Pence, Astros 2-21 .095 1-2 0
2B/SS David Eckstein, Padres 2-20 .100 0-0 0
OF Melky Cabrera, Braves 3-25 .120 0-0 0
OF Juan Pierre, White Sox 3-24 .125 0-0 2
1B Mark Teixeira, Yankees 3-25 .125 0-3 0
LF Carlos Lee, Astros 3-23 .130 0-0 0
SS Alexei Ramirez, White Sox 3-23 .130 1-3 0
This week’s dis(honorable mention) goes to Brewers C Gregg Zaun 0-for-14, and Mariners C Adam Moore and Rangers C Taylor Teagarden 0-for-12. Teagarden also had seven strikeouts.
Angels 3B Brandon Wood just missed the lists, going 1-for-19, Unless he can show he’s the player who racked up huge home run totals in the minors, LA/Anaheim will have to find a replacement quickly.
Here are a couple of outfielders you should expect to see in Triple-A before long: Borbon and the Blue Jays’ Travis Snider.
W:K ratio – This one requires 10 strikeouts. Surprisingly, no major league batter reached double figures in Ks during the season’s first week. The worst ratio belonged to Padres SS Everth Cabrera at 0:9.
Caught stealing – Miguel Cabrera and Rockies OF Carlos Gonzalez 0-for-2; Indians SS Asdrubal Cabrera and Mariners RF Ichiro Suzuki 1-3.
Repeaters from the spring-training Not list are Borbon and Teagarden. Pence was on the Hot list from the exhibition games; we’re still confident that he’ll have a good year.
Hand Pitcher, Team IP W-L ERA WHIP K:W
RHP Carlos Zambrano, Cubs 8.1 1-1 11.88 1.92 10:4
RHP Vicente Padilla, Dodgers 8.2 0-1 11.42 2.08 8:4
RHP Justin Verlander, Tigers 10.0 0-0 9.00 1.50 9:4
LHP John Lannan, Nationals 8.2 1-1 8.31 2.19 2:6
RHP Jake Westbrook, Indians 9.2 0-1 7.45 2.17 8:7
RHP Yovani Gallardo, Brewers 12.0 0-2 6.75 1.33 10:4
RHP Josh Johnson, Marlins 10.0 0-1 6.30 2.00 10:7
RHP Josh Beckett, Red Sox 11.2 1-0 6.17 1.80 5:4
RHP Chris Carpenter, Cards 11.0 1-0 5.73 1.27 7:2
The pitchers eligible for this list all started twice during the week. Some of baseball’s best pitchers appear here: Verlander, Gallardo, Johnson, Beckett, Carpenter. It’s too early to panic, but keep an eye on them – especially on their K:W ratios, which could show that they no longer can blow batters away or that they might be hurt. Beckett and Gallardo could have lost some fire after signing big contracts.
Losses – Gallardo, Rangers RHP Frank Francisco, Padres RHP Jon Garland, Orioles LHP Mike Gonzalez, Cubs LHP John Grabow, Astros RHP Roy Oswalt and Angels LHP Joe Saunders 2.
Blown saves – Francisco and Red Sox RHP Daniel Bard 0-for-2; Gonzalez 1-3; Brewers RHP Trevor Hoffman 2-4.
Returning to the Not list, where they also resided from spring training, are Verlander and Gonzalez.

News and Notes
Ellsbury left Boston’s game Sunday after a collision with 3B Adrian Beltre while chasing a foul popup. Beltre’s knee hit Ellsbury’s rib cage. X rays were negative, and the left fielder is considered day to day.
I like Joe Maddon as the Rays’ manager, but he made a couple of moves Sunday that didn’t make sense to me. In the first inning, after the first two Rays had hits against Yankees RHP A.J. Burnett, No. 3 batter Ben Zobrist bunted a runner from second base to third. Maddon excused the action of giving up an out that settled down a struggling pitcher by saying that Zobrist didn’t feel comfortable against Burnett. Then why was the right fielder batting third in the lineup? If he is the next time he faces A.J., I’ll really be disappointed in Maddon. The other move came late, when Tampa Bay still was stuck on the two runs it had scored in the first inning. With switch-hitting C Jorge Posada coming to bat, the manager replaced the starter, RHP James Shields, with sidearm LHP Randy Choate. Now Choate may have retired a right-handed batter during his undistinguished career, but I don’t remember when. He threw a pitch to Posada that the catcher hit for a home run. Weren’t the odds better that Shields at least would have kept the ball in the park?
I didn’t see Mariners RHP Felix Hernandez in person, but on TV he appeared to be in good shape and not carrying extra weight. His physical conditioning seems to be the only thing that could keep King Felix from being successful. Hernandez does have a big, new contract, but we expect that his team’s lack of offense will be a bigger problem for him than a potential big head.
To give you an idea, our pitching chart for the regular season’s first week had the right pitcher on the right date in 87 per cent of the games (160 of 184). The American League record was 95 per cent (84-for-88) but the National League projections hit on 79 per cent (76-for-96). We had the right pitchers in the right number of starts closer to 95 per cent, but some teams switched the order of those starters from what we had projected. Those switches each resulted in two – and in one case three – games that weren’t matched with the right pitcher.

Minor matters
The bloodletting continued Friday in the Triple-A International League series between Columbus (Indians organization) and Indianapolis (Pirates). Indy won 14-12, with Pedro Alvarez hitting two homers to bring his total to three in two games. Clippers C Carlos Santana hit one homer, also for a total of three after he’d hit two in Columbus’ 17-4 Opening Day win over Indianapolis, so he also had three dingers in two games.
On Sunday, Reds LHP prospect Aroldis Chapman made his U.S. pro debut with eight strikeouts for Triple-A Louisville at Toledo (Tigers), and Nationals RHP prospect Stephen Strasburg gave up four runs (one earned) in five innings for Double-A Harrisburg at Altoona (Pirates).
In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
Indians RHP Chris Perez blew a save Sunday as the Tigers scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning for a 9-8 victory. Hoffman also blew a save by allowing the Cardinals to score three times in the top of the ninth on back-to-back two-out homers by Pujols and LF Matt Holliday. Pujols’ was a two-run shot. Hoffman became the winning pitcher when Brewers 3B/2B Casey McGehee homered in the bottom of the inning against St. Louis RHP Kyle McClellan.

Blue Jays, Romero could have another big week

2010-04-11T22:09:00.000-07:00

We’re later than we like to be with this week’s Preview and Pitching Chart. Our target, which is very difficult to meet, is Saturday morning. But we’ll be getting these Pitching Charts to you during the weekend.
NOTE: We have extended the free period for these Emails through Sunday, April 18. After that date, the Emails would go only to those who subscribe.
Before then, we’ll tell you how you can subscribe to receive these Emails five or more times per week, along with timely Articles and other information that will be added to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Let us know of your interest and what you’d like to see by Emailing lary@fantasybaseballscout.com.
Thanks for your continuing interest in and support of Fantasy Baseball Scout. Thanks also to those who have made suggestions as to content they’d like to see. A reminder: Subscribers will be able to ask questions specific to their fantasy teams and leagues, and receive answers through these Emails, the web site or personal Emails.

Projected starting pitchers, April 12-18, 2010
AL Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Bal TB-Guthrie TB-Matusz TB-Bergesen @Oak-Hrnandez @Oak-Millwood @Oak-Guthrie2 @Oak-Matusz2
Bos @Min-Lester --- @Min-Lackey @Min-Wakfield TB-Beckett TB-Bchholz* TB-Lester2
CWS @Tor-Peavy @Tor-Floyd @Tor-Danks @Tor-Garcia @Cle-Buehrle @Cle-Peavy2 @Cle-Floyd2
Cle Tex-Carmona --- Tex-Mastersn Tex-Huff CWS-Talbot CWS-Wstbrook CWS-Crmona2
Det KC-Scherzer KC-Willis KC-Porcello --- @Se-Bondrmn @Se-Verlander @Se-Scherzer2
KC @Det-Hochevar @Det-Bannister @Det-Davies --- @Min-Greinke @Min-Meche @Min-Hochevr2
LAA --- @NYY-Santana @NYY-Pineiro @NYY-Kazmir** @Tor-Weaver @Tor-Saunders @Tor-Santana2
Min Bos-Pavano --- Bos-Slowey Bos-Liriano KC-Baker KC-Blckburn KC-Pavano2
NYY --- LAA-Pettitte LAA-Vazquez LAA-Hughs-3* Tex-Sabathia Tex-Burnett Tex-Pettitte2
Oak @Se-Duchschr @Se-Anderson @Se-Gonzalez Bal-Sheets Bal-Braden Bal-Dchschr2 Bal-Andersn2
Se Oak-Rwd-Smh Oak-Fister Oak-Vargas --- Det-Hrnandez Det-Snell Det-Rd-Smh2
TB @Bal-Garza @Bal-Niemann @Bal-Price --- @Bos-Davis @Bos-Shields @Bos-Garza2
Tex @Cle-Harden --- @Cle-Wilson @Cle-Lewis @NYY-Harrison @NYY-Feldman @NYY-Harden2
Tor CWS-Tallet CWS-Romero CWS-Morrow CWS-Eveland LAA-Marcum LAA-Tallet2 LAA-Romero2

*-The Red Sox could move LHP Jon Lester ahead of RHP Clay Buchholz, their fifth starter.
**-LHP Scott Kazmir is expected to be ready to start Thursday or even Wednesday for the Angels. In an injury-rehab start Friday at high Class A Rancho Cucamonga against Inland Empire (Dodgers organization), Kazmir pitched 6 1/3 innings with a fastball that reached 93 mph
3*-The Yankees would have their fifth starter, RHP Phil Hughes, pitch against the Angels Thursday so New York could have two left-handers start against a Rangers lineup heavy with left-handed batters Josh Hamilton, Chris Davis and Julio Borbon.
AL Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Ari --- @LAD-Kennedy @LAD-Lopez @LAD-Haren @SD-Jackson @SD-Benson* @SD-Knnedy2
Atl @SD-Jurrjens --- @SD-Hanson @SD-Hudson Col-Lowe Col-Kawakmi Col-Jurrjens2
ChC Mil-Dempster --- Mil-Wells Mil-Zmbno** Ho-Silva Ho-Gorzlany Ho-Dempstr2
Cin @Fla-Cueto @Fla-Arryo-3* @Fla-Bailey @Fla-Harang @Pit-Leake @Pit-Cueto2 @Pit-Arroyo2
Col --- NYM-Smith NYM-Cook NYM-DeLaRsa @Atl-Hammel @Atl-Jimenez @Atl-Smith2
Fla Cin-Nolasco Cin-Robertsn Cin-Volstad Cin-Johnson @Phi-Sanchez @Phi-Nolasco2 @Phi-Robrtsn2
Ho @StL-Rdriguez --- @StL-Myers @StL-Norris @ChC-Paulino @ChC-Oswalt @ChC-Rdrguez2
LAD --- Ari-Kershaw Ari-Blingsley Ari-Kuroda SF-Padilla SF-Haeger SF-Kershaw2
Mil @ChC-Davis --- @ChC-Bush @ChC-Suppn-4* @Was-Gallardo @Was-Wolf @Was-Davis2
NYM --- @Col-Maine @Col-Niese @Col-Pelfrey @StL-Perez @StL-Santana @StL-Maine2
Phi Was-Hamels --- Was-Kendrick Was-Happ Fla-Moyer Fla-Halladay Fla-Hamels2
Pit @SF-Ohlndorf @SF-Maholm @SF-Morton --- Cin-Duke Cin-Olndorf2 Cin-Maholm2
StL Ho-Wanright --- Ho-Penny Ho-Lohse NYM-Garcia NYM-Carpenter NYM-Wanrght2
SD Atl-Correia --- Atl-Richard Atl-Latos Ari-Garland Ari-Correia2 Ari-Young-5*
SF Pit-Zito Pit-Cain Pit-Sanchez --- @LAD-Wlemeyr @LAD-Lincecum @LAD-Zito2
Was @Phi-Marquis --- @Phi-Stammen @Phi-Mock Mil-Lannan Mil-Hrnandez Mil-Marquis2

*-RHP Kris Benson, scheduled to start Monday at Triple-A Reno, is the pitcher most likely to become the Diamondbacks’ fifth starter when one is needed Saturday. Other possibilities are RHPs Billy Buckner, who started Sunday at Reno, and Kevin Mulvey, the Aces’ scheduled starter Tuesday.
**-The Cubs are likely to keep RHP Carlos Zambrano on an every-five-days schedule, pushing other starters back a day if there’s a day off in the schedule (which there is Tuesday).
3*-RHP Bronson Arroyo is expected to be able to make his next scheduled start Tuesday despite taking a line drive off his left calf from Cardinals OF Colby Rasmus.
4*-The Brewers are expected to give their fifth starter, RHP Jeff Suppan, his first start Thursday instead of having RHP Yovani Gallardo pitch on his usual four days’ rest.
5*-The Pirates are likely to skip their fifth starter, RHP Daniel McCutchen, and have RHP Ross Ohlendorf pitch on four days’ rest.
6*-Padres RHP Chris Young will miss his scheduled start during the series against the Braves because of a tight shoulder, but could be all right to start Sunday. If Young couldn’t go, LHP Wade LeBlanc could be recalled from Triple-A Portland. He’s scheduled to pitch Tuesday for the Beavers, so LeBlanc would be on his usual rest.

Schedule notes
Of the 30 teams, just six – Orioles, White Sox, Athletics and Blue Jays in the American League, and Reds and Marlins in the National League – are scheduled to play seven games this week. The others would play six times. Toronto is the only team that would play all seven at home. That’s a neutral park. Overall, the schedule slightly favors pitchers – with six games scheduled in pitchers’ parks at Seattle, Los Angeles, St. Louis and San Diego. The only teams that would play six home games in a hitters’ park are at Yankee Stadium and Wrigley Field.
Pitchers scheduled to start twice at home are RHPs Fausto Carmona, Carl Pavano, Ryan Dempster, Adam Wainwright and Kevin Correia, and LHPs Andy Pettitte, Ryan Rowland-Smith, Brian Tallet, Ricky Romero, Clayton Kershaw and Cole Hamels. Our highest recommendations are Wainwright, Romero and Kershaw, with Carmona as a live longshot.
In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer. In fact, there’s an update there today.
Today’s biggest news about closers is that the Rangers are replacing their closer, RHP Frank Francisco, with RHP Neftali Feliz after two spectacularly blown saves.

Making their mark: Mills, Reckling, Holland, Chacin

2010-04-11T10:29:00.000-07:00

On Thursday evenings during the regular season our Emails to you usually would consist of News and Notes. Those notes also could include items you would see on other days of the week – such as injuries, minor league news, changes in pitching rotations, players lighting it up or stinking up stadiums.
This week, because the minor league season didn’t begin until Thursday, we switched the News and Notes to Tuesday and are bringing you information on those opening games.
NOTE: We have extended the free period for these Emails through Sunday, April 18. After that date, the Emails would go only to those who subscribe.
During this weekend, we’ll provide you with information on how you can subscribe for five (or more)-times-a-week themed Emails during the regular season.
That subscription would include occasional Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay. He was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Let us know of your interest and what you’d like to see by Emailing lary@fantasybaseballscout.com.
Thanks for your continuing interest in and support of Fantasy Baseball Scout.

A key to first pitching call-ups
A rule of thumb is that the first pitcher a major league team recalls during the regular season is the Opening Day starting pitcher for its Triple-A affiliate. That isn’t always the case, because sometimes a team needs a pitcher to fill a specific role, such as left-handed relief specialist, and sometimes by the time the parent team needs a pitcher the Opening Day guy has been injured or has pitched himself out of consideration.
As a service to you, we’re providing a list of the starters for each of the 30 Triple-A teams’ opener.
Not entirely a list, though, because we want to single out a few – most of whom are top prospects who had exceptional pitching lines. The best effort was by Blue Jays LHP prospect Brad Mills, with a line of 620009 for Las Vegas. Angels LHP prospect Trevor Reckling’s line for Salt Lake City was 650023. Our Best Arm from the Farm, Rays RHP prospect Jeremy Hellickson, was 542116 for Durham. LHP Derek Holland, who was in the Rangers’ rotation last season and should be again this season before long, gave up a run on career minor leaguer Michael Restovich’s home run for Triple-A Albuquerque as part of a line of 651106. RHP Vin Mazzaro, down from the Athletics rotation, had a line of 4 1/3 0027 for Sacramento. The best line for a National League affiliate was the 510016 for Jhoulys Chacin with Colorado Springs in the Rockies’ organization.
The Red Sox sent RHP Boof Bonser to Pawtucket to start on an injury-rehab assignment. Others who have enough years that they’re no longer considered prospects were RHP Ruddy Lugo, Toledo (Tigers); RHP David Pauley, Tacoma (Mariners); RHP Josh Banks, Round Rock (Astros); RHP Kameron Loe, Nashville (Brewers); RHP Kevin Hart, Indianapolis (Pirates), and LHP Evan MacLane, Memphis (Cardinals).
The other Triple-A starters were RHP Chris Tillman, Norfolk (Orioles); RHP Lucas Harrell, Charlotte (White Sox); RHP Carlos Carrasco, Columbus (Indians); RHP Gaby Hernandez, Omaha (Royals); RHP Anthony Swarzak, Rochester (Twins); RHP Ivan Nova, Scranton (Yankees); RHP Kevin Mulvey, Reno (Diamondbacks); RHP Jim Parr, Gwinnett (Braves); RHP J.R. Mathes, Iowa (Cubs); RHP Sam LeCure, Louisville (Reds); RHP Ryan Tucker, New Orleans (Marlins); RHP James McDonald, Albuquerque (Dodgers); RHP Tobi Stoner, Buffalo (Mets); LHP Brian Mazone, Lehigh Valley (Phillies); LHP Wade LeBlanc, Portland (Padres); RHP Kevin Pucetas, Fresno (Giants), and RHP J.D. Martin, Syracuse (Nationals).
Making his regular-season pro debut Sunday is Nationals RHP prospect Stephen Strasburg, who will start for Double-A Harrisburg. That’s the same day Reds LHP prospect Aroldis Chapman is scheduled to start for Louisville at Toledo.
The day’s hitting hero was Indians C prospect Carlos Santana, who had a memorable Triple-A debut with two home runs in Columbus’ 17-4 rout of Indianapolis.

Major matters
The Rangers put C Salty on the 15-day disabled list because of a tight upper back. He told the team after Tuesday’s game, in which he struck out as a pinch hitter, that he had been injured Monday. GM Jon Daniels admitted that the team was upset, but added that there wouldn’t be any action taken against Salty. To take his place, Texas purchased from Triple-A Oklahoma City the contract of C Matt Treanor, a fantasy non-factor. In most games, C Taylor Teagarden will be given a chance to kill your fantasy team’s batting average.
Also missing the Rangers-Blue Jays game was 2B Aaron Hill, because of a tight right hamstring. In his place was 29-year-old minor league journeyman Mike McCoy, who led off the game with his first major league hit and had another single to drive in a run during Toronto’s game-winning three-run rally in the ninth inning.
The Mariners fortified their bullpen by adding RHP Jesus Colome. To make room, they designated OF Ryan Langerhans for assignment.
Jonny Gomes’ walk-off home run against Cardinals RHP Jason Motte gave the Reds a 2-1 victory at home.
Our Jarrod Washburn Award winner, RHP Kevin Slowey, earned his first win with a pitching line of 5 1/3 71123 in the Twins’ 10-1 rout at LA/Anaheim.

In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. We’ve also put a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games.
Blue Jays RHP Jason Frasor picked up his second save in their 3-1 victory at Texas. Toronto won with three runs in the ninth as the Rangers’ closer, RHP Frank Francisco pitched for the cycle – allowing a home run, triple, double and single in that order.
Indians RHP Chris Perez also had his second save, in a 5-3 win on the south side of Chicago.
Receiving their first save were Nationals RHP Matt Capps, 6-5 over the Phillies; Cubs RHP Carlos Marmol, in relief of RHP Randy Wells in a 2-0 victory in Atlanta; Orioles LHP Mike Gonzalez, finishing up for LHP Brian Matusz in a 5-4 win at Tampa Bay, and Marlins RHP Leo Nunez, in relief of LHP Nate Robertson as Florida won 3-1 at CitiField.

Reyes expected back, but not Berkman

2010-04-10T14:46:00.000-07:00

On Wednesdays during the regular season our Emails to you would include Injury Updates (which no longer include Mark Prior).
During this weekend, we’ll give you information on how you can subscribe for five (or more)-times-a-week themed Emails during the regular season.
That subscription would include occasional Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay. He was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Let us know of your interest and what you’d like to see by Emailing lary@fantasybaseballscout.com.
Thanks for your continuing interest in and support of Fantasy Baseball Scout.

Yankees, Cards have no players on the DL
Major league teams had 83 players on the disabled and restricted lists when the season began. The Yankees and Cardinals were the only teams with no one on the DL.
Some of those players are in the news because they’re likely to return soon or could be out longer than expected. In addition, someone seems to be added to the DL almost daily in the majors.
OOO Mets SS Jose Reyes went 2-for-5 in an extended spring training game at Port St. Lucie, Fla., Tuesday. He’s coming back from hyperthyroidism.
OOO Astros 1B Lance Berkman, who underwent arthroscopic surgery last month, had fluid drained from his left knee Monday. He’s eligible to come off the disabled list Monday, but it’s not certain when he would be able to come back.
OOO Rockies LHP Jeff Francis, on the 60-day DL because of soreness below his shoulder that sounds as if it could be Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, played catch from 60 feet Tuesday. RHP Huston Street visited Dr. James Andrews, who concurred with Colorado’s doctors that Street has no structural damage.
OOO There’s also no structural damage for Twins RHP Clay Condrey (strained flexor muscle in his elbow), but Minnesota has shut him down for 10-14 days.
OOO Indians RHP Kerry Wood (strained back) played catch from 90 feet, and was scheduled to throw from 110 feet Friday.
OOO Cubs LHP Ted Lilly was scheduled to pitch in an injury-rehab assignment for Triple-A Iowa Friday, but that start has been moved back to Sunday. Especially in an organization that has not been forthcoming with injury information, that’s not a good sign for Lilly.
OOO The Dodgers hope OF Andre Ethier, who turned his left ankle, could return to their lineup Saturday. X rays were negative.
OOO Braves manager Bobby Cox said he expected 3B Chipper Jones (right oblique muscle injury) to return in two or three days.
OOO Rays RHP Jeff Niemann was considered day-to-day because of a shoulder contusion caused when Orioles 3B/SS Miguel Cabrera hit it with a line drive.
Other players of note on the DL (15-day unless indicated with 60):
Orioles – RHP Koji Uehara; Red Sox – RHPs Daisuke Matsuzaka, Boof Bonser and Junichi Tazawa (60) and SS/3B Jed Lowrie; White Sox – C Ramon Castro; Indians – RHP Anthony Reyes and 1B/3B Russell Branyan; Tigers – RHP Ryan Miner and LHP Bobby Seay; Royals – RHP Gil Meche, 3B/1B Alex Gordon and 3B Josh Fields; Angels – LHP Scott Kazmir, RHP Anthony Ortega and OF Reggie Willits; Twins – RHP Joe Nathan and C Jose Morales; Athletics – RHPs Trevor Cahill and Michael Wuertz, LHP Josh Outman (60) and OF Coco Crisp; Mariners – LHPs Cliff Lee and Erik Bedard and 3B/1B Jack Hannahan; Rays – LHP J.P. Howell and OF Matt Joyce; Rangers – RHPs Tommy Hunter and Eric Hurley (60) and 2B Ian Kinsler, and Blue Jays – RHPs Dustin McGowan, Jesse Litsch (60) and Scott Richmond (60), and LHP Marc Rzepczynski.
Diamondbacks – RHP Brandon Webb; Braves – OF Jordan Schafer; Cubs – RHP Angel Guzman; Reds – RHP Edinson Volquez (60); Rockies – RHPs Taylor Buchholz and Greg Reynolds; Marlins – RHP Brian Sanches and OF Brett Carroll; Astros – RHPs Yorman Bazardo and Sammy Gervacio; Dodgers (no wonder their bullpen is so bad) – RHPs Cory Wade and Ronald Belisario (restricted) and LHP Hong-chih Kuo; Brewers – RHPs Jeff Suppan and David Riske and 3B Mat Gamel; Mets – RHP Kelvim Escobar; 1B/OF Daniel Murphy and OF Carlos Beltran; Phillies – RHPs Joe Blanton and Brad Lidge and LHP J.C. Romero; Pirates – RHP Joel Hanrahan; Padres – LHP Joe Thatcher; Giants – 2B Freddy Sanchez, SS Emmanuel Burriss and OF Fred Lewis, and Nationals – RHPs Chien-ming Wang (60) and Jordan Zimmerman (60), LHP Ross Detwiler (60) and Cs Chris Coste and Jesus Flores (60).

News and Notes
The Brewers re-signed RHP Yovani Gallardo to a contract that will pay him $30.1 million through 2014, with a team option for ’15.
The Cubs moved their Opening Day starter, RHP Carlos Zambrano, up a day in their rotation to Saturday and pushed LHP Tom Gorzelanny back to Sunday. The reasoning is that they want to have right-handers ready for next week’s series against the Brewers. That tells me that Chicago fears LF Ryan Braun more than left-handed-hitting 1B Prince Fielder. But really, isn’t Milwaukee just a team of three good players – Gallardo, Braun and Fielder – with SS Alcides Escobar potentially a fourth star? I mean, Jim Edmonds? Come on!

In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. We’ve also put a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games.
Twins RHP Jon Rauch is proving to be a worthy successor to RHP Joe Nathan, and the guy I told you they’d come up with to close games. He earned his second save in a 4-3 victory at LA/Anaheim.
Also receiving their second saves were Brewers RHP Trevor Hoffman, 5-4 over the Rockies, and Yankees RHP Mariano Rivera, 3-1 at Boston.
First saves went to Rays RHP Rafael Soriano, 4-3 against the Orioles; Blue Jays RHP Jason Frasor, 7-4 at Texas; Indians RHP Chris Perez (filling in for Wood), 5-3 on the south side of Chicago; Braves LHP Billy Wagner, 3-2 over the Cubs; Cardinals RHP Ryan Franklin, 6-3 at Cincinnati, and Diamondbacks RHP Chad Qualls, 5-3 vs. the Padres.
In the Marlins’ 7-6 victory over the Mets, Florida’s closer, RHP Leo Nunez, was the winning pitcher, with RHP Tim Wood earning a save. Phillies RHP Ryan Madson (replacing Lidge) worked overtime to get a save at Washington. The final score was 8-4, but Madson entered the game with a runner on base and two out in the eighth inning and shut down the Nationals for 1 1/3 innings.

Stewart leads majors' quick HR start

2010-04-10T12:42:00.000-07:00

Our regular Tuesday Emails during the season will be Minor League Updates, telling you about players on the move through their farm system. That could mean players who have been promoted or are likely to be, players who are performing exceptionally well (or poorly), top prospects who are injured or returning from injury, and information on the somewhat anonymous “minor leaguers” who are included in trades or mentioned in trade talks.
Because the minor league season doesn’t begin until Thursday, we’re changing our usual order so that this Tuesday Email will be News and Notes.
Wednesday, as usual, will include Injury Updates (preview, Mark Prior is still hurt somewhere). On Thursday, we’ll tell you about the minors’ Opening Day. The focus of that report will be the Triple-A Opening Day starters. Those are the first pitchers likely to be recalled to their major league affiliate; we’ll give you an idea of how viable they would be as major league and fantasy baseball pitchers.
By this weekend, we’ll give you information on how you can subscribe for five (or more)-times-a-week themed Emails during the regular season. Let us know of your interest and what you’d like to see by Emailing lary@fantasybaseballscout.com.
Thanks for your continuing interest in and support of Fantasy Baseball Scout.
News and Notes
The Orioles and Rays were the last teams to open this season. Their game made it so that there was at least one home run in each of the 15 openers.
Rockies 3B/2B Ian Stewart hit a homer in each of their first two games.
SS Everth Cabrera is in the Padres’ lineup because of his base-stealing ability and to a lesser extent defense. It was a huge bonus for San Diego that he drove in four runs in a 6-3 victory over the Diamondbacks.
RHP Kanekoa Texeira made the Mariners’ roster because of a sensational spring, but he didn’t do as well in his debut against the Athletics. His pitching line was 1 2/3 51112, with Oakland 2B Mark Ellis driving in the winning run with a single to give Texeira and Seattle a loss.
The Red Sox re-signed RHP Josh Beckett to a four-year, $68-million contract.
LHP Aroldis Chapman will make his first regular-season appearance in the U.S. Sunday when he pitches for the Reds’ Triple-A affiliate, Louisville, at Toledo of the Tigers’ organization. There’s likely to be a large crowd, possibly a sellout or more. I’ve covered a couple of extravaganzas involving international sensations. Orlando Hernandez’s career turned out to be pretty good, but Hideki Irabu didn’t deliver as promised. Chapman has an advantage over both of them in being several years younger.

In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. We’ll also have a FREE Article on the old site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games.
We’ve been promoting Giants RHP Brian Wilson as a likely National League saves leader. He’s off to a good start, with saves in each of San Francisco’s first two games. One of those was the customary easy-in, easy-out one clean inning with a three-run lead. The other was entering with a runner on base, one out and a three-run advantage. The result was the same: Wilson slammed the door. Not only is does he have a high-90s fastball, but he’s also on a rising team that is likely to win a lot – including a high number of close, savable games. My early assessment is that the Giants are light years ahead of the Dodgers and should battle the Rockies for the National League West title.
There weren’t really any nail-biting saves on Monday. The other saves were by Angels LHP Brian Fuentes, 6-3 over the Twins; Mariners RHP David Aardsma, 5-3 at Oakland, and Rockies LHP Franklin Morales, 5-3 at Milwaukee. Morales gave up a run, and it’s almost certain that RHP Huston Street would resume his role as Colorado’s closer when he comes off the disabled list.
Also on Monday, Blue Jays RHP Jason Frasor blew a save at Texas, giving up two runs in a third of an inning. He appeared to throw very well, and was in part a victim of poor luck or timing. Frasor gave up an infield hit to DH Vladimir Guerrero and a bloop double by RF Nelson Cruz on a pitch that appeared to fool him. Bottom line: Don’t write off Frasor as a possibility.
Tuesday’s savers (saviors?) were Wilson; Yankees RHP Mariano Rivera, 6-4 at Boston; Twins RHP Jon Rauch, 5-3 at LA/Anaheim; Padres RHP Heath Bell, 6-3 at Arizona, and Brewers RHP Trevor Hoffman, 7-5 over the Rockies. Hoffman gave up a run on two hits. The most impressive save might have been by Rauch. He dispatched three Angels, two with strikeouts.
The Orioles’ new closer, LHP Mike Gonzalez, blew a save in a 4-3 loss at Tampa Bay. My feeling is that Gonzalez’s arm hasn’t been right since shortly after he arrived in Atlanta. I’d stay away from him, and expect to see him on the DL before long. Baltimore’s best alternative could be RHP Jim Johnson.

Maier, Porcello have best springs; Maxwell, Garcia struggle

2010-04-04T21:59:00.000-07:00

On Mondays this season, we will give you a Weekend Update/Hot and Not, to tell you what has been going on and what to expect that to mean going forward.
This week’s Email indicates who was hot and who struggled during spring training.
We usually begin compiling this information as soon as possible after the last game on Sunday. That can get the information to you most weeks before Monday’s games are played. Patriots Day is more difficulty with the Monday morning start.
We don’t give you just statistics about what happened the previous week. We’ll tell you who has been hot (or not) for a longer term, which players are having a yo-yo, up-and-down season and which hot journeymen are likely to go back where they came from. There’s nothing more frustrating than having a player on your roster waiting for him to produce, taking him out of the starting lineup and watching him produce when it doesn’t count for you, then putting him back in the lineup in time for him to bat .050 with no homers, RBI or stolen bases – or two losses and a 12.00 ERA. You get the picture.
Later in the week, we’ll give you information on how you can subscribe for five (or more)-times-a-week themed Emails during the regular season. Let us know of your interest and what you’d like to see by Emailing lary@fantasybaseballscout.com.
Thanks for your continuing interest in and support of Fantasy Baseball Scout.
Hot
The spring training qualifying numbers for batters are 50 at-bats for batting average and at least a .280 batting average in the other categories. We didn’t include Sunday’s Mariners-Giants exhibition.
Pos. Name, Team H-AB BA HR-RBI SB
OF Mitch Maier, Royals 28-59 .475 3-19 0
SS/2B Mike Aviles, Royals 24-51 .471 0-8 1
OF Tyler Colvin, Cubs 36-77 .468 2-8 2
2B Sean Rodriguez, Rays 39-63 .460 6-17 1
2B Alberto Callaspo, Royals 22-50 .440 0-8 0
3B/OF Jose Bautista, Jays 25-57 .439 5-11 2
OF Aaron Rowand, Giants 24-55 .436 1-10 1
OF Jeremy Reed, Jays 22-51 .431 0-10 3
3B Michael Young, Rangers 27-63 .429 1-9 0
OF Kyle Blanks, Padres 24-59 .407 2-16 3
OF/1B Michael Cuddyer, Twins 24-59 .407 3-11 0
OF Shin-soo Choo, Indians 22-56 .393 3-16 2
3B Ryan Zimmerman, Nats 22-56 .393 6-13 0
OF Josh Reddick, Red Sox 23-59 .390 2-9 0
1B/3B Kevin Youkilis, R.Sox 21-54 .389 2-8 0
OF Justin Upton, D-backs 22-57 .386 6-20 3
1B Troy Glaus, Braves 20-52 .385 0-11 0
C George Kottaras, Brewers 20-52 .385 3-11 1
2B/1B Martin Prado, Braves 23-60 .383 2-9 0
2B Jonathan Herrera, Rockies 21-55 .382 0-8 1
1B Kendry Morales, Angels 24-63 .381 3-18 0
Of 254 players who had 50-plus at-bats, 21 had averages better than .380 and 21 had marks below .200.
Maier and Colvin rode strong springs to major league jobs.
Sean Rodriguez had one of the best springs of any player, but I’m still not convinced that would translate into a big regular season for him. If he struggles, the Rays have SS Reid Brignac and 2B/OF Ben Zobrist as fall-back positions.
We’ve been all over Bautista and Choo in these emails.
There isn’t room for Reddick in Boston, but he solidified his status as a prospect.
Glaus’ high average is a plus, but if he doesn’t show more power he’s not much of an improvement for Atlanta at first base. The Braves don’t want him running the bases; they want him clearing them. Prado, by the way, is one of manager Bobby Cox’s favorites, along with utility man Omar Infante.
Herrera was one of Colorado’s rookies of the year in their camp. Watch out, Clint Barmes.
Home runs – Astros 3B Chris Johnson 8; Rodriguez, Upton, Zimmerman, Giants OF John Bowker, Blue Jays 2B Aaron Hill, Angels C Mike Napoli and Pirates OF/2B Delwyn Young 6; Bautista, Rangers OF Nelson Cruz, Nationals 1B Brad Eldred and OF Josh Willingham, Reds OFs Jonny Gomes and Drew Stubbs, Orioles OF Adam Jones, Rays 3B Evan Longoria, Cardinals OFs Ryan Ludwick and Colby Rasmus, and Mets 3B David Wright 5.
RBI – Padres 3B/OF Chase Headley 23; Bowker and Johnson 22; Cruz and Upton 20; Maier 19; Brignac, Colvin, Morales, Young and Astros OF Hunter Pence 18.
News flash! Bowker drove in his 23rd run of the spring today in San Francisco’s rain-shortened 7-1 loss to Seattle.
Stolen bases – Brewers OF Carlos Gomez 11; Angels OF Peter Bourjos and Padres OFs Luis Durango and Will Venable 9; Nationals OF Nyjer Morgan 8; Padres OF Aaron Cunningham and Mariners OF Ichiro Suzuki 7; Astros OF Michael Bourn, Eric Bruntlett, Nationals SS Ian Desmond, Cardinals SS/2B Felipe Lopez, Athletics SS Cliff Pennington, White Sox OF Juan Pierre, Brewers OF Adam Stern and Giants OF/2B Eugenio Velez 6.
Runs – Rodriguez 20; Rangers OF Pedro Borbon and Tigers OF Austin Jackson 18; Blanks and Astros 2B Kazuo Matsui 17; Aviles, Bautista, Colvin, Cruz, Venable and Rangers OF Josh Hamilton 16.
Hand Name, Team IP W-L ERA WHIP K:W
RHP Rick Porcello, Tigers 22.1 1-1 1.21 0.72 10:3
RHP John Lackey, Red Sox 20.0 1-1 1.35 0.90 8:1
RHP Fausto Carmona, Indians 26.0 3-0 1.38 0.65 12:2
RHP Kyle Kendrick, Phillies 24.2 1-1 1.46 0.77 10:5
LHP Jorge De La Rosa, Rockies 30.0 3-1 1.50 1.07 24:7
RHP Tim Hudson, Braves 24.0 3-2 1.50 1.25 20:4
RHP Rodrigo Lopez, D-backs 22.0 1-0 1.64 0.91 16:4
RHP Ricky Nolasco, Marlins 25.1 3-0 1.78 0.71 21:1
LHP Dana Eveland, Jays 25.0 0-1 1.80 1.28 21:6
RHP Kevin Slowey, Twins 27.2 4-0 1.95 0.90 20:4
LHP Wade LeBlanc, Padres 23.0 4-0 1.96 0.96 17:3
Eighty-four pitchers worked at least 20 spring innings. Eleven had ERAs below 2.00; 13 were at 6.00 or higher.
From the group above, we’ve been high on Carmona, De La Rosa, Nolasco and Slowey.
Wins – LeBlanc, Slowey, Red Sox RHP Tim Wakefield and Cubs RHP Randy Wells 4; Carmona, De La Rosa, Hudson, Nolasco, Giants LHPs Jeremy Affeldt and Jonathan Sanchez, and RHP Todd Wellemeyer, Brewers LHP Zach Braddock, Rangers RHP Scott Feldman, Rockies RHP Ubaldo Jimenez, Diamondbacks RHP Ian Kennedy, Padres RHP Mat Latos, Cardinals RHP Kyle Lohse, Rays RHP Jeff Niemann, Blue Jays LHP Ricky Romero and Indians RHP Jamey Wright 3.
Wins are even more circumstantial during spring training than they are during the regular season. We’re on record as liking Latos better than LeBlanc.
Saves –Tigers RHP Robbie Weinhardt 4-for-6; Nationals LHP Jesse English 3-3; Braddock, Phillies RHP Danys Baez, Mariners RHP Jesus Colome, Cubs LHP John Grabow, Dodgers RHPs Javy Guerra and Russ Ortiz, Blue Jays LHP Rommie Lewis, Rangers RHP Dustin Nippert, Tigers RHP Josh Rainwater, Giants RHPs Sergio Romo and Brian Wilson, Astros RHP Chris Sampson and Rays RHP Andy Sonnanstine.
Most of those pitchers have no more chance than you do of saving a game in the majors this year. The obvious exception is Wilson. Possibilities for some saves are English, Baez, Colome, Grabow, Romo and Sampson. The Tigers have used spring training as a proving ground for young relievers such as Weinhardt and Rainwater. Two years ago, RHP Freddy Dolsi received good exposure in Florida.
K:W ratio (at least 20 strikeouts) – Nolasco 21:1; Niemann 24:3; Orioles LHP Brian Matusz 21:3; Orioles RHP David Hernandez 20:3; Twins LHP Francisco Liriano 30:5; Dodgers RHP Ramon Ortiz 22:4; Hudson and Slowey 20:4; Red Sox RHP Josh Beckett 22:5; Cardinals LHP Jaime Garcia 20:5; Rangers LHP C.J. Wilson 22:6; Cubs RHP Ryan Dempster 25:7; Eveland 21:6; De La Rosa 24:7; Cubs RHP Carlos Marmol 20:7.
Improved control and lower pitch counts were instrumental in allowing Garcia and Wilson to win sports in their team’s rotation.
Not
Pos. Name, Team H-AB BA HR-RBI SB
OF Jason Maxwell, Nationals 5-50 .100 1-4 4
OF Nate McLouth, Braves 6-51 .118 1-4 3
OF Raul Ibanez, Phillies 7-54 .130 1-3 0
2B Alexi Casilla, Twins 7-52 .135 0-2 1
OF/1B Marcus Thames, Yanks 7-52 .135 2-2 0
3B/OF Jake Fox, Athletics 8-53 .151 3-9 0
3B Josh Fields, Royals 8-51 .157 1-12 0
3B Ryan Rohlinger, Giants 9-57 .158 0-6 1
1B Justin Morneau, Twins 8-50 .160 2-8 0
OF Jody Gerut, Brewers 10-59 .169 1-11 2
SS Cesar Izturis, Orioles 9-53 .170 0-4 1
OF Corey Hart, Brewers 11-64 .172 2-7 0
1B Carlos Pena, Rays 9-51 .176 2-7 0
1B/3B Robb Quinlan, Angels 9-51 .176 0-4 1
C Miguel Montero, D-backs 9-50 .180 0-6 0
2B Skip Schumaker, Cards 14-77 .182 0-4 1
3B/2B Ryan Roberts, D-backs 10-54 .185 2-6 0
1B/OF Daniel Murphy, Mets 10-51 .196 2-8 1
OF Jeff Francoeur, Mets 12-61 .197 2-6 1
2B Dan Uggla, Marlins 12-61 .197 2-7 0
3B/2B Casey McGehee, Brewers 13-66 .197 1-7 0
Caught stealing – Mariners 3B/2B Chone Figgins 3-for-8; Pirates OF Andrew McCutchen 3-7; Diamondbacks SS Stephen Drew 1-4; Rangers 2B Joaquin Arias and Indians OF Michael Brantley 2-5; Rangers OF Julio Borbon and Orioles SS Justin Turner 3-6; Angels SS Erick Aybar 5-8; Durango 9-12.
K:W ratio (20 strikeouts): Thames 21:2; Rangers 1B Chris Davis 22:3; Rangers C Taylor Teagarden 21:3; Maxwell 21:9; Phillies 1B Ryan Howard 20:8; Athletics OF Jack Cust 20:9; Brewers 2B Rickie Weeks 20:10.
Oakland has designated Cust for assignment. Weeks either was grossly overrated coming out of Southern University or has been a gigantic disappointment. I’m asked about him frequently, and I don’t remember recommending him over anyone.
Hand Name, Team IP W-L ERA WHIP K:W
RHP Freddy Garcia, W.Sox 21.2 1-2 10.38 2.03 13:4
RHP Jason Marquis, Nats 20.2 2-2 9.15 2.03 8:10
RHP Rich Harden, Rangers 22.1 1-3 8.87 1.88 21:15
RHP Jeremy Guthrie, Orioles 20.2 0-4 7.40 1.98 16:13
RHP Wade Davis, Rays 21.1 3-1 7.17 2.11 17:14
RHP Ian Snell, Mariners 24.0 1-4 7.13 1.42 18:3
RHP Anibal Sanchez, Marlins 24.0 1-3 6.38 1.75 19:12
LHP Barry Zito, Giants 22.2 0-2 6.35 1.81 16:8
LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith, Mariners 23.0 0-2 6.26 1.61 16:3
RHP Mike Pelfrey, Mets 26.1 0-4 6.15 1.48 16:2
RHP Adam Wainwright, Cards 22.0 0-2 6.14 1.59 20:6
LHP Marc Rzepczynski, Jays 20.2 0-2 6.10 1.60 14:8
LHP Cole Hamels, Phillies 24.0 1-1 6.00 1.46 18:6
Losses – Guthrie, Pelfrey, Snell, Reds RHP Bronson Arroyo, Yankees RHP Phil Hughes, Nationals RHP Garrett Mock and Astros LHP Wandy Rodriguez.
Blown saves – Reds RHP Jared Burton and Phillies RHP Jose Contreras 0-for-3.
What spring training means for teams
The impact is pretty much what teams make of it.
No doubt the Athletics, Mariners and Rangers – who had three of the four worst spring records among American League teams – are pointing to last year’s National League, where the Cardinals were the only team that finished the spring ahead of the pack and went on to reach the playoffs.
On the other hand, the Rays, Indians, Angels and Tigers, who would be this year’s playoff teams if they qualified on the basis of spring-training records, are using the examples of last year’s Angels, Yankees and Twins. Those teams led their divisions in exhibition games and in the regular season. The fourth AL playoff team, the Red Sox, finished .006 behind Minnesota. The Rangers would have been the wild card if they had held the place where they finished in the spring.
The National League leaders this spring were the Giants in the West, braves in the East, Cubs in the Central and Padres as the wild card. The thinking this spring has been that the AL West will be better, or at least more competitive, this season than it has been in years. Yet the Angels topped those four teams with a mediocre 13-15 record. It’s still a safe bet to think the AL West would be more competitive during this year’s postseason.

Aces high on list of recommendations

2010-04-04T13:00:00.000-07:00

Our Emails previewing the following week’s games take the form primarily of a pitching chart listing the starting pitchers for each team each day Monday-Sunday.
Our target is to get the previews out Saturday morning, but that’s not often easy to do. The reason you don’t see a lot of these pitching charts is that it’s very difficult to project up to a week in advance who will be making something like 180 starts.
Remember, these are pitchers we’re dealing with: probably the most volatile group, with the most physical concerns, of any athletes in any sport. We often get on Friday night what appears to be a pretty good handle for the coming week, only to discover by morning that a pitcher has strained an oblique or slammed his hand in a car door, or that his wife is going into labor.
We’ll stack our pitching charts up against anyone’s, but if it takes us until Saturday evening or even Sunday morning, please forgive us. We’d rather give you the most up-to-date information than come out first with a chart that will be full of holes by Tuesday.
Later in the week, we’ll give you information on how you can subscribe for five (or more)-times-a-week themed Emails during the regular season. Let us know of your interest and what you’d like to see by Emailing lary@fantasybaseballscout.com.
Thanks for your patience and continuing interest and support of Fantasy Baseball Scout.
Projected starting pitchers, April 4-11
AL Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Bal --- --- @TB-Millwod @TB-Guthrie @TB-Matusz Tor-Bergesn Tor-Hrnandz Tor-Mlwod2
Bost NYY-Beckett --- NYY-Lester NYY-Lackey --- @KC-Wakefld @KC-Becktt2 @KC-Bchhlz*
CWS --- Cle-Buehrle --- Cle-Peavy Cle-Floyd Min-Danks Min-Garcia Min-Buhrle2
Cleve --- @CWS-Westbrk --- @CWS-Crmona @CWS-Mastrsn @Det-Huff @Det-Talbot @Det-Wstbrk2
Det --- @KC-Verlandr --- @KC-Scherzer @KC-Willis Cle-Porcello Cle-Bndrmn Cle-Vrlndr2
KC --- Det-Greinke --- Det-Hochevr Det-Bannistr Bos-Davies Bos-Grinke2 Bos-Mdza**
LAA --- Min-Weaver Min-Saundrs Min-Santana Min-Pineiro Oak-Palmr3* Oak-Weavr2 Oak-Sundrs2
Min --- @LAA-Baker @LAA-Blakbrn @LAA-Pavano @LAA-Slowey @CWS-Lrano4* @CWS-Baker2 @CWS-Blkbrn2
NYY @Bos-Sabathia --- @Bos-Burnett @Bos-Pettitte --- @TB-Vazquez @TB-Sbathia2 @TB-Bnt2-5*
Oak --- Sea-Sheets Sea-Braden Sea-Dchschr Sea-Andersn @LAA-Cahill @LAA-Sheets2 @LAA-Braden2
Sea --- @Oak-Hrnandz @Oak-Snell @Oak-Rd-Smh @Oak-Fister @Tex-Vargs6* @Tex-Hrnndz2 @Tex-Snell2
TB --- --- Bal-Shields Bal-Garza Bal-Niemnn NYY-Price NYY-Davis NYY-Shields2
Tex --- Tor-Feldman --- Tor-Harden Tor-Wilson Sea-Lewis Sea-Harrison Sea-Fldmn2
Tor --- @Tex-Marcum --- @Tex-Tallet @Tex-Romero @Bal-Morrow @Bal-Rcpnski @Bal-Marcm2

*- The Red Sox could give a Sunday, April 11, start to their fifth starter, RHP Clay Buchholz, or they could come back with LHP Jon Lester on his usual four days’ rest.
**- With RHP Gil Meche on the disabled list, the Royals will have to come up with a fifth starter. That could be RHP Robinson Tejeda out of Kansas City’s bullpen or RHP Luis Mendoza, just acquired from the Rangers. KC 3B Alex Gordon also is beginning the season on the disabled list because of a displaced fracture of his right thumb.
3*- The Angels put LHP Scott Kazmir on the DL because of a strained right hamstring. Taking his place in the rotation will be RHP Matt Palmer.
4*- The Twins have abandoned an idea to have LHP Francisco Liriano replace their injured closer, RHP Joe Nathan. As a result, Liriano will be Minnesota’s fifth starter and RHP Jon Rauch will be its closer.
5*- The Yankees’ choice Sunday, April 11, will be between RHP A.J. Burnett on four days’ rest or their fifth starter, RHP Phil Hughes.
6*- With LHP Cliff Lee unable physically to start the season, LHP Jason Vargas is expected to be in the Mariners’ rotation as their fifth starter.
NL Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Ari SD-Haren SD-Jackson SD-Kennedy --- Pit-Lopez* Pit-Buckner Pit-Haren2
Atl ChC-Lowe --- ChC-Jurrjens ChC-Hanson @SF-Hudson @SF-Kawakmi @SF-Lowe2
ChC @Atl-Zmbrano --- @Atl-Dempster @Atl-Wells @Cin-Silva @Cin-Gorzlnny @Cin-Zmbrno2
Cin StL-Harang --- StL-Cueto StL-Arroyo ChC-Bailey ChC-Leake** ChC-Harang2
Col @Mil-Jimenez @Mil-Smith3* @Mil-Cook --- SD-DeLaRsa SD-Hammel SD-Jimenez2
Fla @NYM-Johnson --- @NYM-Nolasco @NYM-Sanchez LAD-Volstad LAD-Robrtson LAD-Johnson2
Ho SF-Oswalt SF-Rdriguez SF-Myers --- Phi-Norris Phi-Paulino Phi-Oswalt2
LAD @Pit-Padilla --- @Pit-Kershaw @Pit-Billngsley @Fla-Kuroda @Fla-Haeger @Fla-Padilla2
Mil Col-Gallardo Col-Wolf Col-Davis --- StL-Bush StL-Gallardo2 StL-Suppan4*
NYM Fla-Santana --- Fla-Maine Fla-Niese Was-Pelfrey Was-Perez Was-Santana2
Phi @Was-Halladay --- @Was-Hamels @Was-Kndrck5* @Ho-Happ @Ho-Moyer @Ho-Hlladay2
Pit LAD-Duke --- LAD-Ohlendrf LAD-Maholm @Ari-Morton @Ari-McCtchn @Ari-Duke2
StL @Cin-Carpenter --- @Cin-Wanwrigt @Cin-Penny @Mil-Lohse @Mil-Garcia @Mil-Carpentr2
SD @Ari-Garland @Ari-Young @Ari-Correia --- @Col-Richard @Col-Latos @Col-Garland2
SF @Ho-Lincecum @Ho-Zito @Ho-Cain --- Atl-Sanchez Atl-Wlemeyr Atl-Lncecm2
Was Phi-Lannan --- Phi-Marquis Phi-Stammen @NYM-Olsen @NYM-Detwiler @NYM-Lannan2

*- The Diamondbacks have purchased the contract of RHP Rodrigo Lopez, who has used up most of his nine major league lives, from Triple-A Reno and will have him start while RHP Brandon Webb is on the disabled list.
**- Rookie RHP Mike Leake will be making his professional debut Saturday as the Reds’ fifth starter.
3*- With LHP Jeff Francis on the disabled list because of shoulder discomfort, LHP Greg Smith has moved into the Rockies’ rotation.
4*- The Brewers could have LHP Randy Wolf come back to start again on his usual four days’ rest, but they’re more likely to have RHP Jeff Suppan take his first turn Sunday.
5*- RHP Kyle Kendrick lost a battle to become the Phillies’ fifth starter to ancient LHP Jamie Moyer, but will take RHP Joe Blanton’s place in the rotation. Blanton will be on the disabled list for at least the season’s first two weeks, and possibly for more than a month, because of a strained left oblique muscle. Philadelphia’s closer, RHP Brad Lidge, and LHP J.C. Romero also are beginning the season on the DL. RHP Ryan Madson most likely will replace Lidge.
Schedule notes
All but four teams – the Angels, Twins, Athletics and Mariners, who would play seven games – are scheduled to play six times this week. LA/Anaheim would have the biggest advantage because all seven of its games would be at home.
The fantasy impact is that it’s a good week to play hitters and relief pitchers from those four teams, particularly the Angels, because they would have 17 per cent more chances to play than those in six games.
Scheduled to play six games at home are the White Sox, Royals, Rays, Rangers, Diamondbacks, Reds, Astros, Brewers and Mets. Overall, it should be a better week for hitters than for pitchers with those games on Chicago’s south side and at Texas, Arizona and Cincinnati.
Pitchers scheduled to start twice at home are RHPs Zack Greinke, Jered Weaver, James Shields, Scott Feldman, Dan Haren, Aaron Harang, Roy Oswalt and Yovani Gallardo, and LHPs Mark Buehrle, Joe Saunders and Johan Santana.
The first week of the season features good pitching because virtually every team gets two starts out of its best pitcher – the Opening Day starter. Our highest recommendations among those aces are Greinke, Haren, Gallardo and Saunders, with Shields as a live longshot.

Struggles for Meche, Peavy, Burnett, Hughes, Chapman

2010-04-04T07:43:00.000-07:00

On Monday, March 22, both the winning and losing pitchers struggled and finished the game with 6.55 ERAs as the Royals defeated the White Sox 9-5. It was a day that signaled hope for some players and concerns about others.
Kansas City RHP Gil Meche left because of a stiff shoulder after producing a pitching line of 343311. White Sox RHP Jake Peavy’s ERA really soared with his line of 3 10 7704. Royals reserve middle infielders Willie Bloomquist (.556 average) and Mike Aviles (.538) continued to hit. Let’s see how they do back in KC.
In the Tigers’ 8-2 victory over the Blue Jays, Detroit 3B Brandon Inge hit his first home run this spring. He’s recovering from surgery on both knees, but manager Jim Leyland expects Inge to be ready for Opening Day.
The Phillies roughed up Yankees RHPs A.J. Burnett and Phil Hughes to win 9-7. Starter Burnett had a line of 475534, and Hughes’ line of 4 1/3 4406 included three homers. SS Wilson Valdez went deep against Hughes in the bottom of the ninth inning to win the game.
In one of the spring’s best performances, Indians RHP Fausto Carmona looked like the 19-game-winning 1997 model Carmona in a 9-2 victory over the Cubs. His line was 620002, and Chicago manager Lou Piniella said Carmona had the “best start of any of the pitchers who’ve faced us.” Cubs RHP Jeff Samardzija clung to his hope of landing a spot in their rotation with a line of 442224 that improved his ERA to 6.75.
3B Ryan Zimmerman and LF Josh Willingham hit two homers and drove in three runs apiece against Mets RHP Mike Pelfrey, whose line was 4 2/3 76513 in a 7-5 loss to the Nationals.
The Rockies defeated the Reds 9-1, but the news was all about Cincinnati rookie LHP Aroldis Chapman’s difficulty – a line of 1 2/3 24022 before leaving the game because of a stiff lower back. SS Drew Sutton’s error led to the runs. Colorado 1B Brad Eldred did some damage with two homers, and LHP Jorge De La Rosa dominated with a line of 5 1/3 31115. The Reds’ only run came on OF Drew Stubbs’ third homer.
Back to Chapman. His injury was diagnosed as back spasms, on a day when backs were all over the news. Cardinals 1B Albert Pujols underwent an MRI exam and received an anti-inflammatory injection because of a tight lower back.

Fantasy Baseball Scout honors

2010-04-02T22:31:00.000-07:00

First, an apology.
I had hoped that we’d be able to provide as much information this spring as we have in years past while rebuilding the web site and operating as a free site.
We have given you some pretty good information, but not with the volume or consistency we would have liked. In the absence of revenue from fantasybaseballscout.com, I have had to seek other sources of income. Those other jobs, family and other day-to-day concerns have taken a lot of time away from Emailing and blogging.
This Email will inform you briefly about some of the annual awards and other information we give you concerning sleepers, minor league pitchers and such.
We have had a number of requests from people trying to subscribe to our site. We have had to decline politely their requests to pay us, thanking them for their continued interest.
With the season coming up, we can offer a couple of services to former subscribers and other interested people – for modest fees.
We would offer those based on the amount of interest expressed. You should be able to understand that if we offer a service for $20 or $25 for the season, it would make a lot more sense if a thousand or even a hundred people signed up than if he had 5 or 10 subscribers.
Possible services would be
1) In-season Emails, five or more times a week. These would be the same as we have offered in the past: pitching charts on Saturdays, Weekend Update/Hot and Not on Mondays, minor league updates Tuesdays, injury updates Wednesdays and News and Notes Thursdays.
2) An Email or text service to answer questions specific to your fantasy teams. We would offer renewable packages of – for example, 5, 10 or 20 questions – with the rate per question lower at the higher volumes.
3) You could also request a specific service. We could weigh the demand and the feasibility and add offer such a service.
If you’d be interested in any kind of in-season package, please Email me at lary@fantasybaseballscout. Or Email me anyway with any comments or suggestions.
In the meantime, we’ll be giving you regular Emails through the regular season’s first week.
Fantasy Baseball Scout award winners
Since the time we selected Derrek Lee as the breakout batter of 2003, our first year in operation, we have selected such a player for the (named after his big success, following an interview in Jupiter, Fla., with Lee himself) preseason Derrek Lee Award.
The 2010 winner is Astros RF Hunter Pence, who should be able to help you in five offensive categories if enough of his teammates get on base or drive him in. We’re also very high on Indians OF Shin-soo Choo, who probably would be considered an emerging superstar if he played in New York or Boston instead of Cleveland.
Our 2010 Jarrod Washburn Award winner (for the inexpensive pitcher who will rack up the wins, as our privately recommended Washburn had in 2002) is a familiar name – Twins RHP Kevin Slowey. He was a 2009 winner as well. Slowey still meets our criteria because he hasn’t won more than 13 games in a season. He would have exceeded that level easily if he hadn’t been injured last season, and the same elements are there to predict success for Slowey in ’10.
Other honorees
Best Arm from the Farm: Rays RHP Jeremy Hellickson. Tampa Bay has been very patient to date with Hellickson, who has done nothing but win at every level of the minor leagues. He’s not likely to begin this season in the Rays’ rotation, but expect to see him there by midseason. Don’t expect him to walk many batters. Control has been the major secret of his success.
Most Improved Lineup: There haven’t been major changes, but the Twins should have overall improvement. The only wild card is their new stadium, which is expected to be offensively neutral, with no more doubles off the baggie.
Look at these elements. Two of the best offensive performers in baseball, C Joe Mauer and 1B Justin Morneau. Each missed nearly a month last season, and still were among the Americn League leaders. They still are young enough to improve their performance. So are OFs Jason Kubel and Michael Cuddyer, each capable of driving in 100 runs. Jim Thome has been added as the DH. He’s no longer a 40-home run threat, but he’ll walk enough to be on base when a teammate homers. Speaking of scoring runs, CF Denard Span is another budding star at the top of the lineup. Orlando Hudson and J.J. Hardy, added as the middle-infield starters, will be much better than the automatic outs they’re replacing. The piece that really could put the Twins’ offense over the top is LF Delmon Young. Minnesota has so many potent left-handed bats – Mauer, Morneau, Kubel, Thome, Span – that pitchers will save southpaws to pitch against the Twinkies. More lefties mean more opportunities for the right-handed-batting Young.

Baker sizzles on a rainy day

2010-03-22T15:38:00.000-07:00

Of the 18 games scheduled, just half were played to a nine-inning conclusion. Five games in Florida were rained out, the Astros’ 10-7 victory over the Red Sox was called after 7 ½ innings because of rain and three games in Arizona ended in ties.
Houston beat up on Boston RHP Jonathan Papelbon. He said he lacked energy after taking medication for a migraine, and that could have contributed to a line of 1/3 56510 (plus plunking a guy) that increased his ERA to 7.11.
Also in Florida, Twins RHP Scott Baker sparkled with a line of 510013 in a 12-3 victory over the Rays. Minnesota mauled Tampa Bay RHP Wade Davis, whose line was 297511. OF Matt Joyce hit his first homer against struggling Twins RHP Clay Condrey, and raised Joyce’s average to .375. LHP Jesse English, claimed on waivers from the Giants last September, picked up his second save in the Nationals’ 9-7 win over the Marlins. English entered the game with one out and a runner on base in the ninth, and pitched out of trouble. He hasn’t yet pitched above Double-A during the regular season.
Some teams made contingency plans to keep their pitchers on schedule despite being postponed. Tigers RHP Justin Verlander threw after busing back to Lakeland, Fla., from their rainout against the Yankees. New York added an intrasquad game Monday morning, with today’s scheduled pitchers, LHP Andy Pettitte and RHP Joba Chamberlain, opposing each other. RHPs A.J. Burnett and Phil Hughes would pitch in the scheduled game. The Braves and Cardinals started their game, but without Atlanta’s scheduled starter, RHP Jair Jurrjens. The Braves held him back to pitch in a minor league game Monday. In his place, RHP Peter Moylan pitched in the game that didn’t make it through two innings. He excited Atlanta’s management by striking out St. Louis OF Colby Rasmus and 1B Albert Pujols.
In Arizona, Reds OF Jonny Gomes clubbed his fourth homer in a 4-3 victory over the Athletics.
The Indians routed the Dodgers 12-5, with OF Austin Kearns hitting his first two homers, against LA LHPs Eric Stults and rookie Aaron Miller. Dodgers OF Garret Anderson had three hits, including a triple that resulted when CF Grady Sizemore missed a diving catch and LF Jose Constanza fell down on the warning track.
On my TV were the Rangers, who scored five runs in the third inning, and the Padres who overcame the five-run deficit with six in the fourth and eight in the eighth to win 14-5. Texas RHP Rich Harden couldn’t get out of that fourth inning. He walked three consecutive batters, and gave up a three-run homer to San Diego SS/OF Jerry Hairston. Harden’s ERA rose to 11.25. Three errors contributed to the Padres’ big eighth inning. Having a big day was San Diego SS prospect Lance Zawadzki – who went 2-for-3, scored two runs and raised his average to .412. Rangers C Jarrod Saltalamacchia couldn’t play because of a stiff neck, which is expected to keep him out 7-10 days.
Giants RHP Kevin Pucetas struggled to an 8.04 ERA in four starts last spring, but reduced this year’s mark to 0.64 in three starts with a line of 531120 in a 4-3 win over the Diamondbacks. On the other hand, Arizona RHP Edwin Jackson continued to struggle this spring. His line of 4 2/3 54440 include a home run by OF John Bowker.
Two of the tie games went 10 innings. OF Laynce Nix’s homer was the Reds’ only run in their 1-1 tie with the Cubs. LF Ryan Braun hit his third homer for the Brewers as they deadlocked the White Sox 4-4. The Rockies and Royals just quit playing after nine innings of their 11-11 tie.
The Mets picked up a Big 10 victory, 8-1 over the University of Michigan. RHP Nelson Figueroa was the winning pitcher, and OF/1B Chris Carter went 3-for-3 for New York.
The Twins pleased their fans by extending the contract of C Joe Mauer, a hometown favorite, for eight years through 2018, paying $184 million and including a full no-trade clause.
The Cardinals optioned struggling RHP Josh Kinney to Triple-A Memphis, creating an opening for RHPs Adam Ottavino or Fernando Salas to earn a spot in their bullpen. Other possibilities are the losers of the battle for the fifth starter’s role among RHP Kyle McClellan and LHPs Rich Hill and Jaime Garcia.
Inside the injuries:
The Indians’ closer, RHP Kerry Wood, will be out 6-8 weeks because of what the team called a “moderate” strained latissimus muscle behind his shoulder. RHP Chris Perez will get the first shot at Cleveland’s saves until Wood returns.
Red Sox RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka retired seven of eight batters in a minor league intrasquad game. He’s scheduled to make his first exhibition appearance Thursday against the Marlins, but it’s almost certain he will begin the regular season on the disabled list.
Cubs RHP Carlos Silva left their game after two innings because of a tight right quadriceps.
Rays C Dioner Navarro is on crutches because of an injured left shin suffered in a collision at home plate Saturday, but he insisted he would be ready to play by Opening Day. LHP J.P. Howell now is expected to miss a month of the season because of a weak shoulder. That means RHPs Wade Davis and Andy Sonnanstine both could begin the season in Tampa Bay’s rotation.
Indians OF Michael Brantley rolled an ankle and left their game in the fourth inning. That could ensure that he’s optioned to Triple-A Columbus or perhaps begins the season on the DL.
Beginning the road back from Tommy John surgery last August, Reds RHP Edinson Volquez threw 25 pitches off a mound Thursday and 30 more today.
Sample Scouting Report:
RHP Kevin Pucetas, Giants
Ht.: 6-4 Wt.: 225 T: R Age: 25 Inj. Risk: 10 Alt. Pos.: SP
{2010} Last season, Pucetas jumped past Double-A to Triple-A Fresno. He started out as if he could duplicate his 10-2 record as the high Class A California League’s Pitcher of the Year for San Jose in 2008, but tired to finish 10-6 with a 5.04 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in the Pacific Coast League. Pucetas doesn’t throw hard for a guy his size. He doesn’t strike out batters, but he throws strikes and knows how to win. His career won-lost record in the minors is 42-13. Pucetas has the misfortune of being in an organization with a surplus of pitchers. If he’s traded, consider taking a chance on him. Born: Nov. 27, 1984, Spartanburg, S.C.
Projection
IP: 65 W: 3 ERA: 4.57 WHIP: 1.35 S: 0 SO: 35 Value: $0

Strasburg, Storen sent down by Nationals

2010-03-22T15:19:00.000-07:00

The Nationals’ future will remain in the future. They have sent their 2009 first-round-draft-pick right-handers, Stephen Strasburg and Drew Storen, to their minor league camp. The expectation is that Strasburg would be in Washington by June and Storen at least by September.
The Dodgers demoted RHP James McDonald a day after he gave up six runs in 1 1/3 innings.
After saying the switch of 3B Chone Figgins to second base and 2B Jose Lopez to third was just an experiment, the Mariners played them both consistently at the new positions. Now the word is that the team will use Figgins at third and Lopez at second on occasion during the remaining exhibitions, but Seattle will almost certainly have Figgins in the middle of the infield and Lopez on the hot corner on Opening Day.
A bigger problem for the Mariners could be OF Milton Bradley. He has been ejected from his last two exhibition games for seemingly minor infractions. The question is whether his reputation has preceded him and put him on a short leash, or that there was more to the ejections than meets the eye and they’re a bad sign for the volatile player.
Game time:
The Padres again had RHP Mat Latos and LHP Wade LeBlanc starting in separate split-squad exhibition games. Again, they both pitched very well, almost identically. In a 4-1 victory over the White Sox, Latos lowered his ERA to 1.93 with a pitching line of 521105. The run came on a home run by OF/1B Andruw Jones. In a 5-1 victory over the Dodgers, LeBlanc lowered his ERA to 1.93 with a pitching line of 511113. The run came on a home run by 2B Ron Belliard after LeBlanc had thrown 4 2/3 hitless innings. San Diego will separate their days to pitch because it’s pretty clear that they’ll both make the season-opening rotation.
The day was full of outstanding pitching performances, with seven shutouts. Our Cy Young Award for the Day goes to Cubs RHP Carlos Zambrano, whose line was 530024 in a 4-0 win over the Royals.
In the other shutouts, RHP Felix Hernandez’s line was 520012 as the Mariners defeated the Diamondbacks 4-0 using home runs by OFs Franklin Gutierrez and Ryan Langerhans against RHP Dan Haren; RHP Tim Wakefield was in mid-season form with a line of 520023 in a 6-0 victory over the Orioles; RHP Todd Wellemeyer’s line of 540023 was plenty good enough in the Giants’ 6-0 win over the Reds that included 1B Aubrey Huff’s third homer; Twins LHP Francisco Liriano had a line of 330004 in a 6-0 victory over the Rays that could have been worse except for five Tampa Bay double plays including three involving 2B Sean Rodriguez and SS Reid Brignac; the pitcher who says, “Ni,” Tigers LHP Fu-Te Ni, used a line of 320001 to outpitch RHP Roy Halladay to help defeat the Phillies 3-0, and Brewers RHP Yovani Gallardo not only had a line of 540023, but also hit a homer for the only run in their 1-0 win over the Royals.
Athletics Ben Sheets lowered his ERA to 17.28 with a line of 431134 in a 7-4 victory over the Cubs.
The Indians used an eight-run second inning against RHP Jason Jennings to defeat another team of Athletics 12-4. Included was Cleveland DH Travis Hafner’s three-run homer, his second. He won’t be playing regular-season games in Arizona, but if he can have some offensive success that could make the Tribe’s offense pretty potent.
OF Cameron Maybin hit his first two homers, against Nationals RHPs Garrett Mock and Shairon Martis, and RHP Chris Volstad had a line of 561122 in the Marlins’ 5-3 win.
In the Dodgers’ 5-4 victory over the Rangers, RHP Ramon Ortiz’s ERA increased to 1.38 on a line of 452226. He was the winning pitcher in relief of RHP Josh Towers, over Rangers LHP Derek Holland.
The Rockies overcame the Angels 11-10 with five runs in the bottom of the ninth against RHP Juan Mateo and Nick Pugliese. Colorado 2B Eric Young cleared the bases with a triple. In a sloppy game, 2B Clint Barmes had three of the Rockies’ five errors.
The Cardinals defeated the Mets 6-5 on 2B Ruben Gotay’s homer in the bottom of the ninth against RHP Kiko Calero. St. Louis OF Colby Rasmus hit his third homer, a two-run shot against New York RHP John Maine, and Mets rookie 1B Ike Davis also had his third, against RHP Jason Motte.
The Blue Jays’ 7-6 win over the Braves had a last-inning rally typical of what we see in spring training. Toronto scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth, with Michael McDade hitting a game-winning double against RHP Jon Huber. Neither will have an impact in the majors or in fantasy baseball this season.
Injuries:
Mariners LHP Cliff Lee could begin the season on the disabled list because of a lower abdominal strain. Whenever he is ready to pitch, he’s subject to a five-game suspension for throwing at Diamondbacks C Chris Snyder. Lee is appealing the suspension. If he isn’t in the rotation the first time around, LHP Jason Vargas and RHP Doug Fister both are expected to make the rotation. They have been fighting for the fifth starter’s job. Fister left today’s game after Reds 1B Joey Votto hit a line drive off the pitcher’s forearm. The injury has been diagnosed as a bruise.
The Rockies said RHP Huston Street has no structural damage in his sore shoulder. However, he is likely to begin the season on the disabled list, possibly on an injury-rehab assignment. In his absence, LHP Franklin Morales and RHP Manuel Corpas could be Colorado’s closers.
Orioles 2B Brian Roberts (herniated disk) has resumed baseball-related activities.
Giants 3B Pablo Sandoval is expected to be out two days after having five stitches in his right shin to close a cut resulting from a collision at home plate. 3B Ryan Rohlinger will fill in for Sandoval. The news isn’t as good for 2B Freddy Sanchez, recovering from shoulder surgery. He won’t play until late April or early May. Jose Uribe is likely to get most of the playing time at second, but San Francisco also will use LF Mark DeRosa in the infield while Sanchez is out.
Astros CF Michael Bourn is out because of a strained right oblique muscle. Playing in his place, OF Jason Bourgeois stole his fourth base and improved his batting average to .286 in an 8-6 win over the Yankees.
NCAA news and blues:
No, I’m not just bitter because the teams I picked are dropping like flies in the NCAA basketball tournament. I am disappointed in the subjectivity and bias toward big conferences and big programs by the selection committee. If Kansas truly was the No. 1 overall seed, then why did Duke get a road to the Final Four only slightly tougher than Syracuse’s December schedule?
As short as I can make this discussion, the tournament should take one of two paths. 1. Become a tournament of champions, with each conference sending the regular-season champion and the survivor of a post-season tournament excluding the champ to the dance. Who really needs the ninth-place team with a losing record in a major conference to help decide the winner? 2. Let everyone in, using the conference tournaments as preliminary rounds. The tournament champs plus the remaining teams in the losers’ bracket of a double-elimination format would advance. The whole thing would be double-elimination, so the conference tournament champs would have to lose twice to be out. The conference tournaments still would have meaning and produce a champion. The regular season couldn’t be more meaningless than it is now, and it would lead to seedings for the conference tournament.
Sample Scouting Report:
Mat Latos, RHP, Padres
Ht.: 6-5 Wt.: 210 T: R Age: 22 Inj. Risk: 10 Alt. Pos.: SP
{2010} Latos so thoroughly dominated low Class A ball last season, that San Diego jumped him to Double-A San Antonio. After he went 5-1 and made the Texas League All-Star game, they only place for him was to go straight to the majors. Latos made another 10 starts for the Padres before they shut him down in September. He throws a mid-90s fastball complemented by both a slider and a curve. The hulking, multi-tattooed Latos has the potential to become a staff ace in time. He should do just fine this year as well. Born: Dec. 9, 1987, Alexandria, Va. 2009: Padres, 51 IP, 4 W, 4.62 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 0 S, 39 SO.
Projection
IP: 133 W: 11 ERA: 3.92 WHIP: 1.27 S: 0 SO: 105 Value: $5
Wade LeBlanc, LHP, Padres
Ht.: 6-3 Wt.: 200 T: L Age: 25 Inj. Risk: 10 Alt. Pos.: SP
{2010} LeBlanc completely turned around his 2008 season last year. At Triple-A Portland, he had poorer results (4-9) than in ’08, when he won 11 games, but pitched much better (3.87 ERA and 1.16 WHIP). He was pitching well enough that the Padres called him up for nine starts, in which he turned around his 1-3 major league mark from 2008 by knocking more than four runs off his ERA and 89 points off his WHIP. He’s not likely to become an ace because his fastball barely reaches 90 mph. LeBlanc does have a sharp-breaking curve and a changeup not far on this side of Johan Santana’s. Born: Aug. 7, 1984, Lake Charles, La. 2009: Padres, 46 IP, 3 W, 3.69 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 0 S, 30 SO.
Projection
IP: 124 W: 8 ERA: 4.28 WHIP: 1.30 S: 0 SO: 88 Value: $2

Santana, Buckner, Tazawa take their lumps

2010-03-22T14:49:00.000-07:00

The Yankees won 6-2 in a pitching battle between their left-hander C.C. Sabathia and Tigers RHP Rick Porcello. It was a game Sabathia might have needed; his pitching line of 5 1/3 42228 brought his ERA down to 6.43. Porcello’s ERA went up a tick to 0.75. Three of the runs against him were unearned; his line was 344113. New York 3B Alex Rodriguez hit a home run.
The Twins defeated the Mets 7-3 in another good pitching matchup, which didn’t go the way most people would have expected. Minnesota RHP Kevin Slowey had a line of 331122, giving up a homer to New York C Omir Santos. The Twins battered LHP Johan Santana for a line of 3 1/3 95513. Rookie 3B Danny Valencia, who could take the starting job away from Brendan Harris and Nick Punto, homered against Santana.
Four days after leaving 16 runners on base, the Royals stranded 11. They also scored 24 times in a 24-9 rout of the Diamondbacks. Kansas City built an early 21-0 lead – battering Arizona’s starter, RHP Billy Buckner, for a line of 298813. KC OF Brian Anderson was like one of those old Army ads – “We get more done by 9 a.m. than most people do in a day.” He went 5-for-5, hit for the cycle, drove in seven runs and scored three – and left the game in the fifth inning. The winning pitcher, RHP Brian Bannister, kept his concentration to post a line of 420013. The Royals’ scoring onslaught didn’t stop until the D-backs’ pitching stiffened when RHP Abe Woody pitched a scoreless ninth inning.
The Pirates defeated the Red Sox 9-7 with OF/2B Delwyn Young hitting his fifth home run this spring, against Boston RHP Josh Beckett. OF John Raynor, a Rule 5 draft pick, also homered against RHP Junichi Tazawa, who apparently will be battered this spring all the way to Triple-A Pawtucket.
The Orioles held the Phillies to one hit, OF John Mayberry’s eighth-inning single against RHP Dennis Sarfate, to win 2-0. Baltimore’s starter, LHP Brian Matusz, was sensational. His line was 500026. He could be a reasonable third or fourth fantasy starting pitcher.
The Cubs treated White Sox LHP John Danks badly, handing him an 8-4 loss. He allowed homers to 1B Derrek Lee and OF Marlon Byrd as part of a line of 565514.
RHP Stephen Strasburg was the Nationals’ winning pitcher in their 13-5 victory over the Cardinals. He gave up solo homers to 3B/1B Allen Craig and SS Tyler Greene in his line of 442208. RHP Kyle McClellan took a step backward in his quest for a starting role. He was the losing pitcher with a line of 453242.
Cardinals 1B Albert Pujols hit his first homer, against Marlins RHP Anibal Sanchez, but St. Louis lost 7-6 in another split-squad game. That was because Florida lit up Cards RHP Chris Carpenter for a line of 4 10 7705. RHP Scott Strickland earned a save for the Marlins, who might need help closing games.
Teams are beginning to get serious about using closers in their regular-season role. The Giants had RHP Brian Wilson pitch the ninth inning in their 7-6 victory over the Indians. He struck out the side to pick up a save. LHP Tony Sipp, who could save some games for Cleveland, pitched the eighth and was the losing pitcher. A passed ball led to an unearned winning run; Sipp’s line was 111011. Giants OF/2B Eugenio Velez went 3-for-3 at bat and 2-for-3 stealing bases.
Because the Astros’ scheduled starter, RHP Bud Norris, had the flu, RHP Josh Banks made an emergency start and posted a line of 320012. He was the winner in a 2-0 win over the Blue Jays. The save went to RHP Roy Corcoran, who could have some regular-season saves.
An Indians split squad pounded the Rangers 12-2. Cleveland had a good start, with 1B/3B Andy Marte hitting a grand slam against RHP Brandon McCarthy. His line was 455534. OF Shin-soo Choo also homered against RHP Luis Mendoza.
Athletics 1B Daric Barton hit a home run and went 2-for-3 to raise his average to .440, but the Rockies won 10-4.
The Padres assaulted Dodgers RHP James McDonald for a line of 1 1/3 66621 in relief to take a 9-4 victory. C Dusty Ryan’s three-run homer contributed to raising McDonald’s ERA to 20.25.
The day’s tie game was the Tigers 4, Braves 4, in 10 innings.
Major league leaders:
HR – Rays 2B Sean Rodriguez and Pirates OF/2B Delwyn Young, 5
RBI – Rays SS Reid Brignac and Young, 14
BA (30-plus at-bats) – Mets OF Fernando Martinez, .500, and Cubs OF Tyler Colvin, .486 (at the other end is Braves OF Nate McLouth, .032, 1-for-31)
SB – Brewers OF Carlos Gomez, 8
R – Rangers OFs Julio Borbon and Nelson Cruz, Brewers OF Lorenzo Cain and Rodriguez, 11
W – Blue Jays LHP Ricky Romero, 3
ERA (10-plus innings pitched) – Marlins RHP Clay Hensley, 0.00
WHIP – Twins RHP Kevin Slowey, 0.82
S – Seven with 2 – including Giants RH Sergio Gomez and Astros LHP Wesley Wright, who might have some chances to save games in the majors this season
SO – Orioles LHP Brian Matusz, 18
A Derek Jeter Rule?:
Is Bud Selig running the NFL now too? That’s the only reason I could think of that would make the football league propose a ridiculous idea like the “Brett Favre Rule” that would change its overtime procedure in the playoffs. Of course, if that rule is enacted, expect Selig to decide that if the Yankees in Derek Jeter’s final year (or the Brewers in any year) lose the seventh game of the World Series, it would be extended to best-of-nine.
Sample Scouting Report:
Shin-soo Choo, OF, Indians
Ht.: 5-11 Wt.: 200 B: L Age: 27*
{2010} Choo began last season with a sore elbow that bothered him with South Korea’s entry in the World Baseball Classic. For the rest of the year, he was a pain to American League pitchers. He batted .275 against left-handers, allowing him to avoid being platooned. Choo strikes out a lot, but he also has walked enough to produce on-base percentages of .397 and .394 during the past two seasons. Batting third in Cleveland’s lineup, he should both drive in and score plenty of runs. Born: July 13, 1982, South Korea*. 2009: 583 AB, .300 BA, 20 HR, 86 RBI, 21 SB, 87 R.
Projection
AB: 556 BA: .302 HR: 21 RBI: 92 SB: 17 R: 93 Value: $17

Romero, Willis continue strong pitching

2010-03-21T13:45:00.000-07:00

Blue Jays LHP Ricky Romero became the first pitcher to record three wins this spring, with a pitching line of 552225 in a 13-3 victory over the Orioles. Baltimore CF Adam Jones hit a home run against Romero, who has a 1.93 spring ERA. Orioles RHP Jeremy Guthrie continued to struggle. He gave up two home runs to Toronto OF Travis Snider and one of the two homers C John Buck hit. Buck’s other tater was against RHP Frank Mata. Jays OF/3B Jose Bautista cooled off, with an 0-for-4 game dropping his average to .524.
In the Dodgers’ 7-3 win over the Cubs, LF Manny Ramirez hit his first homer, a two-run blast against RHP Ryan Dempster.
Tigers LHP Dontrelle Willis continued his comeback with a line of 300012 in their 5-4 victory over the Astros. OF Brennan Boesch drove in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning against journeyman RHP Gary Majewski. Don’t get too excited about Boesch. He led the Double-A Eastern League in home runs last season, but he’ll be 25 in April.
OF Jonny Gomes, who had to sweat out most of the off-season before the Reds re-signed the free agent, hit his third homer. The shot against LHP Jeremy Sowers provided the only runs in Cincinnati’s 6-2 loss to the Indians. File this away: Indians C prospect Jesus Montero played left field in the game as the Tribe look for a position to get his bat into the lineup.
The Twins scored the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning on 3B prospect Luke Hughes’ double against their former teammate, RHP Brian Bass. That gave Minnesota a 5-4 victory over the Pirates. Pittsburgh OF/2B Delwyn Young slugged his fourth homer – against RHP Clay Condrey, whose chances to play a significant role in the Twinkies’ bullpen took a hit from a line of 133300 that inflated Condrey’s ERA to 10.80.
The Mets continued to hit with more power than they showed at just about any time last season. LF Jason Bay homered against Marlins LHP Renyel Pinto, and RF Jeff Francoeur connected against RHP Ricky Nolasco as New York won 5-2. LHP Hisanori Takahashi – not Ken Takahashi, who pitched some for the Mets last year – earned an extended save with a line of 2 1/3 20011. Don’t count on a lot from this Takahashi, who will be 35 (at least) when the season begins.
Rangers LF Josh Hamilton homered for the second consecutive day. His third of the spring was against Brewers LHP Manny Parra, who struggled to a line of 565505. With Texas RHP Tommy Hunter unable to go, RHP Guillermo Moscoso filled in as the starter, with a line of 2 1/3 32204. The Rangers’ pitching star was LHP Matt Harrison, with eight strikeouts in four innings. In Texas’ 6-4 victory, its pitchers struck out 16 Milwaukee batters. Included were three each by 2B Rickie Weeks and RF Corey Hart.
Rays 1B Carlos Pena hit a solo homer, his first this spring, but that wasn’t enough as the Yankees defeated Tampa Bay 6-4.
Sample Scouting Report:
Ricky Romero, LHP, Blue Jays
Ht.: 6-0 Wt.: 210 T: L Age: 25 Inj. Risk: 10 Alt. Pos.: SP
{2010} Romero can strike out major league batters, but his success comes mostly from retiring them on ground balls. He has had a very good exhibition season, in part because of a cut fastball he worked on during the off-season. There’s cause for concern that he might not be able to do as well as he did last season. Romero, whose best minor league ERA was 4.42, slumped to 6-6 with a 5.54 ERA during the second half of his rookie major league season. He might not be able to reach higher expectations this season because he could be making nearly half of his starts against the superior competition of the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays in the American League East. Don’t confuse him with Davis Romero, another recent Toronto left-handed pitching prospect. Born: Nov. 6, 1984, Los Angeles, Calif. 2009: Blue Jays, 178 IP, 13 W, 4.30 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 0 S, 141 SO.
Projection
IP: 180 W: 11 ERA: 4.15 WHIP: 1.40 S: 0 SO: 138 Value: $2

Comebacks: Russ Ortiz si, Payton no

2010-03-21T08:20:00.000-07:00

We just know some team, or maybe lots of teams, wore green hats for St. Patrick’s Day. We just didn’t care to look to see which ones they were. Nor did we go to Ebay to buy any pieces of “alternative” green uniforms.
The Braves beat the Marlins and LHP Andrew Miller 4-2. All four Atlanta runs were unearned – but don’t fret about more defense, Florida fans, whoever you are. The Marlins’ three errors were all by guys who might not play anywhere in Florida this season. Their hitters suffered at the arm of Braves RHP Tommy Hanson, whose pitching line was 561104. We thought he was the real deal last year; we’re sure of that now.
Not to be outdone, at least not by much, by a namesake to whom he has become inextricably linked, RHP Russ Ortiz made an audition for a spot in the Dodgers’ rotation but lost to the White Sox 5-1. Ortiz’s line was 462223, but his ERA still is just 2.00. For Chicago, RHP Jake Peavy pitched the way the Sox have hoped he would, with a line of 531126 (and ERA of 1.13).
Making his 2010 debut and pitching like a relief version of Athletics RHP Ben Sheets, Yankees LHP Damaso Marte entered their game against the Phillies in the bottom of the fifth inning with the score tied 2-2. Four batters later, the score was 5-2. Phillies OF Jayson Werth hit a three-run homer against Marte, whose line was 043301. In fairness to Marte, in a regular-season game he probably wouldn’t be facing the righthanded-batting Werth with two runners on base. But, come on! Isn’t his job to get someone out?
In the Mets’ 4-2 win over the suddenly slumping Red Sox, red-hot New York OF Fernando Martinez hit his third homer this spring. The three-run shot came against RHP Ramon S. Ramirez – the Ramon Ramirez who was with Boston last year and not his namesake/new teammate who pitched for the Reds in 2009. For the Mets, overly hyped RHP prospect Jenrry Mejia lowered his ERA to 1.08 with a line of 100000.
The Blue Jays may not be able to get LHP Brian Tallet out of their rotation. That’s good for him, but maybe not so for Toronto. Anyway, his line was 410003 in a 4-2 victory over the Orioles.
In the Rockies’ 6-3 win over the Indians, Speier – that’s RHP Justin Speier, most recently with the Angels – had a line of 100001. OF Jay Payton’s comeback attempt with Colorado seems ill-fated. He’s batting just .185 and he was both thrown out stealing and picked off first base, the kind of rookie mistakes a grizzled veteran shouldn’t make. The flukiest line of the day was the 400013 by Indians RHP Carlos Carrasco. We defy him to do that well even once during the regular season.
In the aftermath of manager Ron Washington’s admission that he used cocaine during last season, the Rangers’ 8-1 victory over the Mariners was an anticlimax. Texas pounded the ball as if its big hitters were auditioning for the All-Arizona team. RF Nelson Cruz was 3-for-3 with three RBI to raise his average to .448, with homers against RHPs Ian Snell and David Aardsma. 1B Chris Davis improved to .500 with a homer against RHP Brandon League, and LF Josh Hamilton (.429) returned to the lineup with a four-bagger against Snell. Closer Aardsma was hit particularly hard, with a line of 2/3 34410.
Sample Scouting Report:
Jenrry Mejia, RHP, Mets
Ht.: 6-0 Wt.: 165 T: R Age: Inj. Risk: 10 Alt. Pos.: SP, RP
{2010} Mejia has generated a lot of buzz with some early success in exhibition games. He throws a mid-90s fastball with sinking action that allows him to get plenty of ground-ball outs. That helped him strike out 91 in 94 2/3 innings last year. Mejia started the season 4-1 with a 1.97 ERA in nine starts at high Class A Port St. Lucie, and finished it 0-5 at Double-A Binghamton, where his ERA more than doubled and he averaged just 4 1/3 innings per start. That resulted in part from a strained middle finger that kept Mejia out seven weeks. He needs to develop his low-80s changeup and possibly another breaking ball to complement the cut fastball he throws at times. It seems likely that he would return to Binghamton to begin the season, but with the New York media machine having little good to say about the Mets, they might be tempted to rush him. Don’t bite on Mejia – not this year, at least. Born: Oct. 11, 1989, Dominican Republic.
Projection
IP: 15 W: 1 ERA: 4.80 WHIP: 1.53 S: 1 SO: 11 Value: $0

Bizarro baseball: Nats win twice, Sox blanked twice

2010-03-21T08:17:00.000-07:00

After we wrote about how the Astros still pretty much suck, one of the connections to better days came up with a big game. RHP Roy Oswalt had a pitching line of 420011 in a 3-0 shutout of the Red Sox. LHP Wesley Wright came up with his second save, but his ERA still looks like the number of one of those barely paved, two-lane state highways out in the sticks. For Houston, Koby Clemens, the son of a former major league pitcher and a performance-enhanced mother, played first base.
Another Red Sox split squad also was shut out, 7-0 by the Rays. RHP Wade Davis lowered his ERA to 7.04 with a pitching line of 430015, and 2B Sean Rodriguez hit his fifth home run against RHP Junichi Tazawa. He knew he was no longer pitching in a Japanese industrial league; Tampa Bay’s three runs in his one inning were the first clue.
A second group of Astros weren’t as fortunate in a 4-1 loss to the Yankees. The game’s highlight was New York RHP Phil Hughes’ lengthy save, with a line of 430012.
Some bad pitchers changed hands in the ballyhooed Yankees-Tigers-Diamondbacks trade during the off-season. Arizona was left holding the bag with RHP Edwin Jackson, whose line in a 13-7 loss to the Reds was 2 1/3 67720. Jackson gave up a home run to OF Jay Bruce. He and 2B Brandon Phillips came in with averages under .200.
The Phillies used the work of LHP Cole Hamels (line: 521004) and rookie OF Domonic Brown (his first two homers this spring) in a 6-1 victory over the Tigers. One of Brown’s homers was against the losing pitcher, RHP Justin Verlander (3 1/3 34415). The other came against LHP Phil Coke, another in the aforementioned trade.
The Nationals came into the day with an 0-11 record – and left with not one, but two, wins. One split squad defeated the Marlins 12-3 behind RHP Craig Stammen (432014) and a grand slam by OF/2B Willie Harris against LHP Taylor Tankersley. For the other squad, LHP John Lannan’s pitching (421002) C Ivan Rodriguez’s three runs batted in added up to a 4-2 victory over the Cardinals.
In the Indians-Giants game, San Francisco RHP Tim Lincecum had the winning poker hand (444444) but Cleveland won 7-1 behind RHP Jake Westbrook’s pitching (421101) and OF Shin-soo Choo’s homer. We’re touting Choo this spring.
Sample Scouting Report:
Wade Davis, RHP, Rays
Ht.: 6-5 Wt.: 220 T: R Age: 24 Inj. Risk: 10 Alt. Pos.: SP
{2010} Davis throws a low-to-mid-90s fastball and a hard curve. How far he ultimately advances in the majors could be determined by how well he can develop a third pitch. For now, his status as a prospect is behind LHP David Price and RHP Jeremy Hellickson in the Rays’ organization. Last season, in Davis’ second shot at Triple-A Durham, he was 10-8 with a 3.40 ERA and 140 strikeouts in 158 2/3 innings. That performance earned him a spot in Tampa Bay’s rotation after the Rays traded LHP Scott Kazmir. Davis could maintain his starting role by beating out RHP Andy Sonnanstine or become a vital cog in the bullpen this year. Born: Sept. 7, 1985, Lake Wales, Fla. 2009: Rays, 36 IP, 2 W, 3.72 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 0 S, 36 SO.
Projection
IP: 109 W: 8 ERA: 3.88 WHIP: 1.34 S: 2 SO: 102 Value: $4

Halladay, Greinke, Ramon Ortiz shine on mound

2010-03-21T08:13:00.000-07:00

The headline for this installment reads like one of Sesame Street’s “One of these things is not like the others.”
Nevertheless, RHP Ramon Ortiz made a strong pitch to return to the majors in the Dodgers’ rotation, putting together a pitching line of 420005 in a 4-0 victory over the Angels. OF prospect Angelo Songco, pretty far down the Bums’ organizational depth chart, hit surprisingly well during their China trip and hit a home run against LA/Anaheim. Put him on your list for the future, probably 2012.
After 2 ½ weeks of exhibition games, statistics are beginning to have some meaning. It doesn’t take stats to know that Phillies RHP Roy Halladay is good, but he lowered his ERA to 0.90 with a line of 531126 in a 5-1 victory over the Pirates. Normally, we’d wonder whether pitching against the Bucs should be included in major league stats, but they have been hitting surprisingly well this spring.
See the above comments and insert “Royals RHP Zack Greinke” for “Phillies RHP Roy Halladay.” Greinke also has an 0.90 ERA after also giving up a run, with a line of 421103 in a 9-1 victory over the White Sox. Chicago LHP Mark Buehrle’s line was a miserable 493312. It could have been worse for the Sox; all Kansas City could muster from 17 hits and seven walks was nine runs and 16 left on base.
OK, Athletics, it’s time to admit it: There’s something seriously wrong with RHP Ben Sheets. Their 13-5 loss to the Reds would still be going if Oakland hadn’t lifted him after 10 batters. His line was virtually impossible to surpass in futility: 0 8 10 910. That’s right; he faced 10 batters and all 10 scored.
In another 13-5 game, with the Diamondbacks defeating the Mariners, Seattle LHP Cliff Lee struggled for 2 2/3 innings, then his game ended when he was ejected for throwing at Arizona C Chris Snyder. Before that, Lee’s line was 2 2/3 64411.
Two Padres prospects, RHP Mat Latos and LHP Wade LeBlanc, combined to give up just five hits and one run in eight innings of a 7-1 victory over the Giants. That’s pitching in the hitter-friendly atmosphere of Arizona. Just imagine what that would translate into in San Diego. Another player to add to your future list: Giants RF prospect Roger Kieschnick. He has played in the minors only at high Class A San Jose, but the last two springs in major league exhibitions he has gone 6-for-12 with six RBI.
RHP Pete Parise was trying for his third save with the Cardinals, but failed when he gave up a game-winning two-run homer to Mets OF Angel Pagan in a 6-5 loss. That ballooned Parise’s ERA to 13.50.
In the Rockies’ 5-2 victory over the Cardinals, Colorado received good relief pitching from RHP Jhoulys Chacin (210012) and LHP Franklin Morales (100001). Chacin is likely to be a starter at Triple-A Colorado Springs, but seems likely to join the major league pitching staff during the season or even to begin the year in the Rockies’ bullpen. Morales and RHP Manuel Corpas could earn some regular-season saves because the closer, RHP Huston Street, is hurting.
The Nationals fell to 0-11 with a 5-2 loss to the Braves. Atlanta RHP Derek Lowe was dominant, with a pitching line of 400006. Or perhaps the meat of Washington’s batting order was submissive. The first five batters in the starting lineup – OF Justin Maxwell, SS Ian Desmond, 3B Ryan Zimmerman, 1B Adam Dunn and OF Elijah Dukes – were a combined 0-for-17.
Marlins OF prospect Michael Stanton hit his third homer this spring, this time against Twins LHP Francisco Liriano. Perhaps Liriano was building a case to pitch out of the bullpen as Minnesota’s closer because he wasn’t effective as the starter in the Twinkies’ 5-4 loss. His pitching line was 343306.
I caught some of the Rangers’ game against the Giants, enough to come up with several observations. Texas C Jarrod Saltalamacchia was back in the lineup after missing time because of a buildup of scar tissue in the area under his right armpit where he underwent surgery. The Rangers talk about Salty’s prospects for this season with smiley faces, but in the background they have to be looking for catching help just in case. 2B Ian Kinsler didn’t play, and will be out about a week, because of an ankle injury. LF Josh Hamilton’s in-and-out spring continued when he left the game after being hit on the right hand by a pitch from San Francisco LHP Madison Bumgarner. Also, Giants 3B Pablo Sandoval went 0-for-4, but one of the outs was on a diving catch by Rangers CF Julio Borbon. That event said that Sandoval’s still hitting line drives and that Texas might not have to worry much about Borbon’s defense.
Sample Scouting Report:
Mike Stanton, OF, Marlins
Ht.: 6-5 Wt.: 205 B: R Age: 20
{2010} Stanton is considered one of baseball’s best power prospects. Between high Class A Jupiter and Double-A Jacksonville last year, he hit 28 home runs and drove in 92 runs. His batting average dropped 61 points at the higher level, and his strikeout/walk ratio grew from less than 2:1 to slightly above 3:1. For that reason, you should expect him to begin this season back in Double-A with a likely in-season promotion to Triple-A and a possible major league debut in September. Stanton has played some center field, but was exclusively a right fielder at Jacksonville. He has the arm to play that position in the majors. Born: Nov. 8, 1989, Los Angeles, Calif.
Projection
AB: 110 BA: .245 HR: 6 RBI: 19 SB: 1 R: 13 Value: $2

Oh, Brian, can you see?

2010-03-19T08:50:00.000-07:00

Off-season Lasik eye surgery could be beginning to take effect for Braves C Brian McCann. He hit his first two home runs this spring, against RHP Brett Myers and journeyman LHP Tim Byrdak, as Atlanta lost to the Astros 8-5. RF Hunter Pence slugged his third homer for Houston.
Speaking of eyes, in the Stephen Strasburg watch, the Nationals right-hander pitched three scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out two in a 7-3 loss to the Cardinals. The winning pitcher was RHP Adam Ottavino, who to date has been overhyped as a prospect. He had a pitching line of 200001 after relieving RHP Adam Wainwright in the fifth inning.
In the Diamondbacks’ 9-3 victory over the Rangers, RF Justin Upton blasted his third homer. Texas LF Josh Hamilton, struggling to avoid injuries this spring, hit his first. Thus far, the second coming of RHP Colby Lewis with the Rangers doesn’t seem much better than the first. They re-signed him after he’d had some success pitching in Japan. However, his spring ERA is 9.95.
You know it’s spring training when the Pirates club the Yankees 10-5. And when 1B/SS Bobby Crosby hits two homers and 2B/OF Delwyn Young hits another, giving each three already this spring. It didn’t hurt for the Bucs that RHP Jonathan Abominablesnowman was pitching in the game. He gave up three runs in two-thirds of an inning, giving him 10 earned runs allowed in two innings, a 45.00 ERA.
The Marlins defeated the Mets 5-1, with RHP John Maine giving up all five of the runs in two-thirds of an inning. That’s a 67.50 ERA.
The Diamondbacks defeated the Rockies 8-7 in Hermosillo, Mexico. RHP Leo Rosales made up for some shaky pitching earlier this spring by recording a save. In his one inning, he gave up a solo homer to 1B Brad Eldred.
In the Cubs’ 8-7 victory over the Angels, RHP Thomas Diamond earned a save. He entered the game with the bases loaded and a two-run lead with two out in the eighth inning. Diamond allowed one runner to score, but held LA/Anaheim scoreless in the ninth. Could closer be his future role?
The Athletics’ corner infielders made news in their 10-3 victory over the Royals. 3B Eric Chavez, now playing first base, went 0-for-3 but the news was that he played on back-to-back days for the first time since last year’s back surgery. Meanwhile, new 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff drove in three runs.
Still hitting home runs for the Rays were 2B Sean Rodriguez, his fourth, and OF Justin Ruggiero, his third. Tampa Bay still lost to the Tigers 9-6.
The Giants pounded four home runs – by 1B Aubrey Huff and OFs Fred Lewis, Aaron Rowand and Nate Schierholtz – but still lost to the Brewers 10-8.
The scoring in the Rockies’ 5-4 win over the Mariners all came after the starting pitchers left the game. For Colorado, RHP Ubaldo Jimenez pitched four scoreless innings, giving him a string of seven shutout innings. In RHP Felix Hernandez’s first appearance this spring, he went 2 2/3 innings without allowing a run for Seattle.
In the Dodgers’ 6-4 victory over the Rangers, Matt Kemp hit his second homer this spring and OF Garret Anderson went 1-for-3, a single against LHP Derek Holland, in his first game as LA’s DH since signing a minor league contract.
The rest of the Dodgers won their final exhibition game in China, 11-1 over the CPBL All-Stars. OF prospect Trayvon Robinson hit a two-run homer, and LF Manny Ramirez and 1B James Loney had three hits apiece. The winning pitcher, RHP Josh Towers, had a pitching line of 341102.
Inside the injuries:
While Mets SS Jose Reyes recovers from a thyroid disorder, which is expected to take 2-8 weeks, they will have rookie Ruben Tejada share time with 2B/SS Alex Cora in Reyes’ place. The timetable on CF Carlos Beltran’s return now has been pushed back as far as Memorial Day.
The Angels were set to go with their regular lineup against the Cubs until SS Erick Aybar reported a stiff arm and RF Bobby Abreu tightness in his side. Both sat out the game.
Cubs 3B Aramis Ramirez went out Saturday because of a sore triceps muscle, and isn’t expected to throw for a couple of more days.
The Red Sox scratched RHP Josh Beckett from his start because he was sick. Instead of disrupting other pitchers’ schedules by moving him back to Monday, the Sox said Beckett wouldn’t pitch in a game until his next scheduled start Friday against the Pirates.
The Royals said CF Rick Ankiel, pulled from Friday’s game because of a sore right ankle (ankiel?), could be out a week. In his absence, they will take an extended look at OF Jason Dyson, who stole 46 bases in 80 games last season between low Class A and Double-A ball.
Dodgers SS Rafael Furcal is trying to prove that he’s 100 per cent ready to play this year. He has played in eight of their last nine games. He said that when he played last season he was leery of reinjuring his back.
Sample Scouting Report:
Ubaldo Jimenez, RHP, Rockies
Ht.: 6-4 Wt.: 200 T: R Age: 26* Inj. Risk: 10 Alt. Pos.: SP
{2010} If there is such a thing as a perfect pitcher for Coors Field, Jimenez could be it. He throws a high-90s fastball and mixes in good off-speed pitches, which generates plenty of strikeouts and reduces the number of balls put in play. During the last two seasons, more than 60 per cent of his outs have come on ground balls. Those don’t ever go out of the park the way even a wind-blown fly ball can. Almost any kind of start could be an improvement over last year, when his April ERA was 7.58. Just think how good he could be if he went to a team playing in a pitchers’ park. Born: Jan. 22, 1984, Dominican Republic*. 2009: Rockies, 218 IP, 15 W, 0 S, 3.47 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 198 SO.
Projection
IP: 208 W: 15 ERA: 3.62 WHIP: 1.29 S: 0 SO: 187 Value: $14

Mets break loose with four-homer inning

2010-03-19T08:49:00.000-07:00

The offensively challenged Mets hit four home runs and scored nine runs in the seventh inning to defeat the Tigers 9-1. 3B David Wright hit his third this spring, OF Gary Matthews powered his second and OF Jason Bay and 1B Daniel Murphy connected for the first time in 2010.
For another Tigers split squad, OF Johnny Damon hit his first homer in a 6-2 victory over his previous team, the Yankees. Even better news for Detroit was that a fifth-starter candidate, LHP Dontrelle Willis, was the winning pitcher. His pitching line of 341110 indicates he might have to succeed more with finesse than power.
The Yanks’ other split squad won over the Orioles 5-3. RHP David Robertson received a save. Baltimore RHP Jeremy Guthrie gave up three runs in the first inning.
We’ve been telling you that Phillies RHP Danys Baez could be a good sleeper candidate this year, when expectations for him are few and he still has some talent if he’s physically OK. Baez picked up a save in Philadelphia’s 5-4 victory over the Twins.
3B prospect Juan Francisco hammered his first two homers of the spring, but the Reds lost 11-4 to the Cubs.
Marlins OF Brett Carroll hit his third homer of the spring in an 8-5 victory over the Rays. CF B.J. Upton homered for the first time for Tampa Bay.
Also hitting his first homer was Royals 2B Chris Getz, who connected in a 12-3 rout of the Angels. He might not hit many more than that all season.
Two teams won in the bottom of the last inning – including the Athletics, who actually went to 10 innings in a 10-9 victory over the Padres decided when CF Eric Patterson drove in the winning run. 3B Dallas McPherson had tied the game in the bottom of the ninth with a solo homer against San Diego RHP Kevin Correia. The Astros defeated the winless Nationals 8-7 on a single by rookie CF Jack Shuck. No, you won’t hear about him in the major leagues any more this year.
RHP Brandon McCarthy’s good start helped the Rangers to a 5-0 victory over the Indians. He is battling LHPs Matt Harrison and C.J. Wilson and others for a job as Texas’ fifth starter.
In Las Vegas, the Cubs took an early victory in their city series with the White Sox, 8-7.
Sample Scouting Report:
Brett Carroll, OF, Marlins
Ht.: 6-0 Wt.: 190 B: R Age: 27
{2010} Carroll’s stats lines conjure up a vision of a lumbering 6-4, 240-pound type who is a defensive liability. In reality, he’s a pretty good defender with enough arm to play right field. Limiting his playing time have been strikeout/walk ratios pretty consistently in the 3:1 range. In addition to showing power, Carroll hit for good averages in Triple-A until last season. That drop-off most likely resulted from having his routine disrupted by shuttling between Miami and Albuquerque. If he can keep his strikeouts under control, Carroll could stick in the majors as a fourth or fifth outfielder and platoon pinch hitter. His best chance for success would come if he could show enough that another team would take an interest in him once OF Michael Stanton is ready for the Marlins’ outfield. Born: Oct. 3, 1982, Knoxville, Tenn. 2009: 141 AB, .234 BA, 3 HR, 18 RBI, 0 SB, 18 R.
Projection
AB: 182 BA: .249 HR: 5 RBI: 25 SB: 1 R: 25 Value: $1

Napoli could take a step forward

2010-03-19T08:33:00.000-07:00

Rain wiped out eight games scheduled in Florida, including LHP Andy Pettitte’s scheduled 2010 debut for the Yankees.
Teams are at the point where they don’t even make a pretense of trying to get a decision in games. The two ties both ended after nine innings: the Angels and Indians 7-7 and the Royals and Mariners 6-6. In the LA/Anaheim-Cleveland game, Angels C Mike Napoli hit his fourth homer this spring. We considered Napoli for last year’s Derrek Lee Award, and we still feel he could do some breaking out. When Kansas City and Seattle played, Royals 1B prospect Kila Ka’aihue hit his second HR.
In the Rangers’ 6-2 victory over the Padres, Texas 1B Chris Davis followed Thursday’s 4-for-4 effort with three hits. Slimmed-down LHP Matt Harrison pitched three scoreless innings. RHP prospect Tanner Scheppers – who has been the talk of the back fields in Surprise, Ariz. – didn’t allow a run in his inning for the Rangers even though he gave up three hits.
The Cubs and White Sox met on neutral ground in Las Vegas, with the Cubs winning 6-5. Danger: Will Robinson! With an umpire named Will Robinson behind the plate, each team’s pitchers walked seven batters. Looking for speed? Cubs SS Ryan Theriot stole two bases, giving him four this spring. He stole one each against rookie Cs Tyler Flowers and Donny Lucy.
Another group of White Sox defeated an Angels split squad 10-7. Chicago supported RHP Jake Peavy’s three scoreless innings of pitching by taking a 7-0 lead against LA/Anaheim LHP Joe Saunders and RHP Travis Chick. The bad news for the Sox was that RHP Bobby Jenks didn’t get through the fourth inning, giving up five runs.
The Reds defeated a Dodgers split squad 3-2. Rookie Jordan Smith saved the game by retiring SS Argenis Reyes after LA had scored two runs and had another runner on base in the bottom of the ninth. The starting pitchers, Cincinnati RHP Bronson Arroyo and Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw each allowed two hits in three scoreless innings. A warning sign for Cincy was 1B Joey Votto’s 0-for-5 game, leaving five runners on base, dropping his average to .067.
A team of ersatz Dodgers lost its first exhibition game in China, 5-2 to the CPBL All-Stars.
Sample Scouting Report:
Mike Napoli, C, Angels
{2010} There isn’t much doubt about Napoli’s power and overall offensive ability, which put him almost into an elite status among fantasy catchers. And that’s the rub. He’s not a very good defensive catcher, and LA/Anaheim manager Mike Scioscia was a standout backstop and is an exacting mentor. That means that Napoli loses playing time to C Jeff Mathis, a better defender. The hope for fantasy owners is that Napoli would hit well enough to stay in the lineup as the DH when he isn’t catching. Born Oct. 31, 1981, Hollywood, Fla. 2009: 382 AB, .272 BA, 20 HR, 56 RBI, 3 SB, 60 R.
Projection
AB: 367 BA: .267 HR: 22 RBI: 62 SB: 5 R: 59 Value: $8

Twins will find a closer, maybe Liriano

2010-03-18T15:20:00.000-07:00

It just occurred to me that we haven’t told you much about the Twins’ closer situation with RHP Joe Nathan likely to miss this season because of a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow.
I don’t run the Minnesota organization; the Twins’ executives do a very good job without my help. Terry Ryan isn’t the GM anymore, but the team should assign him the task of sifting through the closer candidates, internal and external. After all, he’s the one who saw Nathan’s potential back when he was a setup man and stole him from the Giants in the notorious A.J. Pierzynski trade.
The Twinkies have plenty of in-house candidates, even though they’ll no doubt be looking elsewhere as well. They are the defending American League Central champions, after all, and a strong contender again this year, so there’s a lot at stake in a division where one blown save could make the difference in going to the playoffs or staying home.
Thus, we present the pitchers who could receive a promotion from the back to the front of the bullpen. RHP Jon Rauch has been a closer in the majors with mixed results. Of his 26 career saves, 17 came in 22 attempts with the 2008 Nationals. RHP Matt Guerrier has been a reliable setup man, but hasn’t been called on for many saves (one in each of the last four seasons, with a career record of 4 in 14 attempts). RHP Jesse Crain at times was an overpowering closer as high as Triple-A, but his skill set and some arm problems have kept him from being a major factor in the majors (2-for-12 in career saves). LHP Jose Mijares was a minor league closer, but has even less big-league track record (one unsuccessful save attempt in 81 games) than Crain. RHP Clay Condrey: 4-for-6 in his career. RHP Pat Neshek: 0-for-7. The most intriguing candidate is LHP Francisco Liriano. He would have an exceptional repertoire for a closer – fastball, slider, devastating changeup. For Minnesota even to try him as a closer would mean both that the twins are satisfied with five other starters and that they’d trust Liriano to be what could be an overwhelming closer.
In the Phillies’ 4-0 victory over the Tigers, RHP Joe Blanton continued a good spring by outdueling RHP Justin Verlander. Blanton’s pitching line was 430000, compared to Verlander’s 462202. We can only imagine that Blanton’s pitches were moving down and out of the strike zone, which they do when he’s at his best. Philadelphia’s bullpen held Detroit hitless for the final five innings.
The Marlins’ closer, RHP Leo Nunez, had a chance for an easy save, entering their game against the Cardinals to start the ninth inning with a 3-0 lead. Instead, he imploded. His pitching line was 2/3 45311 as he turned the lead into a 5-3 loss. Included were doubles by young 3B David Freese and OF Joe Mather.
Rays LHP Jacob McGee did get a save in a 4-1 victory of the Blue Jays. His pitching line was 210002. They played in St. Petersburg, but the Braves-Yankees game next door in Tampa was rained out.
In a game reduced to eight innings because of rain, the Twins defeated the Orioles 8-3. Baltimore RHP Kevin Millwood again struggled. He’s 0-2 this spring with a 29.70 ERA, including a pitching line of 2 2/3 95512. Minnesota OF/1B Michael Cuddyer hit a home run against Millwood.
The Diamondbacks defeated the Angels 4-1, with LA/Anaheim’s only run coming on C Mike Napoli’s third homer this spring against Arizona RHP Leo Rosales.
The Dodgers defeated the Royals 6-4, with most of the damage against RHP Gil Meche. His line of 274410 included a homer by LA OF Andre Ethier.
The Rangers had one of their occasional offensive explosions, pounding 23 hits in a 16-5 victory over the Rockies. The winning pitcher, RHP Scott Feldman, had a shaky line of 2 1/3 53323, but it was a case of “You should see the other guy.” Colorado RHP Aaron Cook’s line was 2 2/3 99513. Rangers 1B Chris Davis, who seems on track to have a bounce-back season, hit a two-run homer against Cook during a 4-for-4 day with three RBI.
Mets SS Jose Reyes has been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder. He has been prescribed rest, and seems unlikely to be ready for Opening Day.
Sample Scouting Report:
Chris Davis, 1B, Rangers
Ht.: 6-4 Wt.: 235 B: L Age: 24
{2010} In half a season as a rookie in 2008, Davis hit 17 home runs and drove in 55 runs. Last season, he was striking out nearly once every two at-bats when he was returned to Triple-A Oklahoma City. He had been missing fastballs, swinging at balls and taking strikes, but altered his approach and became more patient in the minors. Davis batted .202 before the demotion, but improved to .308 in 36 games after his return to the Rangers. He can’t help but be somewhere between those averages this season, but he had a good start in exhibition games and should be a good power source making more consistent contact. If he doesn’t, he wouldn’t play much because 1B prospects Justin Smoak and Mitch Moreland are coming up behind him. Born: March 17, 1986, Longview, Texas. 2009: 391 AB, .238 BA, 21 HR, 59 RBI, 0 SB, 48 R.
Projection
AB: 482 BA: .258 HR: 26 RBI: 78 SB: 1 R: 67, Value: $7.

Astros are happier, but don't seem any better

2010-03-18T14:53:00.000-07:00

You might have heard about how there’s a much better atmosphere around the Astros this year with Brad Mills as manager. He might be the freshest breath of air in Florida this spring, or it could just be that anyone might have been an improvement over Cecil Cooper’s negativity.
One thing Mills can’t do is play for Houston. Not many others in Kissimmee, Fla., are much help either. If LHP Wandy Rodriguez’s performance (pitching line of 366401) in a 16-4 loss to the Marlins is any indication, it will be a long year for the Astros.
Florida 2B Dan Uggla and OF prospect Michael Stanton hit home runs against Rodriguez. LF Chris Coghlan had a double against not-so-magic Wandy and a triple against RHP Gary Majewski in a 2-for-3 day with four RBI. OF Brett Carroll, having a good spring, homered against LHP Wesley Wright and added two doubles.
The bad news for the Athletics in a 9-5 loss to the White Sox was RHP Ben Sheets’ pitching line: 2 2/3 56510. The better news was 3B Eric Chavez’s two home runs, against RHP hopefuls Dan Hudson and Jeff Marquez.
The Yankees beat the Tigers 9-8 on a home run by OF Greg Golson against LHP Phil Dumatrait. The next time we see that matchup, they’ll probably be playing for Scranton and Toledo in the Triple-A International League.
Meanwhile, the Mets’ struggles continued in a 7-6, 10-inning loss to the Braves. A bright spot is OF Chris Carter, whose third home run this spring was against a legitimate major leaguer, RHP Derek Lowe. Carter drove in four runs, and power-poor New York might have no choice but to take him north for Opening Day.
A few days ago, we mentioned Blue Jays OF/3B Jose Bautista as a sleeper candidate for fifth outfielder/corner infielder. In a 4-2 loss to the Phillies, he hit his third homer, against LHP Cole Hamels. Bautista also had a double and raised his spring average to .643.
The Devil Rays defeated the Red Sox 8-6, with RHP Dale Thayer’s line of 100000 earning a save. It’s possible he could have some saves for Tampa Bay this season. He has been a minor league closer. The downside is that he might not have enough power to get needed strikeouts in tight situations. Boston CF Jacoby Ellsbury hit two home runs, but those were against two middle relievers at best, RHPs Joe Bateman and Joaquin Benoit.
In the Mariners’ 6-3 victory over the Rangers, LHP Cliff Lee was the winning pitcher. That wasn’t unexpected, so the eyebrow-raiser might have been LHP Garret Olson’s relief pitching. He entered with a three-run lead, the bases loaded and two out in the eighth inning and finished with the same lead, a save and a line of 1 1/3 10010.
For the Cardinals, RHP Brad Penny had a line of 410002 and rookie 3B/OF Allen Craig hit a two-run homer against RHP Garrett Mock in a 6-4 victory over the Nationals. Craig could be in line for a utility/pinch hitter role in the majors, possibly after succeeding for a time in Triple-A this season.
3B Pablo Sandoval’s grand slam against RHP Carlos Zambrano provided most of the offense as the Giants defeated the Cubs 5-1. Holding down Chicago was San Francisco LHP Jonathan Sanchez, with a line of 330005. Should be an interesting National League West race this year among the Giants, Rockies, Dodgers and possibly Diamondbacks.
The Orioles probably took note of RHP Matt Albers’ save (pitching line: 110000) in their 3-2 win over the Pirates. Baltimore scored all of its runs in the first inning against Pittsburgh LHP Zach Duke, who’s either wishing he was traded last season or thinking about suing for non-support.
Sample Scouting Reports:
W. Chris Carter, OF, Mets
Ht.: 6-0 Wt.: 230 B: L Age: 27
{2010} New York acquired him from the Red Sox in the Billy Wagner trade. Carter has batted .324, .300 and .294 in Triple-A the last three seasons, mostly as a left fielder and first baseman. He has a good batting eye and little speed. With the Mets, he could be a DH for just a few games a year. Still, they need any power they can find, so Carter could end up as a platoon option with a few dollars of fantasy value. He doesn’t have the upside of Athletics 1B prospect Chris Carter, but should have more value this season. Born: Sept. 16, 1982, Fremont, Calif. 2009: Red Sox, 6 AB, .000 BA, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB, 0 R.
Projection
AB: 255 BA: .255 HR: 9 RBI: 36 SB: 1 R: 30
Chris C. Carter, 1B, Athletics
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 210 B: R Age: 23
{2010} After a monster season as the Texas League MVP at Double-A Midland – 24 homers, 100 RBI, 108 runs, 13 stolen bases, .337 average, Carter hit four homers and batted .259 in 54 at-bats for Triple-A Sacramento. With Eric Chavez and Daric Barton already in Oakland, and with Carter batting just .212 in the Mexican Pacific League, there wouldn’t seem to be room for him with the parent club this season, which he’d most likely begin back in Sacramento. There he could work on reducing his strikeouts (401 over the last three years). His physique reminds me of Enos Cabell with power. Even though Carter has 92 homers the last three years in the minors, we can’t be sure how many of those were the result of playing in hitter-friendly parks. He is a prospect, but probably not until September in the majors. Born: Dec. 18, 1986, Redwood City, Calif.
Projection
AB: 148 BA: .257 HR: 7 RBI: 24 SB: 1 R: 23

Strasburg's debut offers some hope for Nats

2010-03-16T13:22:00.000-07:00

The much awaited debut of Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg went off pretty much without a hitch for him. In two innings, he gave up just two hits and struck out two batters.
An even better performance was by his starting opponent, Tigers RHP Rick Porcello, himself a highly touted prospect not long ago. His pitching line in Detroit’s 9-4 victory was 320001.
That line was the same as that of Red Sox RHP Tim Wakefield, who wasn’t even a prospect 20 years ago. Boston shut out the Marlins 9-0.
Another up-and-coming pitcher having a good day was Rockies RHP Ubaldo Jimenez. His control wasn’t sharp, but his overall line was 310032 in a 12-0 whitewash of the Dodgers.
When will the Mets get some good news? They lost to the Astros 8-4, with Houston scoring three times in the first inning against LHP Johan Santana.
Phillies RHP Roy Halladay showed some power pitching with a line of 330005. Other notes from that game: 1. OF Jayson Werth hit a home run against Braves RHP Kenshin Kawakami. 2. The winning pitcher in Philadelphia’s 7-4 victory was RHP Danys Baez, who pitched a scoreless inning. He hasn’t been a fantasy factor in years, which just makes him all the more attractive as a sleeper. Keep your eye on him. On the other hand, we think Werth will be overvalued in the wake of his 36 homers during a career season when he turned 30.
More home run news: In the Pirates’ 12-7 victory over the Yankees, DH Nick Johnson hit his first two homers this spring for New York and RF Garrett Jones hit his second for the Bucs. 1B Derrek Lee hit his second, but the Cubs still lost to the Brewers 6-3. Kevin Kouzmanoff hit his first for the Athletics in a cursed 8-8, nine-inning tie. Oakland plans to use Kouzmanoff as its regular third baseman, with 3B Eric Chavez moving to first base. That raises two questions: 1. Can Chavez avoid injury enough to play regularly? and 2. What does that mean for 1B Daric Barton? Our thinking is that Barton could be a productive fantasy player if he’s traded to a team in a hitters’ park.
Sample Scouting Report:
Jayson Werth
Ht.: 6-5 Wt.: 225 B: R Age: 30
{2010} Werth had a breakthrough season in 2009, but it’s likely to be his career year. So if fantasy owners value him based on ’09, they almost certainly will be disappointed. For a reason why, look to OF Ryan Ludwick. His breakthrough 2008 season was even better than Werth’s except for the stolen bases; .299, 37 homers, 113 RBI, 104 runs, four steals. And he was nearly eight weeks younger then than Werth was last year. Ludwick’s ’09: .265, 22 HR, 97 RBI, 63 runs, four steals. Still good – and Werth still could be good if he avoids the injuries that have plagued him; last year was the first when he wasn’t on the disabled list – but just not 36 homers, 99 RBI and 20 steals good. You’ll see Werth overrated in most projections, auctions and drafts. Born May 20, 1979. 2009: Phillies, 571 AB, .268 BA, 36 HR, 99 RBI, 20 SB, 98 R.
Projection
AB: 482 BA: .269 HR: 27 RBI: 81 SB: 16 R: 77

Heyward hammers first homer

2010-03-16T06:53:00.000-07:00

After pounding baseballs into a parking lot in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., for a couple of weeks, Braves RF prospect Jason Heyward hit his first exhibition homer in a 12-4 victory over the Tigers. The blast came against RHP Max Scherzer, from whom Detroit is expecting big things. Tigers manager compared Heyward to a young Albert Pujols. Expect the rookie to arrive in Atlanta amid even more hype on Opening Day. And expect whoever gets him in your fantasy league to overpay for Heyward.
Speaking of hype, the legend of Reds rookie LHP Aroldis Chapman continued with two scoreless innings in his first exhibition game, or any game on U.S. soil. His fastball was clocked at 99 and 100 mph on different radar guns. That was in a 14-5 win over the Royals. Possible good news for Kansas City was that 3B Josh Fields, filling in for injured 3B/1B Alex Gordon, hit a home run against Cincinnati RHP Nick Masset.
Other home runs of note included Blue Jays C J.P. Arencibia’s third this spring. Don’t get too excited about this one; it was against marginal Astros RHP Bud Norris in Toronto’s 4-1victory. In the Brewers’ 6-2 win over the Mariners, RF Corey Hart hit his second. That could be a good sign that he won’t cut down his effort after signing a multiyear contract.
It could have been a typical high-scoring Arizona game when C Mike Napoli hit his second spring homer in the Angels’ 13-9 victory over the Rangers. Or it could be that Napoli is continuing to develop, and is a good candidate to spend the All-Star break at home in Anaheim to play in the game.
In the Twins’ 5-0 victory over the Orioles, RHP Kevin Slowey had a pitching line of 310012. You might recall that he was one of our Jarrod Washburn Award winners before last season, and won 10 games before going on the disabled list for most of the season’s second half. It’s entirely possible that we’d name him the Washburn Award winner (for an inexpensive pitcher who will rack up the wins) again this year.
The Yankees and Pirates both were in mid-season form as New York won 6-0. RHP Alfredo Aceves pitched four hitless innings. Pittsburgh’s only hit in the game was 1B/OF Steven Pearce’s single against RHP Ivan Nova, who is more likely to pitch at Triple-A Scranton than in Yankee Stadium this year. The Yanks’ closer, RHP Mariano Rivera, hasn’t even pitched yet this spring and isn’t scheduled to until March 16. He said, “When the time comes, I will be ready.” We have no reason to doubt him.
Mets OF Chris Carter, late of the Red Sox, became the second player this spring to homer twice in the same inning – New York’s eight-run ninth in an 11-2 victory over the Marlins. The game’s biggest news, however, might have been RHP prospect Jennry Mejia’s three scoreless innings. Manager Jerry Manuel compared Mejia’s moving cut fastball to Rivera’s. My own comparison to Rivera is Rangers RHP Neftali Feliz, because from the time I first saw each of them in the minors I felt they have almost impossible-to-hit stuff but not enough stamina to withstand high pitch counts as a starter. Ergo, each would be best as a reliever. I haven’t seen Mejia yet, so I’m not sure about his optimum role.
Three games ended as one-run decisions on last-inning runs. The Rays beat the Pirates 4-3 on OF Fernando Perez’s 10th-inning single. In another 10-inning game, the Giants defeated the Dodgers 3-2 with strong-armed rookie RF Roger Kieschnick preventing what would have been the tying run by throwing out 2B Ron Belliard at home plate. The Red Sox edged the Cardinals 7-6, with rookie 1B Che-Hsuan Lin driving in the winning run. Boston RHP Josh Beckett pitched three perfect innings.
Injuries:
Rangers LF Josh Hamilton (bruised left shoulder) was supposed to return to the field Sunday, but the scheduled “B” game was rained out. Instead, he came back today and went 2-for-3 against the Angels.
Mets RHP Francisco Rodriguez (pinkeye) was expected to come back to throw Tuesday or Wednesday, and to pitch in a game over the weekend. However, New York NL has shut down RHP Kelvim Escobar (weak shoulder), who is expected to begin the season on the disabled list.
Astros RHP Brandon Lyon (cyst in his shoulder) threw 30 pitches in the bullpen, and could face batters by the weekend.
Dodgers 3B Casey Blake is out because of a strained rib cage muscle. RHP Cory Wade (tender shoulder) will be out two weeks.
Cardinals SS Brendan Ryan (wrist surgery) hit soft toss, and could take batting practice for the first time Friday.
Phillies LHP J.C. Romero (elbow surgery) is scheduled to throw in the bullpen Tuesday. He expects to be ready by the home opener in Philadelphia April 12.
Dodgers RHP Ronald Belisario isn’t injured, but he hasn’t been able to pitch because he’s still home in Venezuela. He has had difficulty obtaining a visa because of a DUI arrest last summer.
The PED News:
Dr. Anthony Galea, the Canadian physician under fire for allegedly arranging to smuggle performance-enhancing drugs into the U.S., said he had provided anti-inflammatory drugs to Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez. Mets SS Jose Reyes said Dr. Galea used with him a “blood spinning” technique that kind of sounds like the blood doping banned by the Olympics decades ago.
Sample Scouting Report:
Aroldis Chapman, LHP, Reds
Ht.: 6-4 Wt.: 180 T: L Age: 22* Inj. Risk: 10 Alt. Pos: SP
{2010} Chapman was considered such a good pitcher in Cuba that president Raul Castro forgave him for an attempt to defect in 2008, and allowed him to travel with the national team the next year. He then defected in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Chapman’s fastball reportedly has been clocked at 102 mph; he has flirted with triple figures this spring. At least some of the hype around him is justified. There is a lot of interest in Cincinnati about having him in the rotation this season. How well he does will depend on how he can control his slider and continue to develop a changeup. Without those, he’d be best in Triple-A or even Double-A this season. Born: Feb. 28, 1988, Cuba*.
Projection
IP: 81 W: 6 ERA: 4.00 WHIP: 1.33 S: 0 SO: 73 $3

More patience would help Ellsbury as leadoff batter

2010-03-13T23:20:00.000-08:00

Today’s TV viewing included Boston’s 5-4 victory over the Orioles. Starting for the Red Sox, RHP Clay Buchholz gave up three runs in two innings. Baltimore’s starter, RHP Jeremy Guthrie had similar problems, primarily because he couldn’t put away batters. Two marginal major leaguers, 2B Tug Hulett and 1B Aaron Bates, worked Guthrie for walks. In what had to be disappointing to the Sox, CF Jacoby Ellsbury wasn’t as patient. The leadoff batter instead popped out to end the threat.
Rain wiped out all of the games in the Phoenix area, meaning that the only games in Arizona were two between split squads of Diamondbacks and Rockies in Tucson. Even those games were shortened because of wet weather. Arizona won one game 9-3 in six innings, with much of the time being eaten up while the D-backs were scoring eight runs against LHP Franklin Morales in 1 2/3 innings. Without such a struggling pitcher, the other game made it through seven innings with the Rockies winning 4-1.
Despite their rainout, the Angels kept LHP Joe Saunders on schedule for his first regular-season start by having him throw batting practice in a bullpen. The White Sox did the same thing with RHP Jake Peavy, who pitched a simulated game
Scoring the most runs in the eight games in Florida were the Pirates, in a 15-5 victory over the Twins. RF Garrett Jones hit a home run against his former team, and 1B/SS Bobby Crosby also went deep for Pittsburgh. RHP Ronald Uviedo added a win to the save he recorded Friday. That spring production doesn’t necessarily make him a worthwhile fantasy pick but it could land him a spot in the Bucs’ bullpen.
The Twins’ good split squad apparently was playing against the Yankees, and recording an 11-0 shutout. It was the second scoreless effort in two days by Minnesota’s staff.
The Mets may have clinched fourth place in the National League East almost a month before the season begins. The defeated the Nationals again, 6-5. In his first game for Washington, RHP Jason Marquis gave up five runs in two innings. C Omir Santos helped New York’s cause with an inside-the-park grand slam courtesy of Nationals LF Willy Taveras’ indecision about grabbing the ball from under the fence down the left field line.
Instead of going home after nine innings, the Rays and Phillies stayed for Tampa Bay’s 5-3 victory in 10 innings. That gives the Rays the early lead in games between the last two losing World Series teams.
RHP Kyle McClellan, fighting LHPs Rich Hill and possibly Jaime Garcia for the job as the Cardinals’ fifth starter, needed just 39 pitches to get through three innings of a 7-4 victory over the Marlins. OF Brett Carroll hit a home run for Florida.
Even before the Blue Jays have made it through the first week of exhibition games, injury problems are limiting their pitching rotation. That could keep LHP Brian Tallet in a starting role. However, he gave up four runs in two innings, including homers by RF Magglio Ordonez and 1B Ryan Strieby. Toronto’s rotation is unsettled, with RHPs Shaun Marcum, Dustin McGowan and Brandon Morrow and LHPs Ricky Romero, Marc Rzepczynski and Brett Cecil also fighting for spots. Marcum, McGowan and Cecil are coming back from injuries.
Injuries – current, not Prior:
Dodgers C Russell Martin will be out 4-6 weeks because of a pulled groin muscle. While he’s out, LA said it would go with rookie A.J. Ellis and old-timer Brad Ausmus. Ellis batted .314 last season at Triple-A Albuquerque, but is just 1-for-13 in the majors. Despite the Dodgers’ cheery words about Ellis, expect them to shop for a catcher if Martin would miss more than a couple of weeks to begin the season.
Royals 3B Alex Gordon suffered a broken right thumb when he slid headfirst trying to steal second base in Saturday’s game. He could be back by Opening Day, but at least until then 2B Alberto Callaspo and 3B Josh Fields are expected to share time at third base. Callaspo has lost his second base job to 2B Chris Getz, who went to Kansas City from the White Sox in a trade for OF/3B Mark Teahen.
Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Webb threw soft toss, and is considered day to day. He might not be able to pitch in a game by mid-March.
Giants 3B/OF Mark DeRosa, expected to be their left fielder this season, took his first batting practice following off-season surgery. OF/2B Emmanuel Burriss has been wearing a walking boot to protect his fractured left foot. He could be out two months. Even then there would be a question about how well Burriss, whose game is predicated almost entirely on his speed, could run.
Red Sox RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka threw 65 pitches on the side.
What they’re working on:
Phillies RHP prospect Phillippe Aumont turned around his poor exhibition debut by pitching 2 2/3 scoreless innings against the Rays. As part of Philadelphia’s switching him from a reliever to a starter, he has lowered his arm angle from over the top to three-quarters. That has improved his slider, making it a second out pitch to go with his fastball. His work on that most likely will continue in the high minors this season.
Sample Scouting Report:
Kyle McClellan, RHP, Cardinals
Ht.: 6-4 Wt.: 205 T: R Age: 25 Inj. Risk: 10
{2010} McClellan could be a hometown favorite; his family has had Cardinals season tickets for years. He has been mostly a setup man since jumping from Double-A to the majors to open the 2008 season with St. Louis. The Cardinals are giving him a shot as a starter this spring, which seems surprising because he has seemed to lack stamina in slumping during the second half of each of his two seasons as a big leaguer. It’s also possible that he could grow into a closer’s job. The key for McClellan will be improving the control that slipped last year. 2009: 67 IP, 4-4 W-L, 3.37 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 3 S, 51 SO. Born: June 12, 1984, Florissant, Mo.
Projection
IP: 66 W: 3 ERA: 3.56 WHIP: 1.35 S: 3 SO: 48

Coming back: Quentin, Marcum

2010-03-13T23:09:00.000-08:00

A couple of players we’ve been touting hit home runs.
In fact, White Sox LF Carlos Quentin slammed two in their 15-3 rout of the Cubs, which put flags at half staff all over Chicago’s north side. Unless he’s hurt again, Quentin appears to be a slam-dunk American League Comeback Player of the Year.
Also, Blue Jays C prospect J.P. Arencibia hit his second home run this spring. We’re not making too much of that hit because it was against Yankees RHP Andrew Brackman, their most overhyped draft pick since Brien Taylor. OF Adam Lind, who could be one of a handful of the AL’s best offensive players this season, homered against New York RHP Jonathan Abominablesnowman. However, the best news for Toronto is that RHP Shaun Marcus (speaking of Comeback of the Year candidates) pitched two scoreless innings in his 2010 debut.
Two years ago, the Rays indicated that they had arrived by playing aggressively and not blinking in spring training against their chief AL East competition, the Red Sox and Yankees. Tampa Bay beat Boston 6-4 on OF Justin Ruggiano’s two-run homer in the ninth inning. Don’t make too much of it because it came against LHP Kris Johnson, who isn’t likely to get any closer to Boston than Pawtucket this summer.
The Marlins defeated the Cardinals 6-5 in 10 innings on a single by 3B Hector Luna against RHP Oneli Perez. Both are likely to be non-factors in fantasy baseball this season.
This just in: The Nationals still suck. They lost to the Mets (insert team name in previous sentence) 14-6.
The Giants’ split squads both were in games where the winning team scored 12 runs. They defeated the Diamondbacks 12-6 and lost to the Brewers 12-1.
Played today’s cursed tie were the Phillies and Pirates, who each scored three runs in 10 innings in a Battle of Pennsylvania in Florida.
Sample Scouting Report:
Carlos Quentin, OF, White Sox
Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 220 B: R Age: 27 Inj. Risk: 10
{2010} Quentin has been hurt in each of the last two seasons, reducing his desirability in many fantasy leagues. Hand, heel and knee injuries sidelined him for two months last season, but in 2008 Quentin had 36 homers and 100 RBI despite missing the final month. He’s not an all-or-nothing slugger who’ll strike out whenever he doesn’t rattle a wall with the ball, but a thoughtful batter who will take or foul off marginal pitches and draw walks. One thing to watch for in spring telecasts or reports is Quentin’s weight. If he’s slim and trim that could mean a win for you in your draft or an auction bargain. 2009: 351 AB, .236 BA, 21 HR, 56 RBI, 3 SB, 47 R. Born Aug. 28, 1982, Bellflower, Calif.
Projection
AB: 508 BA: .278 HR: 30 RBI: 90 SB: 4 R: 81 Value: $12

Pavano outpitches Lester

2010-03-13T23:06:00.000-08:00

The starting pitchers were RHP Carl Pavano and LHP Jon Lester, so the 5-0 final score was no surprise. It was surprising, however, that Pavano’s Twins were the winners over Lester’s Red Sox.
Updating Thursday’s Email, Rays 2B Sean Rodriguez hit his third home run in three games in a 12-7 victory over the Yankees. This one was against New York RHP Phil Hughes. Even so, we’re still not convinced that Rodriguez is the man for an everyday role in Tampa Bay’s lineup. Keep a watch on the competition between him and RF Matt Joyce, one of whom will be a starter with Ben Zobrist playing either second or right field.
The Astros’ offensive output fell from 21 hits Thursday to 14. And those weren’t nearly enough in a 17-7 loss to the Tigers, who pounded the ball for 16 hits.
The Blue Jays treated Phillies LHP Cole Hamels rudely, scoring three runs in three innings against him. Toronto won 14-9, with 3B/OF Jose Bautista hitting a home run. He could be a sleeper candidate. The statistics to look for with him are walks and on-base percentage. Bautista has some power but needs to improve his selectivity at the plate.
Sample Scouting Report:
Jose Bautista, OF, Blue Jays
Ht.: 6-0 Wt.: 195 B: R Age: 29* Alt. Pos.: 3B
{2010} Those who put stock in second-half statistics no doubt have Bautista on their list for 2010. Ten of his home runs last season came after August. Those who downgrade performances in September against a lot of minor league pitchers won’t care about him. There is good reason to keep him in mind as a fifth outfielder/corner infielder/DH. Bautista won’t help your average, but he has shown that the more he plays, the more patient he is, allowing him to draw walks. Those lead to more runs and greater value in 5X5 leagues. He also crushes left-handed pitching (.293 last season), giving him a greater opportunity to play at least a platoon role with a young Toronto outfielder such as Travis Snider. Bautista’s eligibility at third base also gives him greater relative value at that position. 2009: .235 BA, 13 HR, 40 RBI, 4 SB, 54 R. Born Oct. 19, 1980, Dominican Republic*.
Projection
AB: 376 HR: 13 RBI: 43 SB: 3 R: 54 Value: $4

Rodriguez hits to make his pitch

2010-03-13T13:04:00.000-08:00

Spring training moved into high gear with 27 major league teams playing in 14 games. The Nationals lost two split-squad games.
Sean Rodriguez continued his hot start toward winning the Rays’ second base job by hitting his second home run in two games. It was the only hit against Orioles LHP Brian Matusz in 1 1/3 innings of their 6-5 defeat.
Blue Jays C prospect J.P. Arencibia won their game over the Tigers 9-7 with a two-run homer in the ninth inning against Tigers RHP Zach Miner. Our thinking is that Arencibia is a much better prospect than Detroit SS Brent Dlugach, who hit his second homer this spring.
Listened to part of the Rangers-Royals spring opener. Texas was one of the big-hitting teams – in fact, each major league team from the Lone Star State banged out 21 hits. The Rangers defeated Kansas City 13-3, and the Astros clobbered the Nationals 15-5. For Houston, RF Hunter Pence hammered two homers – in the fourth inning. Those were against marginal RHPs Shairon Martis and Joel Peralta, but Pence’s 3-for-3 day with four RBI might have signaled the beginning of what we think could be a big year for him.
The Rockies had a mere 17 hits in their 11-1 victory over the Diamondbacks.
The teams walked to runs in the Mets’ 17-11 victory over the Cardinals. There were 18 bases on balls. A name to file away: St. Louis 2B David Descalso. He might not be in the majors until 2011, but he was 2-for-2 in the game.
Mets SS Jose Reyes missed the game to undergo a blood test. There apparently was an abnormality in an earlier test during his physical exam.
LHP Johan Santana threw off a mound for the first time since undergoing elbow surgery last September. He made 40 pitches in batting practice to Rod Barajas and rookie Josh Thole, who are expected to be New York’s catchers this season.
Almost all of the scoring – two runs apiece – was against the bullpen in the Phillies’ 3-2 win over the Yankees. The starters, RHP Roy Halladay and LHP C.C. Sabathia, each pitched two scoreless innings.
The dishonor of playing the spring’s first tie game, 4-4 in 10 innings, went to the White Sox and Angels. They couldn’t possibly have played any longer – not with approximately 7,000 pitchers and a couple of hundred position players available in their spring training camp.
It wasn’t long ago that RHP Radhames Liz was a fraudulent prospect with the Orioles. He’s now with the Padres, and he gave up six runs in the eighth inning of their 9-3 loss to the Mariners. Included was 1B Tommy Everidge’s grand slam. It was a good day for Seattle first basemen; Ryan Garko also hit a solo homer.
The Nationals were hoping to improve their bullpen by trading for RHP Brian Bruney, but he was the losing pitcher in their 10-4 loss to the Marlins.
A guy we’ve touted as a potential closer somewhere is RHP Joe Nelson. He saved Boston’s 2-1 victory over the Twins.
What they’re working on:
Red Sox RHP Jonathan Papelbon, who has no reason to feel that Nelson is a threat to the closer’s job, is trying to regain his split-finger pitch. He threw four of them among his 13 pitches against the Twins.
Worth noting:
The Cubs’ closer of record, RHP Carlos Marmol, was 11-for-11 in save opportunities after taking over the job last season. A word of caution: His 161 appearances during the past two seasons were the majors’ second-highest total, so he could feel the pressures of being overworked. Or he might be one of those pitchers who haven’t always babied their arm so that the workload wouldn’t bother him.
The White Sox have used 3B Gordon Beckham, fueling speculation that he could be used in a trade with the Padres for 1B Adrian Gonzalez.
The Angels credit RF Bobby Abreu, who has a long-established and well deserved reputation as a selective batter, with helping SS Erick Aybar exceed his career on-base percentage by 55 points last season and 3B Chone Figgins and CF Torii Hunter improve theirs by 40 points.
Sample Scouting Report:
J.P. Arencibia, C, Blue Jays
Ht: 6-1 Wt: 215 Age: 24 B: R
{2010}Arencibia hasn’t yet lived up to the potential that Toronto saw when it made him a supplemental first-round draft pick in 2007. The former Tennessee Volunteer’s average has dropped at each of his last two stops, and he has struck out at least four times for every walk in each of his four minor league stops. You should look past his .236 average at Triple-A Las Vegas last year to consider it a negative but not something that would keep him from having fantasy value. That would come from his 21 homers and 75 RBI, which would give him more value than most catchers. A year earlier, he totaled 27 dingers and 105 RBI in high Class A and Double-A. J.P. also needs to work on his throwing. He has a strong arm, but threw out just 25 per cent of potential base stealers in 2009. The Jays need a catcher; by mid-season Arencibia could have that job.
Projection
AB: 385 BA: .264 HR: 17 RBI: 62 SB: 0 R: 50 Value: $5

Not much relief from bullpens

2010-03-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

Here’s what happened today, when the schedule of exhibition games expanded to nine, with five of those between teams that both ostensibly were made up of major league players.
A trend was terrible relief pitching, which is understandable because especially this early in the spring, a number of even the late-inning relievers are pitchers who won’t even get a sniff of the majors in 2010.
The Tigers had some encouraging developments. RHP Jeremy Bonderman started and pitched two scoreless innings. OF Casper Wells, whom we introduced to you Tuesday, drove in a run with a triple to tie the game in the ninth inning, then scored the winning run in a 7-6 victory over the Blue Jays. However, LHP Daniel Schlereth, part of Detroit’s big trade with the Diamondbacks and Yankees, blew a lead by giving up four runs in the bottom of the eighth – with three of those on a home run by minor league journeyman Chris Lubanski.
There was similar bullpen failure in the Giants’ 8-7 victory in 10 innings over the Mariners. San Francisco allowed two runs to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth. 1B Aubrey Huff homered for the Giants. RHP Tim Lincecum gave up three runs in just one inning. He noted that his violent motion has “a lot of moving parts” and that he has to refine each one of those to get his delivery working right. There’s no need to panic now, but remember that there’s a possibility he might not be able to put everything back together just right.
The Orioles hit six home runs in a 12-2 rout of the Rays, but the most interesting homer in that game might have been by 2B Sean Rodriguez. He’s fighting for the starting job in Tampa Bay. If he wins that, Ben Zobrist could start in right field. I predict that if Zobrist plays regularly at second base, the Rays have a good chance to make the playoffs, but if Rodriguez or Reid Brignac is in the usual starting lineup, TB will be a weaker, non-playoff team.
Anyway, today Baltimore got two home runs apiece from DH Josh Bell and 1B Rhyne Hughes. Don’t go putting them on your draft or auction list. Bell hit a homer against RHP Matt Garza, a legitimate major leaguer, but the other was against LHP Heath Phillips. Hughes, who already is 26 years old, hit his blasts against journeyman Phillips and 29-year-old Jason Cromer. You might see similar performances by these players this season – if you’re at a Triple-A game.
Here’s an idea for the majors. Take a page from the NBA’s book and have a few teams that are hopelessly overmatched in a major professional league.
In spring training, baseball pretty much does that by scheduling exhibitions against college teams. The major league teams won all four games against collegians today, by a composite score of 53-10. That’s 6-0 in favor of a handful of major leaguers and the professional minor leaguers representing MLB cities.
The Red Sox swept Northeastern 15-0 and Boston College 6-1 in a pair of seven-inning games. The Marlins played all nine against the University of Miami for a 19-3 victory. In an eight-inning contest, the Phillies overcame Florida State’s 6-4 lead to win 13-6. Seminoles pitchers walked 16 batters. Bad news for Philadelphia was that RHP prospect Phillippe Aumont lasted just two-thirds of an inning and allowed five runs.
The Yankees didn’t play a college team, but they did find a willing opponent in the Pirates. New York didn’t win until OF Colin Curtis hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth against Pittsburgh RHP Virgil Vasquez for a 6-3 victory.
Position changes:
SS Miguel Tejada opened the exhibition season with the Orioles at his new position, third base.
White Sox 3B prospect Dayan Viciedo will start at first base in their opening exhibition.
Failed SS prospect Sergio Santos is now with the White Sox trying to make it as a righthanded pitcher.
Injuries:
White Sox CF Alex Rios is out because of a sore right shoulder. He seems to be becoming somewhat brittle. Expect him to miss 30-40 games this season.
Astros 1B Lance Berkman (bruised left knee) will miss Thursday’s game. If he plays Friday, that would be as a DH.
Cardinals SS Brendan Ryan seems impatient to get back as he recovers from surgery on his right wrist. Beware his trying to come back too soon and missing a significant part of this season as well.
Indians DH Travis Hafner has missed much of the past two seasons, and still has to prove he has regained his former strength and form 17 months after arthroscopic shoulder surgery.
News and notes:
The Diamondbacks and RF Justin Upton have officially agreed on a six-year, $51.25-million contract.
Padres RHP Heath Bell is working to add a changeup to the fastball and curve he already was throwing. You might not realize this, but even with just two pitches he led the National League with 42 saves in 2009.

Guys in Mets uniforms win 1st exhibition

2010-03-03T20:49:00.000-08:00

It was good to see some baseball on my laptop today, mlb.tv’s telecast of the Braves-Mets game in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Especially after New York manager Jerry Manuel took the starters out of the lineup because the field was wet, the players bore little resemblance to major league teams.
Just check out these Mets “stars” – the starting pitcher, RHP Nelson Figueroa; in relief, LHP Bobby Livingston, and with an eighth-inning solo homer cementing their 4-2 victory, Russ Adams. If those players are all with the Mets this season, they’ll be worse than they were in 2009.
Let’s go back to that thing about taking starters out because rain had soaked the field. The same teams that are so concerned about avoiding injury to their high-priced talent at a time of exhibition games think nothing about sending those same players out on the field to complete a regular-season delayed for hours. That’s just good business, because then they can collect the ticket money from people who long since went home and went to bed.
Anyway, the winners of today’s other two games were predictable.
The Tigers defeated Florida Southern 13-1. The only Detroit player worthy of note was OF Casper Wells, who hit a home run. He’s not worthy of note just for that homer, but because he might have a future in the majors. That future isn’t likely to be this season, but keep your eye on him.
Even the Pirates found a team they could beat: Manatee Community College-Sarasota, by a 6-1 count. Marginal major league OFs Brandon Moss and Steven Pearce hit home runs against teenaged pitchers.
Speaking of teams of imposters:
The Dodgers are sending 33 players to Taiwan for three games March 12-14. Two Taiwanese players, LHP Hong-chih Kuo and SS Chin-lung Hu, will make the trip. However, the only really recognizable regulars on the trip will be 1B James Loney, 2B Ron Belliard and LF Manny Ramirez.
For starters:
Tigers manager Jim Leyland announced that RHP Justin Verlander would be their Opening Day starter. Following him in the rotation would be RHP Max Scherzer. Detroit has a battle for a fifth starter among LHPs Dontrelle Willis, Nate Robertson and Phil Coke and RHPs Eddie Bonine and Armando Galarraga.
The need for speed:
In Monday’s intrasquad game, Rangers CF Julio Borbon stole two bases. He told the Dallas Morning News he expects to steal at least 50 bases as Texas’ leadoff batters. Borbon was on a pace that would have resulted in well over 50 last year after being promoted from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Diamondbacks CF Chris B. Young hopes to steal more bases after his SB total dropped in each of the last two seasons. Here’s a bit of advice: Get on base once in a while.
Mets SS Jose Reyes hit the first pitch in their Monday intrasquad game for a triple. It wasn’t that he had an extra-base hit against rookie Tobi Stoner, who isn’t likely to see CitiField this season unless he buys a ticket. The interest was that Reyes ran swiftly and without pain in his oft-battered legs.
Enhancing performance:
We’re not saying the two paragraphs on either side of the line above are related, but Reyes is one of a number of athletes being questioned in a federal investigation of Canadian Dr. Anthony Galea, accused of arranging to smuggle human growth hormone into the United States.
Others who have testified or might have to talk to the FBI include Reyes and Mets teammates Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgaro, Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez (hmm), Rockies RHP Huston Street, Tiger Woods, swimmer Dara Torres and NFL quarterback Chris Simms.
Injuries:
Mets RHP Elmer Dessens left today’s game after being hit on the right knee by Braves C Brian McCann’s line drive.
The Red Sox are playing a low-stress doubleheader Wednesday against Northeastern University and Boston College. They’ll do that without CF Mike Cameron, who has a left groin injury. I’ll set the over/under on how many games he’ll play this year at 110 – and take the under.
Astros 1B Lance Berkman will miss their opening exhibition Thursday because of a left knee injury suffered Sunday.
Marlins RHP Derrick Turnbow has been out because of an infected left big toe.
Rocco Baldelli has rejoined the Rays, but as a special assistant and not as a player. The former outfielder couldn’t sign with anyone as a free agent because of concerns about a shoulder injury.
Unheralded rookie:
The Tigers’ second base job is Scott Sizemore’s to lose. Detroit is likely to open the season with CF Austin Jackson and Sizemore as the all-rookie 1-2 combination at the top of the batting order.
What they’re working on:
Dodgers RHP Eric Gagne, recovering from a shoulder injury, has extended his delivery and is noticing greater velocity on his pitches.
Braves 3B Chipper Jones noted that batting lefthanded last season he was taking his top hand off the bat early, and lifting his head instead of keeping it down with his eyes trained on the ball. So he’s working to overcome both bad habits.

Hanson starts for Braves vs. Mets Tuesday

2010-03-01T23:09:00.000-08:00

First pitches are not far away this spring. The first actual exhibition games will be Tuesday. Other teams, including the Rangers, have scheduled intrasquad games today or Tuesday. For Texas, the intrasquad contests will be both today and Tuesday.
Managers and pitching coaches have spent a lot of time constructing rotations for the first few exhibitions. They have taken into account factors such as who is in or who is trying to be in the regular-season rotation, whose arms from shoulder to fingertip are physically capable of pitching and how the schedules will line up with the regular season for the winners in the spring-training pitching derby.
Here’s a look at some of the early March rotations.
Padres: These days, pitchers making their first exhibition start pitch just two innings. That leaves plenty of innings for the bullpen. In some cases, teams will use two or more starters in the same game. That’s was San Diego has planned Thursday for the first of four games against the Mariners. RHPs Chris Young and Kevin Correia both will pitch then. On Friday, the Padres will use multiple pitchers battling for the fifth starter’s job – RHP Mat Latos, LHP Wade LeBlanc and RHP Sean Gallagher. The Saturday pitchers will include RHPs Jon Garland and Tim Stauffer, and LHP Clayton Richard and RHP Cesar Carrillo will work Sunday. Over the course of the exhibition, that list would be whittled down to five starters.
Twins: Like the Padres and Seattle in Peoria, Ariz., Minnesota’s exhibition season will open with a series against a team training in the same town: the Red Sox in Fort Myers, Fla. The Twinkies will visit the Sox for the first game Thursday, with RHP Nick Blackburn scheduled to start, with RHP Kevin Slowey also pitching. The Twins will be the home team Friday, with RHP Carl Pavano starting. Back at City of Palms Park Saturday, LHP Francisco Liriano will start for Minnesota. RHP Scott Baker and LHP Brian Duensing both will start Sunday in split-squad games against the Yankees and Pirates. On Monday, Blackburn and Slowey would pitch again against the Orioles in Sarasota. The Twins will open the regular season with a rotation of Baker, Pavano, Blackburn and Slowey.
Braves: Manager Bobby Cox named RHP Derek Lowe the starter for the regular-season opener, but RHP Tommy Hanson will start the year’s first exhibition between two major league teams – Tuesday at 1:10 p.m. EST against the Mets in Port St. Lucie, Fla. The game will be on mlb.tv. Atlanta and the Mets will play Wednesday in Lake Buena Vista, with RHP Tim Hudson starting for the Braves. Against the Pirates Thursday, RHP Kenshin Kawakami will start. Lowe is scheduled against the Nationals Friday. RHP Jair Jurrjens threw 15 pitches off a mound today for the first time this spring, while he’s recovering from a sore shoulder. He’ll throw again in three side sessions before joining the exhibition rotation, so RHP Kris Medlen will fill in for Sunday’s game against the Astros in Kissimmee.
Other teams have named starters for their first exhibition. Among them are the Orioles (RHP Jeremy Guthrie Wednesday against the Rays), Cubs (RHP Randy Wells Thursday vs. the Athletics) and Reds (RHP Mike Lincoln Friday against the Indians). Lincoln, who has made almost all of his major league appearances in relief, is trying to win the fifth starter’s position in a competition with LHPs Aroldis Chapman and Matt Maloney and RHPs Micah Owings, Justin Lehr, Travis Wood and Kip Wells. Good luck, Mike Lincoln.
Playing ball:
The actual first pitch of spring training is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. EST Tuesday, when the Pirates host Manatee Community College-Sarasota. The day’s other game is the Tigers’ 1:05 date with Florida Southern College. Detroit apparently feels confident enough to take on a four-year college.
Injuries:
The Blue Jays were encouraged today when RHP Dustin McGowan pitched batting practice in his first appearance against batters since July 2008.
Rangers LF Josh Hamilton sat out today’s intrasquad game because of renewed pain in his left shoulder. Better news for Texas was that LHP Derek Holland, recovering from a sprained knee, pitched batting practice. RHP Warner Madrigal (tight forearm) isn’t expected to throw again until long toss Thursday.
Money, money, money, money:
Giants RHP Tim Lincecum, a two-time National League Cy Young Award winner, will be making $10 million this season, the first under his new two-year contract. To justify his $18.5-million salary, Lincecum’s teammate, LHP Barry Zito, would have to BE Cy Young about 110 years ago.
The Angels have money to spend, but they don’t treat their moolah lightly. They allowed free-agent 3B Chone Figgins to go to the Mariners, who will pay him about $9 million. LA/Anaheim has five infielders – 1B Kendry Morales, 2B Howie Kendrick, SS Erick Aybar, 3B Brandon Wood and 3B/SS Maicer Izturis – under contract for barely more than $8. They’re all signed through 2012, though it seems dicey to be paying Wood until 2014 until he shows something in the majors.
3B/1B Troy Glaus could be a bargain for the Braves. They signed the free agent to a one-year, $2-million contract. He has noted no limitations from the right shoulder that kept him out of the majors most of last season.
The Yankees signed RHP Chan Ho Park to a one-year deal for $1.2 million, plus $300,000 in incentives. He’s not being overpaid on the gross scale that he was by the Rangers, but his salary still seems high for a long reliever.
Speaking of the Yanks’ bullpen:
RHP Mariano Rivera and LHP Damaso Marte threw for the first time today. Rivera’s debut was good news for New York fans, Marte’s not so much.
A battle:
2B/RF Ben Zobrist has a place in the Rays’ batting order. What isn’t known is where he would play. The decision will come down to whether OF Matt Joyce can show more this spring than either SS Reid Brignac or 2B Sean Rodriguez. Two of the three are expected to be on the Opening Day roster. If Joyce makes the team out of spring training, Zobrist wouldn’t be needed in the outfield and would start at second base. If the two infielders make the roster, one would start at second base and Zobrist would go to right field. Our money is on Joyce and Rodriguez to be on the roster.