Scott Elarton: Elarton picked up a win yesterday against Oakland in an unspectacular fashion, allowing 4 ER in 5.1 innings, while striking out just 1 batter. Elarton's 2006 numbers; 4-9, 5.34, 3.6 K/9, 4.1 BB/9, and a 52% FB%, hardly inspire confidence. He is basically a fly ball pitcher, with low K's, and bad control. Only on the Royals would someone with that profile get a chance to start.
Andrew Miller: With Jeremy Bonderman going on the DL with a blister problem, the Tigers promoted Miller, the 6th overall pick in last June's draft, to the majors to start tonight against the Cardinals. Miller had a 10.1 innings audition with the Tigers last year and showed he clearly wasn't ready for the major leagues, 7 ER and 10 walks. In 2007, Miller has started 7 games in Single-A, where he was not that impressive; 3.48 ERA, 6.1 K/9, and a 3.3 BB/9, and 1 game in Double-A; 7 K's, 0 ER, and 0 walks in 8 innings. Although Miller is a hot prospect, this is not the equivalent of Jered Weaver coming up last year or Tim Lincecum this year. Both of those pitchers were dominating Triple-A. Miller has yet to dominate anywhere. Let someone else in your league pick him up because his stay in the majors should be short and very likely brutal.
Brendon Harris: Harris' hot start, 2/11/.358 has earned him the starting shortstop job in Tampa Bay. He is not hitting for power or showing much speed. The average is inflated by an unsustainable .378 BHIP%. Without the power, his contact rate of 83% and batting eye of .42 do not support a high average. Expect a big correction in the near future.
Ian Kinsler: After a fantastic April, 9/22/.298, Kinsler has really struggled in May, 1/4/.087. A .057 BHIP% for May is contributing to the slump and Kinsler seems to be pressing 4/9 BB/K ratio in 46 AB. However, for the year, his batting eye of .68 is solid and at the age of 24, he has already shown above average major league power. With his solid skill set, he should break out of this slump soon.
Chone Figgins: Figgins has really struggled since coming of the DL, 0/3/.121 in 58 AB. It doesn't appear that lingering effects from the finger injury is the reason, as his contact rate, 84%, is right around his career norms. The slow start can mostly be blamed on a ridiculous .089 BHIP%. Some of the batted balls will start to find holes and he can help himself with his blazing speed. If an owner in you league has soured on him, now would be the perfect time to buy low to take advantage of his superb speed skills.
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