Burke Badenhop: Badenhop, who was part of the bounty for Miguel Cabrera in 2007, was recalled from Triple-A to start today against the Phillies. From a skills perspective, Badenhop showed some good potential with Marlins last year, 6.7 K/9 and a 55% GB%, but didn’t get good results, 6.08 ERA. A 64% strand rate can take part of the blame, but Badenhop will have to improve his control, 4.0 BB/9, before he can be trusted in NL-only leagues.
Oliver Perez: One would think Perez’s start against the Nationals today would be an ideal matchup, but with 12 walks in just 15 innings this, he is best left reserved until he proves he can throw strikes on a more consistent basis.
Todd Wellemeyer: Wellemeyer’s strike out totals always made him intriguing, 2005/2006/2007 K/9’s of 8.9/6.2/6.8, but his control, BB/9’s of 6.1/5.7/4.5, always kept him from consistent success, ERA’s of 6.12/4.14./4.54. In 2008 a dramatic increase in his control, 2.9 BB/9, while still maintaining dominance, 6.3 K/9, led to a breakout season, 13-9 with a 3.71 ERA. He is off to a slow start this year, 10 ER in 17 innings, but on the positive side, he is building on the control gains from last year, 2.1 BB/9. Given the good control, it is too early to write off last year as a fluke, so use him with confidence in his start against the Cubs today.
Manny Parra: Parra, who has struggled in the early going with 13 ER in 14.1 innings, goes today against the Astros. He has shown the ability to strike out major league hitters, 2007/2008 K/9’s of 8.9/8.0, but control issues have always been lurking, BB/9’s of 4.1/4.1. A second-half gain in control, 3.3 BB/9, led to the hope that he could take the next step this year, but he is again struggling to throw strikes, 5.7 BB/9. A couple of more poor starts could find Parra working out his problems in Triple-A. He is much too risky to be using in any format at this time.
Jon Garland: Outside of his big 2005 season, 18-10 with a 3.50 ERA, the lowest ERA Garland has posted since 2002 is 4.23. With two of his key skills going in the wrong direction, 2006/2007/2008 K/9’s of 4.7/4.2/4.1 and BB/9’s of 1.8/2.5/2.7, Garland will need to induce a high number of ground balls, GB%’s of 42%/39%/50%. Getting the ground balls and the heavier reliance on his infield makes Garland a riskier proposition.
There are over 100 player news blurbs posted in the member area each morning, members can read the rest of today's player news by clicking here: www.fantistics.com/baseball00/. Not a member? Join today: www.fantistics.com/join/join.php3
