NL Quick Pitch:
1. Wandy Rodriguez (SP - Astros) - Wandy gave up a couple of runs early, but settled down and hurled a quality start, going 7.0 IP and allowing 2 ER, 4 H, and 2 BB while recording 4 K's. He got zero run support and ended with the loss. For Wandy, it was his 19th QS out of 29 GS for the season for a total ERA of 3.51 and WHIP of 1.30. I'm a little concerned about Wandy's steadily decreasing K/9 over the last few years. Since 2008, his K/9 has gone from 8.59 to 8.45, 8.22, and currently sitting on 7.99. Its not a huge swing, but I'd rather see in going in the right direction. Wandy was on the trading block this year and at 32 years old and $10 million due to him next year, I wouldn't be surprised to see him land somewhere else.
2. Matt Garza (SP - Cubs) - Matt Garza had a "quiet" year in Chicago, but in reality it was quite impressive. He improved just about every major metric across the board from his time in Tampa Bay, but it gets lost on the bad year with the Cubs. Garza is posting a career best 3.35 ERA, K/9 of 8.9, K/BB of 3.1, and FIP of 3.13 (compared to previous three years of 4.11, 4.11, and 4.44). His WHIP remains extremely steady over the last four seasons of 1.24, 1.26, 1.25, and 1.27 (almost like clock work), but his HR/9 has dropped tremendously from consistently over 1.0 to just 0.66. That's quite a feat moving to the windy confines, but not surprising given his move in GO/AO from 0.74 with the Rays in 2010 to 2011's 1.08. I have a feeling Garza's ADP will be undervalued in 2012.
3. Dee Gordon (SS - Dodgers) - Gordon is having a tremendous September. With another multi-hit game last night (his 10th this month and 5th in the last 6 games), Gordon raised his average to .294 on a shortened season and .373 in September. Even more impressive is his 11 SB this month and 23 on the year in just 194 AB. The 23 year old Gordon is your typical singles-hitter, stolen base threat, but out of the SS position that is just fine. He'll have some growing pains as he's a free swinger (already has 25 K's and just 5 BB's), but if nothing else should be good for big SB numbers in 2012. Big up-arrow.
4. Javier Vazquez (SP - Marlins) - Vazquez was talking about retiring at the end of the season, but given his recent performance he should consider changing his mind. Vazquez hurled 7.0 shutout innings and allowed just 2 hits, 1 BB, and struck out 6 against the Braves on Wednesday. It was his 10th quality start in a row as he continues his tremendous 2nd half run. Since the All-Star break, he has surprisingly been one of the best pitchers in baseball with a 2.16 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, a 7-3 record, and holding opposing batters to just a .196 average. Of course, pre-All Star was more of what we expected out of Vazquez - 5.23 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and struggles ame dominant and looked like his old self. He remains a risky pick on draft day, but his overall numbers may hide his huge 2nd half, so he could be a late round flier. That is, of course, if he doesn't hang up the cleats.
5. Danny Espinosa (2B - Nationals) - With 2B always being a tricky position to draft, Danny Espinosa gives fantasy owners a cheaper option heading into 2012 that could provide some nice upside. Even in his rookie season, Espinosa has hit 21 HR and 14 SB for the Nationals. While the power has been nice, his average is just .238 with a .324 OBP and he strikes out way too much (157 for the season average about once for every 4.0 PA). At a 0.53 FPI, he has room for improvement and its just his rookie season. If you miss out on the top-tier 2B, he's a nice cheap option that could give you some power/speed combo in 2012.
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