Jason Bartlett: Bartlett has quietly gone a perfect 15 for 15 in the steals department this year. He is not hitting for power, but is making good contact, 87% Ct%, and exercising plate patience, .79 BB/K, to get him on base to take advantage of his speed. If the Twins continue to bat him second in the order, it will increase his steal opportunities. He makes for a nice cheap source for speed.
Jay Gibbons: Gibbons continues to disappoint with a .211 batting average and just 3 home runs. Unless there is a hidden injury, the lack of power is puzzling, as his FB% remains high at 42%. A .173 BHIP% is depressing his batting average, but with a poor approach at the plate, 80% Ct% and .39 BB/k, he is not helping himself. The Orioles are beginning to lose confidence in him, as his playing time has been sporadic. If he gets regular playing time, he could rediscover his power stroke, plus as his BHIP% normalizes, there would be some batting average upside. Keep an eye on how the Orioles are using him.
Rafael Betancourt: Pitching in a set-up role, Bentancourt is putting up great numbers, 1.31 ERA and 16 holds. He has a miniscule BB/9 of 0.8 and a very solid K/9 of 8.4. The one caveat is that despite having a very high FB% of 55%, he has only allowed one home run. Although he should still be effective, once a few more of the fly balls leave the yard, his ERA should rise.
Francisco Rodriguez: Rodriguez is putting up great numbers, 22 of 24 in save opportunities and a 2.43 ERA, with superior skills, 13.2 K/9, 3.8 BB/9, and a 52% GB%. The strikeouts are no surprise, but the GB% is at a level that he has never seen before, 2003/2004/2005/2006 GB%'s of 44%/44%/45%/39%. If he can maintain this new level, it represents a devastating strikeout/ground ball package.
Melky Cabrera: With Johnny Damon unable to play the field, Cabrera has become the regular center fielder. The 23 year-old possesses some nice skills, 89% Ct% and a .76 BB/K, and has shown improvement in the steals department, 5 of 6 this year after getting caught 5 times in 12 attempts last year. There is some potential for power but it may be a few years away, 55% GB% and just 3 home runs in 223 AB.
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