Reed Johnson: Johnson returned to the active roster after a two-month stint on the DL with a back problem. His 2006 career year, 12/49/.319, was more the product of good fortune, .298 BHIP%, than an improvement his average skill set, 82% and a .41 BB/K. He possesses league average power and may swipe a few bags, though his success rate is a poor 65% for his career, but don't expect a batting average near last year's mark.
Ben Francisco: Francisco has made a quite a splash since making his major league debut a couple of weeks ago, 3 home runs and a .357 batting average in 28 AB. He was not a highly touted prospect and was not showing that kind of power in Triple-A prior to his call up, 6 home runs in 240 AB. Expect the power to drop-off, but if he sees some playing time, he could contribute in the steals department, while hitting for a decent batting average, 15 of 18 in steals, .329 batting average, 84% Ct%, and a .61 BB/K in Triple-A this year.
Huston Street: Reports say that Street could be back in a week. He will move right back into the closer role. Street definitely has the K/9, 10.0 this year, to succeed as a closer, but with an elevated BB/9 of 3.5 and a high FB% of 51% there could be trouble looming. The possibility exists that the control issues could be related to his elbow problems, which we will not know until he returns. The high FB% is part of a three-year uptrend, 39%/42%/51%, and it is surprising that he has allowed only 1 home run this year. As his low LD% of 12% and HR/FB% of 4.8% normalize, there could be a spike in his ERA of 2.50.
BJ Upton: Upton is likely to be activated from the DL in time for tonight's game and is slated to start in center field where he is expected to continue playing. Prior to his quadriceps injury, Upton was putting up very nice numbers, 9/31/.320 with 13 stolen bases. However, with a very inflated .358% BHIP% and a very low 66% Ct%, a big-time batting average correction is coming. There is also a chance that the quadriceps problem could prevent him from stealing bases at his previous clip, as he did not attempt a steal in 7 minor league rehab games.
Charlie Haeger: The White Sox recalled the knuckleball pitcher from Triple-A, where he was not exactly lighting it up, 4 and 11 record with a 4.81 ERA and a 5.1 BB/9. He will pitch in relief for now, but don't expect his numbers to get better against major league hitters. Avoid him in all formats.
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
