Greg Maddux: At 41 years of age, Maddux is no longer among the elite starting pitchers in baseball, but he is still serviceable, 8-9 record with a 4.00 ERA. He is using pinpoint control, 1.3 BB/9, and a ground ball approach, 51% GB%, to make up for his declining K/9 of 4.8. For those with roster flexibility, it may be a good idea to keep him active for home starts, 6-4 with a 3.52 ERA, and bench him for tough road starts, 2-5 with a 4.56 ERA.
Chris Capuano: Capuano continues to pitch poorly, 6 ER in 4.1 innings last night, and has now dropped his last 10 decisions. After a strong April, 4-0 with a 3.21 ERA, it has been all downhill. A 66% strand rate can take part of the blame and there really doesn't seem to be anything wrong with his skill set, 8.0 K/9 and a 44 % GB%, except for an inflated 3.6 BB/9. If he can cut back on the walks, he has a chance to be an asset during the stretch run.
Jeremy Hermida: Hermida has recovered from an early season injury to put up respectable numbers, 10/38/.262 in 260 AB. At just 23 years of age, some of the 17 doubles that he has, could turn into home runs as his 6'4/200lbs body matures and if he gets more lift on the ball, 46% GB%. The speed that he displayed in the minors, 23 steals while getting caught just twice in Double-A during the 2005 season, has yet to translate to the majors, 4 caught steals in 6 tries. For the potential power/speed package, Hermida is worth monitoring.
Tim Lincecum: It has been a nice rookie season for Lincecum, 6-3 with a 3.88 ERA. With a powerful strike out/ground ball package, 9.8 K/9 and a 47% GB%, if he can cut back on the walks, 4.1 BB/9, he has a chance to be really special.
Nook Logan: Given a chance to play regularly, Logan has been hot, .406 batting average in his last 64 AB with 6 stolen bases. During that span, he has hit for no power, 0 home runs, 0 triples and just 5 doubles, and his benefiting from an unsustainable .488 BHIP%. His underlying numbers for the season, .73 Ct% and a .28 BB/K, tell you all you need to know, luck and not skill is driving this hot streak. Logan could be used for his speed in NL-only leagues, just don't expect help in any other category.
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