Michael Bourn
The big question surrounding Bourn coming into the season was not his speed or ability to hit for a decent average, but his ability to get on base enough to enable him to stay in the leadoff spot and take a crack at 50 stolen bases. Though Bourn is hitting just .250, the signs are encouraging. Bourn was 2-for-5 with a triple and his fourth stolen base of the young season on Saturday. For the year, he’s walked four times and struck out four. Limited sample size indeed, but four walks in five games is a great start. Bourn does have a .378 minor league OBP and 0.67 EYE though you’d like to see his 78% CT% a couple ticks higher. I’m pretty optimistic here regarding the 25 year-old and though there will be growing pains, it certainly doesn’t hurt being followed in the lineup by this – Pence, Berkman, Lee, Tejada.
Joey Votto
We’re not sure why the Reds continue to carry Votto on the 25-man roster if they’re not going to make him the full-time first baseman, but considering the start Scott Hatteberg is off to (1-for-11), perhaps Votto owners have reason to be somewhat optimistic. Votto has started two of the team’s first five games, but we could start to see him get a few more starts at the expense of Hatteberg, as Baker is the type of manager who goes with the hot hand. Votto is just 2-for-9, but hopefully eventually Baker will give him an extended look. After all, why not play a guy who hit .291/.384/.478 with 22 HR and 17 SB in Triple-A last year before hitting .321 in 84 at-bats for the Reds in September. Hatteberg isn’t a terrible player by any means, but he also has no future on a contending Reds team.
Xavier Nady
Nady is likely getting a lot of action in fantasy leagues as a result of his quick start. Even on Saturday going hitless, he managed to contribute a stolen base for fantasy owners. Despite the 0-for-3, Nady is still batting .381 with a pair of homers and seven RBI in five games. The Pirates would be well-served by dealing Nady and making Steven Pearce their right fielder, and perhaps the quick start will help facilitate a deal eventually. Nady was a second round pick back in 2000 and despite a career minor league line of .297/.368/.525, he’s never really been given a legitimate chance at full-time work, topping out at 125 games played last year. I’d like to see some improvement over his career 0.31 MLB EYE, but he’s a guy that can help a lot of teams right now. If I’m Pirates GM Neal Huntington, I tear that franchise completely apart and deal everyone, even Ian Snell and Tom Gorzelanny, with a modicum of trade value for prospects. The current team as constructed, combined with a mediocre farm system outside of Andrew McCutcheon and Neil Walker, isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Chris Young
That Young is talented certainly isn’t a revelation, but so far at least, Young is poised for a big year. He hit homers number two and three Saturday, also drawing a walk. He’s now hitting .263 with two doubles, the three home runs, two stolen bases, and six walks. Young will always be a batting average risk (.267 minor league BA), but with an AVG-OBP spread of 92 points, he’s going to be more than Corey Patterson, perhaps actually a guy who won’t hurt his team leading off. Factor in above average defense, and that Javier Vazquez deal isn’t looking so bad for Arizona these days.
Justin Upton
There’s little doubt among scouts and front office personnel around baseball that Upton is destined for stardom, but most figured Upton was a couple years away. I was a little more optimistic, targeting Upton in most of my leagues this year (he went for $6 – to me – in a recent 12-team mixed league auction). So far, at least, Upton is batting a solid .400. It’s somewhat noteworthy that his K:BB is just 7:1, so enjoy it for now because this type of run can’t last. That’s not to say however that Upton isn’t talented – he certainly is, but he’s also just 20 years old and no matter how much talent is in those genes, Upton is still probably a couple years away from beginning his string of All-Star appearances.
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