Alexei Ramirez:
Both Joe and I have highlighted Ramirez in the Value Picks columns of late, but his big June deserves further highlighting. Ramirez has been on fire hitting .373/.408/.537 and the improvements in his peripherals are even more eye opening. As a prospect often times compared to Alfonso Soriano in terms of his athletic ability and approach at the plate, Ramirez has achieved an un-Soriano like .80 EYE in June. The approach hasn’t been great as he’s drawn just 4 BB’s, but the contact rate (93%) is impressive. Ramirez’s current hot streak has been propped up quite a bit by his .327 BHIP% during the streak, but if he’s able to keep this current Contact Rate up his speed should allow him to continue to sport an average in the .290’s. With a solid power-speed combination and all the multi-position flexibility Ramirez brings to the table the strong batting average contribution makes Ramirez a useful play in all formats.
Clay Buchholz:
Even if Dice-K is completely healthy, Clay Buchholz needs to be discussed a bit. Buchholz has been dominating AAA of late throwing 11 shutout innings in his last 2 starts. He’s surrendered just 9 base-runners (2 BB’s) and struck out 14 during that span. While Justin Masterson appears to have jumped Buchholz on the Red Sox depth chart I still believe the reasoning behind this move is to limit Buchholz innings at the minor league level so he can be fresh for the stretch drive and the post-season (with Masterson eventually back in the pen). A look at Buchholz’s 2008 shows some significant bad luck as a .365 BHIP% and 0.65 Strand Rate exaggerated Buchholz’s struggles with command (.47 BB Rate) and made a High 3’s ERA pitcher a Mid 5’s ERA pitcher. Buchholz’s unique combination of great K Rates (1.02) with solid GB Rates 47.2% along with playing for one of the best teams in baseball gives him tremendous upside for fantasy purposes. Even through his demotion I’ve been rostering him in any league I can get my hands on as I firmly believe he’ll be a major contributor down the stretch. If you have roster room and can get your hands on Buchholz I strongly advise on doing so and holding tight. He will be back up at some point and he will make significant fantasy contributions.
Derek Jeter:
Jeter’s gotten his usual 1B’s stroke going of late as he extended his hitting streak to 10 games on Saturday in a 2-5 effort. During the recent stretch Jeter has raised his average from .271 to .278 by going 13-41 (.317) with 2 extra base hits. As we’ve mentioned before Jeter’s in decline and the decreasing extra base hit rates, bb rates, and vanishing EYE all point to a player that’s a shell of his former self, but are we aware of how far he’s really fallen? Orlando Cabrera used to be viewed as a Jeter-lite option, but now his production has eclipsed Jeter as has the production of Christian Guzman, Ryan Theriot, Rafael Furcal (who hasn’t played in 6 weeks), Yunel Escobar, and Stephen Drew. Jeter’s average will continue to climb as it’s been suppressed by a .256 BHIP% that is 40 points below his 3 year average, and he’ll continue to provide decent Run production thanks to the Yanks loaded lineup, but there is a serious discrepancy between Jeter’s actual value and his perceived value. If you’re a Jeter owner trying to take advantage of that discrepancy makes some sense, especially given the recent improved production.
Jason Kubel:
It’s been quiet, but Jason Kubel appears to be finally breaking out. Kubel’s minor league track record .320/.388/.499 speaks for itself, but Kubel’s battled knee injuries and inconsistency at the major league level. He showed promise of it in the 2nd half of last season when he hit .300/.380/.512 in 203 AB’s, but then started slowly again in 2008. But while Kubel’s shown periods of elite power and periods of elite plate discipline, it’s never come at the same time. This June it finally has as Kubel is hitting a robust .340/.429/.723 with an EYE of 1.14. His season numbers still aren’t overwhelming so he’s been left available in plenty of leagues, if you’re looking for an OF option with good upside in the power and run production categories, Kubel’s one of the best and most available options out there. He’s sort of like an AL version of Jeremy Hermida, except he’s currently showing signs of living up to the top prospect billing.
David DeJesus:
After highlighting DeJesus a few weeks back in the Value Picks column, he’s gone on an absolute tear hitting .343/.403/.614 in June and excelling in his usual Run-scoring abilities, having scored 13 Runs in 18 June games. DeJesus has made improvements in his stroke generating more loft on the ball and it’s translating well into his extra-base hit rate. He’s had some good fortune with his HR/FB Rate compared to previous years but another 5-7 HR’s the rest of the way isn’t out of the question. DeJesus main contributions should come in BA and R, where he’ll be a good bet for .290+ and nearly 100 runs scored.
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