AL Player Spotlight - April 15th, 2009

Nick Swisher (OF/1B - Yankees) - I've heard it a lot recently: what are the Yankees going to do with Nick Swisher once Mark Teixeira is 100%? When you're hitting this well, manager Joe Girardi will find a place for him in the lineup. It doesn't hurt that Xavier Nady is on the brink of a DL-stint with elbow pain either. Swisher is hitting .458 with 4 HR, 11 RBI, and 11 total hits. Nobody expected this kind of jump out-of-the-gate, but we're quick to forget that Swisher hit 35 HR in 2006 (for a HR/AB of 15.9). Over the last two season, Swisher saw a decline in his power, yielding a HR/AB of 24.5 and 20.7 in 2007 and 2008, but he still knocked out 22 and 24HRs, respectively, in those campaigns. Playing time was the biggest concern for Swisher's value entering 2009, but he'll get the chance to prove himself with the injured & aging Yankees paving the way. John Buck (C - Royals) - Kudos to our own Schuyler Dombroske who went out on a limb yesterday and made a post about John Buck prior to his career-night. Buck had two HR last night, including a grand slam, ending the night with 5-RBI. He had hit safely in the only 3 games he has played this season, but the Royals may be well-served to find him moreABs at this rate. The power has always been there, but the average is a question, forcing the Royals to split his playing time with MiguelOlivo. We'll keep our eyes on the situation to see if Olivo's bat-struggles and Buck's hot-bat force the hand of Royals management to make a decision about more playing time. For now, he's a split-time catcher on the Royals. Billy Butler (1B - Royals) - It hasn't happened yet, but we all know Billy Butler is "due" for a power-surge. He had his first multi-hit game of the year on Tuesday, going 2-for-3 with a run and a BB, but he has yet to hit the long-ball. Just looking at Butler makes you want to slap a 25-HR prediction on his big frame. But history, so far, speaks a different story. In 772 big-leagueABs prior to 2009, Butler only had 19 HR for a HR/AB of 40.6. Not exactly Ruthian . But the 22-year-old Butler (he'll turn 23 later in the week) still has plenty of time to mature and we have him slotted for 26 HR by the end of the season. If you're looking for some cheap roster fill-ins hoping to catch a cheap HR here and there, Butler is probably one of your better free agent options in mixed leagues. George Sherrill (RP - Orioles) - Its a little premature to issue a formal alert about the Orioles closing situation (especially if they keep winning), but Sherrill hasn't exactly been lights-out in Baltimore. He has 3 saves and closed the door yesterday, but it was shaky. He gave up 4 hits and 2 ER against the Rangers before closing the door. Sherrill has now given up 7 hits and walked 2 in just 4.1 IP to start the season and sees Chris Ray in the rear-view mirror. There won't be any grumblings until Sherrill actually records an official blown-save or two in a row, but keep an eye out over the next few weeks if you're chasing saves. Joe Mauer (C - Twins) - Mauer's back is feeling good enough for him to begin running this week and a rehab assignment next week. If all goes well, he'll start playing in Gulf Coast action later next week. This back issue will be a conern for most of the season and the Twins will likely be careful with him, giving him some DH opportunities and being extra careful with day games after night games. I'd be surprised to see any sort of power-breakout this season (which has always been rumored as a potential with Mauer). From a timing perspective, we could see Mauer back with the club late-April / early May at the current rate. 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. Not a member? Join today.