Casey Janssen (SP – Blue Jays)
Casey Janssen was called up from the minors on Friday and is scheduled to start on Saturday. Janssen had an effective, but not eye-catching ’07 season pitching out of the Blue Jays pen (2.35 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 4.83 K/BB, 2.48 BB/9, 1.50 GB/FB), and was slated to open the ’08 season in the Jays starting rotation before suffering a torn labrum in spring training. Pitchers rarely return at 100% following a surgery of that nature, but Janssen has looked very sharp thus far in the minors (0.77 ERA, 0.814 WHIP, 6.6 K/9, 1.9 BB/9, 2.20 GB/FB in 23 IP), albeit against Single and Double-A competition. Janssen is the kind of pitcher that relies on not allowing walks (1.5 BB/9 in minor league career), and inducing ground balls. Obviously, the lack of strike outs limits his upside, but he does have a career minor league ERA of 2.75 and a WHIP of 1.03. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Janssen maintain a rotation spot for the duration of the ’09 season with his very effective but inconspicuous (currently owned in 1% of Yahoo leagues) pitching style. He is a definite add in AL-only leagues.
Alex Rodriguez (3B – Yankees)
Alex Rodriguez hit his 6th homer of the year last night in just his 14 game of the season. It has been quite an odd start to the season for A-Rod, as his current slash line of .171 / .382 / .537 actually is reminiscent of Mark McGwire’s hilarious final season. It was one of my favorite all-time seasons as Big Mac hit 29 HR through just 97 games, sported a slash line of .187 / .316 / .492, and a ridiculous 52% of his hits were home runs. A-Rod has actually bested Big Mac in that department this year, as 6 of his 9 hits have been homers. And no, I am not intimating that post-steroid A-Rod is going down the path of Big Mac; in fact, nothing could be further from the truth. A-Rod has just been profoundly unlucky this season with a BABIP of 0.69. His EYE is currently 1.71, while his average EYE in his Yankee days has been 0.65. His improved EYE has been caused by a massive increase in his BB rate (22.6% vs. 3-yr average of 13%), and a significant drop in his K rate (17.1% vs. 3-yr average of 22.6). A-Rod is only swinging at 12% of pitches outside the strike zone (3rd best in baseball), and that discerning eye has produced the best contact rate of his career by a wide margin (83.6% vs. career of 75%). To sum up, A-Rod has looked fantastic and there is no reason at all to be concerned with his poor batting average.
Joel Zumaya (RP – Tigers)
Joel Zumaya picked up his first save of the year on Friday night. He was likely given the save opportunity because Fernando Rodney had pitched three consecutive days. Zumaya certainly did not make it look easy. He needed 31 pitches to record the 3 outs. He also gave up a 2-run homer, along with another hit and a walk. On the positive side, he did retire all three batters via strike out. Zumaya has looked quite good in ’09 (2.19 ERA, 0.89 WHIP), and he has been an entirely different pitcher in the process. His K/9 is just 6.57 this season versus a mark of 9.14 for his career; and his BB/9 has been 0.00 this year versus a career mark of 4.78. Zumaya has been pounding the strike zone with 98 MPH heat, so the Ks will surely rise as he showed tonight. Fernando Rodney has done nothing to lose the closer’s job, but if Zumaya can continue to keep his walks down, he will force his way into the closer’s role at some point. The slightest stumble from Rodney could be enough to warrant a change.
Rich Hill (SP – Orioles)
Rich Hill’s control problems resurfaced on Friday night, but he remained effective. Hill lasted 5.2 innings while allowing 2 ER, 3 hits, 4 walks, and 6 strike outs. It is definitely concerning that he threw less than half of his pitches for strikes tonight, but it is made less concerning due to the fact that he was facing the Nationals. I know, what I just said sounds borderline insane, but the Nationals have actually drawn the 2nd most walks in all of baseball this season. The Nationals are exactly the kind of team that figured to be Rich Hill’s undoing, so the fact that he managed to get through the game relatively unscathed is a positive sign. Four walks is still nothing to celebrate, but it is certainly not discouraging given the opponent. Hill needs to be owned in AL-only leagues.
Alexei Ramirez (SS – White Sox)
Alexei Ramirez had the game that fantasy owners so desperately needed last night by going 2 for 3 with a HR and a SB. I am in firm agreement with Joe and believe that Ramirez will turn it around shortly, and I urge you not to trade him. I see many positives buried beneath the wreckage that are Ramirez’s numbers. First, he has doubled his EYE (0.60) this season with a more disciplined approach at the plate. Second, he has been roughly 30 or so points unlucky with his BABIP of .234. Lastly, he has already stolen 7 bases on the season while being caught just once (stole just 13 in 21 attempts last year). Games like last night help to remind owners of the Soriano-like potential this guy possesses. I still believe that a 20/20 season is very realistic, so just hold tight.
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.
