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Chris Carter (OF-NYM) – There are two Chris Carters in professional baseball right now. The “good one” plays for the A’s Triple-A affiliate in Sacramento, and this Chris Carter is generally thought of as a future major league reserve at best. However, with Jeff Francoeur being Jeff Francoeur lately, Carter found himself starting in right field and batting cleanup on Sunday. Carter was 1-for-3 with an RBI single in the game and is now 3-for-8 in limited playing time. Carter isn’t a top prospect at age 27, but he can handle a bat, batting .336/.390/.611 for Triple-A Buffalo with a 1.00 EYE and just eight strikeouts (that’s a 93% CT%) in 113 at-bats. 17 of Carter’s 38 Triple-A hits were for extra bases, so perhaps you can catch lightening in a bottle. The big question of course is playing time, as it seems unlikely the Mets are ready to go the Braves route and give up on Francoeur, but as a speculative pickup in deeper leagues, Carter could pay dividends.
Andres Torres (OF-SF) – Torres was 2-for-3 with a walk, double, and his first career homer Sunday against the Astros. Before you get too excited, Torres is 32 with a .662 career major league OPS in 409 at-bats entering the season, but right now, he’s red hot. Torres is batting second and playing every day for the Giants, and his impressive .299/.407/.481 batting line is going to keep him in the lineup, at leaset for the time being. However, Nate Schierholz is also playing very well, so if the Giants follow through with the rumored plan to promote Buster Posey and move Aubrey Huff to the outfield, Torres playing time would be in question. He also stole base number five on Sunday, so ride him while he’s hot. Just realize that the run is going to come to an end, and probably sooner rather than later.
Andre Ethier (OF-LAD) – The Dodgers are the hottest team in baseball these days, but their collective fanbase continues to hold its breath while awaiting word on Andre Ethier’s finger injury. Ethier has been diagnosed with a small fracture in his pinkie, an injury that kept him out of games on Saturday and Sunday. Ethier of course is leading the NL in each of the three Triple Crown categories at .393-11-38. He’s also sporting an 87% CT% and 0.88 EYE. Ethier also leads the NL in SLG% (.744), is second in OBP to Jayson Werth at .457, and first in OPS. Xavier Paul would replace Ethier if a DL stint is needed. That will be determined soon once Ethier is examined by a specialist in LA. Paul could have some short-term NL-only upside, though Reed Johnson would also likely see at-bats.
Buster Posey (C/OF/1B – SF) – He’s getting close folks. Perhaps the Giants wait until June 1 so that Posey’s potential super-two arbitration status isn’t an issue, but the Giants clearly need his bat. Sunday, Aubrey Huff “graciously” offered to switch positions if necessary in order to accommodate a new first baseman. One scenario has Posey playing first and Huff left field. Huff has a so-so .798 OPS, so he’s hardly been a huge problem offensively, but Posey would quite possibly be a significant upgrade. He’s batting .346/.436/.549 for Triple-A Fresno, and while his long-term home is behind the dish, he’s athletic enough to play first while perhaps serving as Benji Molina’s backup.
Drew Storen (RP-WAS) – It’s been reported that Storen will beat teammate and fellow 2009 top-10 (he was #10) draft pick Stephen Strasburg to the big club. Storen will be promoted from Triple-A on Monday. He really had nothing left to prove in the minors after recording a 1.08 ERA and 15:3 K:BB in 16.2 innings between Double-A and Triple-A this year. Including his 2009 pro debut, Storen now has a 1.68 ERA and 64:11 K:BB in 53.2 innings. That’s a 10.7 K/9. Looking at his splits, Storen fares far worse vs. LH hitters, allowing a .320 AVG to them this year vs. .129 vs. RH hitters. Last year the split was far less extreme at .243/.182, so this shouldn’t be a long-term issue. Storen will work in middle relief initially, but by 2011, he’s the future at the closer position. Even this year, Matt Capps could be an attractive trade chip this July, so you’ll want to watch this one closely.
