AJ Burnett: Besides being wildly inconsistent, there is also a noticeable drop in Burnett’s skills, 2007/2008/2009/2010 K/9’s 9.6/9.4/8.5/6.6, BB/9’s 3.6/3.5/4.2/3.5, and GB%’s 55%/49%/43%/47%. In the past, he was able to compensate for his shaky control with dominance and the ability to induce ground balls, but that is no longer the case. Since there is nothing unlucky in his numbers, 70% S% and a .244 BHIP%, his skills reflect what he is now, a 5.00 ERA pitcher.
Kelly Shoppach: Shoppach went 3-4 with a HR yesterday against the Padres. He only has 31 AB this year, as he missed time with a knee injury and was part of a crowded Catching position with Rays. However, Dioner Navarro was just sent to the minors and Shoppach should get a least half the starts, so there will be plenty of AB for him going forward. The 30-year-old possess strong power, 33 HR and 41 Doubles in 623 AB over the previous two seasons, so he should be a good source of power from a weak-hitting fantasy position. On the flip-side, his poor contact skills, 2008/2009 Ct%’s 64%/66%, means you will be trading BA, 2008/2009 BA’s .214/.261, for the power. If you are hurting for power and can afford to sacrifice some of your team BA, Shoppach is a good pickup.
Derek Jeter: Jeter, who turns 36 years of age tomorrow, has maintained his approach at the plate, 2008/2009/2010 BB%’s 8%/10%/7% and Ct%’s 86%/86%/86%, but is hitting way too many ground balls, 2008/2009/2010 GB%’s 58%/57%/67%, especially with his declining speed, 30 steals in 35 attempts last year vs. 7 steals in 10 attempts this year. Jeter has always had an above average BHIP%, 2007/2008/2009 BHIP%’s .312//297/.333, but has only a .256 BHIP%, which is more than likely the product of the increased ground ball, lack of power, and loss of some speed, rather than him being less lucky.
JJ Putz: Putz picked up the win relief yesterday against the Braves. For the year, he is now 3-2 with a stingy 2.03 ERA in 26.2 innings. After a pair of injury-marred seasons, Putz looks like he is recapturing the skills that made him one of baseball’s top closers, 2007/2008/2009/2010 K/9’s 10.3/10.9/5.8/11.6, BB/9’s 1.6/5.4/5.9/1.4, and GB%’s 42%/40%/47%/53%. If given the chance to close, he would most likely be up to the challenge; all he lacks now is opportunity.
Carlos Pena: Pena is having a strange year. On the positive side he has 16 HR and a 14% BB% in 249 AB, but he has just 7 doubles, a 68% Ct%, and a .201 BA. With his GB% up, 2009/2010 29%/45%, look for his doubles and HR to balance out, but on the flip side a .186 BHIP% points to some BA upside.
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