Mike Stanton (OF-FLA) – Astute fantasy owners in Yahoo leagues may have noticed that Stanton is actually available in the Yahoo database. If he’s yet to be picked up in your league, he’s certainly a guy worth a short. Sure, some top prospects have an Alex Gordon-like impact in year one, but others are Ryan Braun and Evan Longoria. Stanton was not in Sunday’s lineup for Double-A Jacksonville, likely because he’s en route to the big club. The 20 year-old Stanton is batting .311/.441/.726 with 21 homers in just 190 at-bats. Sure, he’s struck out in 28% of those at-bats, but that’s down from 30% a year ago and while the low contact rate will limit Stanton to a relatively low AVG, the power is real. If you’re looking for some power, this might be the guy for you.
Brad Lincoln (SP-PIT) – It’s now looking like Lincoln will make his major league debut Wednesday against the Nationals, a day after some other prospect debuts for the Nats. Lincoln is a former #4 overall draft pick, and while that’s an obviously overdraft in hindsight, Lincoln is looking to separate himself from other failed Pirates’ prospects including Bryan Bullington, Daniel Moskos, Bobby Bradley, etc. Lincoln has recovered nicely from 2007 Tommy John surgery, going 6-2 with a 3.16 ERA and 55:14 K:BB in 68.2 innings. The 7.2 K/9 isn’t great, but with excellent command, Lincoln has the talent to be a solid middle-of-the-rotation guy for several years.
Tyler Colvin (OF-CHC) – It was announced prior to Sunday’s game that Colvin would start earning more playing time in right field at the expense of the struggling Kosuke Fukudome. Colvin then was given starts in the two-hole Saturday and Sunday, going 2-for-5 with a double and HR Saturday and 1-for-5 on Sunday. Sunday he actually got the start over Alfonso Soriano (day off) with Fukudome hitting leadoff and going 2-for-5. It’s still not clear often he’ll play, but if it’s 4-5 times a week as I would expect, that’s enough to give him some measure of fantasy value, particularly in NL-only leagues. Colvin is batting a very respectable .301/.362/.627 with six homers in 83 at-bats. A 0.33 EYE is concerning, but Colvin was a former first-round pick, so perhaps he’s just now coming into his own.
Matt Capps (RP-WAS) – Capps blew another save on Sunday, allowing three runs in just two-thirds of an inning, including a Scott Rolen HR against the Reds. Capps has now blown four of his last six saves after converting his first 16 to start the season. His ERA spikes from 2.70 to 3.62 on the day. Normally we’d say his job is in serious jeopardy, and it may very well be, but Capps’ fantasy owners can take solace in a solid 25:7 K:BB in 27.1 innings. Of course 35 hits in 27.1 innings is to brag about either, but don’t rush out and grab Tyler Clippard just yet. Drew Storen remains the club’s closer of the future, but Clippard has a 1.66 ERA in 38 innings and would likely get the nod should Capps be removed from the closer role.
Pablo Sandoval (3B-SF) – Sandoval has been pretty quiet this year, but it’s easy to see that changing, and quickly. Sunday, he was 2-for-5 with a double and sac fly against the Padres. The Giants have been getting pretty good production from the guys batting in front of Sandoval Sunday, Freddy Sanchez and Andres Torres, so the RBI opportunities should continue to be there. Sandoval is batting a modest .286/.336/.433 after posting an OPS nearly 200 points higher a year ago. On a positive note, Sandoval’s EYE sits at 0.59 (0.63 a year ago). One notable item is that he’s not maintaining last year’s .353 BABIP (.309 entering Sunday’s action), and of his batted balls, he’s not hitting as many line drives. Sandoval has the ability to go on a huge tear at any moment, but expecting anything close to last year’s .330 AVG or 25 home runs is foolish.
