Kevin Slowey: Despite a 9-5 record, it has been a rough year for Slowey, 4.76 ERA in 111.2 innings. On the plus side, he has maintained his outstanding control, but a dip in his dominance is part of the problem, 2009/2010 K/9’s 7.5/6.4 and BB/9’s 1.5/1.7. His high FB%, 50% this year, also leaves him vulnerable to the longball, 16 allowed, even with a normal 9% HR/FB%. If he can rediscover his dominance, Slowey will become a must-start SP again, but until then, you may want to bench him for tough road starts, road/home ERA’s 5.44/4.21.
Dallas Braden: Since returning from a month layoff, Braden has fanned 11 batters in just 10 innings, which is pushing his skill set into a good level, 5.9 K/9, 1.6 BB/9, and a 42% GB%. Keep an eye on his next few starts, if he can keep the dominance up, Braden would be worth using in mixed leagues.
CC Sabathia: While his 3.15 ERA may not reflect it, there is some slippage in Sabathia’s skills, 2008/2009/2010 K/9’s 8.9/7.7/7.4 and BB/9’s 2.1/2.6/3.1, although it is slightly balanced by an increased ability to induce ground balls, 2008/2009/2010 GB%’s 47%/43%/51%. That begs the question of whether Sabathia is trying to become more of a ground ball pitcher or if a 77% S% and a .242 BHIP% are masking a skills decline on 30-year-old arm with a lot of mileage, 2,040.2 career innings.
Jeremy Bonderman: Bonderman downplayed some recent comments he made about retiring after this year. He is teasing us with decent skills, 6.3 K/9 and a 2.5 BB/9 that is not translating into good numbers, 5-6 with a 5.05 ERA in 108.2 innings. Part of the problem is that he is no longer able to induce ground balls like he did in his better seasons, 41% GB% this year vs. a consistent 47% to 48% range from 2004 to 2007. The other problem is some bad luck, 65% S%, but that is somewhat negated by a .270 BHIP%, so there is some potential ERA upside. However this is not the same pitcher that we saw pre-injury. If you really need to use him, at least limit him to home starts, road/home ERA’s 6.11/4.29.
Nick Punto: It used to be that you tolerated Punto’s lack of power, 13 career HR in 2,795 PA, and poor contact skills, 81% career Ct%, because he gave you steals. However, now the 32-year-old, Punto doesn’t even run that much, 6 for 8 with steals in 231 AB, which makes it harder to stomach an empty .251 BA.
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 link:www.fantistics.com/baseball00/. Not a member? Join today link:www.fantistics.com/join/join.php3
