Michael Young: Young’s growing GB%, 2008/2009/2010 #’s 47%/45%/49%, and inflated HR/FB%, 7%/15%/13%, leads one to believe that the pace of HR will slow down for the 33-year-old, 17 HR in 465 AB. That being said, he is still generating enough power, 28 doubles, and making enough contact, 83% Ct%, to be a productive 3B in any fantasy format.
Carlos Delgado: Delgado is 4 for 8 in two Triple-A games so his call up should be soon. He is expected to split time with Mike Lowell at 1B on the good side of the platoon. Before he went down with an injury last year, Delgado was bringing big power to the table, 4 HR and 7 doubles in 94 AB with his usual good contact for someone generating that much power, 79% Ct%. Of course, he is now 38 years old, coming off of a hip injury, and hasn’t played in a major league game since May 10th of last year, but this seems like a worthy gamble for the Red Sox and for those in AL-only leagues who are desperate for power.
Brayan Pena: With the Royals going nowhere, they plan on giving Pena more starts behind the plate. In limited action, Pena has not shown much of anything, 0/4/.173 in 52 AB, but with more playing time, there is a chance that he could get his contact skills much closer to last year’s level, 2009/2010 Ct%’s 89%/73%, which gives him BA upside. He won’t provide any power, but this could turn out to be a sneaky way to give your team BA a boost.
Andruw Jones: For the 2nd consecutive year, Jones is putting up big power numbers, 15 HR, with his usual poor BA, .201 in 229 AB. It is a mystery how someone who obviously hits the ball hard, has good speed, 9 steals in 11 attempts this year, and has a decent enough approach at the plate, 2009/2010 BB%’s 14%/13% and Ct%’s 74%/73%, consistently has a well-below average BHIP%, 2007/2008/2009/2010 #’s .193/.174/.144/.159. However there is no denying the trend, so don’t expect any BA upside. In addition given his inflated HR/FB%, 2008/2009/2010 #’s 6%/16%/21%, and the big discrepancy between his doubles, just 7 this year, and HR, expect more doubles and less HR for the balance of the season. The odds are that going forward Jones under performs expectations.
Jonathan Papelbon: Papelbon imploded yesterday, allowing 3 ER and retiring just one batter, as he blew his 6th save of the season against the Blue Jays. At this point, Papelbon doesn’t have the dominance or control, 8.2 K/9 and a 3.4, as a closer to overcome his 49% FB%. It is dangerous to use him in any fantasy format.
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