Josh Thole (C-NYM) – Thole was given a day off on Sunday, but with the trade sending Rod Barajas to the Dodgers, Thole stands to be the primary catcher the rest of the way. Of course he deserved to be so prior to the Dodgers (for a reason known only to Ned Colletti) claiming Barajas on trade waivers. Thole is batting a solid .289/.361/.351 in 97 at-bats. He has just one homer and three doubles among his 28 hits, but with a solid 14:11 K:BB, perhaps the 23 year-old can develop 10-15 HR power as he matures. Thole though didn’t show a shred of power in the minor leagues, so we’ll have to wait and see. He was starting over Barajas recently anyway, but at least this removes the temptation for Jerry Manuel to go with the “wily veteran” too often.
Rod Barajas (C-LAD) – Barajas was claimed off waivers by the Dodgers, with the Mets wisely choosing to work out a deal to let him go to the Dodgers. The Dodgers currently have Brad Ausmus and A.J. Ellis filling in for the injured and out for the year Russell Martin (hip), and this further muddles the backstop situation. The Dodgers would seem to be best-served by playing Ellis everyday to see if he can be a #2 catcher option in 2010, but just because the Dodgers are going nowhere this year, that hasn’t stopped Ned Colletti from making a couple other questionable deals (i.e. Octavio Dotel and arguably Scott Podsednik). Barajas is worth a look in two-catcher NL-only leagues for his ability to pop a longball now and then (20.8 AB/HR this year), but he’ll hurt you in most other categories.
Cody Ross (OF-SF) – Ross was claimed off trade waivers by the Giants on Sunday, further adding to their “interesting” collection of outfielders. He’ll compete for time with Pat Burrell, Aaron Rowand, Jose Guillen, and Andres Torres. If manager Bruce Bochy wants to play his three best outfielders (also factoring in defense) regularly, he’ll go with a Burrell/Ross/Torres tandem, but in reality, this hurt all five guys in terms of playing time. Ross is a .280/.322/.542 hitter vs. LHP, but all four of his fellow Giants outfielders bat right-handed with the exception of the switch-hitting Torres. I’d have to think Torres and Burrell are going to play the most of the group, but that remains to be seen.
Cameron Maybin (OF-FLA) – With Cody Ross a Giant via a waiver claim, the Marlins will recall Maybin from Triple-A this week and install in as their everyday center fielder. Maybin batted just .225/.290/.341 in 182 at-bats for the Marlins earlier this year, but he turned just 23 in April, so he’s still on track for stardom if he can show he’s learned a few things the past couple months in Triple-A. Down there, Maybin hit a solid .338/.407/.508 with four homers and five stolen bases in 130 at-bats, and as a former high first-round pick, the talent hasn’t gone anywhere.
Andrew Miller (SP-FLA) – Miller made his first big league start of 2010 on Sunday, and fared pretty well in limiting the Astros to one run over five innings in a no-decision. His 3:3 K:BB was nothing spectacular, but with Ricky Nolasco one for the year with a knee injury, Miller has a (final?) chance to establish himself as a strong 2011 rotation candidate with a big finish. Remember, this was a guy picked one spot ahead of Clayton Kershaw and four in front of Tim Lincecum in the 2006 draft, so while the Tigers would love a mulligan on that draft, it means he came out of college with talent, and perhaps it’s just a matter of digging deep and remembering what worked for him in the past. Miller has a 5.50 career big league ERA in 261.2 innings, with his 210:148 K:BB highlighting the command issues that have held him back.
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