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Anthony Rizzo (1B-SD) - So what exactly are the Padres waiting for here? We'll get to that, but this is a team that ranks 29th in the league in runs scored and 30th in each of the triple-slash categories of AVG, OBP, and SLG. It's an offense LED by Chris Denorfia and features a third baseman with one home run (Chase Headley) and a collective .216/.260/.353 from its first basemen (Brad Hawpe and Jorge Cantu). Meanwhile, the prize acquisition in the Adrian Gonzalez deal, Rizzo smacked his 15th homer of the season in Triple-A Sunday and he's now batting .369/.449/.722 in 46 games. I'm not sure what the exact super-two date is this year, but it's traditionally fell on or around June 1, so seeing Rizzo promoted within the next week or so wouldn't be a surprise at all. He's immediately be the teams' biggest offensive threat.
Drew Storen (RP-WAS) - Storen was charged with the loss on Sunday against the Padres after allowing an infield RBI single in the ninth inning. Normally this wouldn't be newsworthy, but it marked the third consecutive game in which Storen allowed a run (five total in three innings) and took his ERA from 0.38 to a still respectable 2.03. Storen does have five strikeouts in those three innings, so we won't panic just yet, but NL-only leaguers may be best-served by picking up Tyler Clippard (2.12 ERA, two scoreless IP Sunday) as a closer handful for Storen.
Josh Collmenter (SP-ARI) - I live in Reno, so I got to see Collmenter pitch a couple times in the PCL last year, and his overhand delivery really is startling. Still, he doesn't throw hard, and big league hitters have access to hours of film on this guy, so after a mediocre start last time out in Coors Field (4 IP, 5 runs, 2 earned), I figured "okay, here comes the big slide". Not so fast. Sunday, Collmenter allowed just two runs over six innings in a no-decision against Houston (okay, it's Houston, but still...), walking one and striking out five. He now has a 1.49 ERA with a 21:4 K:BB in 36.1 innings and should be used in all but the shallowest of formats.
Blake Tekotte (OF-SD) - Tekotte batted leadoff on Sunday and was 0-for-3 with a walk and a CS. Tekotte is now 2-for-7 (double, triple) with two walks so far for the Padres. Tekotte is attempting to get at-bats in a very crowded outfield, but Will Venable has now been optioned to Triple-A thanks to an ugly .584 OPS, so perhaps Tekotte will get enough playing time to have value in deeper leagues. Tekotte was batting .291/.410/.486 for Triple-A San Antonio with six homers and 14 stolen bases, so perhaps the Padres will give him a legitimate look in CF.
Clayton Kershaw (SP-LAD) - I don't normally write about a guy like Kershaw, who most folks know if among the league's elite starters, but after Sunday, he at least deserves a mention. Pitching at home against the Marlins, Kershaw spun a complete game two-hit shutout, walking one and striking out 10. Kershaw lowered his ERA to 2.62 in the process, allowing two runs or less for the fifth time in six starts. He also lowered his BB/9 to 2.7 after 4.8 and 3.6 marks the past two seasons. It's amazing to think that Kershaw won't turn 24 until March 2012. Unless the next Dodgers owner signs Kershaw to a contract extension (a no-brainer, no?), Kershaw is projected to be a free agent at the age of 26. Assume at least one Cy Young between now and the 2014 season and he could sign the most lucrative free agent contract ever. He's that good folks.
