Austin Jackson (CF-DET) Jackson went 3-for-5 with a home run, a strikeout, 2 runs scored and 3 RBI against the White Sox on Friday night. Over the last 8 days he has hit .412 with 4 walks and 2 home runs. He now has 9 home runs for the season along with 19 stolen bases, and he has improved his overall line to .254/.319/.383. Jackson has the same exact strikeout rate this season, 25.2 percent, as he did in 2010. His overall bating average has dropped because his 2010 BABIP of .396 has dropped to .335 this season. His BABIP is still extremely high considering he has only produced a line drive rate of 15.9 percent (24.2 percent in 2010). Despite the drop in average, owners have to be pleased with the improvement he has made in terms of power and plate discipline. His walk rate has increased from 7 to 8.6 percent (he is chasing few pitches out of strike zone), and both his HR/FB ratio (3.3 to 7 percent) and ISO (.107 to .129) have improved since 2010.
Brandon Morrow (SP-TOR) Morrow's record fell to 9-10 after last night's loss to the Yankees, but he did throw his first quality start since August 17. He allowed 3 runs on 4 hits, 1 home run and 3 walks while striking out 8 over 6 innings of work. Morrow continues to be one of the more frustrating starting pitchers this season. His xFIP of 3.43 suggests that he should be pitching better than his 4.78 ERA suggests. His strikeout rate of 10.41 K/9 leads all qualified starting pitchers, and he has improved his walk rate of 4.06 to 3.45 BB/9. He improved his first pitch strike percentage from 53.3 to 61.7 percent, and he has gotten hitter to chase more pitches out of the zone (33.8 percent). Morrow has been hurt mostly by an extremely low strand rate of 64.5 percent, second lowest among qualified starting pitchers. Owners should expect for Morrow to finish the season up strong.
Elvis Andrus (SS-TEX) Andrus went 2-for-2 with a home run, a stolen base, 2 walks, 2 RBI and four runs scored against the Red Sox on Friday night. The home run was his fourth of the season, and he now has a slash line of .274/.337/.348 with a career high 34 stolen bases this season. 2011 should be considered Andrus' best overall season. He has a career high wRC+ of 93, and he has cut down his strikeout rate to a career low 10.9 percent. Furthermore, he should have a higher batting average this season. His .309 BABIP is somewhat low considering he has a career high 22.6 percent line drive rate and a career low 3.2 percent infield fly ball rate. The only regression has been in his walk rate, which has dropped from 9.4 to 7.6 percent because he has chased more pitches out of the strike zone. His combination of speed and the ability to score runs with a decent batting average has made him a consistent top 10-fantasy shortstop.
Guillermo Moscoso (SP-OAK) Moscoso improved his record to 7-8 after beating the Mariners on Friday. He allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 5 hits, 6 strikeouts and 1 walk in 7 innings of work, and he improved his ERA to 3.63. I have been waiting for a regression from Moscoso. His 5.17 xFIP is ugly, and he has a low ERA because of a .241 BABIP, 67.2 percent strand rate, and has a 5.9 percent HR/FB ratio. He is an extreme fly ball pitcher (56.4 percent), and his home run rate is bound to increase. Furthermore, his peripherals are below average. He has posted a 3.01 BB/9, and a 5.13 K/9 in 101.2 innings pitched this season. He has benefited from pitching in Oakland, and his xFIP on the road (5.61) is much higher than at home (4.79). He is someone who benefits greatly from the expansive foul territory, and the spacious outfield. Look for a regression during the rest of September, and he is someone I would thoroughly avoid in 2012.
Howie Kendrick (2B-LAA) Kendrick went 2-for-4 with a triple, 1 RBI and 2 runs scored in the Angels' 13-5 loss to the Twins. He has gone 12 for his last 32 with 3 home runs (15 for the season), and he has improved his slash line to .299/.352/.478. 2011 represents a career year for Kendrick. He has posted career highs in ISO (.176), home runs, walk rate (5.7 percent), wOBA (.362), wRC+ (130), OBP (.352), HR/FB ratio (17 percent) and WAR (5.4). His .357 BABIP has propelled his batting average, but he has produced a 22.9 percent line drive rate and cut his ground ball rate to a career low 51.6 percent. Strikeouts have been a problem this season as he has posted a career high 20.4 percent strikeout rate. However, that number should be lower considering his 9.2 swinging strike rate is the second best of his career.
