Assuming the Red Sox/Dodgers blockbuster trade goes through, I'll have a write-up tomorrow. Given how the far less complicated Ryan Dempster to Atlanta trade fell through, I think it's a little premature to be putting together a write-up tonight.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Rising Up
Tyler
Skaggs (20% owned last week;
26% owned this week)
Skaggs
was called up for a spot start earlier this week and performed capably in his
Major League debut, albeit with a lot of walks. With his low 90s fastball,
filthy curve, and decent change, Skaggs could probably slot in as a mid-tier
MLB starter right now. Earlier today, Kirk Gibson announced the Diamondbacks are moving to a six man rotation for now, giving Skaggs a real shot to stick the rest of the way. I do worry a little bit about Skaggs' declining K/9 ratios
this year in the minors and think he could use at least another half season in
AAA in 2013. If you're in a keeper you've got to stash Skaggs.
Kyle
Kendrick (6%/14%)
vs NYM
Kendrick
gets attention every time he goes on a little mini-roll such as the one he's on
over his last three starts. A closer look reveals that Kendrick is a match-up
play only (despite tonight's results). He has been far better on the road than at home this year, though
the whiff rate is actually better at home. With Joe Blanton out of the picture,
Kendrick's rotation spot should be relatively safe unless the Phillies decide
they want a look at Tyler Cloyd next month. Even though the Mets have been an
easy match-up of late, I'd be wary to use Kendrick in CBP unless I was really
desperate for strikeouts and/or wins.
Off
the DL
Ian
Desmond
I'm
not sure why you'd still have Desmond on reserve, but someone in my N.L.-only
home league does. After an 0-for-11 stretch right off of the DL, Desmond has a
couple of home runs and is 5-for-12 in his last three games. He might not run
that much over the last month, but even in standard mixed leagues you've got to
find a way to get this guy into your line-up ASAP no matter how stacked your
team is. He sat out tonight, but it appears that this is only a minor setback, not a major issue.
Got
the Call
Francisco
Peguero
Coming
into 2012, the jury was out on whether Peguero could make it in the Majors as a
starting outfielder or if his future was as a fourth outfielder/utility type.
Now I'm not even sure if he'll ever be more than organizational depth that
rotates in when there is an injury. Plate discipline had always been a problem
for Peguero, but it cratered this year, resulting in a sub-300 OBP and an OPS
that for the PCL was embarrassingly bad. The speed that Peguero showed two
years ago in High-A ball (he stole 40 bases) looks like it's gone almost
entirely, as Peguero stole one base at AAA this year. If you can rotate minor
leaguers on and off of your team at will Peguero should no longer be on your
squad, even in a keeper.
In
the Minors
Billy
Hamilton
If
you don't know who Billy Hamilton is, you're at the wrong blog and I'm sorry
that you've read this far down the page. The Reds haven't ruled out calling Hamilton up
for the stretch drive to serve as a designated pinch runner. I'm not sure what
Hamilton's future looks like (i.e.: will he hit enough to be more than a Vince
Coleman type), but if you need steals and have a deep reserve list, Hamilton is
worth a stab. I have no idea if the Reds will do more than just bring him up to
mostly watch them play, but if you're in a tight steals race Hamilton is a
worthy risk.
Jenrry
Mejia
Earlier
this week, there were rumors that Mejia might take Johan Santana's rotation spot
yesterday against the Rockies. Turns out that this assignment went to Collin
McHugh, who threw an absolute gem. Mejia could still get a cup of coffee, but
since it's unclear what his role will be, he's less interesting to contending
teams at the moment. Mejia is still recovering from TJ surgery and his whiff
rate at AAA was extremely low this year. I might hold off on adding Mejia for
now, as I think there's a good chance he struggles in the Majors if/when he
does get the call.
AMERICAN
LEAGUE
Rising
Up
Josh
Donaldson (1% owned last week; 4%
owned this week)
Remember
Josh Donaldson? Back in March, he was the subject of many a hopeful article
with titles like "Josh
Donaldson: Worthwhile Sleeper?" primarily because of his Roto catcher
eligibility and his real life status as starting third baseman for the Oakland Athletics.
Unfortunately for his owners, Donaldson did what a lot of guys who hit .300 in
the PCL do: he stunk up the joint in the Majors and quickly punched himself a
ticket back to Bushleagueville. Donaldson quietly has been mashing PCL pitching
the last couple of months, and a Brandon Inge injury gave him a second chance
much like the one Charles "Chazz" Russell received in the short-lived 80s sitcom of the same name. Anyhoo, Donaldson
could lose playing time to Brandon Inge down the stretch when Inge returns from
injury next week. Donaldson's worth starting at catcher as long as he's
playing, but he's only worth a minimal FAAB investment even if he is available.
In
the Minors
Christian
Colon
It
appeared that Colon might be on track for a September cup of coffee, but now it
appears that he will miss the rest of 2012 after getting hit in the face with a
baseball. Even before the injury, Colon was a poor stash candidate. Some
fantasy/prospect watchers think that there still might be a breakout lurking here
because of the low whiff rate that goes with good contact, but Colon also
doesn't walk a lot and his power/speed numbers aren't all that impressive. His
defense at short has regressed, but with Alcides Escobar breaking out this
year, second base is probably where Colon was going to land anyway. I'd save my
FAAB for now, and I wouldn't spend a pick in a two round farm draft on Colon in
2013 either.
Aaron
Hicks
A
pedestrian season at High A Fort Myers knocked Hicks off of the top prospect
lists this past offseason and altered expectations from "future star"
to "steady everyday player." Despite the poor year, Hicks was still
moved to AA, and lo and behold he's had a bounce back year to some degree. On
the surface the numbers don't look impressive, but Hicks' OPS is 10th best in
the Eastern League (400 or more plate appearances). While I agree with the
consensus that Hicks may not be a future star, the 29 stolen bases excite me
and make me believe that Hicks could be a 15-20 HR, 25-30 SB type a few years
down the road if everything breaks right. If someone dropped him in your keeper league, he is most
definitely worth stashing in the hopes of a mid-2013 call-up.
Chris
Archer
No,
I'm not including him here so I can make a gratuitous Archer reference (though I do love that
show). I just wanted to call to everyone's attention to the fact that since Archer's return
to the minors, his control/command has been much improved, with his walk rate
dropping to a manageable 2.84 BB/9 over his last nine starts. Archer doesn't
profile as a future ace, but I could see him as a strong #2 or #3 and agree
with John Sickels that he was underrated coming into 2012. Stash Archer if you
can; I suspect he's going to be an important part of the Rays rotation at some
point during 2013.
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