Matt Wieters was finally called up by the Orioles. We know what you’re all thinking – how could they give up on Gregg Zaun so quickly? Don’t the Orioles brass have the intestinal fortitude to withstand the hype surrounding this ‘phenom’ when they’ve got the ultimate journeyman? Evidently not. So how has Wieters been spending his near two months in AAA detention? He’s been awesome…ly average. .285 average. 5 HRs. 30 Ks in 137 ABs. There’s little doubt that Wieters will be an excellent hitter for years to come (see his .350+ average b/w A and AA last year) but those AAA numbers are more likely what you’ll get from him in 2009. Think .285 with 12 HRs. He could prove us wrong and you can do worse than bet on hitting upside at Catcher. Just don’t overpay for it. Anyway, here’s what else we saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Jason Bartlett – Another day, another injury to a Rays middle infielder. Yesterday, it was Iwamura. Now Bartlett goes on the DL with a sprained ankle that he hurt while practicing his dismount from the statistical stratosphere (.373 AVG!). Reid Brignac, who has been hyped for a while, will replace him.
Jose Reyes – Has there ever been a top 5 pick whose owners were relieved when they went on the DL? Enter Reyes. What’s the use of Reyes if he has a bum leg (strained calf)? Let him get healthy so he can steal some damn bases.
Fernando Martinez – Was called up yesterday. Fernando Martinez is going to be a great one and he should be pursued in keeper leagues. But let’s turn over the post to frequent commenter, Mr. Baseball, for a second. He listed these names: Travis Snider, Cameron Maybin, Dexter Fowler, Matt LaPorta, Elvis Andrus and Matt Gamel. His point is fairly obvious. Rookie nookie starts out like a frollicking gazelle and ends like a dead gazelle. Martinez will hit one homer, slap some fans’ hands, and get sent down when the Church of Concussed Heads returns. He’s a decent flier, because you never know what he may do for a week or two, but don’t drop anyone too worthwhile.
David Wright – Has three homers, but stole his 11th base yesterday. Sympathy gains for Reyes?
Carlos Quentin – Now saying he’ll hopefully be back next Monday. Awesome! Maybe next week he can get in one at-bat and then miss another two weeks. Could someone conference call Quentin with Chipper to explain the merits of the DL?
Max Scherzer – 7 IP. Second straight 10 K game. Just as encouraging, he’s thrown only 2 BBs in those games. Owners enjoy the ride and keep your fingers crossed he stays healthy.
Melky Cabrera – Left the game with a sore shoulder after crashing into the outfield wall. In a home game, Melky’s jersey would’ve caught the jetstream and he’d be somewhere in the South Bronx right now.
Coco Crisp – Left game with a sore shoulder too. First you have Melky, now you have cereal. Melky… Cereal, baby. Melky… Cereal, baby. What, you don’t listen to LL?
Brett Gardner – In place of Melky, 3 steals. He ain’t taking no jive from no Western Union messenger!
Ryan Braun – Took a pitch from Adam Wainwright off his wrist. Looks like he’ll be day-to-day. Wainwright laughs manically and says, “You can call me, Painwrist.” The Brewers tried to retaliate on Albert Pujols and he lined a double with his bicep.
Hanley Ramirez – Came out of the game with a tweaked groin. Hanley was feeling a little less *pinkie to mouth* manly.
David Ortiz – Dropped to 6th in the order. Solace for Ortiz owners who have seen the chances of an 0-for-5 decrease slightly.
Joey Votto – Welcome to our brand new game… Is he hitting a home run or is he dizzy?
Roy Oswalt – 6 IP, 4 ER and only has three decisions on the year to bring his record to 1-2. Member those days when he’d win 20 games every year with crazy Win Karma? Yeah, someone else might too, trade him to that person.
Edwin Jackson – 6 1/3 IP, 2 ER. I told you to pick him up after his first start of the year. Cust kayin’.
Mark DeRosa – HR yesterday, 8 on the year. .260/22 HRs. What are DeRosa’s final numbers, Alex?
Zach Greinke – 9 IP, 1 ER, 8 Ks. We get it. We’ve changed Greinke’d to Pwnson’d in the glossary.
Joe Blanton – 11 Ks? Let me guess, the Marlins?
Livan Hernandez – Complete game win? Let me guess, the Nationals?
Brad Lidge – Got his 9th save in a sticky situation. Lidge is going to be given every opportunity to succeed, which means he may fail. But he’ll have the chances.
Shane Victorino – 4-for-5, he’s actually been a bit light on the steals this year, but who doesn’t love The Flying Hawaiian? Not me, friend.
Nolan Reimold – Now has 3 HRs in 46 ABs. Could be this month’s Travis Snider.
Gary Sheffield – Hit his 5th homer. I think he’s way too stubborn to play and not play well, but I also think he’s too old and broken down to stay healthy. Doesn’t hurt to take a flier, just don’t drop anyone too valuable.
Jayson Nix – 2 HRs yesterday. Whatever, can’t supplant Alexei now, sucka!
Nomar Garciaparra – Out again with a strained something-or-other. Someone picked him up in one of my ‘pert leagues and I swear to you, I laughed out loud.
Jesus Guzman – Optioned back to beautiful, bustling Fresno. This came just days after Bochy said he’d start over some schmohawk. Ah, fantasy baseball… When your loved ones don’t stress you out enough.
Ian Snell – Threw a complete game! Then again, it was rained out after 5 innings and he gave up 5 runs.
Troy Glaus – May not return this year. No kidding?
Nick Blackburn – 7 IP, 1 ER, 7 Ks. Usually no Ks, no WHIP, no thank you.
Mark Reynolds – Hit his 13th homer. Where ya at, Chris Davis? At 12, after yesterday’s 2 homer game. And at 61 and 67 Ks, respectively. This race is way too close to call.
Chad Qualls – Sat in favor of Juan Gutierrez in a clear save situation after giving up runs in 3 of his last 4 outings. We’re not reading into it, but in a way we are. Read into that!
Andrew Bailey – Got the save about three weeks (estimate) after he was called the closer. I’d own him, but it would sure be nice to see him again before the summer solstice. (No idea when this is, but it makes me sound smart when I say it. Though not as smart when I point out I don’t know when it is.)
Bobby Jenks – Out with the flu as Linebrink got the save. Can’t Matt Thornton blow his snot rockets at Bartolo Colon?
Bobby Abreu – Hit his 1st HR of the year. Guess he shouldn’t have participated in that Winter League Home Run Derby.
