.288/.378/.535 in A and AA. Pedro Almodovar! Wait, rechecking my notes. Pedro Alvarez! Last year, Robot Jones and The Dread Pirate Triple Lindy’d into the Pirates mucky-muck with a certain panache (Pretentious Word of the Day!). Next up, is The Smashbuckler, the Pirates future 3rd baseman. Argh, into the bilgewater you go, LaRoche! You landlubber! Finally, Robot Jones and The Dread Pirate have a decent teammatey. Okay, I’m shutting off my English to Pirate translator. Alvarez took some time in 2009 to get going again after a broken hamate bone slowed him in 2008. By the 2nd half of the year, Alvarez was hitting for average and power in Double-A. (A September Scouting the Unknown further broke down Pedro Alvarez minor league stats.) He’s done more of the same in Triple-A this year. See no reason why he can’t continue the same trajectory in the majors, assuming he hasn’t had any lengthy conversations with Alex Gordon. Moderate power, less than moderate speed and decent average. After his call-up, let’s say a line of Runs/15/RBIs/.270/3 in 350 ABs. In keepers, pursue aggressively. In redraft leagues, depends on your current corner infidel situation. Though I will say that if he hits out of the gate, his value will go sky high and then you can trade him for a piece more valuable than him. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Brandon Phillips – Walt Jocketty said Phillips’s hammy won’t require a DL stint. Phillips said, “I’d kinda like to hear what a doctor has to say.”
Alfredo Simon – Was activated from the DL. Juan Schmoil said he’ll ease Simon back into the closer role so if you have room, I would wait until Simon earns a save before cutting Hernandez. Though ‘fredo can handle things! He’s smart!
Rich Harden – Landed on the DL. Ah, finally vintage Harden returns.
Matt Holliday – 2-for-4 as he had his coming out party from the two hole, which appropriately has POO-Holes protecting him. Hey, whatever gets Holliday back from his extended vacay.
Colby Rasmus – 1-for-3 as he hit his 12th homer. Rasmus appears in this afternoon’s post, but not in the most favorable light. So Rasmus owners better wear their miner’s helmets.
Jair Jurrjens – Threw in his first rehab start. Was hit around a bit with poor control. But he’s on the road to recovery, as they say in rehab. Should be activated in the next few weeks barring any setbacks.
Erick Aybar – Left the game after being taken out on a slide by Casey McGehee. Ooh, that heated Angels/Brewers rivalry. Interleague fail. Injury looked pretty bad, Aybar will probably head off to the DL. Izturis should fill in. Maicer, what goes on, Maicer? Not a whole lot, actually.
Ryan Braun – Hit his 2nd homer in four games, a grand slam. And you were worried. Oh, you! Braun has 45 RBIs on the year, McGehee has 47 and Hart has 44. No wonder Fielder has only 24. There’s only so many to go around. And for Fielder it’s a long way around. Fat joke!
Shaun Marcum – 7 IP, 2 ER, 6 baserunners, 2 Ks in Petco. In related news, every pitcher with a no-trade clause has the Padres as an exception.
John Buck – Hit his 10th and 11th homers last night. So he’s been more valuable than McCann. Whatever. I’m bitter. BUCK!
Aaron Hill – 3-for-5 with 3 doubles. Not to rain on the first positive for Hill in a while, but last year those doubles would’ve been homers.
Jonathan Sanchez – 7 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 9 baserunners, 5 Ks. He’s dropped his BB/9 by nearly a full walk from last year. His K/BB is the highest it’s been in his career. He’s dropped his 2009 WHIP of 1.37 to 1.15 so far this year. His BAA is .202. He’s just under a 9 K/9. Yes, it’s true. I love me some Filthy Sanchez.
Pat Burrell – Now has 2 homers in the last 4 games as he hits .407 on the Giants. If you need a power outfielder, Pat’s got the hot bat injection.
Matt Wieters – 1-for-4 with his 5th homer. Let’s hope 2011 is kinder to current rookie catcher phenoms, Posey and Santana, than 2010 has been to Wieters. But because we ask so little of catchers, if Wieters gets to 15 homers this year, which he easily can, this year won’t look bad in retrospect. It’s no John Buck year, but really nothing is. BUCK!
Elvis Andrus – Ron Washington indicated he may limit Andrus and Borbon if they can’t up their stealing percentages. This sounds like Washington playing mind games to get his youngsters to pick their spots better. I’d take this with a grain of salt. Whoa, Washington, I said that’s salt!
