In yesterday’s game, Matt Kemp had 2 HRs and 5 RBIs. On the season, he’s batting .383 with 3 HRs, 14 RBIs, 12 Runs and 4 steals. The 7th spot in the order is killing his value like Daniel Craig killed the Bond series. Kemp’s a solid choice for NL MVP and I could see him moving to the 1st round next year for fantasy baseball drafts. He said in the preseason that he wanted to go 40/40. Can he actually do it? Like Chris Young, it’s a tall order. You don’t fall into 40/40 and, in Chavez Ravine, it’s not going to be easy for the 40 homers. But the fact he wants to steal 40 bases is telling. Steals are partially about motivation. Sometimes guys just don’t want to steal (see Krispie Young in ’08). Other times, players pile steals on to show they can (Canseco’s 40/40 year). I doubt Kemp reaches 40 homers, but 30/30 with a .300 average isn’t crackers. We shall call him Sizemoremore. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Glen Perkins – 8 IP, 1 ER. You’re talking about a pitching who had a 4.41 ERA last year, but a FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) rate of 5.14. That’s pretty bad. Okay, I’m being generous. That’s awful. Yes, he was lucky to only have an ERA of 4.41. His MOLLY (Mitigating Of Lousy Loathsome Yuck) was 7. That means he got pretty lucky. So far this year his MOLLY is 9.9. His BABIP has been insanely lucky so far, his fly balls are all over the place yet falling into fielders’ gloves. He’s due for a regression. If you own him, you’re bound to get Mollywopped.
Ricky Romero – 7 IP, 0 ER. To answer 95% of the questions off the bat, he’s better than Perkins. We thought at first that he might be an old-school Joker (BLAM!) but he has a fairly sustainable BABIP, his K/9 could get better and his average against is in line with norms. His walks are very low (for him), and he’s left a lot of guys on base, so he will see a correction in his future (SMACK!), but his FIP is only 3.86. You feeling stressed with Baker, Parra and Dice-K? Might want to try a little R & R. (POW!)
Rick Porcello – 7 IP, 1 ER. He’s matchups material in 12 team and smaller leagues. He’s very young, so Mike Seaver-sized growing pains should be expected. 6 innings, three earned, four Ks should be his typical line.
Adam Jones – Left with a sore hamstring and bloodshot eyes.
Manny Corpas – Kazaam! Don’t you just love Clint Hurdle anointing him closer then bringing him into this game?
Edinson Volquez – 6 IP, 1 ER, but gave up 5 walks. I hate to rain on your fantasy parade, but Volquez is still not pitching well. You can’t walk 5 guys in 6 innings and win… Unless, of course, you’re playing the Astros.
Cody Ross – 3rd HR. Could he be this year’s Nady? Well, if he gets real lucky on average. He could hit .260 and 25 HRs aka 90% of the outfielders on waivers in 12 team and smaller leagues.
Randy Johnson – 7 IP, 0 ER, 7 Ks, 1 Hit. Didn’t hurt that no one on the Diamondbacks is currently hitting, but Randy’s still very capable of these games. Unfortunately, he’s now capable of the 7 run disaster he threw last time out.
Matt Garza – 5 2/3 IP, 7 ER. It’s becoming a broken record, but he was also a risky pitcher.
Javier Vazquez – 6 IP, 0 ER, 8 Ks. Since his breaking pitches went up, he also showed up on the risky pitchers post. But so far JV has been, like ohmigod, straight varsity.
Raul Ibanez – HR and batting .386. I wasn’t a huge fan of his coming into this year… I mean, I liked him, but he is what he is. Anyway, one league where my team is doing abysmally, he’s been that team’s one bright spot. If he can now send a memo to Prince, Reynolds, Bruce and Alexei, that would be swell.
Chris Iannetta – Iannetta answers all Razzball readers who were looking to drop him with a HR yesterday. Now if he can get 28 more hits this year, he’ll have those 30 HRs you covet.
B.J. Upton – Left with quad tightness. Looks like he now has an excuse for his lollygagging.
Kyle Davies – 6 IP, 3 ER, 8 Ks. If he gives you that line every time out, you have to be happy. Not happy happy, but “Hey, it’s Kyle Davies, I’ll take it” happy.
Gavin Floyd – 7 IP, 2 ER. Ted Nugent. Is the answer to, “Who could persuade me to pick him up?”
Jarrod Saltalamacchia – With that last name would it have been too much to go with the standard Jared or even Jarod? His saving grace so far this year is Teagarden hasn’t been much better. I’m going to suggest you punt Salty by next Sunday if he doesn’t breakout out of his funk. The only reason why I’m being so patient is A) He’s a catcher, so if he only hits 15 HRs this year, he’s still worth it. B) He’s talented in a great home park and in a stacked lineup. C) No C, but you could break B up into a few parts if you’d like.
Chris Davis – Benched yesterday. If he ends up the biggest bust of the season, we’re gonna have to get a collection together to fly someone to have a “word” with Bill James about his Davis preseason projections of 107/40/118/.302/8. I think we should send Mr. Met. Bill will never expect anything.
