September 1st may mean autumn is around the corner for meteorologists, but you’re not Sam Champion, are you? No, of course you’re not. He’s handsome. For us in the fantasy baseball trenches, September 1st means rosters expand and rookies are called up. Unlike the September hitter call ups we went over yesterday, I’d use kid gloves with these call ups. As Paula Dean might say, pitchers can hurt you, ya’ll. If you need to take a flier on a rookie pitcher, tread carefully, young Razzball reader. Anyway, here’s some potential September call ups to keep your eye on for fantasy baseball, the pitchers:
Aaron Poreda – I’m crazy for HodgePadres, what can I say? Actually, I just said it. But even I’d be careful with Poreda. In NL-Only leagues, yes, please. Elsewhere, maybe home matchups.
Madison Bumgarner – Scouting the Unknown broke down, Madison Bumgarner. Bumgarner will be one of those adds that everyone does and just about everyone regrets (this year). Though I am prepping a giggle for when Bumgarner attacks Pujols with his number 2.
Tim Hudson – I heard this kid’s got good stuff. Hope his call up goes smoothly, he might have a nice career ahead of him. /sarcasm
David Purcey – Blech.
Carlos Carrasco – I was bonkers for him in the preseason. That’s the drawback to working without a net in December. Carrasco’s hype I extolled was obviously a year too early. Don’t worry, I’m go crazy for him again this offseason. You’ve been caveated.
Hector Rondon – Is Wedge trying to get fired? Are the Indians trying to lose? Heffin’ hey in the screw hole, bring up Rondon and see what he can do. Cause right now he do what he do and he do it in Triple A. Over a 9 K/9 and under a 2 BB/9, which comes out to 42 Ks to 7 walks.
Wade Davis – For a while he looked better than David Price, then for a while he stopped striking out hitters. And both “whiles” came in the minors, so there will be some growing pains, Kirk Cameron.
Dana Eveland – Had a long look last year and pitched well enough for AL-Only leagues. Might have some matchup value in September.
Brandon Morrow – Not a rookie, but I think he can make a nice fantasy impact in September. Worth grabbing in all leagues.
Todd Wellemeyer – He wasn’t that great when he was already in the majors.
Daniel McCutchen – What’s the chances the Pirates have another fantasy-worthwhile McCutchen? Okay, combine those odds with the chances the Pirates have a worthwhile pitcher.
Lastings Milledge is about to get called up by the Pirates (We’re not your Pops’ Pirates!) and he should get playing time. Shoot, I could prolly get playing time with the Pirates. Is this still the head case that the Mets and Nats gave up on? Sure. Luckily, the rap scene in Pittsburgh is about as happening as Poughkeepsie’s and there’s no chance Milledge will high-five a fan after a homer, because, well, the Pirates have no fans. Lastings Milledge can give you a two month stretch that looks remarkably similar to what Beltran has done over the last two months, or he can give you a two month streak where he looks like what Beltran should’ve done for the last two months. Will Milledge suddenly be 10 team worthy? Check yo projections at the door. I don’t know. His 2nd half last year was hella strong. (Yo and hella were requests of the 18-29 test audience). So Milledge can give you a ten team worthy outfielder and that’s worth a flier in every league. Anyway, here’s some more players to buy or sell this week in fantasy baseball:
BUY
Ty Wigginton – Hit a homer on Thursday. Know how many homers he hit last August? 12. Why does he get hot in August? I don’t know. Maybe his moon sign coalesces well with August’s sun sign. Whatever the case. Pick him up in deep leagues and monitor him closely in 12 team or shallower.
Kyle Blanks – The Pillsbury Fro Boy has been hot. That’s your positive tip, now dance on the floor and have room for The Chubbster.
Billy Butler – The Moobster has also been hot. I have my doubts about him for this year (I’m getting excited about drafting him next year). But if you’re struggling at corner, you have my express written consent to pick up Butler.
Chris Tillman – As defined by the Razzball Glossary, a roofie is a rookie pitcher who fails to deliver on their tremendous K potential and, instead, abuses your trust and violates your ERA and WHIP. If you need to take on risk, Tillman’s worth a shot, but you may end up crying in the corner of your bathroom.
Derek Holland – Shoot me now for what these roofies will do to you.
Clayton Richard – Latest HodgePadre. Suddenly, he has value for mixed leagues.
Aaron Poreda – This trade makes him an immediate grab in NL-Only keeper leagues.
Adam LaRoche – I told you he’d get a boost from his trade! It just wasn’t his first trade. My visions of the future are sometimes murky.
Andy Marte – Father, I must confess, I’ve picked up Andy Marte in a mixed league. You know how much I love prospects who are past prospect staus. His Triple-A stats were apple-sweet this year. When I own him, I can’t stop thinking about crates of Dippin’ Dots slowly parachuting into Africa, so it can’t be all bad, right?
Eugenio Velez – Hot and he has speed. (Sounds like a young Ron LeFlore.)
Jim Johnson – Doesn’t he sound like a cult leader? Jim Johnson states that in order to get vulture saves you must drink his Kool-Aid. This will also help you shed your Earth skin.
Danys Baez – If you’re really hard up for saves and Johnson’s gone, grab Baez. Though you may be left holding your Earth skin.
Matt Thornton – Potential vulture saves if Ozzie ever convinces Jenks to go to the Disgraceful List.
Kaz Matsui – He might be as exciting to you as the Jockular Sphincteritis he once suffered from, but he’s 4 for his last 7 with his homer yesterday. He hit over .300 in 2008′s 2nd half with 5 homers and 5 steals. Decent enough in NL-Only leagues or very deep mixed leagues.
Howie Kendrick – Not only is he hot, but if you pick him up, you can mock everyone who drafted him back in March.
Ben Francisco – Don’t cha just wanna call him Benji Cisco? No? Okay, maybe it’s me. He has no value if he’s on the bench, but while The Flying Hawaiian’s grounded, he’s worth a look.
Michael Saunders – Had a .310/.378/.544 line in Triple-A along with 13 homers in 248 ABs. Eh, he’s a decent flier in AL-Only leagues, but I just can’t get excited about Mariners prospects. If he was any good, why didn’t they trade him to the Orioles?
SELL
George Sherrill – Unless you count Holds or you’re a MR. B., Sherrill’s not worth your roster spot.
Ian Kinsler – Yup, it’s almost that time of the year. Kinsler’s missed the last two games and he’s never played in more than 130 games. Washington has already said he will bench him more in the 2nd half to try to keep Kinsler out of the dumps, so far it hasn’t worked. Kinsler hit .157 in July with 4 homers and 6 steals. Now don’t trade Kinsler for a lanyard anklet, but you might want to explore some trades.
Jake Peavy – The White Sox didn’t acquire Peavy to rush him back and risk further injury. He’s there for the playoff push. This trade doesn’t suddenly make him healthy. Not to mention, he leaves the (really) friendly confines of Petco for a hitters’ park. It’s not great for his value.
Victor Martinez – Nothing like a trade to the Sawx to cause a player’s perceived value go through the roof. Will this trade boost his value? Of course. Will his perceived value suddenly be higher than his actual value? Yup. Again, don’t trade him for the innate ability to spell Gewurztraminer, but I’d keep my avenues open.
Casey Kotchman – Nothing like a trade to the Sawx to… Oh, wait. He’s now stuffed in the middle of the revolving cornerman door. Considering Kotchman will only be facing favorable matchups now, it doesn’t kill his value, but you would need a backup for the days he sits.
Francisco Liriano – Member back in 2006 when you guys had the time of your life? Frolicking around the park like the two schoolkids you were. You’d start a sentence, he finished it. You’d invite him to sleep over and beg your Mom to make his favorite kind of pupusas. Well, now he won’t leave and he just wet your bed. Stop lying in Liriano’s urine and drop him.
James Lipton recently sat down with Stephen Strasburg and when he asked him what he thought of becoming a Nat, Stephen Strasburg said a’la Brando in On the Waterfront, “Actaaaaaa!!!” Stephen Strasburg is THE BEST PITCHER EVER. (Caps were provided by Scott Boras.) The hype and superlatives of Strasburg have been spewed across the interwebs, so allow me to give you some perspective. The last seven number one draft picks were Delmon Young, Matt Bush, Justin Upton, Luke Hochevar, David Price, Tim Beckham and Strasburg. One guy in those seven is currently helping you. One guy could help you. One guy grabbed $3.15 million and opened a shaved ice stand in Acapulco. In 1996, Kris Benson was presumably the best pitcher to ever toe the rubber coming out of college with a 204/27 K/BB ratio. In 1999, Alfredo Amezaga was drafted one pick before Albert Pujols. I think Strasburg will help your fantasy baseball team at some point. I don’t think he’s helping you this year. In deep keeper leagues, I’d grab Strasburg now. He’ll be a Nat sooner versus later, but that’s only because the Nats number one pitcher is John Lannan. In one year leagues, wait until he’s called up. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Brad Lidge – Headed to the DL. Man, who else strikes out more than a batter an inning, yet looks so vunerable to a meltdown? I mean, this doode literally will strikeout the side around two home runs. I don’t think this will necessarily be a lost season for Lidge. He should come back in July and be ‘just okay.’ Hopefully, for Lidge owners, he gets the closing job back. I think he will. Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t own Madson.
Aaron Poreda – Called up by the White Sox. In Double A, he struckout more than a batter per inning, but he also walked 32 guys in 58 1/3 innings. Open the Victrola, blow the dust off the scratched record and listen to the B-side of, “Rookie Pitcher/Risky Pitcher.” In AL-Only leagues, I’d grab him and expect nothing. In mixed leagues, I’d prefer about 40 other pitchers.
Jordan Zimmermann – Scratched from start with a slightly sore elbow. So instead of the Reds, he gets the Rays. Bummer, mann.
David Wright – HR yesterday. Wait, what? Home run by Wright. Come again? Home. Run. Wright. Ah, yes.
Metco – 7 HRs were hit today in Bankrupt Bank Field b/w the Phillies and Mets. While that would be fathomable with Moyer vs. Livan, this was Happ vs. Santana. Even odder, no HRs were hit at Yankee Stadium. (It helped that Josh Beckett pitched and that the game was in Fenway.)
J.A. Happ – 5 1/3 IP, 4 ER. Well, the honeymoon’s over and now he heads home to face the Red Sox and the O’s, then he gets the Blue Jays in Toronto. You gotta know when to hold ‘em… Know when to fold ‘em. I’m folding. (Actually sometime between screaming “Screw you” and “Hochevar,” I gave up on rookie pitchers for a few months, so I don’t own Happ anywhere. But if I did…)
Nate McLouth – Has been batting leadoff for the Braves. Against righties it makes sense and I could see Cox going to this lineup more often than not. It’ll affect McLouth’s ribbies.
Rafael Soriano – Got his fifth save as Mike Gonzalez worked a lefty-heavy eighth.
Johnny Cueto – 7 IP, 1 ER. James Shields, 6 1/3 IP, 2 ER. The answer is… Cueto and Shields. Who are pitchers that Grey has on multiple teams, Alex?
Ben Zobrist – Hit his 12th homer. You can’t stop him, you can only hope he doesn’t have his corked bat taken from him.
Elijah Dukes – HR yesterday. He’s so gangsta!
Pablo Sandoval – 4-for-5, HR and 3 RBIs. 22/5/27/.318 on the season. I have him on one team where I’m in first. Did I have him all year? Yup. He’s a catcher and I ignore them. Trust me, catchers don’t matter. Put someone there and let them be. In February, I put his projections at 60/14/65/.300 and that’s about where he’ll be in September.
Matt Cain – 6 1/3 IP, 4 ER. Obviously not a great start, but as I said in the preseason, he could easily get the run support this year that Lincecum got last year. Cain’s leading the NL in wins with 8. He’s still a sell though if anyone’s looking at the sub-3 ERA and thinking he’s been that good. He hasn’t.
Stephen Drew – HR yesterday. Batting .393 in June. I hope everyone held tight on Drew, still a lot of season left.
Mark Reynolds – Hit his 15th homer and is batting .269 on the year. I have him on every team. Mini-donkey!
Willie Bloomquist – Citing precedence from the 1700s, Bloomquist ruled in favor of the Royals v. Indians as he went went 3-for-3 with 2 steals. Then the decision was overturned in the 7th in favor of the Indians. Rightfully so.
J.P. Howell – Pitched the ninth of a one run game… where the Rays were losing. Maddon’s obviously using a committee. Anyone could get the next save.
Carlos Gonzalez – 2-for-4 with 2 doubles and a steal. I feel like I should make this a whole post, and maybe I will. But if you pick up a guy, you hold him for at least a week unless your team situation gets drastically different. I only say this because someone dropped CarGo in one of my leagues yesterday and I thought it was odd that they grabbed him the day he was called up only to drop him less than a week later.
Jason Hammel – 6 IP, 2 ER and the win. I picked him up in a deep league for this week’s starts. Brewers he beat, he gets the Mariners next. Then I cash out my chips and dump him.
Mat Gamel – HR yesterday. Interleague’s coming up. Cust kayin’.
Jose Arredondo – Sent to the minors to figure his shizz out. From “He’s gotta be the closer” to “He could be the closer on the Nats” in just over two months.
Matt Kemp – Undoubtedly the best 8th hitter right now in the NL. How does a .310 hitter with 7 HRs and 13 SBs end up hitting 8th behind Russ “0 HR’ Martin and Rafael O-Furcal? Maybe if Matt dated a nice Italian girl like Alyssa Milano, Joe Torre would hit him higher up in the lineup.
Scott Baker – The Mentalist followed up a 7 IP / 2 ER / 7 H+BB/ 10 K game against the Indians with 8 IP / 3 ER / 5 H+BB / 8 Ks against the A’s. Doubt he’ll make it through the year without some time on the DL but it might be worth offering up an expendable closer or outfielder in the spare chance he can maintain this Verlander-like month worth of starts (if he keeps getting Indians and A’s matchups, it’ll only help…)
Adam Lind – Hit a homer as a thank you for writing a post about him yesterday. You’re welcome, Adam. Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars…
Brian Tallet – 7 IP, 0 ER. He has too many walks in 74 innings. It’s Tallet, not talent.
Andre Ethier – 2 HRs. This came after Manny went into the clubhouse yesterday and let Ethier feel his stomach. It kicked!
John Baker – Pujols hit him with his backstroke. Hmm… what were they doing in a pool? Nevertheless, Baker’s day-to-day.
Nolan Reimold – Another homer. Yes, he’s better than the schmohawk behind door number 3.
Brad Bergesen – 8 IP, 0 ER, 6 Ks vs. the Mariners. The Mariners lineup looks like an anorexic model with a pumpkin head.
Josh Johnson – 7 IP, 3 ER. For those who missed the game, Johnson didn’t give up any runs. The outfield defense for the Marlins is terrible. Can they please trade Hermida? He goes back on a ball like he’s wearing cement boots.
David Ortiz – HR yesterday. Now that he has eyedrops to moisten his eyes, supposedly he doesn’t need to blink as much and can hit home runs. *cough* placebo *cough* Big Papi’s lack of blinks will probably cost him the lead in the Broadway rendition of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.
