Fantasy Baseball Advice

Yes, the title does sound like a Chinese R & B song.  Krispie Young (For new readers, Krispie Young is the phonetic pronunciation of Chris B. Young to help avoid confusion with Cristal Young.) has been hot as cauliflower after a good broiling.  5 homers in 4 games this week; the post-All-Star Break last year saw him go 9/9 with a respectable (for him) .278.  In 2007, he hit 19 homers and stole 18 bases in the 2nd half (ah, those were the days for Krispie).  It’s critical to have the hot hands on your team this time of the year, especially in H2H leagues.  I’d absolutely lose a cold player to take a chance on Young.  Really, what do you have to lose, besides your league.  Anyway, here’s some more players to buy or sell this week in fantasy baseball:

Psyche!  Before we get to the Buy/Sell, just wanted to remind people that Fantasy Football has a fire going.  So, if you like, take your marshmallows over there.

BUY

Marlon Byrd – Batting over .500 for the last week.  More than that, he has 17 homers and 8 steals on the year while batting .287.  Yeah, he’s outperforming Carlos Beltran.  How’s dem apples?  Sour?  Ryght?

Seth Smith – Another guy that is outperforming Beltran on the year.  Weird game we got here, fellas (and two girl readers).  In the beginning of the year if you would’ve told me I’d be better off drafting Seth Smith than Beltran in the 2nd round, I would’ve punched you in the nose.  No apology either.  Just a nod telling you you had it coming.  Smith’s time may get bushwhacked a bit by Fowler, but with the way Smith’s hitting, I think the Rox work him in.

Carlos Gonzalez – Let’s all just own Rockies, shall we?  I like that idea.  The nice thing about CarGo (take that, Carlos Gomez!) is that even when he’s not hitting homers, he’s stealing bases.  Aim to please, that’s CarGo’s MotTo.

Ian Desmond – Scroll down to the last post to see what I had to say about him.  Go ahead, we’ll wait.  This is, after all, all about you.

Juan Gutierrez – Gutierrez is the closer.  Not officially maybe.  Or maybe officially.  What, you need a letter from the Queen of England?  He’s getting saves.  That’s all that matters.  How is he only owned in 6% of ESPN leagues?  If you give me your password, I’ll pick him up for you.

Ryan Madson – In the past, Madson hasn’t been great in the closer role, which leads me to…

Brett Myers – He can sneak in and grab a few saves.  Upwards to 4 saves.  Enticing, eh?  Almost as enticing as having your girlfriend meet a drunk Brett Myers at a bar.  I don’t think the closerousel in Philly will be nearly as clear cut as some might think, but there’s so little time left, any of these guys could run with the job for a few weeks.  How’s that for hedging bets?

Mike Gonzalez – Saves in Hotlanta could be a Mike G. Joint.

Madison Bumgarner – In keepers, you own him.  In other leagues, it’s doubtful he sees another start.

Wade Davis – The Rays decided they were better off with Davis over Sonnanstine.  Rookie nookie is alive and well in Tampa.  Our weather is as humid as our pitchers! What are you talking about?  Never you mind.  Friends of the random italicized voice will appreciate it. Wade Davis is still capable of being mollywhopped so if you can’t handle that caveat, do what you do.

Brandon Morrow – Very few starters are coming into the league right now with potential.  Mostly, you’re relying on matchups at this time of the year.  Build up complete.  Brandon Morrow’s back in the rotation.

Eric Young Jr. – I’m warning you now.  This winter will be The Winter of Eric Young Jr. (patent pending).

Michael Brantley – If you’re the kind of guy who paints a face on fruit right before you bite it just to show you’re in charge, then you know what I’m going to say, because I’m that guy too.  Brantley = SAGNOF!

SELL

Carlos Beltran – It was nice that you held onto him through his lengthy DL stint.  Loyalty!  You’ll make a good husband one day.  But just because he’s back, doesn’t mean he’s back back.  He’s still in the cavernous Metco for his home games and it could take a week or two for him to get up to speed.  You have time to wait for him?  Then throw in his knee might hinder his running game.  If you’re in a deep league, I can understand holding him and hoping for the best.  But if there’s guys on waivers, I’d lose Ricky from My So Called Life.

Brad Hawpe – I told you to sell him in June when he was still hitting.  He really hasn’t hit much since then.  You can’t play these vets who aren’t producing just because you wrote, “I Heart Hawpe,” all over your Trapper Keeper.

Joba Chamberlain – I understand you’re a fan of a descendants of much-maligned British Prime Ministers, but he’s pitching three innings at a time.  And not even pitching them very well.

B.J. Upton – Ankle flare ups are hindering his running game.  Being sucky flare ups are hindering everything else.

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.

Welcome to the second weekly installment of Scouting the Unknown [StU]. Since this is still the beginning of StU, there is an abundance of hidden, hype deserved prospects. Due to the overwhelming list of prospects one may analyze, any requests would be welcomed, but I cannot promise I will designate an article to them. The goal is to locate hidden/non-ESPN hyped prospects. Everyone knows about Wieters, Price, Hanson, etc.

Last week I got a request to look at Madison Bumgarner [AKA - Mad-Bum], and luckily he was on my radar. Along with Mad-Bum, Desmond Jennings of the Rays will be looked at today. Enough with the frivolous formalities, onto the show!

Madison Bumgarner [Mad-Bum] – SP - San Francisco Giants – A and AA (2009)
Though he has no anal fissures, plenty of batters wish they took their Pepto Bismol when facing this hulking lefty. Standing at 6′ 5″ with a 10.1k/9 and 1.5BB/9 in 188 2/3 innings, this young left projects to be Tiny Tim’s partner in crime with better control. Matter-of-fact, most scouts say that if Lincecum wasn’t on the Giants, that Bumgarner would be the ace. Born in ‘89, this 19 year old has already seen a promotion from A ball to AA about a month ago (with another young, promising pitcher named Tim Alderson). College recruiters and minor league managers both claim he’s a mature and humble young man (though this has little importance to fantasy baseball, it is nice to see non-egocentric talent).

Mad-Bum has a plus fastball and depending on what site you want to believe, it ranges from 92-99 mph. It has been this pitch that has allowed him to succeed since being drafted 10th overall. His change-up has been improving every day and according to his A-ball pitching coach, has been his biggest improvement. Back when he was drafted, MiLB’s scouting report mentioned that his breaking pitches were lacking, but this was due to his father not allowing him to add stress to his young stud’s elbow. Kudos to daddy! However, this has inhibited his ability to throw a slider or a curve. The slider is better, but they are both junk ball pitches now.

Having similar numbers to Rick Ankiel (when he still pitched), CC Sabathia, and pre-Tommy John’s Francisco Liriano, this young lefty could see stardom as soon as ‘10 or ‘11. He just reached AA, and seeing the way the Giants handled Tiny Tim, I would envision something similar. San Fran is not in a hurry to rush up their pitching because, well, the Giants are awful. There is good news though, this past spring, he was a late cut and faced a Dodgers lineup that included Manny Ramirez that went down swinging. A late season/September call up could be in line if he continues to pitch like an ace.

Desmond Jennings – Tampa Bay Rays – OF – AA
No fancy, or rather disturbing nickname for Jennings. As the 5th ranked prospect in the Devil Rays farm, he compares well to possible future teammate – Carl Crawford. A speed demon in the field, and a conniving thief on the base paths, in his last full[er] season he stole 45 bases (in 99 games). He was caught 15 times for a success rate of 75%, which isn’t great, but still pretty stellar as that can improve with practice. This year the ratio stands, or rather, runs at 17:4.

As a stand out, two sport athlete in college (JuCo All-American honors at Wide Receiver) the only knock is his health. His stellar 2007 season was cut short by a left knee injury (meniscus tear) and his 2008 season was decimated by a back injury and later a left shoulder injury. Finally healthy again, D-Jen has posted a 10% BB and 15% K rates with a .366/.433/.586 line all in AA.

Speed is his key asset, but with marginal power potential. So far this season, he is proving many skeptics wrong. However, a torrid .409 BABIP has helped fuel the majority of this year’s stellar performance. (A short disclaimer worth mentioning is that his career BABIP is .325.) As minor league player of the month for the Rays organization this past April, if he keeps this progress up, we could see him in September. With Carl Crawford reaching the end of his deal, it will be interesting to see whether or not the Rays trade him and plug D-Jen into the outfield. His true potential won’t be seen for a few more years, but tracking this prospect could reap benefits when he is called upon.