Annoyed and unable to understand fantasy owners happiness in owning a Padre hitter, I made plans to deprive fantasy owners of their Roast Beast and fantasy pennant championship celebrations. Then someone warmed my Grinch heart. Who? Nope, Chase Headley. If Headley can do it, I say anyone can do it. Me, “Anyone can do it.” See? Or at least Jedd Gyorko can. His last name is pronounced Jerko. You ask what kind of last name is pronounced Jerko. The kind that will get you punched in the face. You pray you’re not the maître d’ at The Cheesecake Factory calling out “party of two for Jerko” with Gyp Rosetti standing nearby. How Gyp is standing nearby at a Cheesecake Factory when he’s a fictional character on a show set in the 1920’s isn’t important. In the minor leagues, Gyorko has hit everywhere. Between Double-A and Triple-A last year, he had 30 homers and a handful of steals, hitting .311 with a .373 OBP. In Triple-A alone, he hit 24 homers. In August, 7 homers; in July, 7 homers; in June, 5; in May, well, you can do the math. He has nothing left to prove and the Padres need offense and have moved him to 2nd base so Jerko can get into their lineup. Logan Forsythe did well at 2nd base last year, but he could move to shortstop and push EverCab to the bench. Or Jedd could go to 3rd, push Headley to the outfield and push two of their corner outfield guys into a platoon. Or an injury. Or a trade. It’s still early for that, but I’d be surprised if Gyorko isn’t on the club to start the year. It would be a waste of talent to send him to the minors again. Yay, a rookie that finally could break camp with the club! So, what can we expect from Jedd Gyorko for 2013 fantasy baseball?
Even with my heart growing 3 sizes with Chase Headley and growing an extra two sizes with the Petco fences coming in for 2013, I’m going to keep my Jerko love in check. That’s what she said! Huh? He’s always posted solid walk rates and, in Triple-A, he was even able to cut his strikeout rates. His power won’t be jaw-dropping in Petco unless they move the fences to short center. He was playing in the PCL. For the Padres, he could hit anywhere from 6 to 9 homers in a half. 6 is poppycock and should come with a Tipper Gore advisory label. If he hits 9 in each half, he’s a 12 team mixed league middle infielder with a shot for upside (or low end corner man if that’s what position he ends up playing). For next year, I could see him giving a line of 60/18/70/.265/4 with a chance for upside. Geez, my Grinch heart for Padres hitters is all warm and fuzzy. Could I possibly own Jedd and Headley and EverCab and Grandal in a 12 team mixed league? Yup. So, who’s the Gyorko now?
