I live in La La land, aka Hollywood, aka the Land of a Fake Faces…and Butts…and Thighs…and Breasteses. Hey, I don’t mind. I’m all for “self-improvement.” I liken it to the PED era of MLB. Pitchers were throwing 100 mph and batters were launching home runs 500 feet. As a Dodger fan, I will always remember the electricity when Eric Gagne would come in to close games. It was a hilariously entertaining time. Chicks dig the long ball. Well, guys dig…butts, thighs, and breasteses. For you purists out there, I give you Neil DeGrasse Tyson, who says that there’s a very high chance we’re living in the Matrix. I’ll admit, that there are times I want to know the truth and will take the red pill. On the other hand, sometimes I just want enjoyment, so I’ll take the blue pill. Anyways, before I went on that PED-induced tangent, I wanted to talk about the movie-making aspect of Hollywood. If a movie is successful, you can be sure that a sequel is coming. A trilogy more than likely, and a remake in 25 years or so. Which brings me to…
- Rajai Davis (OF-Cleveland Indians) – SAGNOF exemplified. Never respected but always drafted late. As time went on, he became the King of SAGNOF. Many tried to take the throne, but here he is. Now, it is the Return of the King of SAGNOF. The trilogy is complete. Over the past week, Davis went 10/23 (.435 avg), scored 11 runs, hit two home runs, walked six times, drove in nine, and stole two bases. He also struck out while getting hit on the finger. It doesn’t get more Hollywood than that. His value and playing time has received a boost due to the Michael Brantley injury. If/when Brantley does return, Davis’ playing time could be affected, but the projection systems (ZiPS, Steamer, and Depth Charts) have Davis playing around 80 more games and stealing 20 bases. SAGNOF. He is still only owned in 20% of ESPN leagues. People have already given up?
- Danny Valencia (3B/OF-Oakland Athletics) – Hitting three home runs in one game will get people talking about you. And adding you, as his ownership percentage has skyrocketed 42.2%. Valencia has always mashed left-handed pitching (.324 career avg), but what’s fueled his success recently has been his ability to hit righties (.313 avg in 2016). This is something that he showed in 2015, so it could be a trend. He’s also hitting fewer ground balls and, correspondingly, hitting more line drives and fly balls. The stats that I like the best are his pull/center/oppo percentages (33.8%/42.9%/23.4%). All three are at career best levels. This indicates to me that he’s not selling out for power, but letting the pitch come to him and driving it to all parts of the field. I love that approach. Plus, 60% of ESPN owners can’t be wrong right?
- Cameron Maybin (OF-Detroit Tigers) – Since returning from the DL, Maybin has collected 11 hits, one home run, two RBI, two walks, and four stolen bases. Paging Anthony Gose. Your seat on the bench needs to be warmed up. Please report for duty. So, Maybin returned to the team that initially drafted him and traded him away. Granted, the Tigers got Miguel Cabrera for him so….no hard feelings right Cam? I can call you Cam right? We brought you back. Looks like happy times in Detroit for the time being. To make matters better, Maybin has already missed his obligatory 20+ games per season. So, let’s get to the nitty gritty. Maybin once stole 40 bags in 2011, but he’s probably a 20 steal guy with 10 home runs. He’s not going to continue to hit .647, so he should probably settle in the .270 range.
- Danny Duffy (SP/RP-Kansas City Royals) – I’m a sucker for Duffy. Some would call me a fantasy baseball masochist because it’s been a painful journey. Has the time come? Since Chris Young and Kris Medlen went down with injuries, Duffy has made two spot starts for the Royals. He did not allow an earned run in 7 1/3 innings while striking out eight and only walking two. Granted, he did not go more than four innings in either start, but he did throw more pitches in the second start than the first. It makes sense to slowing stretch him out, as he was in the bullpen pitching one inning at a time. The two walks allowed is the key because Duffy has always had control issues. The stat that gets my loins excited is the velocity jump. The lefty is averaging more than 3 mph on his fastball (96 mph). If you’ve read anything in the past, you know I have a need for speed. There are no assurances that Duffy stays up in the rotation and I’ve already spelled out my biases toward Duffy. The downside to owning Duffy is bottomless and painful, but, if you like to live dangerously, then the potential is definitely there. The Glasnows and Giolitos are probably owned in your league. I think Duffy has as much upside as them, with the experience of having pitched in the big leagues and failing already. Because of the upside and downside for Duffy…
Good luck this week. You can reach me on the Twitter @Stan_Son.
