Shooting From The Hip
April 9, 2009
Greetings fellow fantasy fanatics. My name is James W. Chang. I am a mathematics teacher and fantasy baseball fanatic from Fullerton, California, about six miles directly north of Edison Field in Anaheim. I have been inexcusably absent for weeks on this blog, but I hope to gradually change that–starting with this quick blog entry.
I’m generally more of a detailed, methodical thinker, but I definitely pride myself on being able to think quickly and clearly at the spur of the moment–like during a fantasy baseball auction With that in mind here is a short list quick observations that I wish to share:
1. Do not, under any circumstances, trade anything of value for Emilio Bonifacio. His minor league record clearly shows that he is a below average hitter with no power whatsoever. He does have speed, but last season in triple-A he was an unimpressive 21 for 31 as a basestealer. As a major leaguer, including his 4 for 4 start this season, he is still only 11 for 16–virtually the same as his record in the minors last season. Players have three good games in a row all the time in any given season. Don’t make it bigger than it is just because they happen to be the first three games of the new season. Not only do I not think Bonifacio will be a star but I still do not expect him to last the season as the Marlins’ regular third baseman.
2. Jonathan Broxton looks absolutely awesome! I’m so psyched that I do have him in one league, and that it’s the one for the highest stakes. I saw him close out the Dodgers’ victory Wednesday night. Saying he looked dominant would be an understatement. His heater ranges from 96 to 99 with movement and near pinpoint control. Few pitchers try to strike out batters with fastballs down the pipe. Broxton does, and actually succeeds at it.
3. Brian Fuentes deserved better in his first blown save Wednesday night. With two out and a man on first in the 9th inning, Kurt Suzuki hit a little squibber between the mound and the first base line that should be been the last out of the game. Fuentes was about to field it himself with his back to first base then do a 180 and throw when Mike Napoli called him off and tried to make the play himself. Not only did they lose a crucial split second in that exchange but they lost the out when Napoli failed to pick up the ball cleanly. I like Mike Napoli, but I must say he looked really bad on this particular play.
4. To all you Nick Adenhart owners out there, unless you play in a keeper league (and maybe even if you do) think seriously about shopping him right now. Coming off six shutout innings with 5 strikeouts against the Athletics last night his star appears to be rising. It is a mirage. He was behind in the count on almost every hitter he faced. He allowed 7 hits and 3 walks in the first 5 innings. It was a minor miracle that he didn’t allow a single run to score. More importantly, over 26 starts and 145 1/3 innings pitched in triple-A last season he had a 5.76 ERA, a 1.71 WHIP, and a 110-75 K/BB ratio. And if you think those numbers are ugly (and they certainly are) take a look at his performance last season in the majors. Even taking into account the limited sample size of only 12 innings, a 9.00 ERA and 2.58 WHIP is beyond awful, almost bordering on the surreal. There is no way you want somebody with that track record on your roster if you’re trying to win this season. The potential upside just isn’t worth the tremendous risk. If he happens to be a free agent in your league, just stay away. You’ll thank me before the season is over.
My favorite baseball-related comment of the day comes from my friend and Angels fan Steve-o, who said regarding Adenhart’s performance that it was “like watching K-Rod pitch for six straight innings.” I think that says it all. Talk to you all next time.
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Ryan Zimmerman scored the second most runs (110), hit the second most HRs (33) and drove in the second most runs (106) among third basemen?
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haha, k-rod pitching six innings in a row. My friend drafted Adenhart and I can’t wait to rip him about it. You’re so right – that dude is 2 years away AT LEAST before being worth a dime. Broxton is amazing, and Fuentes will be fine. If he can toss in Denver, he can toss in the AL.
Well, it doesn’t look like my commentary on NIck Adenhart has any relevance now. For those of you haven’t heard as of yet, here is the link to the story:
http://www.tmz.com/2009/04/09/angels-starting-pitcher-killed-after-ball-game/