In Case You Missed It . . .

May 19, 2009

I’m starting a new column here on Fantasy Baseball 101 called “In Case You Missed It.”  Each week I will highlight recent performances that you may have missed and that are relevant to your league.  These stories will include interesting stats and trends, major league debuts, recent rehab starts, minor league performances,  hot/cold streaks, and so on.   In other words, I have the freedom to write about anything I want.  But my ultimate goal is to help you identify players and trends that you may not have noticed.

Here’s what you may have missed this week:

1. Ross Detwiler, the top pitching prospect for the Nationals, made his major league debut yesterday, pitching 5 strong innings.  He let up 2 earned runs, 4 hits, 0 walks, and struck out 6.  Detwiler had a 2.96 ERA with 28 K’s in 27.1 innings pitched at Double A this year. 

2. Matt Gamel, the top prospect for the Brewers, hit a home run off of Kyle Lohse in his first game since being called up from the minors.  The third basemen was hitting .336 with 8 homers, 31 RBI’s and a .428 OBP% in 119 at-bats in Triple A.

3.Sinker-baller Chien-Ming Wang appears ready to rejoin the Yankees.  After getting hammered in April, Wang needs to prove that he is healthy to Yankees fans and skeptical fantasy managers.  Wang has not let up a run in 13 rehab innings in Triple A, and has let up only 7 hits and 3 walks.  If owners in your league hastily dropped him, I recommend picking him up and stashing him on the bench until he shows he is the Wang we all knew and loved circa 2006-2007.

4. Jay Bruce, outfielder for the Reds, hit his 12th homer today.  After hitting 21 homers as a rookie in 2008, Bruce is currently on pace to slug 53 (no, I do not expect him to hit anywhere close to that).

5. Aaron Hill, the diminutive second basemen for the Blue Jays, has 11 homers, 34 RBI’s and a .350 batting average. A former first round pick (13th overall), Hill had improved exponentially every year in the Bigs until last season, when he missed significant playing time due to injuries.  While he is certainly playing over his head, Hill should be considered one of the most underrated middle infield talents in the American League.   

6. Evan Longoria leads the majors in doubles with 16.

7. David Wright leads the majors in caught stealings with 7.

8. Marco Scutaro leads the majors in walks with 35.

9. Derek Jeter has 8 steals, almost as many as he stole all of last season (11).  He also has 5 homers, after hitting only 11 all last season.

10. Dontrelle Willis made his first start of the season tonight for the Tigers.  In 6.1 innings pitched, Willis was dominant, letting up only 1 hit, 0 runs and 2 walks to go with 5 K’s.  This is a BIG “if”, but if Willis can return to his former glory he could be a big innings eater and a good source of wins and K’s for the Tigers.  Do not, however, expect a good ERA as Willis struggled with his ERA even in the then light-hitting NL east while with the Marlins. 

11. Justin Verlander has returned to form.  The Tigers ace struggled in 2008, but his stats thus far are stellar.  In 61.1 innings pitched, Verlander has 69 K’s, 3 wins, and a 4.29 ERA, while only letting up 43 walks.  His game log is even more impressive.  Over his past four starts, Verlander has pitched 29.1 innings and let up only 3 runs, while striking out an impressive 44 batters.  As of this writing, Verlander is tied with Jake Peavy for the major league lead in strikeouts.

12. Trevor Hoffman, once left for dead by scouts and fans alike, has pitched 10 scoreless innings since coming off the disabled list.  He now has 9 saves and a miniscule WHIP.  He’s even striking out batters, which he hasn’t done for several years.

13. Todd Helton still hasn’t regained his power stroke (4 homers which puts him on pace for 18), but he’s hitting for average once again – .336 through 125 at-bats.

14. Victor Martinez disappointed many fantasy baseball managers in 2008, but is receiving no such complaints in 2009.  Through 152 at-bats, he is hitting an outstanding .401 with 7 homers and 26 RBI’s.

15. Ben Zobrist has 7 homers in 86 at-bats and should receive more playing time with Pat Burrell injured.  He didn’t hit for too much power in the minors, but his 12 homers in 198 major league at-bats in 2008 is promising.

16. Jimmy Rollins is hitting .222 with 2 homers and 4 steals.  Ouch.  A week or two ago he was viewed as a “buy low” opportunity, but now some are suggesting that, like David Ortiz, he is done. I am still on the “buy low” train for at least another couple of weeks.

Written by Evan Rosen · Filed Under Blog | 6 Comments