Easy Come, Easy Go
Stock Watch, Part II
By: Rusty Evans
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With Spring Training in full swing I find myself adjusting my fantasy draft board cheat sheet frequently. Whether it is an
injury, a trade, or a player playing particular good/bad, I’m adjusting my sheet every day. Below are some players that are
rising and falling.
Rising Stock
Andre Ethier/Matt Kemp
Both of these young potential stars are battling for a starting position and having very respectable spring trainings. I was
watching a spring training game and saw Ethier turn on a pitch and drive it deep, in fact he is sitting atop the MLB with 5HR
this spring (1 behind Ivan Rodriguez), while hitting .340, and also showing patience drawing 9 BB. Kemp on the other hand,
has hit 2 bombs (HR), has stole 3 bases, and his hitting .310 in March. However Kemp has struck out 11 times and only
walked once. Ethier is probably the front runner for the starting job, but keep an eye on Kemp.
Mike Cameron
Last week I contemplated moving Cameron up my list, and after reading one of my colleagues columns “Familiar Places in
New Places”, I have since then moved “Cammy” onto a possible sleeper list. Now as Keith Reinfield has already said;
“Cameron has been suspended for the first 25 games due to the use of banned substance”. This most likely will drop him
on many draft boards, (as it had on mine). However Cameron was brought in to Milwaukee to be the leader of the team and
by the way he is playing this spring (3HR, 2SB and .367); he may be ready for a nice season.
Michael Bourn
Previously I had Bourn listed on my “Bargain Bin” article, as a potential sleeper or someone you may get at a decent
“Bargain”. However Bourn is hitting .333 this Spring, 7 stolen bases, and surprisingly enough he has hit two HR’s.
Something tells me, he’s not just on my sleeper list.
Josh Hamilton
After being traded to the Texas Rangers this off season, the former overall #1 draft pick is having a huge spring with his
new team. In 36AB’s he has 20 hits, averaging .556 at the plate, with 2 bombs and a stolen base. Playing at the launching
pad in Arlington Texas, you can expect Hamilton to have a great season with potential 30+ HR’s.
John Danks
John Danks has come out of the gate very strong in March 2008, to the tune of 8K, 2.00 ERA in 9IP. After a sub-par rookie
season (5.5ERA, 109K, 6W and 13L) I think the heat is on Danks to improve or be sent down to AAA-Oklahoma where he
had an impressive 72K in 70IP, albeit a high ERA of 4.36. If he continues down the path he started this spring, he could be
a viable sleeper, especially in AL only leagues. SOUND FAMILIAR?
Well that is what I wrote last week, and Danks has continued to perform well, he is now at 14IP, 15K, while pitching 14.1
innings. Nice sleeper pick, especially in AL only leagues.
Falling Stock
Scott Kazmir
If you already had your draft you likely saw Scott Kazmir drafted as a top tier pitcher, probably in the early rounds, which is
a major bummer considering some injury woes to the young “flame thrower”. On February 26, Kazmir reported some
discomfort in his elbow during some warm-up pitches (NOT GOOD). While it is good that the Rays have shut him down for a
couple weeks, who knows how healthy Kazmir will be this season. I’ve always been leery of Kazmir for several reasons, (he
plays in the TOUGH AL East, he is only 6’/190 and has a lot of torque on his body when he pitches) With Kazmir already
low on my cheat-sheet, and with new elbow concerns, I will be hard pressed to draft him till the middle rounds. Initial reports
had him back on the mound for opening day, he is now out until at least mid-April. I’m not going anywhere near him.
Barry Zito
Well I was one of those poor, unfortunate souls that drafted Zito with high hopes, and as you well know, it didn’t pan out
very well. (4.5ERA, 131K, and a 11-13 record) Things are not looking so hot this spring, granted he is probably throwing
mostly fastballs and not many of his “12-6” curveballs. This Spring he has the highest ERA (14.92) in MLB, he hasn’t struck
anyone out and has walked 10 batters. If you do draft Zito, be sure not to spend much.
Rickie Weeks
I almost wish I wouldn’t have stumbled across this, as I have HIGH hopes for Weeks. I was thinking 20-20 for sure and
possibility of a Brando Phillips like 30-30. But you have to get on the base consistently for that to happen, and with Weeks
league leading 20 strikeouts it is not likely. His batting average was a major disappointment last year at .235, but many
thought that was due to the hand/wrist injuries he had. Supposedly healthy, this spring he is batting .125. I reluctantly drop
him down a few spots on my cheat sheet.
Stay tuned to Easy Come, Easy go for more.
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