| Home | Blogs | Articles | Newsletter | Statistics | Fantasy | Events | Radio | Glossary | Search |
|
|
|
|
|
Fantasy Articles |
| 08-17 | PECOTA Weighted Means Spreadsheet |
| 08-17 | Depth Charts |
| 08-17 | Player Forecast Manager |
| 04-04 | HACKING MASS |
| 03-23 | PECOTA Player Cards |
| 02-08 | Team Health Reports Matrix |
| 04-16 | Team Tracker |
| more exclusive fantasy content... |
All Blogs
Active Columns
Authors
Article Types
This is a BP Fantasy article. To read it, sign up for Fantasy today!
September 3, 2010 2:53 pm
Fantasy Beat: Luebke Debuts Tonight |
One of the Padres' pitching prospects takes his first turn in the majors tonight--does he have any fantasy value in 2010 or beyond?
The Padres have had mostly good health this season in the rotation, only losing out on Chris Young for an extended period of time. With many young starters on the roster though, they do want to give the group some extra rest when possible. Because of this, Cory Luebke will make his major league debut tonight after being part of the group called up when rosters expanded earlier this week. Luebke was somewhat unheralded coming into the season, as he ranked as the #12 prospect in the organization heading into the year and profiled as a back-end starter. He's succeeded at the higher levels of the minors though, and may have pitched his way into a 2011 job because of it--tonight is something of a test and a reward for a season well done.
The Padres first pick in the 2007 draft (a supplemental pick, #63 overall) started the year at Double-A, where he finished the 2009 campaign. He whiffed 7.0 per nine innings pitched once again, but his walk rate was markedly better, dropping from an uncharacteristically high 3.3 down to 1.9, which is more in his range. Following a promotion to Triple-A Portland, the left kept his punch outs up near his Double-A rates, and his walk rate climbed but only to 2.7 per nine, still well below the league average.
|
Already a subscriber? Click here and use the blue login bar to log in. |
This is a BP Fantasy article. To read it, sign up for Fantasy today!
September 3, 2010 9:00 am
Fantasy Beat: Hot Spots: Starting Pitchers |
The last week of "Value Picks" is here before we look towards the future and reflect back on the season that was.
Added to the list
Carlos Carrasco: In his 2010 debut, Carrasco pitched well into the eighth inning against the Chicago White Sox. He had only allowed one run through seven, but a combination of fatigue and poor relief from Justin Germano caused another two runs to be tacked on to his line. Carrasco is no fantasy savior like Mike Minor, but should be a reliable option in AL-only leagues. He will not be a strikeout machine in the Majors -- at least not yet -- but he avoids walks and induces an above-average amount of ground balls.
The remainder of this post cannot be viewed at this subscription level. Please click here to subscribe.
This is a BP Fantasy article. To read it, sign up for Fantasy today!
September 2, 2010 4:26 pm
Fantasy Beat: Reimold's Shot At Redemption |
Nolan Reimold returns to Baltimore, determined to prove his rookie season wasn't a fluke.
Is a sub-par performance in 96 plate appearances enough to cause you to look for other alternatives? It was for the Baltimore Orioles last May when they shipped Nolan Reimold to Triple-A after the 26 year old outfielder hit just .205 with a .230 TAv to go along with a pair of home runs and 10 RBI.
Triple-A? We are talking about the guy who last year led all American League rookies in home runs (15), total bases (167) and slugging percentage (.466). He also paced all AL rookies with a 20.8 VORP. He did this despite not joining the team until mid-May and posting only 411 plate appearances. Fantasy owners liked him: He was the 157th average draft pick in ESPN’s mixed leagues. PECOTA liked him, too, projecting he would hit .271 with 22 home runs and 68 RBI with a .270 TAv. Instead, this May, he was riding buses in the International League.
The remainder of this post cannot be viewed at this subscription level. Please click here to subscribe.
This is a BP Fantasy article. To read it, sign up for Fantasy today!
September 2, 2010 8:41 am
Fantasy Beat: Hot Spots: Relief Pitchers |
Act fast on Aroldis Chapman, because he won't stay under the radar for very long.
Welcome to the last "regular" Value Picks column of the year. Starting next week, we'll be changing things up as the season winds down to focus on keepers for 2011, and surprises and disappointments in 2010.
When I started doing research for this week's column, one name that never even crossed my mind at first was Aroldis Chapman, because he seemed far too obvious. Has he not been the lead of every sports highlight over the last two days, throwing 103 MPH fastballs that seem to literally have smoke trailing from them?
The remainder of this post cannot be viewed at this subscription level. Please click here to subscribe.
This is a BP Fantasy article. To read it, sign up for Fantasy today!
September 1, 2010 10:03 am
Fantasy Beat: Hot Spots: Outfield |
Rob McQuown adds three outfielders to the Value Picks list for September.
September Scramble: Mike Petriello accurately assessed that Desmond Jennings is unlikely to get playing time. But he's being added as a Value Pick anyway. Why? Loving the obvious answer here, he stole 37 bases in 458 plate appearances in AAA (with just 4 times caught). Combining all his minor-league time, Jennings has pilfered 171 bags in 1831 PA.
Combine Jennings' tremendous speed with the facts that Sean Rodriguez is hitting .257/.309/.405, right fielder Ben Zobrist has started four of his past 6 games at second base, incumbent center fielder B.J. Upton is hitting just .234/.321/.413, Dan Johnson is hitting under .200, Matt Joyce is hitting .222, and it's unclear what Brad Hawpe will do in the AL. Well, what the Rays have is a team that could find a use for a good offensive player... enter Desmond Jennings. Jennings is a great defensive center fielder, but the team has played him in the side fields in preparation of exactly this moment. His rate stats don't wow, with a mediocre Davenport Translation (DT) of .240/.313/.330 (.238 TAv). But with the abundance of lefty bats, he should start the majority of the games against left-handed starting pitchers. He should also get a lot of opportunities to pinch-run and/or play defense for some of the slower guys. The bottom line, however, is that whether or not he performs well at the plate, he's very very fast, and Joe Maddon likes to have his players steal bases. Few freely available players have the potential to impact a category in September the way Jennings does.
The remainder of this post cannot be viewed at this subscription level. Please click here to subscribe.
This is a BP Fantasy article. To read it, sign up for Fantasy today!
September 1, 2010 10:00 am
Fantasy Beat: Second Half Slumps |
Who are some players slumping in the second half, and what are their chances of turning it around?
With just September ahead on the schedule, it's time to look at who has wilted in the heat of the summer. With an eye towards both the remainder of this year and 2011, let's take a look at some of the worst performances of the second half via to see what we can learn.
Brennan Boesch was due for a regression, but the 25 year old rookie has scuffled even more than expected the past two months. Prior to the All-Star break, Boesch was hitting .342/.397/.593, but since then he's put up a paltry line of .152/.218/.225—in 92 fewer at-bats, he has 10 fewer homers, never mind the nearly 200 point drop in batting average.
The remainder of this post cannot be viewed at this subscription level. Please click here to subscribe.
This is a BP Fantasy article. To read it, sign up for Fantasy today!
August 31, 2010 7:06 pm
Fantasy Beat: September 1 Call-Ups to Watch |
These nine prospects may have be worthwhile plays as the fantasy playoffs loom.
With the September 1 roster expansion just hours away, many clubs will use this opportunity to call up top prospects to the big club. Some will be on the club just to fill out the bench and to get used to the big league life in hopes of contributing next year or in the future, but some will be given the opportunity to contribute right away. Those players will have the chance to impact pennant races in the bigs, but more relevant here, may also be new faces to add to your team as the fantasy playoffs begin.
Before I get asked "where's my guy", I don't think the Yankees will start Jesus Montero's clock right now or deprive him of everyday playing time, and new "it" prospect Brandon Belt would have to not only make it to the bigs from A ball, he'd have to break into the overcrowded 1B/OF situation in San Francisco, so I don't see it. Feel free to suggest others in the comments, though.
The remainder of this post cannot be viewed at this subscription level. Please click here to subscribe.
This is a BP Fantasy article. To read it, sign up for Fantasy today!
August 31, 2010 4:56 pm
Fantasy Beat: Waiver Plays for September |
Two players to consider as you shape your team for a stretch run.
Now we are past trade deadlines in most leagues, it's time to do some serious scouring of the waiver wire to mold your team for the stretch run. For your consideration, a pair of hitters who have each clubbed 10 home runs on the season and are available in most ESPN or Yahoo leagues:
The remainder of this post cannot be viewed at this subscription level. Please click here to subscribe.
This is a BP Fantasy article. To read it, sign up for Fantasy today!
August 31, 2010 9:00 am
Fantasy Beat: Hot Spots: Catcher, Second Base, and Shortstop |
The Value Picks portfolio finishes up for the season with a familiar face.
The Changes
Of the incumbents from last week's list, Adam Kennedy remains the weakest option after another mediocre week padded with excellent counting stats. His run and RBI totals jumped despite a mediocre .261/..308/.348 showing this past week. Without much power, all Kennedy can really provide in roto leagues is his legs, but he has remained on 12 stolen bases since entering the VP portfolio. As a result, he gets the axe in this last week of Value Picks.
The remainder of this post cannot be viewed at this subscription level. Please click here to subscribe.
This is a BP Fantasy article. To read it, sign up for Fantasy today!
August 30, 2010 9:00 am
Fantasy Beat: Hot Spots: First Base, Third Base, and Designated Hitter |
Mark Teahen bubbles onto the list as Michael Street looks at other fringe VP options.
Another solid, SLG-heavy week from the Value Picks list means just one change, swapping a newly injured third baseman for one recently healed. Edwin Encarnacion hit the DL Saturday with a wrist injury—a timely move, as he’d have been dropped from the VP list anyway. Since ending a ten-game hit streak on July 27, EEE’s hit just .241/.300/.398 in 90 PAs, with only two multi-hit games. His strong 83% contact rate wasn’t enough to overcome his tepid 6% walk rate and a career-high 30.7% swing rate at pitches outside the strike zone.
His injury allows us to promote Mark Teahen from the bubble, where he’s sat the last two weeks. Teahen returned from a fractured finger on August 13, and he appears to be hale and hearty after bruising that same finger and missing a game. He hit .417/.500/.583 the rest of the week, continuing a strong return from injury, as he’s hit .343/.378/.571 since coming back, despite striking out 10 times in 35 ABs.
The remainder of this post cannot be viewed at this subscription level. Please click here to subscribe.
This is a BP Fantasy article. To read it, sign up for Fantasy today!
August 30, 2010 9:00 am
Fantasy Beat: Rise and Shine, Mr. Freeman |
With an eye towards 2011, here's a look at a first base prospect to remember.
He may not end up being a September call-up, but there's a high chance this first baseman will have a job at the major league level in 2011 anyways. Freddie Freeman, the 20 year old that was a four-star prospect heading into the 2010 season, is not blocked by anyone at first base—Troy Glaus, Derrek Lee and Eric Hinske are all free agents after this year—and has put up an impressive showing at Triple-A Gwinnett this year.
The 6-5, 225 pound left-hander has hit .319/.379/.523 in 457 at-bats this year. He hasn’t been great against southpaws, but his .275/.314/.425 showing is very impressive for a lefty who is 20 years old at the highest level of the majors before you even take into account his line against right-handers (.335/.400/.558). There was concern that his power outage in 2009 had to do with more than just the contusion suffered in his hand thanks to his line drive swing, as he hit just eight homers on the year. Freeman has 18 homers and 35 doubles this season, so while that should quiet some of the speculation it's clear he's going to be more of a line drive power hitter than the kind who gets under a ball and sends it into orbit.
The remainder of this post cannot be viewed at this subscription level. Please click here to subscribe.
This is a BP Fantasy article. To read it, sign up for Fantasy today!
August 27, 2010 4:28 pm
Fantasy Beat: Weekly Planner #22 |
A trio of intriguing young starters take to the hill twice this week in the National League.
The Planner arrives today with a heavy heart upon hearing the news of the impending Tommy John surgery for Stephen Strasburg. Fortunately, the success of guys like Francisco Liriano prove this won’t necessarily impede his path to greatness. It just delays the timetable.
On to happier thoughts: For those of you in head to head leagues with a four week playoff, this is the final week for you to make a charge (or hold your position) so it’s imperative you choose your starters wisely. There is plenty of quality that should be available in your leagues... Including three young pitchers in the National League who have piqued my interest as we roll into the final leg of the season.
The remainder of this post cannot be viewed at this subscription level. Please click here to subscribe.
Fantasy Beat: Luebke Debuts Tonight