If Jake Peavy is traded to the White Sox (you can follow the flurry of links at MLBTradeRumors), this could have huge impact on fantasy teams. Peavy moves from a great pitcher's park to a hitter's park known for HR. He'll definitely get more chances at wins, but he's going to face tougher lineups, both because of the division and because the DH eliminates the easy pitcher out. The simple assumption is that his ERA and WHIP will rise. If it goes through, this trade will determine whether Peavy is a product of a great home park, or whether he deserves all the accolades he's received for years.
On the other hand, young pitchers like Clayton Richard could see immediate rotation time and will move to a safer home park, aiding their numbers. San Diego is quick to promote pitchers to the roster, so we'll all get a nice sample of worthy young arms. I'd consider jumping on Richard now, as the Sox were already trusting him in the rotation, and San Diego is even more desperate for starters.
Thursday, May 21
Rookie Value: Kris Medlen
I try to avoid most rookie pitchers as they have struggles adjusting to the majors. Even pitchers like David Price and Tommy Hanson could have struggles with BB/9 in their first few times into the majors. I am not suggesting you shouldn't take a shot on them, but many rookies have jumps of 1-2 in their BB/9 and this makes them a poor option.
This time I am looking at Kris Medlen who will be making his first start today as a replacement for Jo-Jo Reyes. This was a surprise as many expected Tommy Hanson to be the first called up. Medlen was originally a SS, but was drafted and projected as a pitcher. After several attempts as a reliever he began to start in 2008 and made a great impression on the Braves. His numbers are significant and he held a 8.98 K/9 and a BB/9 of 2.02. This is down slightly for the jump to AA and move to starting.
He has improved so far this year as his K/9 has returned to levels above 10 and still holding a BB/9 around 2. This all leads to a consistent rate of greater than 4 for his K/BB at all levels. Most younger pitchers often have a jump in their walk rate and that could be expected for Medlen, but if he can maintain a BB/9 at or below 3 and a K/9 at 9 or greater he would still be a surprising pickup for fantasy owners.
I saw him compared to Luke Hochevar the other day, but people failed to notice that Hochevar has had difficulty showing consistent K/BB levels and often his K/9 is around 6, which will take a significant improvement in his BB/9. He is throwing 3 or more walks every 9 innings in AAA and that will not be successful in the majors.
I have picked up Medlen in my personal daily league and with Broxton on a day off I can slide him in at reliever. That is a limitation he does hold in CBS leagues as he is listed as reliever, but that shouldn't be to much of a problem.
The return of Tom Glavine could be a problem and any bad luck at the start could have him back in the minors, but he has early signs he would be a solid option, but we'll keep an eye on his K/BB early and look for signs of what he could do this year.
This time I am looking at Kris Medlen who will be making his first start today as a replacement for Jo-Jo Reyes. This was a surprise as many expected Tommy Hanson to be the first called up. Medlen was originally a SS, but was drafted and projected as a pitcher. After several attempts as a reliever he began to start in 2008 and made a great impression on the Braves. His numbers are significant and he held a 8.98 K/9 and a BB/9 of 2.02. This is down slightly for the jump to AA and move to starting.
He has improved so far this year as his K/9 has returned to levels above 10 and still holding a BB/9 around 2. This all leads to a consistent rate of greater than 4 for his K/BB at all levels. Most younger pitchers often have a jump in their walk rate and that could be expected for Medlen, but if he can maintain a BB/9 at or below 3 and a K/9 at 9 or greater he would still be a surprising pickup for fantasy owners.
I saw him compared to Luke Hochevar the other day, but people failed to notice that Hochevar has had difficulty showing consistent K/BB levels and often his K/9 is around 6, which will take a significant improvement in his BB/9. He is throwing 3 or more walks every 9 innings in AAA and that will not be successful in the majors.
I have picked up Medlen in my personal daily league and with Broxton on a day off I can slide him in at reliever. That is a limitation he does hold in CBS leagues as he is listed as reliever, but that shouldn't be to much of a problem.
The return of Tom Glavine could be a problem and any bad luck at the start could have him back in the minors, but he has early signs he would be a solid option, but we'll keep an eye on his K/BB early and look for signs of what he could do this year.
Tuesday, May 19
Injury News
Well, it's been a while since I posted but I'm going to try and keep with a weekly post about injury news for the upcoming week. Sometimes it'll cover new injuries and sometimes it'll follow what's coming up. As usual, if anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them.
Scott Olsen was placed on the DL Sunday with left shoulder tendinitis that he's likely been dealing with for a little while now. His fastball velocity has decreased over the last 3 starts to the lowest level this year. He underwent a MRI after the game on Saturday after he reported tightness which showed the tendinitis and later on had a cortisone injection. Tendinitis is a fairly common thing but I feel it's more of a symptom than a new injury in that something is causing the tendinitis, usually a muscle weakens to the point were it can't protect itself or the surrounding tissues. For minor tendinitis, 2 weeks is about right. Fantasy Impact: Most likely he'll be back in the minimum. In the meantime, Detwiler was called up and should replace him in the rotation.
Carlos Delgado was finally placed on the DL with impingement in his right hip retroactive to May 10th. Surgery for that is definitely an option and would put him out for a while in order to correct the bone spur and the impingement. Fantasy Impact: Fernando Tatis and Daniel Murphy will take over him in the meantime.
Frank Francisco also ended up on the DL expect with biceps tendinitis. After the Rangers hopes of his tendinitis clearing up in time for this weekend's series were dashed, Francisco was placed on the DL retroactive to May 7th. Biceps tendinitis in a pitcher is tricky for several reasons including being one of the main stabilizers of the shoulder when the ball is cocked back behind the head. Any damage to this structure places the shoulder and the elbow risk for further damage, possibly catastrophic, and so the Rangers are being very careful. Fantasy Impact: C.J. Wilson immediately takes over as the closer for the Rangers while Francisco is rehabbing. Francisco is eligible to return on May 22nd but we will have to see if that's possible.
Andrew Miller returned to action from his oblique strain and looked good as he limited the Dodgers to 2 ER over 5 innings... Daisuke Matsuzaka's rehab is going well and could be back on Friday...Kevin Youkilis is likely going to play in a couple of rehab games next week before coming back on May 20th...Joakim Soria expects to come off the DL when eligible next week. Chris Carpenter is set to return on Wednesday as the rainout forced the Cardinal's hand. He's been out since his second start with an oblique strain.
Monday, May 18
FA Leftovers: Top 10 Special
You can check out my top 10 list of players who are owned in less than 25% of Yahoo leagues over at FantasyPros911's Great Debate contest. Don't forget to vote for me at the bottom of the article!
http://fantasypros911.com/kevin-top-10-best-players-owned-in-25-or-less-of-yahoo-leagues.html
http://fantasypros911.com/kevin-top-10-best-players-owned-in-25-or-less-of-yahoo-leagues.html
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