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by wrveres » Fri Aug 12, 2011 7:18 am Fresh from the Cafe Press.
Grey's Greatest Hits.Brandon Gray: Let’s take a look at the top-five catchers of this year and pay some respect to some unsung heroes.
Current Rankings
1) Mike Napoli
2) Brian McCann
3) Victor Martinez
4) Miguel Montero
5) Alex Avila
Goldie!!Grey: Justin Morneau is set to return from the disabled list today. We’ll be good if he hits 17 homers in his first at-bat back. Supposing he doesn’t do that, even if supposing makes a supp out of you and me, can Morneau help your team? Sure, what better way to raise the white flag? For instance, you keep getting emails from your leaguemates asking if you’re paying attention. You no longer have to reply to everyone; just put Morneau in your lineup. Everyone will get the hint.
2011 American League MVP!!Rotoprofessor: It was a blown save for Mark Melancon, and he did it in dramatic fashion. In an inning of work he allowed 2 R on 2 H and 0 BB, striking out 2. The problem was one of the hits was a blast off pinch hitter Paul Goldschmidt’s (1-1, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R) bat. Goldschmidt has had an issue adjusting to Major League pitching, striking out 38.2% of the time early on (31 AB), but there is no questioning the power. He’s got value, but is more of a bench option right now until he proves he can make consistent contact.
Mike Axisa: By no means has Gonzalez been bad this season, in fact I just ranked him the top fantasy first baseman last week. He’s hitting for a super-high average and is driving in what seems like two runs a game because his teammates are awesome, though after four straight years of 30+ homers with the Padres in Petco Park, we all expected him to do no worse than maintain that pace in Fenway. ZiPS projects him to hit just nine more dingers the rest of the way, which would bring his season total to 27.
Eno Sarris: with better than three strikeouts per walk, Cory Luebke is almost an every-start play in mixed leagues. Because of his fly-ball tendencies, it might make sense to limit him to bigger parks against less powerful offenses, but he's a Padre, so that's a little easier than it might be for most pitchers. Make sure Luebke is not still on your waiver wire. He's a great bench asset in any league
Trevor Blake: Despite a rough stretch in June, closer Jonathan Papelbon’s game is improved from last year. His ERA is down to 3.14, he only has one blown save this season, and he has a one-hit August going so far with two wins and two saves in five appearances. He has yet to lose and his WHIP is at 0.99, its lowest since 2008. So much for those predictions that Papelbon was in danger of losing his job this year
Will Overton: Lucas Duda comes with positional flexibility, eligible at 1B and in the OF in leagues. He has also just found himself in an every day laying position at 1B for the Mets after Daniel Murphy went down for the year. Duda hasn’t shown the same kind of power as Mike Carp in the minors, and he is hitting in a pitcher friendly park. However not having as much home run power is made up for by the fact that he has at least a slightly better lineup around him. So far in August Duda is 8 – 21 with 3 R, 1 HR and 5 RBI. Like Carp he isn’t going to light the world on fire, but he should hit for a decent average with more R and RBI than Carp and less HR’s.
Scott Pianowski: Will Venable always seems to be on the edge of fantasy relevance. He's hiked his average up to .270 after a three-hit game in New York, and he's a sharp baserunner (21-of-24). Alas, Venable hasn't hit lefties at all in 2011 (.185/.290/.222) and his power has disappeared against all kinds of pitching; what the Padres are left with is a handy leadoff man who can play on the heavy side of the platoon. That still makes Venable worth owning in deeper leagues as a daily consideration, but it's harder to trust him in shallow groups where you need as many full-timers as possible. Put him on the short-term rental page if you need to fiddle with the steals category.
Peter Christensen: With the great defense the Diamonbacks will provide behind him, a favorable schedule, and considerable pitching talents, Daniel Hudson should provide ace-level production without the high price tag. He can likely be acquired for a decent outfielder, and that's a trade I think will benefit you during the stretch run of the 2011 season.
