Let's bring on the party in fantasy baseball. Here are some random thoughts that have tickled the mind of The Oracle.
I tweeted this out last night. “Domonic Brown has nine homers in his last 10 games. He had 20 in his first 194 games.†Despite the success, and oh is he killing it about as well as anyone you will ever see, Brown is still a work in progress. He famously didn't walk once in the month of May, his OBP is still just .329 (right about the league average), and he has just 11 walks compared to 41 strikeouts. He's far from a finished product, can't be expected to keep up the power surge, an if that isn't falling in the obvious file, there's this. Here are his HR/F ratios for his first three seasons: 13.3, 9.4 and 9.8 percent. Add them up and you get 32.5 percent. His HR/F ratio this season is 31.5 percent.
Joe Blanton had 11 Ks last night and he holds a 2.95 ERA over his last three starts. Maybe, just maybe, he'll have some value this season after all after one of the worst starts you will ever see (he allowed 86 hits in his first 50.1 innings – how is that possible?).
Chris Carter has three homers in five games. He's hitting. 225 with a .304 OBP though, so you're paying a high price for his 12 homers and 32 RBIs. Speaking of the Astros, didn't you used to be Carlos Pena? After 5-straight years of 28 homers and 80 RBIs he fell to 19 and 61 last season and he's fallen even further off the pace this season with five homers and 16 RBIs in 56 games. Amazingly, his .245 average would be a five year best and his .349 OBP is actually better than a guy like Adam Jones (.340). I know, right?
Jhonny Peralta is killing it this season hitting .332 with six homers, 26 RBIs and 27 runs scored for the Tigers. One obvious problem? Peralta isn't this good a hitter. Not only has Peralta never hit .300 in a season, he started playing back in 2003, but his career OBP of .329 is three points lower than his current batting average. Thanks can be laid at the feet of his .405 BABIP which is .091 points above his career rate.
The Rangers are trying to come up with a plan to keep Jurickson Profar with the club once Ian Kinsler returns. Would the Rangers consider sitting Adrian Beltre, Ian Kinsler or Elvis Andrus on a consistent bases to get a 20 year old in the lineup on a daily bases? Oh, and don't think the Rangers are going to ask their 20 year old star in training to play another position like the outfield, one he's never played before. That's not the way to let a young player excel. You don't ask him to play a new defensive position on top of everything else.
For my thoughts on all the rookie hurlers who have caused quite the stir in the fantasy game, make sure to check out Expectations & Rookie Hurlers.
I have a higher K/9 mark than Stephen Strasburg (9.10 to 8.84). I have a better ERA than Madison Bumgarner (3.43 to 3.46). I have a better WHIP than Mat Latos (1.16 to 1.18). I'm being dropped in some leagues because my record is only 3-3. Oh there is also this. Over my last six starts I have three wins, a 2.55 ERA and 1.08 WHIP which stands right alongside the production of the Mets “star†Matt Harvey over his last six starts (one win, 2.74 ERA, 0.94 WHIP). Who am I? I'm the Marlins' rookie Jose Fernandez.
By the way, for more on Strasburg and what his outlook just might be see The Strasburg Dilemma.
Matt Wieters is hitting .237 with a .297 OBP and .425 SLG through 52 games. All of those numbers would be career worsts for the slugging backstop. Wieters is also on pace to barely reach 20 homers after seasons of 22 and 23. I still think he's a prime buy low option, but there's no disputing his effort this season has been a big disappointment. Seems like he he may never reach the heights that were expected of him with the bat when he was drafted in 2007.
By Ray Flowers