The Week That Was: J.D. Stands for Just Dandy

The Week That Was:  J.D. Stands for Just Dandy

JD must stand for Just Dandy and his bat highlights this week’s Week That Was.

J.D. Martinez:  J.D. Martinez just continues to rake.  Friday, he went 2-4 with a dinger, four RBI and a run scored.  On the year, the Astro castoff has 21 HR in just 387 AB and a sweet .305 average to boot.  Did I see this coming? Admittedly, I did not.  Is there a lesson to be learned? Yes there is.  Coming into this year, his age 27 season, Martinez already had approximately 900 AB under his belt but had not reached the levels projected for him after hitting .338 in AA and .326 in A ball.  The lesson class is that young hyped players typically take around 800-1000 AB to get their production to equal their talent level.  I do not blame folks for doubting JD but now is a good time to remind you to look for players just like this to draft late or get cheaply in your 2015 drafts/auctions. 

Howie Kendrick:   Howie Kendrick just continues to hit.  Friday, Kendrick went 2-4 with a stolen base, two RBI and a run scored.  Quietly, Kendrick has been on fire as the Angels have taken a stranglehold on the AL West.  Over the last 14 days, Kendrick is raking at .421 clip with 14 runs, 14 RBI and a ridiculous 1.127 OPS.  Is he that good?  You and I both know the answer to that.  However, given that he plays a weak position, is red hot and continues to hit in the middle of the Angels’ order, there is every reason to ride him through the rest of the season.  Oh, and if you are looking for a consistent performer at the weak 2B slot for next season, look no further than Howie.  In his nine years in the show, Kendrick has hit under .280 only once, at that was when he hit .279.

Kendrys Morales:  Kendrys Morales went yard Friday to help the Mariners subdue the A’s.  There is little question that this has been a lost year for Morales who for some unexplained reason, thought sitting out spring training and the first 6 weeks of the year was a good idea.  His average has been bad and continues that way.  However, he has smacked 6 HR in the last month so those looking for a power source now that Stanton and Davis are lost for the season should consider looking to the Pacific Northwest.

Jonathan Lucroy:   Jonathan Lucroy will be on a lot of title winners when fantasy baseball champions are crowned on September 28 (or 29 or 30 if there are play-in games).  Lucroy continued his strong year going 2-3 with a double, RBI and one run scored Friday.  On the year, the Brewer backstop is hitting .302 with 13 HR, 65 RBI, 71 runs and 4 SB for good measure.  It is very hard to find consistent talent behind the plate yet many overlooked Lucroy this spring despite the fact that he averaged 15 HR and a .300 AVG over last two years.  Do not overlook him for 2014 pennant race or 2015 draft. 

Jemile Weeks:  Jemile Weeks took advantage of the opportunity Friday going 2-3 with two doubles and two runs scored.  Those in pennant races should run to the waiver wire and grab Weeks.  Pedroia is out for the year.  Weeks is still only 27, sports a .300 major league season under his belt and plays the weak 2B position.  Oh and those with the need for speed, think to yourself – why wouldn’t the red sox let him run?  After all, he did steal 38 bags in 2011-12 in less than full time play with the A’s.

Juan Lagares:   Juan Lagares had another good night Friday going 2-4 with a stolen base, RBI and run scored.  The Mets CF has a sweet .321 average with 8 SB, yes 8 SB in the last 14 days.  Can he continue this for the next two weeks?  I think so.  Is he a target this September if he is still on the waiver wire?  Yes he is.  Is he a target for 2015 – yes but remember that the T in SMART stands for Team.  So unless the Mets upgrade the offense in the offseason, Lagares will see his value suffer (not be destroyed, just suffer). 

T.J. House:  Last week, we wrote “T.J. House delivered Friday, giving up just one earned run while striking out seven over seven innings.  Carrasco and Salazar are more high profile, but recently House has been good too.  Over the last month, House has a 3.65 ERA and a K rate close to 9.  He does not throw as hard as Salazar or Carrasco so his margin of error is lower.  Watch the matchups and if you like what you see, pitch him with confidence.”  I hope you listened as House went out this week and threw 7 innings of shutout ball, walking no one and striking out 8.  Paying attention now?

And last and but not least, this from the Baron of the Bottom of the Page.  Schultz says: “With just over two weeks left in the season, there's little that can be done to make great leaps and strides in the standings: hitters are going to get so-many at-bats and pitchers have two or three more starts left. Plus, with the exception of serious errors and omissions, the waiver wire should be bleak. Notwithstanding all this doom and gloom, Schultz isn't recommending that you turn your attention to the five fantasy football teams you are oh-so-excited about. Even in the last throes of the baseball season, there's still room to make small improvements, which can pay great dividends in hotly contested leagues.
 
Since being traded to Baltimore, Alejandro De Aza is thriving atop the Orioles batting order, hitting close to .400 with a couple home runs and steals. Those who acquired De Aza for his potential to contribute in the power and speed categories have been sorely disappointed all season. The trade from the struggling Sox to the soaring Orioles has rejuvenated the 30-year-old outfielder. If he's out there on your waiver wire, ride the wave of the surging stats.
 
Chris Young is also in the process of rehabilitating a depressing roto-year while learning the ropes in the AL East. Always a streaky player, he is presently in scorching hot mode, slugging timely home runs and getting on base. Losing traction in the wild card race, the Yankees are unlikely to push Brett Gardner past his breaking point and need Martin Prado in the infield more than the outfield. This should yield many at-bats for Young over the last couple weeks.
 
On the mound, the Tampa Bay Rays seem to be turning into the American League version of the St. Louis Cardinals. Every pitcher they place on the hill seems to be roto-magic. Drew Smyly will have to wait until 2015 to throw his next pitch but his replacement Nate Karns should be every bit his equal over the last two weeks. At the end of the game, it's worth noting that Drew Storen is finally racking up saves. Hopefully, no one forgot about him since we roto-pundits all stopped hyping him three or four years ago. ”
 
Response:  Yes, I am a shameless Yankee fan so take this for what it is worth: Chris Young is finally fun to own or just to watch!

Check this Out:  Loyal listeners to Colton and the Wolfman on SiriusXm Fantasy Sports Radio know we are all about the movies.  We have a movie theme to the show, movie themes to the games, etc.  So, with that in mind, I mention that I was lucky enough to see a pre-screening of I am Ali this week.  Simply put, you do not want to miss this inside look at one of the most important and fascinating figures of the 20th century – in sports or otherwise.  This documentary features interviews from family and friends and rare footage and tape recordings of the man himself.  In so doing, you get a look at Ali in a way you never could before and likely never will again.  Oh, and you may learn a thing or two as well and enjoy yourself at the same time.