Posts Tagged MLB
Should We Believe in Chris Young’s Breakout?
Posted by Chris Cwik in Baseball, Fantasy on May 25, 2010
Believe in the Breakout?
Over the past few seasons, Chris Young has been arguably the most frustrating player in baseball. In his first season as a pro, Young put up 32 home runs and 27 steals; while showing the potential that made him a top prospect. While those were impressive counting stats for a rookie, there were still concerns about the young outfielder. Young carried a low average, caused by a high number of strikeouts, and failed to get his OBP above .300 in his rookie year. In 2009, Young completely collapsed. Frustrated with his performance, the Diamondbacks sent him to AAA to work on his game. After half a month in the minors, Young returned to Arizona and hit 8 home runs in 122 plate appearances. In 2010, it seems that Young has continued to build on his strong finish. After frustrating for so many seasons, has Chris Young finally arrived…or is his breakout just smoke and mirrors?
What to Expect From Ervin Santana?
Posted by Chris Cwik in Baseball, Fantasy on May 14, 2010
Can he get back to his 2008 numbers?
Besides his 2008 season, Ervin Santana has been a frustrating fantasy pitcher. Injuries and ineffectiveness have held Santana back from reaching his full potential, but in 2008 it looked as if Santana was finally living up to his promise. Santana’s 8.79 K/9 and 1.93 BB/9 were the best of his career, while Santana also posted his lowest HR/9 percentage, which led to a career high GB%. At that point, it was safe to say that the 25 year old Santana was a pitcher on the rise. Once again, however, injuries took hold of Santana in 2009. Despite a strong stretch run, in which Santana posted a 2.84 ERA, he finished the season with a 5.02 ERA. The strong September performance hasn’t carried over to 2010 yet, but will Santana ever regain his 2008 success?
Scott Olsen, Fantasy Sleeper?
Posted by Chris Cwik in Baseball, Fantasy on May 11, 2010
Has he finally figured it out?
At age 22, Scott Olsen was well on his way to becoming an established, top-of-the-rotation starter. Olsen held his own in 2006, posting an 8.27 strikeout rate in 180.2 innings pitched. In 2007, he was a popular sleeper candidate in many fantasy leagues. Olsen was, after all, the top Marlins pitching prospect. Unfortunately, things went downhill for Olsen. His K/9 plummeted to 6.78 while his BB/9 rose to 4.33. Olsen also allowed a high FB%, leading to a higher homerun rate. Even though Olsen was somewhat unlucky, with a .350 BABIP and a 65.6% LOB, the decline in his peripherals led to an xFIP of 4.95 in 2007. While his 2008 stats looked better, much of the improvement was on the surface level. Olsen lowered his walk rate, but was the recipient of a .266 BABIP and a high FB%. His K/9 plummeted to a dismal 5.04. In 2010, Olsen might finally be living up to expectations. In his last start, Olsen flirted with a no-hitter, but are his gains in 2010 legitimate?
Top Prospects of 2005, Part 2
Posted by Chris Cwik in Baseball on May 9, 2010
30 homer potential?
In case you missed it, we recapped the Top 5 prospects of 2005 here. If the first five players told us anything, it’s that baseball prospects are no sure bet to succeed. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the bottom half of the top 10.
Five Years Later…The Top Prospects
Posted by Chris Cwik in Baseball on May 8, 2010
What happened here?
Taking a stroll down memory lane is always a fun exercise, especially when it involves baseball prospects. Over the years, Baseball America has been one of the most reliable sources when it comes to compiling a list of baseball’s next superstars. While Baseball America has been incredibly consistent, minor league prospects are never a sure bet to reach their potential. Due to ineffectiveness, injuries, age, or a fluke season; even some of the elite top prospects can burn out before ever reaching The Show. Keeping that in mind, let’s take a look at the Top 10 prospects of 2005.
What Happened to Alex Gordon?
Posted by Chris Cwik in Baseball, Fantasy on May 4, 2010
Another Royal Head-Scratcher
In 2007, Alex Gordon was the second coming. Nearly the consensus top prospect in baseball, big things were projected for Gordon once he reached the major leagues. Baseball America predicted Gordon would win the 2007 ROY award, SI’s Bryan Smith called him the “ultimate hitting prospect,” and BP’s Kevin Goldstein claimed Gordon was “without a weakness offensively.” Although it’s ridiculous to even think about in 2010, MLB Trade Rumors hypothesized over whether the Royals would trade Alex Gordon for Alex Rodriguez (I love MLB Trade Rumors, but seriously…that was a post!). Three years later, and suggesting that trade today would automatically disqualify you from any serious baseball conversations, and would likely lead to heavy psychological testing. While injuries may have prevented Gordon from reaching his ceiling in the majors, the Royals have seen enough, sending him down to AAA. For Royals’ fans everywhere, it’s getting more and more difficult to “trust the process.”
What to do with Jake Peavy?
Posted by Chris Cwik in Baseball, Fantasy on April 30, 2010
What's wrong with Peavy?
Anyone who believed the White Sox would compete in 2010 cited the addition of a healthy Jake Peavy as a major reason for optimism. Just 5 starts into the season, White Sox fans are already pulling their hair out every time Peavy takes the mound. Coming into fantasy drafts, Peavy was one of the most interesting players to project. While doubters cited his injury history and new ballpark as reasons to avoid Peavy, others were optimistic about his performance down the stretch in 2009. Thus far, it appears the doubters may have been right. Although it’s only been 5 starts, is it time to cut bait on Peavy?
Who Replaces Juan Pierre?
Posted by Chris Cwik in Baseball, Fantasy on April 29, 2010
Can he get back into the lead-off role?
After almost a month with no extra base hits, a .200 average, and a .261 OBP Juan Pierre will be moved out of the lead-off spot. After an 0-5 performance on Thursday, Ozzie Guillen was not pleased with his new outfielder.
“He ain’t playing [Friday],…And then we’ll try and figure out the next day, we have a couple of righties [pitching Saturday and Sunday], move him down to the No. 9 spot to make him relax a little bit.”
With Pierre now out of the lead-off spot, at least for the time being, who is the best candidate to replace the speedy, slap-hitting outfielder?
Misleading Fantasy Players
Posted by Chris Cwik in Baseball, Fantasy on April 27, 2010
Expect some regression
Compiling a list of sleepers in fantasy baseball can be a very arduous exercise. After looking through the situations and the statistics, owners will make informed decisions on which players look like breakout candidates. Opportunity, injury, and prospect status are some of the common factors one uses to determine whether a player will breakout. While hitting on a fantasy sleeper gives owners the ability to brag to their league members, owners need to know if the breakout/rebound is legitimate. Here are some players to be worried about in the coming weeks.
Phil Hughes Dominates in Oakland
Posted by Chris Cwik in Baseball, Fantasy on April 22, 2010
Finally living up to the potential
Heading into 2010, Phil Hughes was one of the biggest enigmas in baseball. The highly touted Yankees prospect has always been ticketed for stardom, but has faltered as a starting pitcher in his previous opportunities. After initially struggling as a starter in 2009, Hughes lived up to his potential as a reliever, posting an ERA of 1.40 in 51.1 innings. After beating out Joba Chamberlain for the 5th spot in the rotation, Hughes would get another shot to shine as as starter. While his first game was a bit shaky, Hughes dominated the Athletics last night. Going forward, can we expect Hughes to finally live up to his potential?
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