Archive for category Fantasy
Tim Hudson and Luck
Posted by Chris Cwik in Baseball, Fantasy on August 1, 2010
Has his luck run out?
Tim Hudson entered 2010 as a crucial player for the Atlanta Braves. Due to injury, Hudson only threw 42.1 innings in the majors last season. While he pitched well in those innings, analysts will always worry about a 35 year old coming off Tommy John surgery. As the season approached, it looked as if the Braves might be asking too much from Hudson. His age, combined with his recent surgery and his projected innings increase, made him a possible injury risk and a candidate for regression as the season progressed. Despite those concerns, Hudson has excelled this season, leading the Braves in wins, WHIP, and ERA. A closer look at his stats, however, reveals a pitcher on the verge of a big regression.
Adam Jones Also Hates Walks
Posted by Chris Cwik in Baseball, Fantasy on July 17, 2010
He won't walk!
Once viewed as the centerpiece in the Erik Bedard deal, Adam Jones has fallen on hard times. After increasing his walk rate, while decreasing his strikeout numbers in 2009, Jones was expected to develop even more in 2010. While some of Jones’ counting stats look normal, his plate discipline has completely collapsed this season. With the lowest walk rate of all major league regulars, can Jones rebound after a difficult first half?
Who Gets Booted From The Rockies Rotation?
Posted by Chris Cwik in Baseball, Fantasy on July 6, 2010
Who goes to the pen?
With the Rockies only a game and a half out of the NL Wild Card, and five games off the NL West lead, you would think the return of one of their best starting pitchers would be a reason for optimism. Unfortunately, the return of Jorge De La Rosa also signals the expulsion of one of the Rockies’ current starters to the bullpen. With all of their starters performing adequately, how should the Rockies solve this sudden abundance of pitching?
When Will The Real Dan Haren Show Up?
Dan Haren could sure use a break, but does he deserve one?
Through 17 starts Dan Haren has a 7-6 record with a 4.56 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. By Haren’s standards, that’s terrible.
29 year old Haren has been a strong SP1 and a top 10 fantasy starter for the two years prior to 2010. Before that he was a strong SP2/low end SP1 for his three years in Oakland.
Standard stats ultimately matter in most fantasy leagues, but the advanced stats can give a better indication of luck vs. skill and what to reasonably project from this point forward.
What’s Wrong With Chone Figgins?
Posted by Chris Cwik in Baseball, Fantasy on June 29, 2010
Already on the decline?
Chone Figgins entered 2010 as one of the biggest free agent acquisitions of the off-season. His strong on base percentages, combined with his ability to hit for a high average, made him an intriguing fantasy option. Just the thought of employing Ichiro and Figgins in the 1-2 spots was enough to make many owners (and Mariners’ fans) salivate. Figgins, however, has been a major disappointment this season, hitting .232/.337/.277. With the All-Star Break approaching, can Chone Figgins figure out a way to turn things around?
What’s With All The Fausto Carmona Hype?
Posted by Chris Cwik in Baseball, Fantasy on June 28, 2010
Is he back?
As the trade deadline approaches, the contenders will scramble to add that one piece that could put them over the top this season. Because pitching is always in demand, Fausto Carmona has emerged as one of the elite trading chips this year. Carmona, who has been linked to the Twins and Mets, currently sports a 3.64 ERA, the lowest since he won 19 games in 2007. Below the surface, however, there are concerns about Carmona’s ability to sustain this level of success. With players like Roy Oswalt and Cliff Lee rumored to be on the block, is Fausto Carmona a pitcher teams should be excited about acquiring?
The Arrival of Jay Bruce
Posted by Chris Cwik in Baseball, Fantasy on June 26, 2010
Bruce has quietly improved this season.
Jay Bruce entered 2010 as a bit of an enigma. Once a top prospect, Bruce has been a disappointment in the majors due to a low average and on-base percentage. There was a silver lining, however. Bruce’s career BABIP of .262 ranked as one of the lowest in baseball, meaning his struggles were likely a result of bad luck. Unfortunately, Bruce also displayed a severe platoon split against lefties throughout his young career. In his third season, Bruce has made progress in both areas, and is on his way to fulfilling his lofty expectations.
Is Josh Hamilton Still Developing?
Posted by Chris Cwik in Baseball, Fantasy on June 23, 2010
Here's a scary thought: he's getting better!
Without a doubt, Josh Hamilton is one of the most interesting players in the majors. After losing years of development due to a drug addiction, Hamilton managed to make the Reds, despite any recent minor league experience. Due to his unique career path, Hamilton is viewed as a “late-bloomer.” Hamilton, who wasn’t a full-time starter until age 27, hasn’t disappointed in the majors. When healthy, Hamilton is regarded as one of the best hitters in baseball. Unfortunately, Hamilton began his career at the age where many players have already fully developed, making him a difficult player to project. As a result of his late start, is it possible that Josh Hamilton is still developing at age 29?
Is Brandon Morrow Finally Breaking Out?
Posted by Chris Cwik in Baseball, Fantasy on June 21, 2010
What do we make of his June breakout?
Throughout his career, Brandon Morrow’s development has been hindered due to an unspecified pitching role. With the Blue Jays intent on making Morrow a full-time starter in 2010, many wondered how Morrow would respond in a stable role. With a blazing fastball and a wipe-out slider, Morrow has always been a strong strikeout pitcher. Like many young strikeout pitchers however, Morrow couldn’t control his excellent stuff, leading to a career 5.56 BB/9 rate. With a new organization, and a defined role, is Morrow finally living up to his lofty expectations?
Is Manny Done?
Manny can still mash
I didn’t realize Manny Ramirez has become Carlos Lee. However, if you read Tim Brown’s article on Ramirez, you would think so.
Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports wrote a piece about Manny Ramirez with a scout’s interpretation of Ramirez at the plate. Ramirez is returning to Boston for the first time since the trade to LA, so it’s an appropriate time to write a piece about Manny.
The scout’s analysis…
“One of the premier fastball hitters of his generation, Manny is getting more fastballs. He’s seen an increase in curveballs. Pitchers are directed to never – ever – throw a slider for a strike to Manny, because that is about all Manny is running into these days.”
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