By Dalton Del Don
Josh Hamilton is going to be an absolute force this season if the early returns are any indication. After striking out 22 percent of the time last year, he’s all the way down to 12 percent this season. Moreover, after posting a .222/.296/..292 line against lefties in 2007, he’s mashing southpaws this year (.400/.435/.600). He hasn’t even begun taking advantage of hitter-friendly Ameriquest Field either, posting an OPS nearly 150 points higher on the road. Hamilton is also enjoying batting in the middle of Texas’ lineup, as he’s on pace to drive in 154 runs. Don’t be surprised if he’s a top-20 fantasy pick next year.
Those in deeper leagues, go ahead and pick up Adam Lind. With Frank Thomas jettisoned, Lind should get all the starts against right-handers as soon as he’s recalled, which is imminent. He posted a 1.092 OPS as a 22-year-old in Triple-A in 2006 and is slugging .630 there this season. Lind struggled in the majors last year, but he got valuable experience in the process and did knock in 46 runs in just 290 at-bats. He’s worth grabbing.
Like Fox News, Microsoft Works and delicious fastfood, a healthy Rich Harden has officially become an oxymoron.
I’m trying to sell Cliff Lee right now. The former prospect put together a quality season in the big leagues back in 2005, and injuries can be partially blamed on last year’s disaster, but anyone who thinks he’s suddenly a top-30 fantasy pitcher is going to be disappointed. The 20:2 K:BB ratio is awesome, but an incredibly easy schedule has really helped out. No one thinks he’s going to maintain a 0.40 ERA, but the .90 strand rate and unfathomable .154 BABIP reveals someone even luckier than whoever marries Natalie Portman. I have no doubt Lee can finish with the second best numbers of his career in 2008, but he gives up too many flyballs and will never have higher trade value than now.
If you’re a Chad Cordero owner, and you can get a six-pack of Sierra Nevada for him in a trade, I’d do that deal five minutes ago.
Carlos Delgado is done. There are at least 20 other first basemen I’d rather own in fantasy leagues. It’s not really the .206 batting average that scares me; after all, his 14:10 K:BB ratio is actually quite decent, but his .294 slugging percentage is downright grotesque. Four extra-base hits in 72 at-bats won’t get it done. At age 35, there’s very little reason for optimism. His current swing often looks like he forgot to take the donut off the bat at the on-deck circle.
I would say Matt Morris is pitching poorly, but that would be an insult to poorly. Five homers allowed over 20.2 innings? How about a hideous 8:6 K:BB ratio with a 9.15 ERA and 1.98 WHIP? Because of his obscene contract, the Pirates are likely to stick with him. There’s a very real possibility he loses 20-25 games this season if given the opportunity.
Memo to restaurants: If your caesar salad doesn’t contain anchovies, it’s not a caesar. No menu item gets more consistently butchered than the caesar salad.
Corey Patterson may already be falling out of favor in Cincinnati, as he’s found himself on the bench during four of the past six games. Even more distressing was the fact that two of those games came against right-handed starters. Funny thing is, he’s actually playing much better than the numbers suggest. He’s sporting a superb .933 contact rate with a .10 walk rate. His .135 BABIP is simply unheard of, but with Jerry Hairston Jr. now up, Patterson’s luck better turn around fast.
Is Joe Torre really batting Nomar Garciaparra third? Torre has officially gone from right guy in right situation, to a bit overrated, to now a full-fledged liability.
Chase Utley is flat-out punishing the baseball. Only an injury prevented him from winning the MVP award last season, and there appears to be no stopping him this season. Of his 28 hits this year, a whopping 18 have gone for extra bases. Teammate Pat Burrell is another nominee for player of the month.
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