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3 Up, 3 Down :: 7/1
by Tenacious D-Store
Published: July 1, 2008, 10:07 pm
3 Up Aubrey Huff - Aubrey Huff hadn't been anything special for most of the season, but for those who are surprised by his recent hot streak better wake up and realize what is happening. Huff has always been a big time second half monster who is best picked up about a week before the all star break. Huff has gotten an early start so hopefully you aren't too late if you need help at 1st, 3rd, Utility or in some leagues Huff may still have outfield eligibility. Huff has added about twenty points to his batting average in recent weeks, and the power stroke will come soon as well, I guarantee it.
 Kyle Kendrick - Speaking of huge second halves of the season. Remember how Kyle Kendrick exploded on to the scene in mid-2007 to win ten games. Many drafted Kendrick as a late round sleeper this season only to be sickened by what they actually got. Kendrick had none of the precision breaking pitches we had previously seen. His stuff seemed sloppy and telegraphed and as a result, his offerings were crushed by hitters. However, Kendrick has made quality starts in five of his last six outings, picking up four wins during that streak. Could Kendrick be repeating his second half trend? It certainly doesn't hurt too pick him up in NL only or deeper leagues and find out. Kendrick doesn't offer much in the strike out department, nor does he have an exciting fastball. Neither did a young Tom Glavine which is who Kendrick began to remind me of last season.
 Adam Jones - The Baltimore Orioles have enough faith in outfielder Adam Jones, that they have committed to giving him the centerfield job for the rest of the season. Many so called experts tagged Jones as a bust immediately after he was drafted, claiming he would never live up to his potential. As of right now, Jones is on fire with nine hits in his last four games. Jones also has above average speed and could make a phenomenal lead off hitter in the future. Jones is another candidate for a second half blast.
Honorable Mention Runelvys Hernandez - If you are all finished laughing, I would ask you to consider a few things before writing off Runelvys Hernandez completely. First of all I am not about to suggest that he is worthy of ownership in just about any league or that he is a potential Cy Young candidate or any other such nonsense. What I will say is that Elvys has never pitched for any other team but the Royals, during a time when the Royals were so horrendously, pathetically, horribly bad both at the plate and on the field that even the Great Johan Santana couldn't have posted a double digit win season with an ERA below 4.50. Runelvys Hernandez is now on a team with a potent offense and some outfielders who don't spend most of their time looking for a hole in their gloves. For a guy who hasn't pitched in about a year, Hernandez actually did quite well in his first outing and struck out a batter per inning. Give him some consideration in NL only and deeper leagues. I think he will prove worthy of ownership in mixed leagues of 12 teams or more
3 Down Chad Cordero - If you are out of DL spots and are stashing Chad Cordero, I have good news and bad news. The good news is you'll soon have a DL spot open. The bad news is that you still won't have a closer. It's time to dump Cordero. Chad Cordero is now scheduled to have season ending surgery on the torn labrum in his right shoulder. Jon Rauch will most likely handle the closer job for the rest of nest season. If he manages not to make a fool of himself (and he hasn't thus far), he will probably open next season in the same role unless the Nats make a deal for a more experienced closer. as well.
 Melky Cabrera - After dropping his batting average to a pathetic .244, Melky Cabrera has to feel a little threatened by the presence of outfield prospect Brett Gardner in the clubhouse. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out. Melky better pick up his socks, or Gardner will be picking up his job in the very near future.
 Jake McGee - Uber Tampa Bay Rays pitching prospect Jake McGee has been over shadowed a bit by the great season David Price is having, but McGee has long been thought to be a more promising future ace of the ball club. That was until every pitchers worse enemy Tommy John reared his ugly head. McGee is scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery this week. Not only will this set back his schedule for a major league appearance by about two years, lets face facts. No one is ever the same after this surgery. McGee drops waaaaaay down the top prospects list with this news.
Not So Fast Chase Headley - What is the deal with Chase Headley owners? You all rushed to get him after the announcement of his call up, but because he doesn't hit a five run homer in every at bat many of you toss him back in the FA pool. He's hit three homers, and he's on a six game hitting streak. How did his potential decrease so much in the one week since his call up? I don't get it. Headley will raise his batting average and produce more RBI's. He won't produce A-Rod numbers in his very first season, but do you know who else didn't produce A-Rod numbers in his first season? A-Rod.
 Billy Butler - I'm starting to think we should start using the term Billy Shealy, or perhaps Ryan Bultler because I don't see the differance. Billy Butler just doesn't have what it takes to be the super slugging all star at the major league level that the Royals need him to be, and needed Ryan Shealy to be before that. Even now, Butler has received a call up out of sheer desperation with Shealy and Russ Gload on the DL, it had nothing to do with how well Butler was performing in AAA because he's never performed poorly at that level. I'm just not convinced Butler will be anything more than a Phil Nevin type player in the big leagues and he has done nothing so far to discount that claim.
Keep the questions and comments coming. You can contact me by e-mail at tenaciousdstore@fantasyplaymakers.com .
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