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Ready to Pounce :: 5/12/08
by Andrew G.
Published: May 12, 2008, 6:59 am
Brad Wilkerson/Kevin Mench, 1B, TOR – After quietly bouncing back from a disappointing 2007 season, Vernon Wells will miss six to eight weeks after fracturing his left wrist. The Blue Jays promptly acquired Kevin Mench and Brad Wilkerson in a desperate search for a spark of power. Both have had big power seasons in the past, so it’s possible for at least one of them to catch fire and take advantage of the opportunity in Toronto. As of now, either is only worth a flier in the deepest of leagues.
Andy Laroche, 3B, LA – The good news for Laroche is that he is off the DL, but the bad news is that Blake Dewitt’s success has blocked him from a call-up. Laroche has two home runs and a .452 OBP so far in Triple-A, so if he keeps hitting, it’ll be awfully hard for the Dodgers to hold back a prospect of his caliber. It seems that he has fallen off the radar considering all the hype that was once around him, but the talent is still there.
Wilson Betemit, 3B, NYY – Betemit found himself a spot right off the DL with A-Rod out, and he’s hit 5-13 in four games so far. A-Rod will be back soon enough, but how long will the Yankees put up with Jason Giambi and his .178 batting average? The versatile Betemit should continue to find at-bats with the Bronx Bombers, and he could hit 15-20 home runs as long as he gets at-bats.
Brandon Morrow, RP, SEA – Just about every week of "Ready to Pounce" features a reliever with a chance to get saves down the road, and Ryan Franklin seemed to have been the obvious choice for this week. However, obvious is boring to me, and Jason Isringhausen will probably be back as the closer by June. J.J. Putz does have to be a concern now that his WHIP is a ridiculously high 2.43. His ERA was 1.38 last year! Seven innings is probably not enough of a sample size to panic, but the fact that he hasn’t even had a 1-2-3 inning yet has to be a worry. Morrow has been filthy in his innings, and definitely has the stuff to be a great closer down the road. If Putz is indeed still hurt, Morrow could get a shot sooner than expected.
Kevin Slowey, SP, MIN – Making his first start since the first week of the season, Slowey gave up three runs in five innings. Not all that impressive, but his pinpoint control does make him intriguing. He only walked 11 batters last year and hasn’t walked anyone yet in two starts this year. Slowey was awesome in September of 2007, striking out 28 and walking 2 in 29 and 2/3 innings pitched. He’s a solid guy for an AL-only league with the potential to be more than that.
Rich Hill, SP, CHC – Hill sure screwed over plenty of my fantasy teams, and Lou Pinella has been just as patient with him as most fantasy owners. This is a far cry from last year when Hill started off the season as one of the hottest pitchers in baseball. The question is, do the Cubs want Hill and his inability to throw a strike in the rotation, or do they want Jon Lieber giving up a home run every other at-bat? As soon as Hill shows the slightest side of turning things around in the minors, he should make his way back on the Cubs. |
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