Weekly Fantasy Touts: April 10-16
By Michael Salfino
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Put 'em in
Jon Papelbon, P, Red Sox: The young fireballer was annointed closer-of-the-moment by Terry Francona, who said he's as dominating as any AL hurler right now. That doesn't sound like we should be expecting Keith Foulke to return to ninth-inning duties any time soon.
Estaban Loaiza, P, A's: You can't put him in yet because, as the A's fifth starter, he won't start until mid-April. But once the season gets rolling, being a fifth starter doesn't really matter. Pencil him in for 14 wins and a sub-4.00 ERA. So "put him on" your reserve roster.
Bench 'em
Rocco Baldelli, OF, Devil Rays: It's unclear if he'll be active this week and, even if he is, let him prove he's over his assorted woes after missing all of 2005 with injury. If healthy, he's a decent No. 4 outfielder in mixed leagues.
Corey Patterson, OF, Orioles: The former fantasy stud is getting squeezed out of at bats by rookie Nick Markakis, who manager Sam Parlazzo says will be an everyday player. that leaves Patterson and Luis Matos on the outs with ancient Jeff Conine promised full-time at bats, too.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Put 'em in
Danys Baez, P, Dodgers: More elbow surgery for Eric Gagne. So Baez gets ninth-inning duty for the foreseeable future. He's nothing special, but, with saves, it's always more about opportunity than ability.
Preston Wilson, OF, Astros: He's moved to the league's best home run park for right-handed hitters. He'll be this year's Jermaine Dye, but better. Give him 35 bombs in '06.
Bench 'em
Prince Fielder, 1B, Brewers: Is the 21-year-old ready for big-league pitching? Heading into the weekend, he had 24 Ks and 3 BBs in his first 71 official at bats. In '06, he struck out in seven of his first nine plate appearances. Mixed leaguers should bench Fielder until he proves he belongs.
Aaron Heilman, P, Mets: He deserves to be in the Mets rotation, but has been bumped to middle relief out of necessity. He's not happy about it and that may negatively impact his performance. Even if it doesn't, he not going to do enough to start in mixed leagues.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Jon Papelbon, P, Red Sox: The young fireballer was annointed closer-of-the-moment by Terry Francona, who said he's as dominating as any AL hurler right now. That doesn't sound like we should be expecting Keith Foulke to return to ninth-inning duties any time soon.
Estaban Loaiza, P, A's: You can't put him in yet because, as the A's fifth starter, he won't start until mid-April. But once the season gets rolling, being a fifth starter doesn't really matter. Pencil him in for 14 wins and a sub-4.00 ERA. So "put him on" your reserve roster.
Rocco Baldelli, OF, Devil Rays: It's unclear if he'll be active this week and, even if he is, let him prove he's over his assorted woes after missing all of 2005 with injury. If healthy, he's a decent No. 4 outfielder in mixed leagues.
Corey Patterson, OF, Orioles: The former fantasy stud is getting squeezed out of at bats by rookie Nick Markakis, who manager Sam Parlazzo says will be an everyday player. that leaves Patterson and Luis Matos on the outs with ancient Jeff Conine promised full-time at bats, too.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Danys Baez, P, Dodgers: More elbow surgery for Eric Gagne. So Baez gets ninth-inning duty for the foreseeable future. He's nothing special, but, with saves, it's always more about opportunity than ability.
Preston Wilson, OF, Astros: He's moved to the league's best home run park for right-handed hitters. He'll be this year's Jermaine Dye, but better. Give him 35 bombs in '06.
Prince Fielder, 1B, Brewers: Is the 21-year-old ready for big-league pitching? Heading into the weekend, he had 24 Ks and 3 BBs in his first 71 official at bats. In '06, he struck out in seven of his first nine plate appearances. Mixed leaguers should bench Fielder until he proves he belongs.
Aaron Heilman, P, Mets: He deserves to be in the Mets rotation, but has been bumped to middle relief out of necessity. He's not happy about it and that may negatively impact his performance. Even if it doesn't, he not going to do enough to start in mixed leagues.
Entry #114502606638873700 posted by Catherine Salfino at 10:46 AM
<< Home