I’ve seen his stats. I’ve seen him zip around the bases. And I’ve seen his patience at the plate this year. Still, I’ve been reluctant to claim him or even recommend him to others. Astros outfielder Michael Bourn has made significant improvements over his troubling sophomore year when he hit .229 with an OBP of .288. Those stats are dismal for any player, but even worse for a leadoff hitter.
But his numbers this year prove he’s worth a look. Boasting an average right around .300 for most of the season, and his league-leading 25 swipes, the youngster is showing promise. Perhaps even more impressive is his discipline at the plate. Through Saturday’s game, his walk count totaled 34, compared to 37 passes issued all of last season.
With the abundance of producing outfielders, it’s easy to overlook Bourne, especially if you need power. But don’t overlook what he has to offer. Bourn is owned in 61 percent of Yahoo leagues. Take him while you can.
Here are a few other hidden gems you should consider:
Jake Fox – Has 10 hits in his last 28 at bats, including 2 HR and 9 RBI. Has struggled with poor defense his entire career, and really needs to play in the AL where he can DH. Fortunately for him, with the Cubs offense struggling, Manager Lou Piniella plans to play him as long as hit hot bat continues, despite the hole in his glove.
Joel Pineiro – Ignored by many because of his mediocre 6-9 record, but Pineiro is among league leaders with a 3.44 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. Doesn’t strike out many – 42 in 97.1 innings pitched. Still he gives you steady numbers in ERA, WHIP and IP. Owned in only 21 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Fernando Nieve – Owned in only 13 percent of Yahoo leagues, Nieve has yielded only four runs in 20.2 innings since being called up from Triple-A Buffalo for the injured John Maine. Mets manager Jerry Manuel says he plans to keep him in the rotation for now. Hard to demote a guy to the bullpen who is 3-for-3 in starts.
Russ Ortiz – Ortiz has quietly put together impressive statistics. In 26 innings, Ortiz has surrendered only 7 runs. His WHIP does remain questionable at 1.45, but Ortiz is showing signs he’s settling down. Owned in only 5 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Have a question? E-mail Erin at erskelley@yahoo.com.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Dad 1, Daughter 0
Nothing says Happy Father’s Day like running up the score against your dad. I wasn’t trying to. There are no style points in fantasy. And really, he’d let me have it if I eased up, along with the other 10 players in our league. I did the same thing last year to my mom on Mother’s Day. (Yes, my mom has her own team. She’s pretty good, although she mistakenly drops players all the time.) What makes my Father’s Day story even worse is that my dad called me at work Tuesday to tell me I hadn’t set my starting pitchers. Awe, thanks Dad. I raced home and started Gil Meche and Felix Hernandez who would (gulp) throw complete game shutouts. I am the worst daughter in the world.Happy Father’s Day to all the dads, especially mine. Hope you enjoyed a good day of afternoon baseball and the U.S. Open, like my dad did. Here are a few gifts for you:
Trevor Cahill – Not surprisingly, Oakland has another quality starting pitcher. But surprisingly, he’s owned by only 30 percent in Yahoo leagues. In his last game, he held the Dodgers dangerous offense to only four hits and two unearned runs in 5.1 innings. The former Olympic pitcher has given up more than two earned runs only twice this season (although both were doozies – seven runs both times). Still, over the past six games, he is 2-2 with a 2.65 ERA.
Kevin Correia – The Padres pitcher has allowed only five runs and 11 hits over his past three starts, improving his ERA to 4.52. Correia has shown impressive control, surrendering only one walk in his past three games. Owned in only 17 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Juan Rivera – A great replacement player for an ailing or underperforming outfielder. Has four home runs and seven RBI this week, with a respectable .312 average. I snagged the Angels outfielder while Raul Ibanez serves time on the DL. His stock is climbing – owned by 69 percent in Yahoo leagues – so grab him quickly if you need him.
Jeremy Accardo – Replacing the injured Scott Downs for the Blue Jays, Accardo has pitched 2.2 scoreless innings since being promoted from Triple-A Las Vegas Stars. Has potential to regain his form from 2007 when he saved 30 games. Owned by only 22 percent in Yahoo leagues.
Have a question? Or Father's Day suggestions for next year? E-mail Erin at erskelley@yahoo.com.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
You ruined my blog
I had planned to start my blog introducing Phillies lefty Antonio Bastardo, and his third consecutive solid performance since his promotion from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. I would point out his low ERA, his thoroughbred physique, and his veteran-like confidence on the mound. I would also humbly highlight my ability to discover such talent within the cluster of substandard pitchers available.
But Saturday happened.
Bastardo completely vandalized fantasy baseball stats across the country. Every painful pitch sent impressive weekly ERA and WHIP stats into mediocrity. Bastardo showed no command, walking three batters, and surrendering a Mike Lowell double and Jason Bay homer. Out of 38 pitches, only 17 were strikes, two of which he’d like to take back.
A rain delay stopped the game after the Red Sox offensive pouring in the first inning, and Bastardo would remain on the bench. It’s difficult to predict if he would have settled down, or if he’d continue to struggle. But the damage was done in just one inning.
I will eventually forgive him for ruining my blog and my stats. In fact, despite infecting my fantasy pitching statistics, I plan on keeping him. But with a watchful eye. Hopefully this was just a little blemish. And you should do the same. If he was recently dumped in your deep league, you may want to give him a chance, assuming you would drop someone else under-performing. And if you’re in a keeper league, then pick him up quickly before someone else does. This kid has major potential.
Here are a few other young prospects to consider:
Vin Mazzaro – Impressive career debut shutting out the White Sox and Orioles in his first two games, going 6.1 and 7.1 innings respectively. His scoreless streak came to an end Friday, losing 3-0. Mazzaro’s ERA is still intact at 1.37. He is just one more promising young pitcher on Oakland’s staff. Owned in only 12 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Andrew McCutchen – This speedy outfielder has big time potential, posting 12 hits in his first five games. Currently boasts a .304 average with seven runs and seven RBI. Makes losing Nate McLouth a little easier in Pittsburgh. Fantasy owners have already noticed, as he’s owned in 66 percent of Yahoo leagues. Get him if you can.
Matt Maloney – The Cincinnati Reds pitcher gave a notable debut going six innings, surrendering only 2 runs to the Cubs. His followup was underwhelming, but ok, yielding four earned runs over six innings. Still, someone to watch, especially in mixed leagues. Owned in 5 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Barbaro Canizares – Has a hit in each of his three games since earning a promotion from Triple-A Gwinnett where he led nearly every offensive category. Currently batting .308. Almost no one owns him in Yahoo or any fantasy league, so no need to act quickly, but keep your eye on him.
Have a question? E-mail Erin at erskelley@yahoo.com.
But Saturday happened.
Bastardo completely vandalized fantasy baseball stats across the country. Every painful pitch sent impressive weekly ERA and WHIP stats into mediocrity. Bastardo showed no command, walking three batters, and surrendering a Mike Lowell double and Jason Bay homer. Out of 38 pitches, only 17 were strikes, two of which he’d like to take back.
A rain delay stopped the game after the Red Sox offensive pouring in the first inning, and Bastardo would remain on the bench. It’s difficult to predict if he would have settled down, or if he’d continue to struggle. But the damage was done in just one inning.
I will eventually forgive him for ruining my blog and my stats. In fact, despite infecting my fantasy pitching statistics, I plan on keeping him. But with a watchful eye. Hopefully this was just a little blemish. And you should do the same. If he was recently dumped in your deep league, you may want to give him a chance, assuming you would drop someone else under-performing. And if you’re in a keeper league, then pick him up quickly before someone else does. This kid has major potential.
Here are a few other young prospects to consider:
Vin Mazzaro – Impressive career debut shutting out the White Sox and Orioles in his first two games, going 6.1 and 7.1 innings respectively. His scoreless streak came to an end Friday, losing 3-0. Mazzaro’s ERA is still intact at 1.37. He is just one more promising young pitcher on Oakland’s staff. Owned in only 12 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Andrew McCutchen – This speedy outfielder has big time potential, posting 12 hits in his first five games. Currently boasts a .304 average with seven runs and seven RBI. Makes losing Nate McLouth a little easier in Pittsburgh. Fantasy owners have already noticed, as he’s owned in 66 percent of Yahoo leagues. Get him if you can.
Matt Maloney – The Cincinnati Reds pitcher gave a notable debut going six innings, surrendering only 2 runs to the Cubs. His followup was underwhelming, but ok, yielding four earned runs over six innings. Still, someone to watch, especially in mixed leagues. Owned in 5 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Barbaro Canizares – Has a hit in each of his three games since earning a promotion from Triple-A Gwinnett where he led nearly every offensive category. Currently batting .308. Almost no one owns him in Yahoo or any fantasy league, so no need to act quickly, but keep your eye on him.
Have a question? E-mail Erin at erskelley@yahoo.com.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Astros Buddies for Life
I’ve worked in baseball for years. I’ve met many baseball greats, some wildly famous, and some who are Hall-of-Famers. But I don’t get caught up in the hype or the fame. Like everyone admits, they’re people too…just with freakish abilities and superhero physiques.
But it’s different when you’re a kid. They are baseball players. Therefore, they are cool. Pretty simple. One night in the Houston Astros suite at Minute Maid Park, I started to feel like a kid again. An Astros Buddy, to be exact.
It was 2005, and I was comfortably enjoying the Astros game when Jamie Hildreth, my good friend from the Astros front office, tells me he has some people he wants me to meet. I turn around to see Joe Niekro and Enos Cabell from the Astros rainbow jersey days, when the Astrodome was sprinkled with fans. Joe’s brother, and fellow knuckle ball pitcher, Phil Niekro is also there.
I was speechless. And then giddy. I’m sure I said something incredibly stupid. I don’t know. I can hardly remember exactly what I said. I do remember blurting I was a former Astros Buddy and boasting I still had all their baseball cards. I gushed at how special this reunion was for me. I’m sure they wanted to tranquilize me. Instead, they just told more stories, stories they had probably told 1,000 times. It’s likely they were embellished or maybe even entirely bogus. But that didn’t matter. At one point, Phil said, “You mean you really like hanging out with us old guys?”
They were charming and witty, silly and humble. They were regular guys, but they were also my childhood idols. And it reminded me of all the games my family and I attended in the Astrodome with the scorebook draped over my skinny 8-year old legs. We laughed the entire game. I can’t even remember who won. After the game, we hung out for another hour, and the laughter continued.
That would be the last time I would see Joe Niekro as he sadly died of a brain aneurysm in October, 2006. It is with a broken heart that I am now working with his daughter Natalie Niekro to raise funds for brain aneurysm research for my employer, The Methodist Hospital in Houston. In Joe’s honor, Natalie and her brother Lance founded the Joe Niekro Foundation, and have teamed up with the Houston Astros to host a gala, cleverly called “The Knuckle Ball” on Friday, July 31.
Natalie’s vision mirrors Joe’s persona. She smiles when she says, “he wouldn’t have wanted a stuffy gala.” Natalie has included all of Joe’s favorites: gambling, cold beverages, country music, and of course, close to 100 former athletes, many of them Joe’s teammates and friends over the 22 years he played.
It’s very special and meaningful to me to support a Niekro family initiative, especially considering all that Joe gave Houston, the most memorable for many fans being the one-game playoff game against the L.A. Dodgers in 1980.
Joe gave Astros fans 11 seasons of wins, and lots of them – 144 for a franchise best. He gave his teammates a jokester in the clubhouse, and a competitor on the mound, with a cork-screw knuckle ball that baffled even the best of hitters. He gave the city of Houston its first baseball playoff berth. And now his legacy of giving continues through his family’s hard work. Thank you, Joe. I am proud to be your Astros Buddy.
Join the Niekro family, the Houston Astros and several baseball greats at The Knuckle Ball on Friday July 31 at 6:36 p.m. at Minute Maid Park. All proceeds benefit brain aneurysm research at the Neurological Insitute at The Methodist Hospital. For tickets or more information, visit joeniekrofoundation.org or call 832-667-5856. For questions, e-mail Erin at erskelley@yahoo.com.
But it’s different when you’re a kid. They are baseball players. Therefore, they are cool. Pretty simple. One night in the Houston Astros suite at Minute Maid Park, I started to feel like a kid again. An Astros Buddy, to be exact.
It was 2005, and I was comfortably enjoying the Astros game when Jamie Hildreth, my good friend from the Astros front office, tells me he has some people he wants me to meet. I turn around to see Joe Niekro and Enos Cabell from the Astros rainbow jersey days, when the Astrodome was sprinkled with fans. Joe’s brother, and fellow knuckle ball pitcher, Phil Niekro is also there.I was speechless. And then giddy. I’m sure I said something incredibly stupid. I don’t know. I can hardly remember exactly what I said. I do remember blurting I was a former Astros Buddy and boasting I still had all their baseball cards. I gushed at how special this reunion was for me. I’m sure they wanted to tranquilize me. Instead, they just told more stories, stories they had probably told 1,000 times. It’s likely they were embellished or maybe even entirely bogus. But that didn’t matter. At one point, Phil said, “You mean you really like hanging out with us old guys?”
They were charming and witty, silly and humble. They were regular guys, but they were also my childhood idols. And it reminded me of all the games my family and I attended in the Astrodome with the scorebook draped over my skinny 8-year old legs. We laughed the entire game. I can’t even remember who won. After the game, we hung out for another hour, and the laughter continued.
That would be the last time I would see Joe Niekro as he sadly died of a brain aneurysm in October, 2006. It is with a broken heart that I am now working with his daughter Natalie Niekro to raise funds for brain aneurysm research for my employer, The Methodist Hospital in Houston. In Joe’s honor, Natalie and her brother Lance founded the Joe Niekro Foundation, and have teamed up with the Houston Astros to host a gala, cleverly called “The Knuckle Ball” on Friday, July 31.
Natalie’s vision mirrors Joe’s persona. She smiles when she says, “he wouldn’t have wanted a stuffy gala.” Natalie has included all of Joe’s favorites: gambling, cold beverages, country music, and of course, close to 100 former athletes, many of them Joe’s teammates and friends over the 22 years he played.
It’s very special and meaningful to me to support a Niekro family initiative, especially considering all that Joe gave Houston, the most memorable for many fans being the one-game playoff game against the L.A. Dodgers in 1980.
Joe gave Astros fans 11 seasons of wins, and lots of them – 144 for a franchise best. He gave his teammates a jokester in the clubhouse, and a competitor on the mound, with a cork-screw knuckle ball that baffled even the best of hitters. He gave the city of Houston its first baseball playoff berth. And now his legacy of giving continues through his family’s hard work. Thank you, Joe. I am proud to be your Astros Buddy.
Join the Niekro family, the Houston Astros and several baseball greats at The Knuckle Ball on Friday July 31 at 6:36 p.m. at Minute Maid Park. All proceeds benefit brain aneurysm research at the Neurological Insitute at The Methodist Hospital. For tickets or more information, visit joeniekrofoundation.org or call 832-667-5856. For questions, e-mail Erin at erskelley@yahoo.com.
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