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Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: Michael Fiers, Chris Getz, Fernando Martinez, Adeiny Hechavarria
by Tim Heaney
on August 10, 2012 @ 12:22:26
PDT
Follow @Tim_Heaney
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KFFL.com's Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market gives you candid reviews and ratings of fantasy baseball players making MLB news in your rotisserie or head-to-head baseball leagues. Are they trade bait or worth your FAAB dollars in your fantasy baseball games? Michael Fiers, SP, Milwaukee Brewers The right-hander's phenomenal season has stemmed from his deceptive but mostly smooth over-the-top delivery, a la Josh Collmenter's. Most of Fiers' whiffs come off his off-speed stuff; he tops out in the low 90s with his fastball and works off finesse, especially with a filthy curveball and his empty-hack-inducing changeup. Two days ago, he flirted with a perfect game.
Fiers will likely be shut down, however, to preserve him for the future. Milwaukee typically prevents developing hurlers from increasing their previous season's innings total by more than 20 to 30 percent. That would position Fiers for something around five more starts the rest of the way. Fiers has shown guile with his crafty approach. His soft-tossing makeup doesn't enhance burnout risk. Milwaukee, however, is in no position to jeopardize a long-term asset. Real-life talent often trumps statistical patterns, but in this case, luck has helped him get by with his shiftiness at his elite levels. His 27.3 liner percentage and .284 BABIP say that there's room for him to dwindle. Of course, ropes come in various speeds, but frequent squared contact often catches up to hurlers, particularly those who have so far stranded 83.6 percent of their base runners. He posted above-average rates there in the minors, but it's far from cemented that he'll keep the ducks on the pond that frequently as a big leaguer. He remains an intriguing keeper commodity, but as Collmenter did, he'll come down in his performance during his first post-breakout season, if not later on in this one. If redrafters can still sell him, they must do so while he's dealing and you can land something helpful for your squad. Chris Getz, 2B, Kansas City Royals The Monarchs deposed Yuniesky Betancourt and are giving Getz a shot while Johnny Giavotella preps for a likely September arrival. The guy they have now ain't that bad for Strat-O-Matic leagues, but many underrate Getz's contributions in most fantasy formats. He boasts a solid batting eye and has hit lefties better this season. He'd be on the strong side of a platoon if they decide to go that route. Most importantly, he'll contribute at least a handful of stolen bases for desperate squads. 10-tm mixed: Pass Fernando Martinez, OF, Houston Astros The former Metropolitan was called up to replace the demoted J.D. Martinez. The former Martinez earned the shot: In 90 games with Triple-A Oklahoma City, he posted a .507 slugging percentage with a .314 average, including a .365 July showing. Pacific Coast League streakers deserve skepticism, and the 23-year-old is no exception, considering his spotty history of performance and health. Expecting difference-making speed from his weak knees is a bit lofty, but the fact that he's showing more thump can also be a result of recovered leg strength. He's in a favorable situation for playing time the rest of the way; Houston is seeing what fits. The post-hyper still has some skills hidden beneath all his disappointment. Don't forget about him. 10-tm mixed: Pass Adeiny Hechavarria, 3B/SS, Toronto Blue Jays The mild power-speed prospect, more known for his leather, has the third-base job likely on lockdown with Brett Lawrie (strained oblique) on the DL. It could be a decent chunk of an absence, too, as the natural shortstop will replace Lawrie at a position with which he's unfamiliar. If the Jays can somehow swap Yunel Escobar via waivers, maybe Hechavarria will stay up with the team; this'll help single-universe owners. A 1-for-14 start to his big-league career aside, he's regarded as a decent source of contact, as well, and showed good things during spring training. The Cuban doesn't take many walks, but he doesn't K much, either. The Pacific Coast League and Las Vegas' Cashman Field helped his .312/.363/.424 line, but it's not a bad line for a 23-year-old, especially one that was ultra-disciplined with the strike zone at the highest farm level. Still, for 2012, he should expected to contribute only a little bit of everything. Despite the 20 bags he took between Double-A and Triple-A last season, he probably won't take enough for however long he's in the lineup to justify a large bid. Take a shot, but it'll misfire if you over-commit. 10-tm mixed: Pass About Tim Heaney
Tim's work has been featured by USA Today/Sports Weekly, among numerous publications, and recognized as a finalist in FSWA's awards. The Boston University alum competes in Tout Wars and LABR and has won numerous industry leagues in both baseball and football. During baseball and football season, he's on The Reality Check with Glenn Clark every Wednesday on 1570 AM WNST in Baltimore. He hits the airwaves every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. ET on Sirius XM Fantasy Sports Radio, where he often crashes other shows, as well. Don't miss these great reports....
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