Young Options Can Fill Victorino's Void

August 6, 2007 @ 16:00:00

By Whit Benson
Edited by Ryan Dodson

The Philadelphia Phillies got off to a miserable start this season losing 11 of the first 15 games and were making shortstop Jimmy Rollins' preseason boastings about the team's talent level look laughable. However, after 3 1/2 solid months of baseball, the Phillies have vaulted there way back into the thick of both the National League East and Wild Card races, and a big reason why has been the fantastic season of outfielder Shane Victorino (.284, 11 home runs, 42 RBI, 32 stolen bases). Victorino, who was a virtual non-factor to most fantasy owners coming into the season, went undrafted in most leagues, as he had never had a season that warranted a roster spot even in deep leagues. Those wise enough to pick him up after a hot start have been rewarded though, watching him play his way to top-10 league status in both runs (ninth) and stolen bases (third). 

These same owners were dealt a blow on Wednesday when Victorino was placed on the disabled list with a strained right calf, which was exactly what the Phillies did not need after losing star second baseman Chase Utley (fractured wrist) five days earlier. Even though an MRI revealed that Victorino's calf did have a slight tear, the team feels the injury is not serious, and he will be back to 100 percent at the end of his 15-day stint on the DL. Most importantly, they feel the injury will not impact Victorino's ability or initiative to steal bases whatsoever once he returns. Fantasy owners are left scrambling, however, to find a viable option in the meantime to fill in for Victorino and help out in the stolen base department; something that Victorino could almost take care of single-handedly for most teams.

Atlanta Braves utilityman Willie Harris (.324, 41 runs, 21 RBI, 16 stolen bases) is now the everyday leadoff man for what most feel is the most potent lineup in the National League after the acquisition of first baseman Mark Teixeira. He has multiple-position eligibility, including the outfield and is easily having the best season of his seven-year journeyman career. He is available in over 90 percent of leagues polled.

One intriguing option for the time being could be Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Chris B. Young (.243, 19 home runs, 40 RBI, 16 stolen bases). He is quietly putting up a solid season production-wise and has been on fire since the All-Star break (20 games, six home runs, seven stolen bases). Young is only 23 years old and had already wowed everyone with his defensive skills but may just now be coming into his own offensively. He is available in over 60 percent of leagues polled.

Two other players to keep an eye on are recently called up Adam L. Jones of the Seattle Mariners, and Justin Upton of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Both Jones and Upton have demonstrated five-tool characteristics throughout their ascent through the minor leagues and were considered by most to be two of the top outfield prospects in the minor leagues. It is uncertain how often both of them will be used on these contending ball clubs, so fantasy owners should monitor their progress, and most importantly, their performance. Upton and Jones are available in nearly every type of non-keeper league right now but possibly not for long if all the hype that surrounds them is warranted.

Those who own the Phillies slugging first baseman Ryan Howard are also wondering what kind of impact the absence of Utley and Victorino may have on his production. For a player with 30 home runs and 90 RBI this season, Howard has managed to demonstrate a maddening level of inconsistency, and his numbers after Utley's injury in particular are indicative of that. In eight games since Utley went down, Howard is hitting .189 with one home run and five RBI, striking out a whopping 20 times in 37 at-bats. While second baseman Tadahito Iguchi and outfielder Jayson Werth are filling in for the injured Utley and Victorino respectively, one would expect fewer opportunities to drive in runs for Howard; however, there is no excuse for his inability to make contact. 

Behind Howard in the lineup, All-Star center fielder Aaron Rowand seems to have found a home in the fifth spot and is having a great season while providing above-average protection for Howard. As a result, owners need to wait out what appears to be the latest cold spell from their superstar and hope that he gets things turned around for him when the Phillies become full strength later this month upon the return of Victorino and Utley, whose rehabilitation is way ahead of schedule. The fact of the matter is that when Howard is at his best, his value is unparalleled, and only an owner devoid of pitching should think about dealing him.

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Whit Benson
Whit has been with KFFL since 2007.

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