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Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market - Rising

May 15, 2009 @ 01:00:00

By Nicholas Minnix
Edited by Bryce McRae

Also see: Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market - Falling

Fantasy baseball waivers and the acquisition of fantasy baseball free agents can make or break a season. You may have adjusted your fantasy baseball cheat sheets over and over during spring training. If your team remains the same after opening day, though, you will probably have trouble competing in your rotisserie baseball league. Do you need to add players to replace your fantasy baseball busts? Which players can you ignore? KFFL.com's Diamond Market series gives you the fantasy baseball tips and advice you need to sort through the masses quickly.

Key

Acquire - Add player (in most circumstances)

Watch - Track player; consider adding if trend continues

Pass - Do not add player (in most circumstances)

Third basemen

Casey Blake, Los Angeles Dodgers

Even after the loss of outfielder Manny Ramirez to a 50-game suspension, Blake remains in the eighth spot. Manager Joe Torre may have to rethink that in the near future as he tries to compensate for his star slugger's absence. From May 4 on, Blake is 14-for-35 (.400) with two homers, seven RBIs and 10 runs. Blake has always proven to be mixed worthy for decent stretches.

Shallow mixed: Acquire

Deep mixed: Acquire

NL-only: Acquire

Bobby Scales, Chicago Cubs

With Aramis Ramirez (shoulder) on the disabled list, the Cubbies are trying to find a winning combo. Most of their options are the light-hitting type, but Scales, a 31-year-old rookie, has gap power and has hit well since his arrival: 8-for-18, a homer, two doubles and five RBIs. It's the kind of opportunity he has longed for - don't underestimate the power of determination. A-Ram is out for a month or more.

Shallow mixed: Watch

Deep mixed: Acquire

NL-only: Acquire

Jeff Larish, Detroit Tigers

The Tigs called up Larish when they placed outfielder Carlos Guillen (Achilles') earlier this month. The former is doing his best to justify more PT, something manager Jim Leyland noted that Larish needs to be successful. The lefty slugger started against a left-hander this week. In his past five games, he has collected five hits, including three homers, and four RBIs in 14 at-bats.

Shallow mixed: Watch

Deep mixed: Watch

AL-only: Acquire

Mat Gamel, Milwaukee Brewers

The Brew Crew summoned their top hitting prospect in anticipation of interleague play later this month. There's little question about his ability with the lumber (.336-8-31 in 119 at-bats at Triple-A Nashville); it's his glovework that needs chopping up. Gamel will likely serve as DH in the club's first AL road series, May 22 through May 24. He'll receive an occasional start until then, but Milwaukee doesn't travel to another AL park until June 15. It's interesting timing for the call-up, which makes one wonder if he'll see more time than the club has let on.

Shallow mixed: Watch

Deep mixed: Acquire

NL-only: Acquire

Shortstops

Chris Burke, San Diego Padres

Luis Rodriguez (ankle) is expected to miss a couple of weeks, so Burke steps in. The career .241 hitter (.226 in 31 at-bats with the Pads) isn't an inspiring option, especially because he'll be in one of the league's worst lineups. General manager Kevin Towers also said he planned to pursue more help at shortstop, so Burke obviously doesn't do much to excite him.

Shallow mixed: Pass

Deep mixed: Pass

NL-only: Watch

Outfielders

Michael Bourn, Houston Astros

Bourn has been hitting - really all year (.317-1-10). His 13 steals make him most attractive, though. His sole problem has always been not reaching base (you can't steal first, as they say). This year (.382 OBP), that hasn't been an issue, which has helped him swipe 13 bags. He's striking out less and walking more than he did last year. May (.389 average with seven steals) has been especially kind. Ride it while you can.

Shallow mixed: Acquire

Deep mixed: Acquire

NL-only: Acquire

Nolan Reimold, Baltimore Orioles

B-more called on one of its best prospects this week; he went 1-for-5 in his big-league debut. He was smoking the rawhide at Triple-A Norfolk (.394-9-27 in 109 at-bats). Reimold is a pretty mature hitter (0.76 walk-to-strikeout rate in 2008 and '09 in the minors). There's one problem: PT may be hard to come by. Once the O's are healthy, he could be sent back down. They have to make a move this weekend with the activation of starter Rich Hill (elbow).

Shallow mixed: Pass

Deep mixed: Watch

AL-only: Acquire

Aaron Cunningham, Oakland Athletics

Cunningham collected nine hits, including two bombs, and eight RBIs in 24 at-bats around a stint on the minor league disabled list at Triple-A Sacramento before the A's called him up Friday, May 15. Outfielder Travis Buck (.200 average) is struggling, so Cunningham may have an opening. The latter does nothing outstandingly but can contribute across the board and has a mild chance to be mixed worthy on occasion.

Shallow mixed: Pass

Deep mixed: Watch

AL-only: Acquire

Starting pitchers

Matt Harrison, Texas Rangers

The southpaw, one of Texas' best prospects last season, has begun to settle in. Control is his biggest asset, but it hadn't proven so in the majors. After walking nine in his first three 2009 starts, though, that is changing. He has issued two free passes in his past four starts (30 innings). He has given up only six earned runs in that time and has four straight wins to show for it. The bats backing him mean he should have plenty of chances for those. He's not a K artist, despite the seven turned in his last outing.

Shallow mixed: Watch

Deep mixed: Acquire

AL-only: Acquire

Dave Bush, Milwaukee Brewers

This right-hander has a niche following every season. He's an add-and-dump player in mixed formats. In seven starts, Bush is 2-0 with a 3.52 ERA and 35 K's in 46 innings. As long he limits his walks, as he has recently and for much of his career, he should help you in WHIP, at the very least. Caution: He gives up the long ball (1.53 per nine this year, 1.26 per nine lifetime), so you're forewarned that he's a mildly frustrating pickup.

Shallow mixed: Acquire

Deep mixed: Acquire

AL-only: Acquire

Matt Palmer, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

The 30-year-old is an inspiring story and is pitching with a lot of confidence in his first extended look in a big league rotation. In 26 2/3 innings (four starts), the right-hander has allowed 16 hits, 10 walks and 10 earned runs while striking 16. He doesn't throw hard, and control hasn't always been his friend. Don't ignore his results, but remain skeptical.

Shallow mixed: Watch

Deep mixed: Watch

AL-only: Acquire

Clay Buchholz, Boston Red Sox

Down on the farm, the club's former top prospect is doing his part: In six starts for Triple-A Pawtucket (35 innings), the right-hander has a 1.03 ERA and 37 strikeouts. He has issued 10 walks, and opponents are hitting .130 against him. Just be aware. Daisuke Matsuzaka (shoulder) is nearly ready, but it's not as if Jon Lester (6.31 ERA) and Brad Penny (6.69 ERA) have been impressive. Neither has Josh Beckett (6.42 ERA), but he's not going anywhere.

Shallow mixed: Watch

Deep mixed: Watch

AL-only: Acquire

Also see: Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market - Falling