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Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market - Rising

April 13, 2009 @ 01:00:01

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)

Catchers

Chris Coste, Philadelphia Phillies

The Phils placed Carlos Ruiz (oblique) on the DL over the weekend. Coste should fill in more often than prospect Lou Marson. The 36-year-old career .286 hitter is more than worthy in the right setup, especially in Philly's dangerous lineup.

Shallow mixed: Pass

Deep mixed: Acquire

NL-only: Acquire

Henry Blanco, San Diego Padres

Blanco is expected to split time with Nick Hundley. The elder statesman is more accomplished with the mitt and at handling a staff. Blanco, a lifetime .227 hitter, is most valuable in leagues where PT is hard to come by. He has already clubbed two homers (three total hits) in nine at-bats.

Shallow mixed: Pass

Deep mixed: Pass

NL-only: Acquire

Second basemen

Aaron Hill, Toronto Blue Jays

Noted as a nearly forgotten commodity in KFFL's preseason prose, Hill is quickly serving reminders: .300-2-8 in 30 at-bats to begin 2009 - not too shabby. Did you forget 2007, when he went .291-17-78? What are you waiting for?

Shallow mixed: Acquire

Deep mixed: Acquire

AL-only: Acquire

Anderson Hernandez, Washington Nationals

The Nats activated this somewhat popular deep NL sleeper from the DL Monday, April 13, and Hernandez (hamstring) was promptly inserted into the starting lineup. D.C. brass hopes he takes hold of the job, but KFFL remains skeptical of his ability to hit big-league pitching.

Shallow mixed: Pass

Deep mixed: Pass

NL-only: Acquire

Third basemen

Joe Thurston, St. Louis Cardinals

The left-handed hitting utilityman has already played four games at third and three at second. He also has seven hits, including four doubles, in 14 at-bats. Manager Tony La Russa will look to play the hot hand at the hot corner, and right now, it's Thurston.

Shallow mixed: Pass

Deep mixed: Pass

NL-only: Acquire

Shortstops

Marco Scutaro, Toronto Blue Jays

In 26 at-bats, the Jays' leadoff hitter has compiled 10 hits, including two homers, and 10 runs. He's a streaky one, and right now, he's streaking. You might as well join the party - until he puts his clothes back on.

Shallow mixed: Acquire

Deep mixed: Acquire

AL-only: Acquire

Outfielders

Nick Swisher, New York Yankees

The switch-hitter entered the season frustrated about his spot on the outfield depth chart ... so he decided to do something about it. Manager Joe Girardi might find it hard to keep the man who's hitting .471-2-9 in 17 at-bats to begin the season on the pine.

Shallow mixed: Acquire

Deep mixed: Acquire

AL-only: Acquire

Nyjer Morgan, Pittsburgh Pirates

Morgan continues his blazing beginning and offers valuable speed to any fantasy team. Take the plunge before the water cools off.

Shallow mixed: Watch

Deep mixed: Acquire

NL-only: Acquire

Starting pitchers

Kevin Millwood, Texas Rangers

Millie reported to Spring Training in outstanding shape and rededicated himself to the game. Obviously, per his first two starts. Forget his first two seasons in Texas and give him a chance. What if he's 2009's Cliff Lee? If he's not, what did you lose?

Shallow mixed: Acquire

Deep mixed: Acquire

AL-only: Acquire

Kyle Davies, Kansas City Royals

Davies, who hovers in the low 90s, has matured a lot in the past year. Last September, he was outstanding (2.27 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 24 K's in 31 2/3 innings). Davies was a top prospect for the Atlanta Braves just a couple of seasons ago. If his dominance in his first start (seven innings, three hits, eight K's) is any indication, this is a don't-forget-about-me breakout candidate.

Shallow mixed: Acquire

Deep mixed: Acquire

AL-only: Acquire

Kyle Lohse, St. Louis Cardinals

Lohse has turned in two brilliant starts: 16 innings, eight hits, two earned runs and eight strikeouts. He doesn't offer much in the K department, but he can be a solid innings eater, like he was last year, and assist in ratios and wins.

Shallow mixed: Watch

Deep mixed: Acquire

NL-only: Acquire

Relief pitchers

David Aardsma, Seattle Mariners

Closer 1a in Seattle appears to be none other than Aardsma (3 2/3 innings, three K's, two saves), who has filled in on days when Brandon Morrow is unavailable. Those playing the musical reliever game have already jumped on the righty. Don't expect this to last for too long; if you're cherry-picking saves, don't wait.

Shallow mixed: Acquire

Deep mixed: Acquire

AL-only: Acquire

Ryan Franklin, St. Louis Cardinals

The Cards are playing a frustrating game of musical closers. Franklin likely is the one to target here, largely because of his experience, but don't bank on him too heavily. Other names in this game include: Chris Perez, Jason Motte, Kyle McClellan and even Dennys Reyes, making this a job likely dictated by the matchup.

Shallow mixed: Watch

Deep mixed: Acquire

NL-only: Acquire

Also see: Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market - Falling