Fantasy Baseball and MLB News, Rumors and Injury Updates

Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market - Rising

April 20, 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

Lou Marson, Philadelphia Phillies

Manager Charlie Manuel said that Chris Coste and Marson would each receive starts behind the dish until Carlos Ruiz (oblique) returns from the DL. Oh, Marson is one of the club's top prospects; he has already collected three hits in six at-bats. He could be a nice short-term fix in deep pools.

Shallow mixed: Pass

Deep mixed: Watch

NL-only: Acquire

Second basemen

Alberto Callaspo, Kansas City Royals

The Royals shifted Mark Teahen to third base once Alex Gordon (hip) hit the disabled list. That opened up a spot for Callaspo, who's hitting .375 with five runs and has been a solid major league hitter (.274 career). He can run a little, although he has yet to take advantage of his wheels in the bigs. Callaspo is 6-for-11 with two runs in three games as a likely regular.

Shallow mixed: Pass

Deep mixed: Watch

AL-only: Acquire

Shortstops

Asdrubal Cabrera, Cleveland Indians

Last week, Cabrera showed signs that he was heating up. This past weekend, he was too hot to touch, thanks to his effort Saturday, April 18 - 4-for-6 with a homer, five RBIs and four runs. He's hitting .333 in 39 at-bats and already has two steals; he has demonstrated a little speed in the minors in the past.

Shallow mixed: Acquire

Deep mixed: Acquire

AL-only: Acquire

Starting pitchers

Glen Perkins, Minnesota Twins

The left-hander has lasted eight innings in each of his first three starts of 2009. The results - four earned runs, 16 hits, four walks and 12 K's in 24 innings - are more impressive. He has relied on his slider a good deal more than he did last season. Perhaps that's the key; you should be willing to find out.

Shallow mixed: Acquire

Deep mixed: Acquire

AL-only: Acquire

Doug Davis, Arizona Diamondbacks

The 33-year-old veteran has logged back-to-back stellar turns; they comprised 16 innings, in which the lefty allowed 15 hits and issued only two walks while fanning 11. He's throwing his changeup a little less often - good idea, since his fastball doesn't come in there much faster. The last time he relied on his changeup this infrequently, he was posting ERAs of 3.39 (2004) and 3.84 (2005). He also posted his best rates of strikeouts per nine innings in those two seasons.

Shallow mixed: Watch

Deep mixed: Watch

NL-only: Acquire

Felipe Paulino, Houston Astros

Paulino has been the Astros' top prospect for what seems like an eternity, but his medical chart didn't comply with his desire to advance. The right-hander, who regularly touches 97 or 98 mph, made his first major league appearance of 2009 Sunday, April 19. He went six, giving up three hits and two walks while fanning six. This was likely a spot effort, but you should be aware nonetheless.

Shallow mixed: Watch

Deep mixed: Watch

NL-only: Acquire

Relief pitchers

Andrew Bailey, Oakland Athletics

The A's converted Bailey from starter to reliever in 2008, and the results were encouraging. From July on, he finally tamed his control (10 walks in 38 innings); all told, he struck out 110 in 110 1/3 innings. He earned a roster spot this spring, and he hasn't looked back: 8 1/3 innings, 11 strikeouts and only one hit allowed.

Shallow mixed: Watch

Deep mixed: Acquire

AL-only: Acquire

Garrett Mock, Washington Nationals

The Nats called up Mock as part of a slew of moves to overhaul the staff of a team that's off to a 1-10 start. Mock has been a starter for, essentially, his entire professional career - except for his appearances with the parent club. If he can tame the walks (23 in 41 innings last year), he has the dominance (46 K's) to be effective in the 'pen. A future fill-in for Joel Hanrahan? It's not absurd, but let's see him handle this role first.

Shallow mixed: Pass

Deep mixed: Watch

NL-only: Acquire

Derek Holland, Texas Rangers

Much earlier than expected, the Rangers called on one of their brightest prospects - to pitch from the bullpen. Pitching is always a problem in Arlington (6.45 ERA overall, 7.68 ERA from the 'pen this year). The southpaw has very good control and sits in the mid-90s with his fastball; he's a K artist. Don't look for Holland to make a big impact in his current capacity, but be aware of him. Deep keeper leaguers should have already pounced.

Shallow mixed: Pass

Deep mixed: Watch

AL-only: Acquire

Also see: Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market - Falling