First-half fantasy baseball All-Stars … and All-Scrubs
All-Star festivities: the perfect occasion to assess your needs, both in fantasy and reality. The Phillies look like aggressive starting pitching buyers. The Braves and Mets aren’t sure yet, especially with their sister-kissing swap of Jeff Francoeur and Ryan Church.
We penned about Pedro Martinez, the Angels injury twins and Geovany Soto earlier today. I discussed Kerry Wood’s improvement and other closer news before that.
Who really cares about real news, though? I’ll be back with more advice next week.
Here are your fantasy All-Stars: the players who have given the biggest profit on their preseason value.
2009 Fantasy Baseball All-Stars
C – Brandon Inge, Detroit Tigers - Credit an adjustment he made to how he holds the bat while waiting for the pitch. His peripherals remain the same, so be wary.
Runner-up: A.J. Pierzynski, Chicago White Sox
Also-rans: Kurt Suzuki, Oakland Athletics
1B – Russell Branyan, Seattle Mariners - His introduction of computer-simulated vision exercises improved his timing and ability to pick up pitches. His hand motion looks smoother during his loading period, too. Finally added skills to raw power.
Runner-up: Paul Konerko, Chicago White Sox
Also-rans: Todd Helton, Colorado Rockies
2B – Aaron Hill, Toronto Blue Jays – I’m not THAT bold. A bigger bat has helped him. You shouldn’t expect a total drop-off in the second half; it’s the right time in his career for his power to be blossoming.
It's all in the sweet spot - a bigger sweet spot....
Runner-up: Orlando Hudson, Los Angeles Dodgers
Also-rans: Clint Barmes, Colorado Rockies; Freddy Sanchez, Pittsburgh Pirates; Adam Kennedy, Oakland Athletics
3B – Mark Reynolds, Arizona Diamondbacks - Has become more patient with a revamped two-strike approach. Will the steals keep coming, though?
Runner-up: Casey Blake, Los Angeles Dodgers
Also-rans: Scott Rolen, Toronto Blue Jays; Hank Blalock, Texas Rangers
SS – Jason Bartlett, Tampa Bay Rays - Though an injury halted him a bit, the prime sell-high candidate followed the Aaron Hill Bat Upgrade method. His increased flyball rate should leave you skeptical.
Runner-up: Asdrubal Cabrera, Cleveland Indians
Also-rans: Marco Scutaro, Toronto Blue Jays; Miguel Tejada, Houston Astros
OF – Ben Zobrist, Tampa Bay Rays – Useful part-timer makes good at multiple positions. Patience, patience, patience – walk rate and swing percentage scream willingness to wait for the right pitch.
OF – Adam Lind, Toronto Blue Jays - Manager Cito Gaston remains his muse. Lind is a bit streaky but has enough room to grow. This isn’t a total fluke.
OF – Justin Upton, Arizona Diamondbacks – The growth has come sooner. The K’s have decreased, but so have the walks. Sustaining his line-drive rate will help.
Runners up: Adam L. Jones, Baltimore Orioles; Shin-Soo Choo, Cleveland Indians; Juan Pierre, Los Angeles Dodgers
Also-rans: Torii Hunter, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim; Juan Rivera, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim; Raul Ibanez, Philadelphia Phillies
Arguably the first-half fantasy MVP
SP - Zack Greinke, Kansas City Royals - Some form of breakout was expected, but not SI-cover levels.
SP - Josh M. Johnson, Florida Marlins – After regaining his velocity, he took the next step.
SP - Edwin Jackson, Detroit Tigers – Finally added control to his stuff. Rick Knapp has been a savior.
Also-rans: Kevin Millwood, Texas Rangers; Yovani Gallardo, Milwaukee Brewers; Jered Weaver, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim; Ricky Romero, Toronto Blue Jays; Zach Duke, Pittsburgh Pirates
RP – Huston Street, Colorado Rockies - Held the job, lost the job, regained the job and never looked back.
RP – Ryan Franklin, St. Louis Cardinals – Took control amidst chaos. Sneaky waiver wire pickup.
RP – David Aardsma, Seattle Mariners – Not as sneaky as this guy, though. Resurrected his control and career. Velocity jumped enough to usurp a struggling Brandon Morrow and several other scrubs.
Also-rans: Rafael Soriano, Atlanta Braves; Scott Downs, Toronto Blue Jays; Frank Francisco, Texas Rangers; Kevin Gregg, Chicago Cubs
2009 Fantasy Baseball All-Scrubs
Note: Injury-marred seasons not included.
C – Russell Martin, Los Angeles Dodgers - Fatigue and pull-happiness exacerbated his slow start.
Other bottom feeders : Geovany Soto, Chicago Cubs
1B – Chris Davis, Texas Rangers - Homers can’t cure BA/OBP woes unless you actually take walks.
Adam Dunn has played for me numerous times. Mr. Davis, you’re no Adam Dunn.
2B – Howie Kendrick, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - Sure. Future batting title winner. Right.
3B – Garrett Atkins, Colorado Rockies - You hate to see him leave Colorado, but he has, on average, had more power on the road anyway. Maybe a change of scenery will help.
Other bottom feeders: Jorge Cantu, Florida Marlins
SS – Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia Phillies – Regardless of how well he has performed recently, he still cost his owners too much of their time.
Other bottom feeders: Rafael Furcal, Los Angeles Dodgers; Jhonny Peralta, Cleveland Indians; Stephen Drew, Arizona Diamondbacks; J.J. Hardy, Milwaukee Brewers
OF – Manny Ramirez, Los Angeles Dodgers - For being himself.
OF – Magglio Ordonez, Detroit Tigers - We knew he was declining, but his power dropped like a Pablo Sandoval cannonball.
OF – Milton Bradley, Chicago Cubs - Can’t blame it on injuries. Hope you looked at his ‘08 BABIP before considering grabbing him.
A swing and a miss in judgment....
Other bottom feeders: Lastings Milledge, Pittsburgh Pirates (injury came after demotion and flashes of immaturity)
SP – Rich Harden, Chicago Cubs - Did you listen to us?
SP – Francisco Liriano, Minnesota Twins – Sure, I scooped him off the waiver wire, but I sure as hell didn’t draft him.
SP – David Price, Tampa Bay Rays - A hefty draft-day, first-half price to pay for a 4.70 ERA in only nine starts.
RP – Kerry Wood, Cleveland Indians – Not all his fault. A terrible June stretch didn’t help, but Cleveland doesn’t offer many save chances.
RP - Carlos Marmol, Chicago Cubs – Paying a midround price for someone who didn’t have the closer job locked up came back to haunt many. Hopefully, you locked Kevin Gregg up, too.
RP – Brad Ziegler, Oakland Athletics – Those K’s never showed up, eh? Didn’t take advantage when Joey Devine (elbow) went down.
Other bottom feeders: Brandon Lyon, Detroit Tigers
