No need to have a fancy introduction this week. I have a lot to vent about. Let’s get started!
Pick-Up Of The Week!
Player that should be owned but could still be on the waiver wire in your league.
Nick Franklin 2B,SS – Sea: I’m still talking about this kid. Mostly because he’s still unowned in 55 percent of leagues. Also because he’s heating up again. He had 2 HRs Sunday against the Twins and now has 10 on the year with a .277 average. According to Lookout Landing, Franklin is just the third second-baseman in history to have 10 home runs in his first 52 games (Jason Kipnis and Flash Gordon).
Helmuth Hail Mary
It’s worth a long shot, but picking up this guy might be your lottery ticket for 2013.
Junior Lake OF – CHC
This rookie could be just another hot prospect that comes out the gate mashing, only to cool off once the pitching adjustments come; OR he really could be this good. Until the San Fran series, he was hitting for power with doubles and HRs (he’s still batting .362 after S.F.). He also rarely strikes out so he should have a good contact rate. He’ll be in the lineup for quite sometime now that Alfonso Soriano has been shipped to New York.
Rookie Watch!
On the lookout for the next Mike Trout or Bryce Harper.
Xander Bogaerts SS – Bos: This kid has been raking all season and continues to climb the ranks of every analyst’s “top prospects” list. He’s been added nearly 3,000 times in Yahoo leagues Tuesday after some feel the prospect could be traded to the Phillies for Cliff Lee this week. Even if he doesn’t get traded, he looks to get the call-up soon after continuing to tear up Triple-A ball. He has a line of .296/.395/.492 with 14 HRs and 59 RBI overall this season in the minors. He could be the next Troy Tulowitzki.
Junior Lake OF – CHC (above)
Nick Franklin 2B/SS – Sea (above)
Pyrite Award!
Who is fake gold. Who appears to be fake gold.
Tyler Chatwood SP – Col
Switching it up a bit in this week’s “Pyrite” section. This week I’ll tell you why Chatwood — who looks like fake gold — actually is a hidden gem. He’s only 21 percent owned and I feel he should be owned in at least three times as many leagues. At first glance, this is Tyler Chatwood — the same kid who burned us as a rising star with the Angels. The same kid who has a career 1.56 WHIP. Now you throw him in home run happy Colorado? He’s doomed, right?? Nope.
The kid has been great. Not only did he have 11 Ks last Friday in a win against the Brewers, but he’s had 11 quality starts in his last 14 outings and boasts a 2.48 ERA for the year. The underlying stats suggest Chatwood will regress some — especially considering his batting average against at home (.306) is very under-whelming, but it’s obvious the kid needs to be started on every road game and at favorable home matchups. Let me remind you he’s still only 23-years-old. I don’t trust Colorado pitchers. Chatwood might be the exception.
Second Half Sleeper
Who could help carry your team down the stretch.
Scott Kazmir SP – Cle: I never thought I would be writing this, but Kazmir is only 29 percent owned — that attention doesn’t match his production. Kazmir has been great six of his last seven starts. He also owned a 2.03 ERA for July.
Is Kazmir going to dominate? No. Four of his last seven games have been against Kansas City or Minnesota. But he’s definitely a great spot starter at this point and should be used against any team other than the Red Sox, Tigers or Orioles until he cools off. Hard to believe he’s still only 29-years-old!
Ripe Relievers!
Snatching up saves and holds however you can find them.
Jose Cisnero – Hou: He’ll be closing for the Astros now that Jose Veras has been shipped to the Tigers. Although he’s been decent in a setup role, he’ll most likely be on a short leash. Worth a shot in a deep league.
Hitter of the Week: (Monday-Monday)
Carlos Gomez OF – Mil: 2/6/.481 – 5 Steals
Hurler of the Week: (Monday-Monday)
David Price SP – TB: 16.1 IP, 2 W, 12 K, 1.10 ERA, 0.43 WHIP
Josh Helmuth is the editor for CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @JHelmuth or subscribe at Facebook.com/CraveOnlineSports for the latest in sports on your newsfeed.
Photo Credit: Getty
