Weekly Minor League Recap

AAA:

–Jesus Montero, NYY, C, Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees (#3): Montero had a quiet week; no HRs, no RBIs, no extra base hits at all. The boredom of minor league baseball is just too much for him right now. The most anticipated call up of the year (at least in NYC) should be less than 2 weeks away. Unless he goes .350/.450/.650, it will of course be deemed a colossal failure.

-Dayan Viciedo, CWS, OF, Charlotte Knights (unranked): Viciedo had three HRs (two in one game) and 7 RBIs last week, which should make him more attractive to fantasy owners come September. He also only K’ed once; bonus!

–Devin Mesoraco, CIN, C, Louisville Bats (#64): Mesoraco was 4 for 17 last week, but with 5 BBs and only 2 Ks. He has a nifty .250/.375/.536 line over his last ten.

–Adrian Cardenas, OAK, DH, Sacramento River Cats (unranked): Cardenas had one his best weeks in a while, going 14 for 29 with 6 RBIs and 3 steals. Now back over .300 (.312) for the year, to go with a .378 OBP.

–Brandon Guyer, TB, OF, Durham Bulls (unranked): Guyer was 10 for 27 with 5 RBIs and 2 steals last week, and has only 3Ks since returning on 8/13.

Fantasy MLB Spot Starting: 05.10.11

Welcome to another week of Spot Starting.  Let me tell you, from experience – the difference between winning and losing your head to head match could be a Sunday Spot Start off the waiver wire.  Yesterday, if I had followed my own advice and picked up Fausto Carmona or better yet, Anibal Sanchez I would have avoided a painful loss.  I was protecting my  WHIP and hoping it would hold up instead of padding my Ks and going for another W.  It backfired and my opponent Chris beat me.  Sometimes you gotta gamble.  By the way, please read Chris’ weekly Minor League Recap, it’s always epic.

For games on Tuesday May 10th these selected pitchers might be had in your league (less than 50% owned in Yahoo! or ESPN) with percent owned Yahoo/ESPN, (team), and opponent:

Kyle Drabek 38% / 23% (TOR) vs. BOS

Kevin Correia 34% / 36% (PIT) vs LAD

Clayton Richard 24% / 3% (SD) @ MIL

Homer Bailey 13% / 5% (CIN) @ HOU

Freddy Garcia 11% / 9% (NYY) vs. KC

Mike Pelfrey 6% / 1% (NYM) @ COL

Jake Arrieta 5% / 5% (BAL) vs. SEA

Rick Porcello 5% / 3% (DET)@ MIN

Killin’ the Odds & the Regular Season

Saturday , 4/2/11

Minnesota Twins (-113) @ Toronto Blue Jays (+103) My Pick: Twins Straight Up -113

The Jays’ outburst yesterday helped lower the price today. It’s a pretty good deal for a Liriano-Drabek matchup and Liriano doesn’t give up many long-balls. Expect the Twins to be patient with Kyle Drabek and make him throw strikes. I also give the edge to the Twins’ bullpen.

Chicago White Sox (-125) @ Cleveland Indians (+115) My Pick: White Sox Straight Up -125

The White Sox scored 15 runs yesterday but don’t blame it all on Fausto Carmona. It doesn’t look like they will repeat their dreadful April from 2010. The White Sox are far superior to the Indians which makes this an easy pick at -125.

Boston Red Sox (+105) @ Texas Rangers (-115) My Pick: Rangers Straight Up -115

Ian Kinsler, Nelson Cruz, Josh Hamilton and Michael Young have hit John Lackey hard in their careers. I think it will be another short day for Lackey in Arlington. The current Red Sox haven’t had much success with Cobly Lewis. With the Rangers being at home, take them to cover the Run Line of -1.5 (+165) if your feeling a little frisky.

Disagree? Light me up in the comments.

Brian “Killboy” Kilpatrick is currently up +662 imaginary dollars in 2011.

Fantasy Prospect Preview: Part Deux

 

Lonnie Chisenhall (Chuck Crow/Cleveland Plain Dealer)

15. Lonnie Chisenhall, Cle, 3b – Chisenhall is by no means a lock to even make it past triple A this year, but because Cleveland’s infield is in shambles, especially at the hot corner (Jayson Nix anyone?), I like his chances of being brought along by mid-season to man that position.  Chisenhall put up very versatile, if not amazing, numbers in AA last year: 81/17/84/.278 in 117 games.  Plus his strikeout rate was under 17% while his BABIP was .297, a solid sign that he wasn’t just getting lucky.  He showed less power than in high A ball in ‘09, but it wasn’t too drastic of a drop-off.   He will start the year in double or triple A no doubt, but if Nix is replacement level or worse as expected, don’t be surprised to see him called up early.  3b isn’t that deep in fantasyland, so keep an eye on Lonnie Chiz during spring training; he might not be draftable, but he should be um, pickupable later in the year.  Some of the previous prospects may make an earlier impact, but Chisenhall has the potential to provide a bigger boost to your team when it counts.