Welcome to our exclusive weekly player hot and cold feature. I recommend you use this like I do to identify players who might be worth picking up this week, as well as ones to consider benching or moving, perhaps.
I will be calling out names that may have eluded your notice that either could still be available on your waiver wire in a mixed league or perhaps stashed on someone’s bench in an AL or NL-only league. I will pick anyone who is on ice, as that information can help guide your line-up selection choices.
Fire
Catcher
Mike Redmond, Min
.316 BA, 0 HR, 7 RBI, 0 SB, 3 R
I have always thought Redmond was one of the best-hitting back-up catchers in the Majors. Playing behind Joe Mauer, who is out with a hamstring problem, means the 36-year-old is seeing regular time right now. Be aware he is trying to play through a finger injury, though.
First Base
Kendry Morales, LAA
.480 BA, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 0 SB, 4 R
I remain surprised and disappointed in how the Angels have handled the Cuban ex-pat. Down to the minors, then back up, where he sits on the bench, then back down again. He needed a Casey Kotchman injury to get playing time but may be able to stay in there even after the regular first baseman returns.
Second Base
Kazuo Matsui, Col
.455 BA, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1 SB, 4 R
Little Matsui has quietly put together a respectable season after having been left by many on the fantasy scrap heap. He is coming off a .354 August during which he scored 25 runs.
Shortstop
Yunel Escobar, Atl
.435 BA, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB, 7 R
Anytime you play behind veteran, but fragile guys like Chipper Jones and Edgar Renteria, you are going to get at-bats. The 24-year-old ex-Cuban has delivered this season, whether at second, short or third to the tune of a .331 average.
Third Base
Akinori Iwamura, TB
.276 BA, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB, 9 R
Looking for a lead-off guy who is scoring a goodly of runs – yet is also available on the free agent wire? You may have found your man in Iwamura. He scored 22 times last month and even added four triples.
Outfield
Jayson Werth, Phi
.607 BA, 0 HR, 7 RBI, 3 SB, 5 R
That is not a typo. The former Dodger went 17-for-28 on the week. I don’t know what the Philly boo-birds are going to do now that the man called “Werth-less” is actually demonstrating considerable value. Good thing the football season is upon us.
Matt Diaz, Atl
.450 BA, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 0 SB, 5 R
This man is my absolute number one most unknown top fantasy player this season. All the guy did was hit .386 with a 1.213 OPS in August. Is Bobby Cox so busy incessantly whining at the umpires about balls and strikes that he didn’t notice that Willie Harris is Willie Harris? Sit him down and let Diaz play.
Jason Tyner, Min
.462 BA, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1 SB, 6 R
I have beat the drum on Tyner so many times over the years, only to be proven wrong every time. He doesn’t start everyday, but when he does, he is making the most of it. He is hitting .349 since the break, including a current 13-game hit streak, though his counting stats are nothing special.
Starters
Scott Baker, Min
2 W, 15 IP, 1.20 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, 9 K
After flirting with a perfect game, albeit against the Royals, it may be time that the inconsistent one puts it all together. I just picked him up in my mixed league and suggest you do the same.
Ubaldo Jimenez, Col
1 W, 13.2 IP, 2.63 ERA, 0.66 WHIP, 10 K
Who, you ask? The Rockies came up with the hard-throwing Dominican this season and he has posted four consecutive solid starts. Though the outings haven’t been against top offenses, the home runs and walks are being kept low and the strikeouts respectable.
Doug Davis, Ari
2 W, 13.2 IP, 2.63 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 15 K
In the second half, Davis is 7-1 with a 3.79 ERA after a 5-10, 4.26 first half. With his team in a pennant race, look for help from the veteran down the line. The strikeouts last week were an unexpected bonus.
Reliever
Brad Hennessey, SF
4 SV, 0 BS, 0-0 W-L, 3.2 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, 1 K
How often do the Giants actually win four games in one week? Still, when called upon, Hennessey has been solid. He hasn’t posted a loss or blown save in over two months, so forget about the call-ups who are rumored to take his job. He looks secure.
Ice
Catcher
A.J. Pierzynski, CWS
.083 BA, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB, 2 R
In this particular column, knowing how to spell a player’s last name is not particularly good. Pierzynski’s average was down (.241), but slugging was up (.482) in August, so it isn’t a total loss.
First Base
Prince Fielder, Mil
.188 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 3 R
OK, so maybe life isn’t fair. The big guy had to serve a two-game suspension last week and he is leading the league in home runs. But, c’mon Prince! Your team is fighting for its life. I know you can’t pitch, but a few more timely hits would be great.
Second Base
Orlando Hudson, Ari
.107 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1 SB, 2 R
O-Dog has lost a bit of his bite. He had an odd August, scoring 16 runs, equaling his June and July total, but only drove in seven runs, less than any month all season. If you need category help here late in the season, I can’t predict where Hudson will help and where he will hurt. Look elsewhere.
Shortstop
Bill Hall, Mil
.000 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 0 R
So, I know Hall isn’t a shortstop any more. But, that’s too bad, because he is hitting like Rey Ordonez in the second half (.211 with a .185 August). As a centerfielder, it is almost criminal. Hall is on pace to not even reach half the home runs and steals of last season and his other stats will also fall far short.
Third Base
Scott Rolen, StL
.167 BA, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB, 0 R
It is time to give up the ghost on the possibility that Rolen might deliver decent stats this season. His shoulder is hurting again and he is considering his third surgery since that collision at first base with Hee Seop Choi two years ago. Even in a keeper league, it may be time to drop Rolen.
Outfield
Vernon Wells, Tor
.154 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1 SB, 4 R
Now, the talk of a sore shoulder that may require surgery finally surfaces! As any Wells owner would know, his stats have been down across the board all season long. Don’t expect much the rest of the way, but in keeper leagues, hope for the best next season.
Jeff Francoeur, Atl
.222 BA, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB, 1 R
I read this past week that Francoeur is approaching 300 consecutive games played and has missed just six innings of play all season long. Even for a young, strong 23-year-old, it seems like a bit of rest might pay off. Temper your expectations down the stretch.
J.D. Drew, Bos
.125 BA, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB, 2 R
I don’t get why all you guys (and gals) continue to keep Drew in your lineups. Drew’s latest ouchie is a foot contusion, but it doesn’t really matter what is hurt this week. Drew has been a bust this season and August was his worst month yet with only six RBI and 11 runs scored. He has one home run since the All-Star break.
Starters
Jarrod Washburn, Sea
0 W, 9.1 IP, 8.68 ERA, 1.93 WHIP, 5 K
Like his sliding Mariners mates, Washburn has been struggling. He has a grand total of one victory since the fourth of July and is coming off a 5.55 ERA August. Maybe the M’s brass should keep him away from Jeff Weaver. Just a thought…
Sergio Mitre, Fla
0 W, 9.1 IP, 12.54 ERA, 2.14 WHIP, 2 K
Forget his 2.85 ERA in the first half. That is ancient history now. Mitre has allowed five or more runs in his last four starts and six of his last eight for a 7.32 second-half ERA. Bury him.
Yovani Gallardo, Mil
1 W, 10 IP, 6.30 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 10 K
There is no discernable pattern to the wide swings of inconsistency shown by the talented Brewers rookie. Unless you need strikeouts so badly that you are willing to risk getting ERA and WHIP torpedoed, look elsewhere for starting help, but definitely hold in keeper leagues.
Reliever
C.J. Wilson, Tex
1 SV, 0 BS, 0-0, 3.0 IP, 6.00 ERA, 2.33 WHIP, 3 K
Did you notice that Joaquin Benoit collected a save last week? While Akinori Oksuka remains in injury limbo land somewhere, there may still be a few opportunities the rest of the way for Wilson, but Benoit is the superior pitcher over the long haul. Keep that in mind, especially for keepers.
Brian Walton’s work can also be found daily at stlcardinals.scout.com.