Greetings again as we move through some at-bats and hopefully some stable numbers around the top of our leagues. It has been a pretty fun start, with some surprises and some exciting play, and fine beginning performances.
Among those hot bats are are some unexpected names, and I have received a lot of questions asking if some of these guys are for real, or not. And, well, we only have a couple of weeks into the season under our belts. So, perspective is essential.
In fact, let's start with Gabe Kapler as he is such a good example of how iffy success, failure, and projecting skill can be. The minor league Player of the Year in 1998, Kapler was atop every roto owner's wish list at the time. Since, however, there have been moments, but essentially unfulfilled potential, and in 2007, Kapler actually retired and started coaching. And, well, here he is, subbing for the suspended Mike Cameron, with four homers, among the league leaders. Can he keep it up? Maybe. First, remember, that Cameron is the guy making the bucks, so when he returns, Cameron is the starting outfielder, not Kapler. So, #4 OF would be the best he could do on a deep team like the Brewers. Of course, if he is hot, he will get some at-bats, but, it is unreasonable to project his numbers out and start salivating like we did ni 1998. And, Kapler is likely a lot more relaxed playing now, and maybe that is the difference? In any case, he is the hot hand, and you have to play it while you can.
Talk about agony and ecstasy, Sean Casey was languishing on the already thing Tout Wars free agent list last week, and could have been had for a $0 bid. A week and an injury to Mike Lowell later, and Casey commanded a $26 FAAB bid, generating a half dozen total bids to owners scrounging for at-bats. And, well, for now, Casey is as good a gamble as you will find. A good and proven hitter, Casey has been relegated to the bench before, only to get a chance and essentially keep the gig. Not that Casey will displace either Lowell, or first to third convert Kevin Youkilis, but, Casey gives Boston, and your team in a deep league, some flexibility right now.
Back to the Brewers, Jason Kendall is off to a torrid start at .434-0-5, but, we really should not be surprised. Kendall has lost most of his power, but his subpar stats in the AL last year, when he hit just .242, has to get a little context. That was the lowest average Kendall has had over his career, and the lowest since he hit .266 in 2001. Otherwise, the guy is a .298 career hitter, and one who hit .295 for the Athletics just a couple of years ago.
Last fall I copped Nate McLouth for my XFL team for a mere $2 at the end of the draft as my fifth outfielder. And, well, I was trying to figure out how come as the guy swiped 22 bags over 329 at-bats. Well, I am glad I have him now, especially at such a bargain. And, I do think he is for real: that is, he will keep the starting job and give .265-11-70 totals, but swipe those 20 bags. And, that constitutes a very useful player.
I scored the Giants/Cardinals games on Friday and Sunday, and well, here is the news on John Bowker, the kid who became the eighth Giant to homer his first major league game on Saturday. Then, he did it again Sunday with a monster shot, and collected a sacrifice fly RBI later in the game. With totals in the minors of .296-48-250 over 1622 minor league at-bats, with a decent .348 OBP makes Bowker a good play in an NL only league, but still largely a flier elsewhere.
On Sunday I saw Joel Pineiro's 2008 debut, and, well, he looked a lot more like the guy who has been toiling with the Mariners and Red Sox the past few years as opposed to the pitcher who looked resurgent under Dave Duncan second half last year. Pineiro lasted just 3.2 innings, and allowed ten hits and five runs, striking out none. Sure, it was his first start, and he missed spring training, but his pitch count of 68 pitches and 52 strikes makes it look like his control was on. Truth is, most of those strikes were fouls, and 68 is a lot of throws for less than four innings. Pineiro did not whiff anyone, and the aggregate is that he was not fooling anyone.
Mike Jacobs is off to a hot start with .298-5-10 totals, and there are probably Jacobs fans out there who feel vindicated, thinking, "finally." Well, I am not sold yet. It is early, and so far Jacobs has whiffed 11 times to one walk. He was improving those totals over the last couple of years to the point where last season he whiffed 101 times and struck out 31, which the year before he had 45 walks and 102 whiffs. Right now the ratio is 11-1, or 110 whiffs to 11 walks if you factor all the numbers out to match his average over the past couple of years. I think he is ok, and in an NL only league, he is an everyday play. But, not much beyond that.
After seeing Brian Bannister interviewed on ESPN following his first win, and now noting that he is 3-0 and looking better and better. I am not saying he is Greg Maddux, but after hearing Bannister speak it is clear he takes a cerebral approach to his game, and, well, the success is self evident.
Whoa, talk about decision makers Dennis Sarfate, on the Orioles, has pitched 4.2 innings this season and he is already 2-1. He is also a set up guy, and for now I like Matt Albers better as an alternative from the Baltimores. But, I did see Sarfate at the AFL a couple of years ago, and he did impress me with a quick fastball (sneaky fast). Keep and eye on him.
Angel Pagan is also the hottest of hands. Leading off for the Mets while Jose Reyes has been down, Pagan is hitting .371 with ten RBI and nine runs scored. With Moises Alou as the essential competition for the starting gig, Pagan will keep getting at-bats even when--and if--Alou returns. Because Pagan has wheels and can play late inning defense.