Welcome to our exclusive weekly player hot and cold feature. I recommend you use the information in this column like I do to identify players who might be worth picking up this week, as well as ones to consider benching or moving, perhaps.
Consider this the ultimate in short-term gratification. We’re not looking at histories of contact rates or command or anything other than what has occurred over the last week in the ten standard fantasy scoring categories, whether good or bad.
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
Chris Iannetta, Col
.462 BA, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 0 SB, 2 R
Batting .400 on the season in limited duty, Iannetta may soon be taking more time away from struggling Yorvit Torrealba (.214). Keep an eye on the situation in NL leagues.
First Base
Conor Jackson, Ari
.450 BA, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 0 SB, 10 R
How about that line? It represents one of the best weeks of any player in recent memory. The Diamondbacks first sacker doesn’t seem to need the now-departed Tony Clark waiting to usurp his at-bats.
Second Base
Adam Kennedy, StL
.444 BA, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 1 SB, 3 R
How about this blast from the past? Joining the Cardinals from Anaheim one year ago, Kennedy hit an anemic .219 and went downhill from there to season-ending knee surgery. He’s not setting the world on fire in 2008, yet is quietly hitting .310.
Shortstop
Erick Aybar, LAA
.407 BA, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2 SB, 6 R
With second baseman Howie Kendrick on his regular journey to the disabled list, Aybar should be seeing regular playing time at shortstop until further notice. It also means Maicer Izturis won’t get benched as he slides over to cover.
Third Base
Mark DeRosa, ChC
.368 BA, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 0 SB, 5 R
I could have included DeRosa at first, second, third or the outfield. His versatility means he may have a place on many rosters, but results like this indicate why he should be playing. Same with the Cubs, as Alfonso Soriano’s DL stint and Mike Fontenot’s struggles mean DeRosa will keep getting his at-bats.
Outfield
Skip Schumaker, StL
.400 BA, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 2 SB, 7 R
How many leadoff hitters leading the league in runs scored on a first-place team are still out on the waiver wire? No, neither Schumaker nor his Cardinals came into the season with such lofty expectations. In fact, after an 0-for-14 start, Schumaker sat for a few days. He is back and the Tony La Russa favorite should stay in there about five days a week.
Ryan Ludwick, StL
.571 BA, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 0 SB, 5 R
With Schumaker hitting so well, Ludwick is in a dog-fight for playing time, not getting the start on Friday despite having gone deep in three consecutive starts. With Chris Duncan starting to show signs of life, the Cardinals are going to continue to mix and match.
Carlos Quentin, CWS
.208 BA, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 0 SB, 8 R
While the average was sour last week, the power and runs scored were sweet. The ex-Diamondbacks top prospect has 15 RBIs on the season and 14 runs scored in just 14 games.
Starters
Cliff Lee, Cle
2 W, 16 IP, 0.56 ERA, 0.31 WHIP, 16 K
The Tribe’s lefty turned back the clock to 2005 (18-5, 3.79) for at least three starts this season, having dominated the A’s twice and the Twins on Friday. It is going to get tougher, but who can argue with the results to date?
Chad Gaudin, Oak
1 W, 13 IP, 2.77 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 12 K
The former Tampa Bay and Toronto reliever has excelled in limited duty this season for Oakland. Don’t expect it to continue. Gaudin will be displaced by either Justin Duchscherer or Rich Harden or both as they return from the DL, anyway.
Todd Wellemeyer, StL
1 W, 13 IP, 4.15 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 13 K
Yeah, this is the same guy that was a so-so reliever for the Cubs and was waived by the Royals last season. Like his over-achieving Cardinals teammates, ride with Wellemeyer until reality hits, but don’t hesitate to quickly jump off the bandwagon with the inevitable bumps are encountered.
Reliever
Eric Gagne, Mil
4 SV, 0 BS, 0-0 W-L, 3.2 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, 5 K
He’s hardly out of the woods, what with a 5.40 ERA on the season. Still, after blowing two of his first three saves, the former lights-out closer with the Dodgers (three consecutive 45-plus save seasons) is demonstrating he’s not dead just yet.
Ice
Catcher
Ronny Paulino, Pit
.167 BA, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 0 SB, 0 R
The resurgence of Ryan Doumit, originally thought to be more of an outfielder this season, along with the fast start by Xavier Nady in right, means that Paulino’s mixed league value is gone – at least for now.
First Base
Todd Helton, Col
.125 BA, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB, 2 R
The days of lofty power numbers are past, yet Helton should be depended upon for a high average. Not so here in 2008, with Helton scuffling at .242 with only five RBIs. Last April, he was blazing, with a .384 average and 17 runs batted in.
Second Base
Dan Uggla, Fla
.136 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 1 R
Maybe the Marlins’ second sacker is having his sophomore slump one year too late or is missing Miguel Cabrera in the lineup. The former Rule 5 pick is hitting just .167 on the season so consider short-term alternatives if you can afford the roster space.
Shortstop
J.J. Hardy, Mil
.182 BA, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB, 3 R
Two notices in three weeks here isn’t a good thing. The Brew Crew’s shortstop is scuffling badly, with just a .200 average on the season with no steals and just six runs scored. Look for someone else to play until he gets going.
Third Base
Troy Glaus, StL
.158 BA, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB, 2 R
Over his 11-year career, Glaus has spent just one season in the National League, with Arizona in 2005. This time around, he is taking a long time to acclimate, with a .220 average and a .305 slugging percentage, including no home runs.
Outfield
Brad Hawpe, Col
.150 BA, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 0 SB, 2 R
A mystifying start for the Rockies’ slugger has him with a .188 mark on the season with just a single home run and a meager total of five RBIs. See if you can pry Hawpe loose from a frustrated owner and you’ll be the winner in the long haul.
Hunter Pence, Hou
.214 BA, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB, 2 R
Back for a second turn here, Pence continues his sophomore slump. He is hitting just .200 on the season with no home runs, three RBIs, six runs scored and just one stolen base. Pence did double and pick up an RBI Friday night, so if he is a trade target for you, make the move now.
Mark Teahen, KC
.207 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 1 R
Overall, Teahen is hitting .281, but has just one home run and an embarrassing total of three RBIs on the season despite hitting third in the Royals order. He’s only crossed the plate five times, too. Such is the life in Kansas City.
Starters
Justin Verlander, Det
0 W, 12.2 IP, 7.82 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 4 K
Like his Tigers, their ace is struggling with a no-decision followed by three consecutive losses and an ERA of 7.03 on the season. Never blessed with pinpoint control, this season he has been worse, with a strikeout to walk ratio of 14-to-12.
Ted Lilly, ChC
0 W, 10.1 IP, 8.71 ERA, 1.74 WHIP, 9 K
The lefty was complaining of a tired arm early on and his results show. Lilly is usually a consistent but unspectacular source of strikeouts and wins, with decent ERA and WHIP. Right now, he’s lugging a 9.16/1.71 line around. Bench time until he gets back to normal.
Franklin Morales, Col
1 W, 9 IP, 11.00 ERA, 2.22 WHIP, 3 K
While he was highly-touted coming into the season, the fact is that the Rockies’ 22-year-old youngster doesn’t look ready for The Show. He has walked 11 and fanned just five. If Colorado had better starting options, we might see them. Kip Wells, anyone?
Reliever
Jason Isringhausen, StL
1 SV, 0 BS, 1-0, 2 IP, 18.00 ERA, 3.00 WHIP, 1 K
Starting the season with six scoreless outings wasn’t the real Izzy. The guy who allowed runners and runs in the next two is closer to reality. He is a decent second-tier closer, but don’t expect any more from the 35-year-old.
Brian Walton’s work can also be found daily at stlcardinals.scout.com.