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
Jeff Mathis, LAA
.308 BA, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1 SB, 4 R
Mike Napoli is still the starter, but Mathis continues to deliver when called upon. That seems to be occurring more frequently each week. You could do worse as a second catcher in mixed leagues.
First Base
Eric Hinske, TB
.300 BA, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 0 SB, 4 R
Sure, he’s been around. But, Hinske is quietly batting over .300 with 13 RBIs and 12 runs scored in just 62 at-bats. Look at him as a cheap corner man with outfield eligibility, too.
Second Base
Maicer Izturis, LAA
.333 BA, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 3 SB, 4 R
Cesar’s little brother seems to be the one with at least some hitting genes. Yet, when Howie Kendrick returns from his regular spin on the disabled list, Izturis is going to have to contend with Erick Aybar for playing time. Both Izturis and Aybar qualify at both MIF positions in many leagues with Izturis also having logged time at third.
Shortstop
Ronny Cedeno, ChC
.375 BA, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 20 SB, 7 R
From Ryan Theriot’s back problems sprung Cedeno’s opportunity. He made the most of it, with an impressive stat line. If you need short-term middle infield help, take a look. But also keep an eye on Theriot’s medical reports.
Third Base
Donnie Murphy, Oak
.333 BA, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 0 SB, 3 R
This is not a player to turn around your season. Yet, with Eric Chavez at least a month away and perhaps more from returning and replacement Jack Hannahan not hitting (.185 BA), Murphy may continue to lay down the law.
Outfield
Fred Lewis, SF
.290 BA, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1 SB, 7 R
Injuries to Randy Winn and Dave Roberts means regular playing time seems assured for the former second-round pick of the Giants. He’s been a prospect for six years now, but a .312 average and 13 runs scored in just 77 at-bats means there is some real value here.
Jayson Werth, Phi
.303 BA, 4 HR, 6 RBI, 0 SB, 9 R
At least until Shane Victorino returns from his calf injury, Werth should be starting every day for the Phils. Even then, all he has to do is beat out streaky Geoff Jenkins for playing time.
Scott Podsednik, Col
.462 BA, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 3 SB, 2 R
The former Brewers and White Sox speedster is now playing behind Willy Taveras in Colorado and despite solid numbers off the bench, he is best used as a reserve in NL-only leagues.
Starters
Andy Sonnanstine, TB
2 W, 15.1 IP, 1.76 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, 7 K
A couple of nice outings against the White Sox and Blue Jays last week allowed Sonnanstine to cut almost four runs off his ERA. Of course, it was nearly nine prior to that, so don’t go overboard. Yet, his strikeout to walk ratio is improving 16 to seven.
Aaron Cook, Col
2 W, 15 IP, 1.80 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 9 K
Ever so quietly, Cook has posted a 3-1 record with a 2.91 ERA and 1.03 WHIP for a Rockies club that did not get out of the gates quickly. Maybe after signing a four-year contract over the winter, the 28-year-old is getting comfortable.
Jonathan Sanchez, SF
2 W, 13 IP, 0.69 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 15 K
Better than a strikeout per inning pitchers aren’t a dime a dozen, yet I bet Sanchez is still out on your mixed league waiver wire. Why? Command and inconsistency. Yet on the season, his strikeout to walk ratio is 36 to 11. Take a close look.
Reliever
Brian Wilson, SF
4 SV, 0 BS, 0-0 W-L, 4 IP, 2.25 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 3 K
Who would have been foolish enough to forecast the Giants closer, any Giants closer, would be leading the National League in saves almost a month into the season? Still, it said it all to me when Wilson was recently quoted as stating he prefers to pitch when runners on base. Good luck with that!
Ice
Catcher
Kenji Johjima, Sea
.133 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 0 R
How do I get a job like this? Johjima went 2-for-15 on the week and .194 on the season to date with no home runs, five RBIs and four runs scored. His reward is to be offered a three year, $24 million contract extension. I think I can hear Jeff Clement screaming from here.
First Base
Ryan Howard, Phi
.120 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 3 R
Despite the slow start, the big guy is continuing to do two things – strike out a lot and walk frequently. Unless you are in an OBP league, the latter doesn’t matter and the former doesn’t really, either. Consider Howard a good trade target, but don’t wait too long.
Second Base
Robinson Cano, NYY
.100 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 2 R
Cano’s terrible start to the 2008 season continues. On the year, he is hitting just .156 with only five runs scored and five RBI. Needless to say, Cano is neither on pace to hit .300 again, nor score 93 runs, nor drive in 97.
Shortstop
Khalil Greene, SD
.200 BA, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB, 2 R
To date, 2008 has been a washout for the long-maned Padres shortstop. Greene is hitting .220 with nary a home run and just eight RBI. Still, keep an eye on him and be ready to pounce when he gets on a hot-streak.
Third Base
Bill Hall, Mil
.172 BA, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 0 SB, 0 R
Yes, Hall has 25 home run power, but his average continues to negatively compensate. On the season, the shortstop-turned-outfielder-turned-third baseman is still under the Mendoza Line (.198).
Outfield
Delmon Young, Min
.200 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 1 R
Perhaps not struggling as badly as fellow Twins outfield newbie Carlos Gomez, still Young has yet to go deep this season and is hitting just .247. The former Devil Ray continues to swing at everything, as his three walks for the season indicates.
Nick Swisher, CWS
.105 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 2 R
Inserted into the leadoff position by that innovator Ozzie Guillen, Swisher seems to have lost his power results with two home runs and five RBIs. A .232 batting average is nothing to brag about, either. While he does have 16 runs scored, Swisher’s overall value has taken a hit in this role change.
Rick Ankiel, StL
.111 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 2 R
I watch the Cardinals for a living and can tell you that the former left-handed pitching phenom is struggling mightily at the dish. On Friday night, in the ninth with the tying run on third and one out, Ankiel fanned on a pitch in his eyes. Sit him if you have a better alternative until the power stroke returns.
Starters
Chad Billingsley, LAD
0 W, 11 IP, 7.36 ERA, 1.73 WHIP, 21 K
No, that strikeout total is not a typo. His walks aren’t that bad (13 against 21 strikeouts) this season, so don’t bail out on Billingsley. He’s still just 23, so there will be some growing pains.
Zach Duke, Pit
0 W, 10 IP, 9.90 ERA, 2.10 WHIP, 2 K
I read a recent blog article that summarized the Bucs’ rotation as “Ian Snell and four days of hell”. Sadly, the highly-touted lefty Duke is helping to turn up the heat. Interesting his ERA and WHIP totals this season (5.34/1.78) are very similar to last year. Divest.
Ubaldo Jimenez, Col
0 W, 8 IP, 10.13 ERA, 2.50 WHIP, 7 K
Thought to be a top sleeper coming into 2008, Jimenez has been dreadful and as a result, is at risk of losing his rotation spot for the Rockies. A big reason why is his 19:20 strikeout to walk ratio. In case you needed a clarification, a 2.15 season WHIP is death.
Reliever
Jason Isringhausen, StL
2 SV, 1 BS, 0-2, 3 IP, 12.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, 1 K
The Cardinals closer was very busy this past week, managing to squeeze in two losses, two saves and a blown save into just three games. It is Izzy’s second consecutive week here, which is never a good sign. No one is saying anything physical is the problem. It is just what Izzy does, which is why he will never be an elite closer.
Brian Walton’s work can also be found daily at stlcardinals.scout.com.