In the month of September, fantasy diehards all go through a natural and unavoidable transition. After five-plus months of brush-back pitches, double steals, moon-shot home runs and backwards K’s, the vast majority of us shift our attention from the diamond to the gridiron. Only a select few are still in the running for the fantasy baseball leagues, but we all have a legitimate chance in football at this time.

The truly dominating owners in baseball know that this last month is vital to their squads in 2007 and beyond though. If you’ve turned away from MLB, you might have missed Kevin Kouzmanoff’s grand slam in his first swing in the bigs, Cody Ross’ three-homer game or Eliezer Alfonzo’s emphatic emergence in San Francisco. In fact, if you faded out the past couple weeks, there’s a good chance you never even heard of these cats.

The month of September is an audition of sorts for these kids. It’s a time for them to prove they belong in the show. It’s a chance to earn both respect and playing time. And it’s also a chance for fantasy baseball owners to discover a few of next year’s sleeper candidates.

In this edition of Inside the Numbers, we are going to break down the best unknown rookie performers in the second half of the season, as well shine some light on the International League’s leaderboards.
 
These kids are here to stay
(Stats exclusively from July 1 – September 10)
1. Nick Markakis, BAL .345 (72-for-209), 12 HR, 38 RBI, 38 R
2. Josh Barfield, SD .313 (68-for-217), 8 HR, 31 RBI, 33 R, 10 SB
3. Ian Kinsler, TEX .280 (68-for-243), 5 HR, 25 RBI, 36 R, 8 SB
4. Ronny Paulino, PIT .335 (64-for-191), 4 HR, 29 RBI, 18 R
5. Chris Duncan, STL .308 (56-for-182), 13 HR, 24 RBI, 41 R

Since July 1, Pittsburgh’s Paulino has been quietly one of the best performers in the game. In fact, only Paul Lo Duca and Victor Martinez have posted a higher average at the catcher position in that time. Paulino has out-hit the likes of Ivan Rodriguez, Jorge Posada, Jason Varitek and even AL Batting leader Joe Mauer. At the thin catcher position, Paulino is a worthwhile No. 1 fantasy catcher heading into the 2007 season. … Second basemen Barfield and Kinsler have earned everyday spots in the bigs during their rookie campaigns. Barfield, who is the son of former Blue Jays great Jesse Barfield, has put together a decent all-around season. He’s got a nice mix of speed (19 SB) and power (12 HR), and is a big piece of the Padres future. A 20/20 season is a realistic goal for the second-generation slugger. Kinsler has the same kind of skills and value in the game. Last season with Triple-A Oklahoma, he smacked 23 homers and stole 19 bases. If he can stay healthy next year, he’s also a nice sleeper candidate heading into ’07.

6. Howie Kendrick, LAA .311 (56-for-180), 3 HR, 23 RBI, 18 R, 4 SB
7. Matt Murton, CHC .337 (55-for-163), 7 HR, 34 RBI, 25 R
8. Luke Scott, HOU .368 (53-for-144), 5 HR, 19 RBI, 18 R, 2 SB
9. Eliezer Alfonzo, SF .277 (51-for-184), 8 HR, 26 RBI, 16 R
10. Stephen Drew, ARI .307 (51-for-166), 3 HR, 17 RBI, 19 R

The Astros had hopes that Scott could be an everyday player for them heading into the 2005 season. He made the squad out of spring training and looked poised for a big rookie season. However, after a 6-for-29, zero-home run April, Scott was demoted back to the minor leagues for another year of fine tuning. All he did down there was smack 31 homers in just 398 at-bats and earn a September call-up. He started the season back at Triple-A Rochester and destroyed the baseball once again, ripping 20 long balls in about half a season. He got the call in mid-July and hasn’t looked back since. He’s hitting a cool .367 on the year and his average hasn’t been below .300 since his third game. The power-hitting outfielder has proved he belongs and is in store for a monster 2007 season.  

Triple-A International League Leaders
Batting
Average
1. OF Norris Hopper, LOU/CIN .347 (133-for-383)
2. 1B Josh Phelps, TOL/DET .308 (143-for-464)
3. C Carlos Ruiz, SWB/PHI .307 (113-for-368)
4T. 2B Dustin Pedroia, PAW/BOS .305 (129-for-423)
4T. 3B Josh Fields, CHA/CHW .305 (141-for-462)

Home Runs
1. 1B Kevin Witt, DUR/TB 36 HR, 99 RBI (485 at-bats)
2. OF Ryan Ludwick, TOL/DET 28 HR, 80 RBI (508 at-bats)
3T. 1B Josh Phelps, TOL/DET 24 HR, 90 RBI (464 at-bats)
3T. 1B Mike Hessman, TOL/DET 24 HR, 49 RBI (345 at-bats)
5. 1B Carlos Pena, PAW/BOS 23 HR, 74 RBI (418 at-bats)

Stolen Bases
1. B.J. Upton, DUR/TB 46 SB in 63 attempts
2. Rajai Davis, IND/PIT 45 SB in 58 attempts
3. Jerry Owens, CHA/CHW 40 SB in 52 attempts
4. Trent Durrington, PAW/BOS 32 SB in 39 attempts
5. Darnell McDonald, DUR/TB 30 SB in 42 attempts

Look for the White Sox to give Fields a cup of coffee once Charlotte’s season wraps up. He’s one of the best prospects in the minor leagues and is ready to push Joe Crede for time at the hot corner in the windy city. … Phelps and Pena have seen extensive time in the major leagues, but have each gone through their fair share of ups and downs. Although each might be too good for the junior ranks, they are both looking for a role with a big league club … Upton, who led the I-L in steals (46) while hitting .269, has been playing everyday for Tampa the past month at the hot corner. The club has apparently given up on using him at shortstop because of his defensive struggles, and he’s already committed 11 errors at the 3B. His power has also plummeted mightily the past couple years. After being one of the most hyped minor leaguers in the game for a few years, Upton has been a major flop in his four seasons in professional baseball. Teammate Kevin Witt led the league in longballs (36) and earned a September call-up in the process. The D-Rays promptly released former starter Travis Lee shortly afterwards to give Witt regular at-bats (along with Ty Wigginton) at first base. Witt could emerge as the team’s starter at the position next year, and his power potential makes him a nice late-round pickup on draft day.  

Pitching
Victories
1. Charlie Haeger, CHA/CHW 14-6
2T. Brian Mazone, SWB/PHI 13-3
2T. Heath Phillips, CHA/CHW 13-5
4. Tim Redding, CHA/CHW 12-10
5T. Chad Durbin, TOL/DET 11-8
5T. Mike Smith, ROC/MIN 11-5

Earned Run Average
1. Brian Mazone, SWB/PHI 2.03 ERA (20 GS)
2. Heath Phillips, CHA/CHW 2.96 (24 GS)
3. Chris Machalak, LOU/CIN 2.99 (22 GS)
4. Charlie Haeger, CHA/CHW 3.07 (25 GS)
5. Chad Durbin, TOL/DET 3.11 (28 GS)

Saves
1T. Lee Gardner, TOL/DET 30 S (2.92 ERA)
1T. Julio Manon, OTT/BAL 30 S (2.13 ERA)
3. Scott Chiasson, LOU/CIN (1.91 ERA)
4. Jonah Bayliss, IND/PIT 23 S (2.17 ERA)
5. Jose Veras, COL/COL 21 S (2.41 ERA)

Questions, comments or quandaries? Contact me at Matt@CREATiVESPORTS.com