Oh hey, it’s your favorite Monday fantasy column. We doin’ player notes first? You bet we are: Wil “Tropic Thunder” Myers has finally been activated. Expectations might be too high at this point but he has legit home run power. The only risk is that he may hit .240 while doing it. Zach Britton could see his first action of the year tonight, filling in for the injured Jason Hammel. Zack Wheeler will debut tomorrow. I love the way Gerrit Cole attacks the strike zone, he doesn’t really have a third pitch but his fastball is consistently 96+ and has good movement. Watch him pitch if you get the chance. Mike Zunino hit his first home run over the weekend. I’m wondering if Drew Smyly is an option to close in Detroit. Grab Julio Teheran if he’s still available. Ian Kinsler was activated on Saturday without a heads up. I’m not sure how the Texas infield is going to look when Mitch Moreland returns later this week. The Angels offense is heating up. The old Tim Lincecum isn’t coming back and I have no idea why the Rockies don’t play Tyler Colvin more. Here’s what else I saw in fantasy baseball yesterday. All ownership percentages are from Yahoo! (I’m on West Coast time for Comments)
Struggling Stars:
Jason Heyward (93%): 0-3, BB. Heyward is turning his season around, batting .265 with 17 Rs and 3 Hrs in the last month. He’s been batting at the top of the order which cuts into his RBIs but as long as he’s hitting then I can live with that. Even with this turnaround it may take more from Heyward to earn back the trust that made him a fringe first-round pick. We can still probably pry him away from his owner at a discount for another few weeks but the window is closing. Panic Meter: Back In Business
Yovani Gallardo (87%): DNP. Signs of life from Gallardo who, after surrendering 3 or more runs in 7 straight starts, hasn’t given up a run in his last 14 innings. He still isn’t striking out 9 a game like he used to, but he’s too talented to be bad all season. His contract takes him through next season so the Brewers may try to deal him by the deadline. Panic Meter: Improving
Chase Headley (82%): 0-3, R, BB. It hasn’t gotten better for Headley, it’s only gotten worse. In the last 30 days he’s batting .155 with 2 Hrs, 28 Ks, and 12 BBs. Is his next contract messing with his head? Pundits remain optimistic that he’ll turn it around since he’s been a second-half player most of his career. If you have an open spot on your roster then you should make the same assumption and carry him, but all hope is not lost for a trade. About three weeks ago I was able to swap Headley for Zack Greinke who is having struggles of his own. Headley is losing value everyday but there’s a good chance somebody in your league would still trade for him. Panic Meter: It Can’t Get Much Worse
Waiver Help:
Matt Joyce (55%): 1-4, R, BB. If you grabbed Joyce after last Monday’s column he rewarded you with 6 Rs, 4 Hrs, 5 RBIs and a .387 average. He’s been on fire the last month and with Wil Myers coming on board the Rays offense will get another shot in the arm. That’s probably the wrong choice of words.
Adam Lind (47%): 3-5, HR, 3 RBI. Lind has been crushing the ball with 18 Rs, 5 HR, 16 RBI, and a .398 average over the last 30 days, earning him a 37th overall ranking. If your offense needs a boost this week he’s a great quick fix.
Chris Tillman (42%): DNP. After shutting down the Red Sox on Friday, Tillman now has 9 quality starts in his last 11 starts. He has a tough matchup this week against Detroit but he’s earned a roster spot.
Anthony Rendon (29%): 3-4. Rendon has been making the most of his second opportunity, batting 16-36 (.444) with 6 doubles and 1 HR. With Stephen Strasburg back and Bryce Harper looming, I expect the Nationals to start playing their best ball soon. Rendon has as much upside as anybody and is available on a waiver wire near you.
Miguel Gonzalez (17%): W, 6.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 K, 2 BB. Gonzalez isn’t flashy but he’s been solid, ranked 92nd overall in the last 30 days with 3 Wins, 32 Ks, and 3.00 ERA over 39 innings. My second Orioles pitcher to appear on here, I think they make another strong run during the second half.
Craig Breslow (0%): DNP. Breslow got a late start on the year because of a shoulder injury but he’s been almost unhittable since coming back to the Red Sox bullpen, carrying a 1.96 ERA in 19 appearances. Those of you in leagues that count Holds should scoop him up.
The Young Guns:
Erasmo Ramirez (4%): Thanks to reader Vikinggjh for pointing out Ramirez last week. After sitting out most of the year with a triceps injury, Ramirez has been dominant in his last two starts, spinning 15 scoreless innings with 14 strikeouts. It’s just a matter of time before the Mariners replace Aaron Harang or Jeremy Bonderman in the rotation and Ramirez may have leapfrogged the other prospects. I speculated late July but I’m moving that up to within two weeks.
Xander Bogaerts (2%): Bogaerts was finally promoted to Triple-A and he’s started off well going 3-14 with 1 HR and a SB. The Red Sox have gotten a little injury bug with Mike Napoli returning to Boston for more tests and Mike Carp having to leave the game on Sunday. Jose Iglesias is providing enough depth for now but at some point they will have to upgrade their offense at short and Bogaerts is the answer. Nothing imminent but don’t fall asleep here.
Gary Sanchez (0%): Sanchez is considered the top Yankees prospect and might be a better player than Mariners’ phenom Mike Zunino. I can’t figure out why he hasn’t been promoted to Double-A yet but he could be the Yankees’ starting catcher by next year.
The Walking Wounded:
Mitch Moreland is starting a rehab assignment today.
J.J. Putz is starting a rehab assignment today.
Jose Reyes might begin a rehab assignment today.
Chris Perez could be back Tuesday or Wednesday.
Aaron Hill could return this weekend.
Bryce Harper is hoping to begin a rehab assignment at the end of the week.
Brian Roberts could begin a rehab assignment next Monday.
Chase Utley could return later next week.
Brandon Beachy needs some rest but could be back in the bigs within two weeks.
Eric Chavez could start a rehab assignment later this month.
Colby Lewis hopes to return in July.
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