Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
Welcome once again to this weeks' edition of BTWL. There are a lot of changes looking at the top 5 added players in fantasy baseball. As always, let's get down to brass tax.
Top 5 Added:
1. Todd Helton (1B) Colorado Rockies - .343, 3 HR, 18 RBI, 14 R
Just when you think Todd Helton is done, he comes out and starts hitting again. He'll never hit you 30 homers again, but he'll hit for average and drive in runs. As long as he can stay healthy, he's a good guy to have on your team. He's the number 1 added player this week, but is still out there in nearly 60% of leagues.
2. Juan Pierre (OF) Los Angeles Dodgers - .426, 0 HR, 7 RBI, 9 R, 3 SB
Juan Pierre will be the starting left fielder for the next 50 games. He's not a stranger to playing every day so he can surely be a help to your team. He'll hit .300, score runs and steal bases. He's hit an even .500 since taking over for the suspended Ramirez. If you need to move up a few slots in steals, I say get him. He will not hurt you at all.
3. Scott Richmond (SP) Toronto Blue Jays - 4-1, 3.29 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 28 K
I mentioned Scott Richmond in an article this week and I'll tell you right now to go and pick him up. He's looked impressive so far this season. He's a rookie, so he may hit a rough patch, but I needed starting pitching, so I grabbed him last week. He's owned in only 36.8% of leagues, so he's most likely out there unless in an AL only or very deep MLB league. Everyone needs pitching, so take a chance on him. His next start is against the Yankees, so you might want to hold on until after that start.
4. Michael Bourne(OF) Houston Astros - .287, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 20 R, 10 SB
Just like Pierre, Bourne will help you out with stolen bases and runs scored. I am a bit surprised of his .286 average so far, but he's a big boost in the steals category if he can continue to get on base. Of course, if you've already punted the category, than who cares. I don't think he's a long term solution as his average is sure to drop.
5. Russell Branyan (1B, 3B) Seattle Mariners - .289, 7 HR, 15 RBI, 19 R, 1 SB
Branyan has slowed down a bit this past week, but does already have 7 homers. I've written about him each of the past three weeks, so he should be no surprise to you now. It's funny how people are staying away from him. His .289 average will drop as he's hit on .182 over the past week. You can still pick him up in 50% of leagues. He may not help in average, but neither does Adam Dunn. If his playing time continues, he's bound for 30 home runs. I'll take that any day.
Top 5 Dropped:
1. Dexter Fowler (OF) Colorado Rockies - .258, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 14 R, 9 SB
Fowler has been ice cold this past week as he's been dropped in 15% of leagues and is now owned in only 30%. He's only 2 for his last 14 and is starting to lose playing time. I will be honest and say that I kind of fell for him. I thought he may be a Willy Tavares with a better bat, but I am wrong. Stay away from him unless you're desperate.
2. Kyle Lohse (SP) St. Louis Cardinals - 3-2, 4.25 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 27 K
Lohse has been hampered by a sore back which may have contributed to his poor performance last time out. He allowed 7 earned runs in 6 innings and is going to be skipped the next time around. He has a history of being inconsistent, but keep an eye on him. He's pitched well in St. Louis and could be right back on track with a little rest. Despite being dropped in 14.2% of leagues, he's still owned in nearly 70%.
3. Phil Hughes (SP) New York Yankees - 1-2, 8.49 ERA, 2.14 WHIP, 8 K
After an impressive first start, he's been god awful his last two times out. He's allowed 11 earned runs in his last 5.2 innings. His last start he lasted just 1.2 innings. Ouch. Yankees fans around the country were talking about moving Joba back to the bullpen after Hughes' first start. I guess they can put that on the back burner now. He has good potential, but that does nothing in fantasy baseball. Stay away, far away for now.
4. Emilio Bonifacio (2B, 3B) Florida Marlins - .250, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 20 R, 6 SB
We get so many things wrong in fantasy sports, so it's OK if I gloat for second. I've been warning you to trade Bonifacio for weeks now, so hopefully you have. Can you say Tuffy Rhodes? Well, he may not be that bad, but he doesn't have a place on any fantasy baseball team right now. In the last month, he's 19 for his last 108. Ouch, that's a .176 average with a disgusting .194 slugging percentage. Need I say more.
5. Andy Pettitte (SP) New York Yankees - 2-1, 4.38 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 23 K
Andy Pettite is still a very serviceable major league and fantasy pitcher. He will get you wins, but his ERA will hover around 4.00. He has given up 5 earned runs in each of his last two outings, so that doesn't bode well. If you absolutely need pitching, it might be a better idea to pick up a Scott Richmond instead of Andy. He does misremember a lot of things as the years go by.
Players who should be on your radar:
Alberto Callaspo has played his way into more playing time in Kansas City. He has struggled this past week, but is still hitting .340 overall. He may be a play for very deep leagues or AL only leagues, but he is eligible at both 2B & SS. I can't imagine that people don't know about Denard Span, but he's only owned in 44.2% of leagues. Now that home runs are down around the league, there is more room for players with more speed. I usually punt on stolen bases, but if it's one of your key categories go right after him. Mark Teahen can't hit for power, but is having a nice start to the 09' season. He's hitting .302, 4 HR, 13 RBI & 18 R. He's also eligible at 1B, 3B and OF. For someone who likes multi-positional eligibility, like me, than he's not a bad bench guy to have. He's also only owned in 22% of leagues. If you'd like to vulture a few saves from owners with Brad Zielger, you might want to pick up Andy Bailey. It doesn't look like Ziegler is healthy yet, so the A's have handed the 9th to Bailey. He has picked up 2 saves this past week. I still can't believe Christian Guzman is only owned in 35% of leagues. He's a light hitting shortstop, but he's still a good hitter at a position that isn't the deepest. He's been on fire since returning from the DL, and is hitting. 378 on the season. If you need someone at the position, I would easily suggest grabbing him.
(Coming Friday: Frozen Ropes by Jim Ingram and Chin Music by Chad Garner)
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