CBRACKE
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Getting in on a player’s hot streak can make a big difference on where you find yourself in your league standings. The following players have heated up recently and may have justified a spot on your roster (assuming they’re free agents in your league), and quite possibly your lineup.
Clint Barmes, SS/2b, Rockies
In Spring Training the battle for the starting second base job was between Jayson Nix, Jeff Baker, and possibly Ian Stewart. There was no mention of former star shortstop Clint Barmes, who was seemingly left for dead by most fantasy owners and a handful of people within the Rockies organization. Barmes’ recent performance has turned that battle upside down and put him in a position to be the starter–something he’s been in three straight games this week. Over the last seven days, he’s gone 12-for-27 with one homer, three runs, eight RBI, and one stolen base further staking his claim on regular at bats in the Rockies lineup. That should be enough to earn him a spot on fantasy rosters even in deep mixed leagues.
Chris Duncan, OF, Cardinals
As I alluded to in my Ryan Ludwick post, the Cardinals weren’t supposed to be very good this season, but through 17 games they are tied for the league lead with 12 victories. After going just three for his first 16 this season, Chris Duncan has been absolutely raking since, to the tune of nine for his last 20 during which he’s clubbed two homers, scored six runs, and driven in five runs. Unlike Ludwick and Skip Schumaker, he’s not in a battle for at bats and while he used to be benched against lefties, that may happen far less frequently if he continues to beat the cover off the ball. He’s hitting just ahead of Albert Pujols in many games and that is just another reason to expect the best from him, and to find space for him on your fantasy roster.
Cliff Lee, SP, Indians
Indians hurler Cliff Lee is probably owned in all leagues by now, but there have to be many questions regarding whether or not he can sustain his early season success. Last year’s abdominal strain along with his rising flyball rate were the main reasons why his overall numbers have slid significantly since his breakout 18-win season back in 2005. He’s never going to rival teammate Fausto Carmona in terms of groundball rate, but he’s made significant improvement in that department and pitched remarkably better through three starts–posting a 3-0 record, 0.40 ERA, 0.44 WHIP, and 20:2 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 22.2 innings. His numbers are clearly on the rise with the only word of caution being that his starts have come against the Athletics (twice) and Twins, so he will still face far stiffer tests in terms of offenses. That’s not meant to discount the obvious progress he has made, just meant to warn you before you sell the farm to acquire one of the young season’s best pitching stories so far.
PHOTO COURTESY OF: Indians Confidential
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