CBRACKE
Loading ...
Fantasy owners need to know if recently recalled players can help them during the stretch run and they need to act fast when they determine a player is a worthwhile addition to their roster. The following are a couple recent call-ups and my take on what they offer, or fail to offer fantasy owners during their stay in the majors. I’m not going to discuss Clayton Kershaw again, because this is the second time he has been recalled this season and despite a rough effort in his first start in his recent recall, his future potential is obvious to all.
Jeff Samardzija, RP, Cubs
The craziest thing about the former Notre Dame football star is he has seemed to pitch more effectively at each level of his climb to the major leagues. After going 3-5 with a 4.86 ERA and 1.49 WHIP in 76 Double-A innings, he spun a 4-1 record with a 3.13 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 37.3 innings at Triple-A Iowa. His first major league outing was a mixed bag, as he gave up two hits and one run to the Marlins in two innings of work. On the bright side he struck out two, throwing 23 of his 31 pitches for strikes. His future is still bright, but much of that potential is unlikely to be realized this season.
Josh Fields, 3b, White Sox
I have been looking to pick him up in a couple of my fantasy leagues, but I have a bevy of options at third and corner infield that effectively leave me without a spot to stash him. Fields 23 dingers in 373 major league at bats in 2007 suggest we already know he is capable of producing at a big league level. That said, he’s cut from the same mold as Adam Dunn, in that his batting average will continue to be detrimental to your team. He was called up to replace Joe Crede, who has a lengthy history of back problems and, you guessed it, is on the shelf with another back problem. Team officials are indicating that Crede’s stay on the disabled list may be long, as if you needed someone to point that out to you, so Fields could help fantasy owners in the power department over the last few months of the season.
Mitch Maier, OF, Royals
Maier was called up to replace the injured Mark Teahen, but is expected to play no more than a couple times a week. Considering he was hitting .316 with nine homers, 57 runs, 41 RBI, and 12 stolen bases in 345 at bats at Triple-A Omaha, it would be quite interesting to see how he produced if given the opportunity to play regularly. Fantasy owners in AL-only leagues should keep him on their radar and make a move to claim him if it looks like he’s earning more at bats than originally anticipated.
Clayton Richard, SP, White Sox
Richard got a chance to start in Jose Contreras’ absence rather than Nick Masset as originally reported. Richard was 12-6 with a 2.44 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 19 starts this season for Triple-A Charlotte and Double-A Birmingham prior to his recall. That included a 6-0 record at Charlotte. Despite scattering seven hits and a walk, he struck out seven in his four inning debut against the Rangers, justifying his place among the strongest pitching prospects at Triple-A. He tossed 50 of his 85 pitches for strikes and impressed White Sox brass enough to earn a second start this week against the Twins. At this point
he should remain on the radar of fantasy owners, but he still seems like a longshot to earn an extended stay in the rotation.
Photo courtesy of MLB.com
No Comments so far
Leave a comment
Leave a comment
Line and paragraph breaks automatic, e-mail address never displayed, HTML allowed:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>