Posts Tagged ‘Jake Arrieta’

2010 Two Start Pitchers – Week 14

Posted by Todd Lammi on July 3rd, 2010

Here is a complete look at the fantasy baseball two-start pitchers for week 14. Obviously the top tier pitchers are going to be left in your line up, but here is a look at some of the more border line pitchers for mixed league starts and who they face in those starts.

Two-start pitchers week 14: remember again that the list below is more focused on mixed leagues since in AL or NL only leagues in most cases you do not have the option to rotate too many starting pitchers with the smaller player pool. The pitchers below are listed in alphabetical order by team name per category.

American League:

Start them:

Jake Peavy (CHW) ~ LAA (Weaver), KC (Bannister)
Jered Weaver (LAA) ~ @CWS (Peavy), @OAK (Sheets)
CC Sabathia (NYY) ~ @OAK (Cahill), @SEA (Bedard)
Felix Hernandez (SEA) ~ KC (Bannister), NYY (Vazquez)
Jeff Niemann (TB) ~ BOS (Buchholz), CLE (Masterson)
C.J. Wilson (TEX) ~ CLE (Masterson), BAL (Arrieta)

Roll the Dice:

Daisuke Matsuzaka (BOS) ~ @TB (Garza), @TOR (Litsch)
Gavin Floyd (CHW) ~ LAA (Kazmir), KC (Lerew)
Justin Masterson (CLE) ~ @TEX (Wilson), @TB (Niemann)
Kevin Slowey (MIN) ~ @TOR (Litsch), @DET (Galarraga)
Javier Vazquez (NYY) ~ @OAK (Sheets), @SEA (Hernandez)
Ben Sheets (OAK) ~ NYY (Vazquez), LAA (Weaver)
Matt Garza (TB) ~ BOS (Matsuzaka), CLE (Laffey)
Erik Bedard (SEA) ~ KC (Greinke), NYY (Sabathia)

Masterson has followed up a good start with a shelling over his last five starts. He allowed two runs in six innings in his lone start against Texas and he has yet to face Tampa Bay this season. Vazquez was lights out in June with a 3.23 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP with 35 strikeouts in 39 innings. Slowey has given up 5+ runs in three of his last four starts, but before that he had five consecutive starts of three runs allowed or less so he has run hot and cold this year. He allowed thee runs in five innings vs. Toronto this year and has a 3.09 ERA against Detroit in two starts this season. Disregard the overall numbers for Floyd and check out his last five starts in which he has allowed a total of only five runs in 33 2/3 innings. Bedard will be making his first appearance in the major leagues since July 25th last season. With two tough match ups and a likely pitch count limit, it depends how badly you need the wins and strikeouts whether you want to roll the dice on a pitcher that has been out of action for a year.

Sit Them:

Kevin Millwood (BAL) ~ @DET (Galarraga), @TEX (Beltre)
Jake Arrieta (BAL) ~ @DET (Oliver), @TEX (Wilson)
Armando Galarraga (DET) ~ BAL (Millwood), MIN (Slowey)
Brian Bannister (KC) ~ @SEA (Hernandez), @CWS (Peavy)
Aaron Laffey (KC) ~ @TEX (Beltre), @TB (Garza)
Scott Kazmir (LAA) ~ @CWS (Floyd), @OAK (Sheets)
Jesse Litsch (TOR) ~ MIN (Slowey), BOS (Matsuzaka)
Omar Beltre (TEX) ~ CLE (Laffey), BAL (Millwood)

Despite winning two of his last three starts, Millwood was not really impressive in any of them. His ERA which was in the mid three’s back in May is now at 5.40. The problems that plagued Arrieta in the minor leagues have manifested themselves in the major leagues as well as he has walked more hitters than he has struck out in five starts. Laffey just moved into the rotation recently and has made two starts but his past history as a starter in the major leagues offers no hope for future success. Kazmir had been on a roll, winning his first four starts in June before getting hammered in his last two, allowing five runs in each of them and failing to make it through five innings. Beltre was recently called up by the Rangers and will be on a pitch count making it hard for him to qualify for a win.

National League:

Start them:

Tom Gorzelanny (CHC) ~ @ARI (Kennedy), @LAD (Ely)
Carlos Silva (CHC) ~ @ARI (Enright), @LAD (Padilla)
Mike Pelfrey (NYM) ~ CIN (Harang), ATL (Lowe)
Roy Halladay (PHI) ~ ATL (Lowe), CIN (Harang)
Cole Hamels (PHI) ~ ATL (Jurrjens), CIN
Clayton Richard (SD) ~ @WAS (Martin), @COL (Francis)
Jonathan Sanchez (SF) ~ @MIL (Bush), @WAS (Stammen)

Roll the Dice:

Derek Lowe (ATL) ~ @PHI (Halladay), @NYM (Pelfrey)
Aaron Harang (CIN) ~ @NYM (Pelfrey), @PHI (Halladay)
Jeff Francis (COL) ~ STL (Suppan), SD (Richard)
Nate Robertson (FLA) ~ @LAD (Ely), @ARI (Kennedy)
Chris Volstad (FLA) ~ @LAD (Padilla), @ARI (Enright)
John Ely (LAD) ~ FLA (Robertson), CHC (Gorzelanny)
Vicente Padilla (LAD) ~ FLA (Volstad), CHC (Silva)
Randy Wolf (MIL) ~ SF (Bumgarner), PIT (Lincoln)
Dave Bush (MIL) ~ SF (Sanchez), PIT (Karstens)
Ian Kennedy (AZ) ~ CHC (Gorzelanny), FLA (Robertson)
Madison Bumgarner (SF) ~ @MIL (Wolf), @WAS (Martin)
J.D. Martin (WAS) ~ SD (Richard), SF (Bumgarner)

Toss out the seven runs that Lowe allowed on June 7th and his last start on June 29th was the first time he had allowed more than three runs since May 7th. Harang has allowed three runs or less in six of his last seven starts. He allowed three runs in 6 1/3 innings vs. Philadelphia earlier in the year and has yet to face the Mets this season. Francis had been pitching okay since returning to action, although he allowed eight runs in his last start to San Diego whom he faces in his second start next week, although this time it will be at home. Despite pitching reasonably well, wins have been hard to come by for Volstad as he has only won once since May 7th. He allowed two runs in each of his starts against the Dodgers and Diamondbacks earlier in the year. Despite being winless in six starts, Martin has not been that bad, thanks to only four walks allowed in 34 2/3 innings. He allowed on earned run in six innings in a start against San Diego back on May 29th. Bush has allowed three runs or less in five of his last six starts. He was a much different pitcher in June, posting a 3.41 ERA to go along with a 1.33 WHIP.

Sit Them:

Barry Enright (AZ) ~ CHC (Silva), FLA (Volstad)
Wandy Rodriguez (HOU) ~ PIT (Lincoln), STL (Suppan)
Brad Lincoln (PIT) ~ @HOU (Rodriguez), @MIL (Wolf)
Jeff Suppan (STL) ~ @COL (Francis), @HOU (Rodriguez)

After losing three straight games, Rodriguez has won two in a row as he cut down on his walks, allowing only one free pass in each of those starts. Lincoln tossed seven shutout innings against the Cubs in his last start, but with a 9 to 14 walk to strikeout ratio in 31 innings, it does not bode well for long term success.

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2010 Waiver Wire – Week 11

Posted by Todd Lammi on June 10th, 2010

Here is a look at some potential players to target in your fantasy baseball league that might be out there on the waiver wire in week 11.

American League only:

1B – Mike Carp – Carp was called up by the Seattle Mariners at the beginning of the week and has moved into the starting line up at first base as the Mariners look to add some juice to their offense. Carp was hitting .250 in Triple-A with 10 home runs and 31 RBI in 184 at bats before being recalled.

SS – Omar Vizquel – Vizquel has moved into the starting line up for the Chicago White Sox thanks to the injury to Mark Teahen. He should score a few runs and steal a couple of bases during his time as a full-time starter. He hit second Thursday night and delivered his first home run of the season.

SP – Jake Arrieta – I wrote about Arrieta earlier in the minor league report this week.  His control issues make him a risky play in a mixed league format, especially starting against American League East teams, but in an AL format, his strikeouts give him some value going forward.

OF – Ryan Raburn – with Magglio Ordonez sidelined with an oblique injury, Raburn could see some additional at bats over the next week or two. His numbers have been less than stellar this season with a .179 batting average and no home runs in 78 at bats, but he does have some thump in his bat.

National League only:

OF – Roger Bernadina - Bernadina seems to have found a home in right field for the Washington Nationals. He does not have any standout skills, but he has been quietly consistent since moving into a starting role. If you project his stats out over 500+ at bats, his line reads 10 home runs, 80 RBI and 20 stolen bases.

12 /15 mixed league:

OF – Jose Tabata – with so few stolen base options available on the waiver wire at this time of the season, a player that gets called up from the minor leagues with speed immediately becomes a top target for free agent budgets. Hitting lead off in Pittsburgh, Tabata should be able to score a decent amount of runs and could steal 15-20 bases over the course of the remainder of the season.

OF – Mike Stanton – after tearing up Double-A pitching Stanton debuted in the Florida Marlins line up this week, hitting seventh and playing in right field. Definitely worth picking up if you need home runs and can support what is to be an expected lower batting average with his propensity for striking out.

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The Minor League Report – Week 10

Posted by Todd Lammi on June 9th, 2010

For fantasy baseball owners that have been holding onto minor league players on their reserve in order to get a mid-season boost to their teams, their patience is about to pay off. This week marked the debut of Stephen Strasburg and Mike Stanton on Tuesday with Brad Lincoln and Jose Tabata getting called up today by Pittsburgh and pitcher Jake Arrieta expected to arrive tomorrow to start against the New York Yankees.

Lincoln was 6-2 with a 3.16 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP in 68 1/3 innings with 55 strikeouts. It has been a long journey to the major leagues for Lincoln who was the fourth overall pick in the 2006 draft and then missed the entire 2007 season following Tommy John surgery in April of that year. Lincoln got the start against Cincinnati on Wednesday night and allowed five runs on six innings with three strikeouts.

Jose Tabata was also promoted today and started in left field and hit lead off for Pittsburgh, going 2-for-4 with a stolen base. Tabata was hitting .308 in 224 at bats with three home runs, 19 RBI and 25 stolen bases. He has already stolen more bases so far this year than in any other season in the minor leagues with a high of 22 occurring back in 2005. He show far has not shown the ability to hit for power, but if your team is in need of stolen bases, he could be a good addition to your fantasy baseball team.

The one name missing from the list of Pittsburgh promotions was third basemen Pedro Alvarez. Alvarez started off slow in April and has been working to improve his plate discipline and performance against left-handed pitching. He was much better in May with a .294 batting average and six home runs and 30 RBI in 102 at bats. He is hitting .417 over his last 10 games and I would expect to see him promoted by the end of the month.

It looks like the Minnesota Twins might have a Denard Span clone in Double-A in the form of Ben Revere. Revere is hitting .303 with one home run, 16 RBI and 20 stolen bases in 208 at bats. A first round pick in 2007, Revere has hit over .300 at four different levels while stealing over 40 bases in both 2008 and 2009.

Outfielder Ryan Kalish was promoted to Triple-A by the Boston Red Sox after hitting .293 with eight home runs, 29 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 150 at bats. Even more impressive was his plate discipline with 28 walks against only 21 strikeouts at the age of 22.

Pitcher Michael Pineda of the Seattle Mariners is off to a great start in Double-A with a 2.10 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP in 64 1/3 innings with 70 strikeouts. He still has some work to do against left-handed hitters who are hitting .286 against him compared to right-handed batters hitting only .161 before he moves up to the next level.

Second basemen Reese Havens has New York Met fans dreaming about about an infield of David Wright, Jose Reyes, Havens and Ike Davis around the diamond in 2011. Havens, a first-round pick in the 2008 draft is hitting .344 since being promoted to Double-A with six home runs and 12 RBI in 61 at bats.

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2010 Lineup Planner – Week 10

Posted by Todd Lammi on June 6th, 2010

Here is a look at the latest news and notes from around the diamond to help you set your fantasy baseball lineup for week 10.

American League:

The Detroit Tigers called up Danny Worth and sent down Adam Everett, so if you still have Worth reserved in an AL only format from earlier in the year, he should see time over Ramon Santiago at shortstop next week. Worth was hitting .287 in Triple-A with two home runs, 18 RBI and 12 stolen bases.

Orlando Hudson, out of action since May 30th is expected to go on the disabled list sometime in the next few days. Also at risk to go on the disabled list is shortstop J.J. Hardy who was out of action just a short time ago and is still experiencing pain in his wrist. It was not a pretty sight to see the Minnesota infield on Sunday with a combination of Brendan Harris at first base, Matt Tolbert at second base, Nick Punto at shortstop and Danny Valencia at third base, with all four hitters batting under .225.

Doug Fister is headed to the disabled list for the Seattle Mariners and will be replaced in the rotation by either recently recalled Luke French or by Ryan Rowland-Smith.

Minor league pitcher Jake Arrieta was scratched from his start on Saturday and could be headed to the major leagues in either a starter or relief role. If your league allows for daily transactions, I would watch the news on him closely this week as he could have in impact if he gets some starts. I wrote more about him in the minor league report earlier this week.

With Macier Izturis hobbled by a sore knee, Kevin Frandsen could see some additional at bats at third base this week for the Los Angeles Angels. Frandsen is hitting .452 in 31 at bats in a limited role so far in 2010.

National League:

The big news in the National League is the arrival of two rookies on Tuesday with Stephen Strasburg arriving for the Washington Nationals and Mike Stanton coming up for the Florida Marlins. Strasburg is a two-start starter in week 10 which makes him obviously a player to activate. Stanton should move right into the starting line up and hit seventh. Stanton is still a major risk to your fantasy baseball team’s batting average with his high strikeout rate, but if your team needs home runs and RBI, then I would have him active for this week.

Third basemen David Freese of the St. Louis Cardinals is likely out of action until next weekend in order to rest his ankle. He did get one at bat on Sunday in a pinch-hit appearance and could fill that role for half of next week.

Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves is expected to miss the first game or two and possibly more next week as he continues to battle an injured finger which means Omar Infante will see additional time in week 10.

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The Minor League Report – Week 2

Posted by Todd Lammi on April 19th, 2010

We have seen two minor league top prospects get promoted in the past week with Justin Maxwell getting recalled by the Washington Nationals and first basemen Ike Davis getting the call up from the New York Mets today and starting at first base. Davis went 2-for-4 in his major league debut with an RBI and should see the majority of starts at 1B until Daniel Murphy returns.

I have created a Minor League Tracker spreadsheet that shows all of the year-to-date stats for players that I highlighted in my team-by-team Triple-A minor league reports so you can easily keep an eye on possible players to target on the waiver wire in future weeks.

Here is a look at some of the top hitters and pitchers through week 2 in Triple-A. I have color coded them green (good start) and red (bad start) so you can quickly glance through to get an update on how your player may be doing.

Hitters:

Catcher Carlos Santana (Clev.) looks like he is ready now, although I am sure the Indians will hold off on promoting him for awhile. Santana is hitting .375 with four home runs and 14 RBI.

First basemen Brett Wallace (Tor.) is off to a good start hitting .289 with four home runs and five RBI. With Lyle Overbay hitting only .115, Wallace may not be that far away from making an impact.

First basemen Justin Smoak (Tex.) has to be making Chris Davis owners a little nervous, as Smoak is hitting .342 with two home runs and five RBI, but more importantly 11 walks against only five strikeouts. Davis is currently hitting .222 with one RBI and is already being platooned with Ryan Garko so he might have another three weeks or so to turn it around or risk being sent down.

Third basemen Pedro Alvarez (Pitt.) has some work to do with his batting average but is showing power, with four home runs and 11 RBI. With Jeff Clement hitting .103 and Andy LaRoche hitting .222, it is only a matter of time before Alvarez appears.

Second basemen Eric Young Jr. (Col.) has gotten off to a slow start, hitting .083 with no RBI or stolen bases so far this year.

Third basemen Josh Bell (Balt.) has found Triple-A pitching difficult so far, hitting .186 with 15 strikeouts in 43 at bats.

Pitchers:

Jeremy Hellickson (Tampa) has been dealing in his three starts with a 1.42 ERA and a .79 WHIP, He has struck out 21 hitters in 19 innings. With Tampa Bay off to a great start and all of the pitchers throwing well, he won’t be up for awhile barring injury despite his talent.

Brad Mills (Tor.) racked up nine strikeouts in each of his first two starts, compiling a .79 ERA and .88 WHIP ratio.

Jake Arrieta (Balt.) in what seems like a long line of good young Baltimore pitching has started the year with 12 scoreless innings with seven strikeouts.

Something has to be wrong with Madison Bumgarner (SF). After his drop of velocity in spring combined with his first two starts at Triple-A, 21 hits allowed in seven innings and 11 earned runs, maybe he is hiding an injury.

Trevor Reckling (LAA) has been having some control problems leading to a 6.28 ERA and 1.95 WHIP. Reckling has walked 10 in 14 1/3 innings while allowing 18 hits.

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The Minor League Report – Baltimore Orioles Triple-A Roster

Posted by Todd Lammi on April 13th, 2010

Here is the minor league report for the 2010 Norfolk Tides, the Triple-A affiliate for the Baltimore Orioles.

The key name to note on the roster is third basemen Josh Bell. With Miguel Tejada signed to only a one year contract, Bell should be ready to assume the hot corner in Baltimore next season. Bell has a .289 minor league average with good power potential. He hit 20 home runs in Double-A last season at the age of 22. His strike zone discipline was not good his first few years in the minor leagues but it has gradually gotten better as he has moved up the ladder.

Another name to keep an eye on is starting pitcher Jake Arrieta. Pitching at two levels in 2009, Arrieta compiled a 3.40 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP and 8.8 strikeouts per nine innings. Since he made 17 starts in Triple-A last season, he should only spend half of 2010 in the minor leagues before he is promoted to the majors.

Brandon Snyder was the 13th overall pick of the 2005 draft and spent some time at catcher before being moved to first base. He has a .282 minor league batting avergae and hit 12 home runs between two levels last season in 463 at bats. The Orioles have a buyout option in 2011 on Garrett Atkins so Snyder should have a chance to compete for the starting job in spring.

Brandon Erbe started putting things together last season as he pitched at two levels producing a 2.70 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. It was quite an improvement from 2008 when he repeated High-A due to his lack of control, after walking 4.7 hitters per nine in 2007, 3.0 in ’08 and 3.8 in ’09.

How they rank:

Baseball America: Bell (2), Arrieta (4), Snyder (6), Erbe (7), Mickolio (8)
Keith Law: Bell (3), Arrieta (4), Snyder (5), Erbe (6)
John Sickels: Arrieta (2), Bell (4), Erbe (5), Snyder (6), Mickolio (10)

Here is a look at 2010 Norfolk Tides roster by position:

Catchers:

Adam Donachie
Steven Terud

Infielders:

1B Brandon Snyder
2B Justin Turner
SS Scott Moore
3B Josh Bell
Robert Andino
Michael Aubrey

Outfielders:

LF Lou Montanez
CF Joey Gathright
RF Rhyne Hughes
Jeff Salazar
Jonathan Tucker

Starting Pitchers:

Chris Tillman
Jake Arrieta
Troy Patton
Brandon Erbe
Alfredo Simon

Relief Pitchers:

Alberto Castillo
Chris George
Frank Mata
Kam Mickolio
Jim Miller
Andy Mitchell
Dennis Sarafate

Ross Wolf

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2010 Baltimore Orioles Team Preview

Posted by Todd Lammi on March 16th, 2010

This is the fifth part our series of 2010 fantasy baseball team previews looking at the American League East. The team previews will include the projected batting order, projected rotation, rookies that could make an impact in 2010 as well as each players current ADP for a 15 team mixed fantasy baseball league.

2010 Baltimore Orioles Projected Batting Order:

1.  2B Brian Roberts (ADP 47)
2.  CF Adam Jones (ADP 88)
3.  RF Nick Markakis (ADP 48)
4.  3B Miguel Tejada (ADP 133)
5.  C Matt Wieters (ADP 95 )
6.  1B Garrett Atkins (ADP 238)
7.  LF Nolan Reimold (ADP 196)
8.  DH Luke Scott (ADP 248)
9.  SS Caesar Izturis (ADP ND)

2010 Baltimore Orioles Projected Rotation & Bullpen:

1.  Jeremy Guthrie (ADP 343)
2.  Kevin Millwood (ADP 384)
3.  Brian Matusz (ADP 341)
4.  Brad Bergersen (ADP ND)
5.  Chris Tillman (ADP 416)

Closer – Mike Gonzalez (ADP 201)
Handcuff – Jim Johnson

2010 Baltimore Orioles Prospects with potential impact this year:

1.  Josh Bell – 3B
2.  Jake Arrieta – SP


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Minor League Report – week 11

Posted by Todd Lammi on June 21st, 2009

by Todd Lammi

Here is a review of the top pitchers in Triple-A that could potentially have an impact in major league baseball the second half of the season, but more importantly impact your fantasy baseball league standings.

Franklin Morales (Rockies) has strung together two good starts after an eight-run shellacking on June 11th. Morales has allowed two runs in his last 12 1/3 innings with seven strikeouts as he continues to rehab from a strained shoulder that sidelined him back in April.

Bud Norris (Astros) has a 2.11 ERA with 82 strikeouts in 81 innings. He is holding hitters to a .222 average with only five home runs surrendered on the season. The Astros are only 5.5 games out of first place despite running Brian Moehler, Russ Ortiz and Brandon Backe out every fifth day. If the Astros don’t call him up after the All-Star break once they are able to reset their pitching rotation, he would most likely be in Triple-A until after September first when rosters expand.

The Baltimore Orioles have a plethora of starters to choose from in Triple-A if they need any help. Chris Tillman currently has a 2.55 ERA with 67 strikeouts in 60 innings, while holding hitters to a .229 batting average. In his last three starts, he has a 4.24 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 17 innings.

Jake Arrieta was promoted to Triple-A and had an excellent first start with one run allowed in six innings and six strikeouts, but struggled in his second start. In start number two, Arrieta allowed five runs in 4 2/3 innings with seven strikeouts. On the season, Arrieta has a 2.97 ERA with 83 strikeouts in 69 2/3 innings.

Troy Patton allowed one run in six innings with one strikeout in his second start since being promoted to Triple-A. On the season, Patton has a 2.39 ERA with 50 strikeouts in 75 1/3 innings.

David Hernandez is back in Triple-A after a cup of coffee in the big leagues. He has not fared as well in his two starts back in the minor leagues, with a 6.30 ERA, despite fanning 15 in 10 innings.

Carlos Torres (White Sox) is a bit older for Triple-A at 26, but he is putting up numbers worthy of a call up. Torres has a 2.38 ERA in 72 innings with 78 strikeouts.

Wade Davis (Rays) has a 3.00 ERA with 65 strikeouts in 78 innings. It does not look like the Rays will have an opening in their rotation unless one of their current starters goes down with an injury. The Rays also have Scott Kazmir on the disabled list, so at this point Davis is their seventh best starter.

Brad Lincoln has been promoted to Triple-A by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Lincoln had a 2.28 ERA in Double-A with 65 strikeouts in 75 innings. With the Pirates not in the playoff race, he will most likely be called up September 1st when rosters expand.

Homer Baily (Reds) still has not been able to prove he is more than a Quadruple-A player; someone that is stuck between Triple-A and the major league level. He has turned it up a notch in his last four starts in Triple-A, allowing one run in 33 1/3 innings with 30 strikeouts. There doesn’t seem to be a spot in the Reds rotation for him with the way the other starters are pitching and Edison Volquez on the disabled list.

There is really nothing left for Clay Buchholz to do in Triple-A. Unfortunately for him, the Boston Red Sox rotation is stacked with the return of John Smoltz. The only way he appears before September 1st is if the Red Sox trade Brad Penny or one of the current starters get injured. Buchholz has a 1.90 ERA and is holding hitters to a .165 batting average. In 71 innings, he has struck out 65 hitters, while walking only 17. The one difference in regard to Buchholz compared to some of the other prospect pitchers in Triple-A is that Buchholz will turn 25 in August.

Michael Bowden (see Buchholz). Bowden is behind Buchholz in the Red Sox pecking order. He has gotten hit hard in two of his last four starts, allowing six runs twice. On the season, he has a 3.26 ERA with 43 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings.

J.D. Martin in 2002 was the #5 prospect in the Cleveland Indians farm system. Several years later, now at age 26, he is in Triple-A pitching for the Washington Nationals. Martin has a 2.35 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 65 innings while allowing only six walks! With Scott Olsen due to return from the disabled list, the Nationals will be sending one of their current starters to the bullpen or to Triple-A so Martin seems to be looking at a September call up in a best case scenario.

Trevor Bell (Angels) was recently promoted to Triple-A after going 4-3 with a 2.23 ERA in Double-A. Bell has not been scored upon in two starts in Triple-A while striking out eight. With the iffy health statuses of John Lackey and Ervin Santana, Bell might be an option the second half of the season.

Kevin Pucetas (Giants) has a 3.59 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 82 2/3 innings. He should be first in line if any of the current starters suffer an injury or Jonathan Sanchez gets traded.

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Minor League Report – week 10

Posted by Todd Lammi on June 13th, 2009

by Todd Lammi

Second basemen Sean Rodriguez was recalled by the Los Angeles Angels from Triple-A to replace Howie Kendrick who was demoted. Rodriguez was hitting .273 with 21 home runs, 60 RBI and six stolen bases.

First basemen Logan Morrison (Marlins), out since April 10 with a fractured wrist, returned to action this week.

Jake Arrieta (Orioles) was promoted to Triple-A and tossed six innings with one run allowed and six strikeouts. On the season, Arrieta has a 2.49 ERA with 76 strikeouts in 65 innings.

Tobi Stoner (Mets) was promoted to Triple-A after going 2-2 with a 2.68 ERA in Double-A. Stoner held hitters to a .170 average while striking out 28 in 47 innings.

The move to second bases is not affecting the offense of Alcides Escobar (Brewers) as he continues to excel at the plate. Escobar has hit .400 over his last 10 games with one home run, six RBI and four stolen bases.

Catcher Jason Castro (Astros) was recently promoted to Double-A after hitting .309 with seven home runs and 44 RI.

Outfielder Jordan Danks (White Sox) could be playing with brother John in the major leagues in 2010. Danks, currently in Double-A is batting .318 with six home runs, 32 RBI and eight steals between two levels.

Zach Stewart (Reds) has been even better since his promotion to Double-A, going 3-0 with a 0.62 ERA in five starts. For the season, Stewart has a 1.51 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 71 1/3 innings.

Travis Wood (Reds) is currently 6-3 in Double-A with a 1.11 ERA. Wood is holding opposing batters to an .181 average and has struck out 69 in 81 innings.

Third basemen Dayan Viciedo (White Sox) is slowly starting to turn his season around in Double-A. Viciedo is now hitting .277 on the season with four home runs and 37 RBI. After only three walks and 26 strikeouts in 116 at bats in May, Viciedo has three walks and three strikeouts in 45 at bats so far in June.

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Fantasy Baseball Minor League Report – week 6

Posted by Todd Lammi on May 16th, 2009

by Todd Lammi

The big news from the minor leagues this week was not the promotion of Tommy Hanson from Triple-A, but rather the promotion of his teammate Kris Medlen. Medlen will start for the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies and could see potentially three starts before Tom Glavine is ready to return to the rotation. Depending how Medlen fares, there is a chance once Glavine returns that Kenshin Kawakami, 2-5 with a 5.73 ERA, would be bumped from the rotation for Medlen if Medlen is able to carry over his performance from Triple-A.

Braves general manager Frank Wren admitted if there was a long term opening in the rotation, Hanson would have been the one that was tabbed for the call up. So for now, Medlen gets the first opportunity to crack the Braves rotation. Hanson started on Saturday and tossed seven scoreless innings with seven strikeouts.

The San Jose Giants promoted their top two pitchers as Madison Bumgarner and Tim Alderson were moved up to AA. Alderson pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings in his first start while striking out 10. In Bumgarner’s first start, he allowed one run in six innings with two strikeouts.

Outfielder Michael Taylor (Phillies) is hitting .308 in AA with six home runs and six stolen bases. The way the Philadelphia outfield is set, Taylor could be trade bait as the deadline approaches.

Jake Arrieta (Orioles) moved to 4-1 with seven shutout innings and 10 strikeouts on Saturday.

Trevor Reckling is moving quickly for the Los Angeles Angels, as he is now currently in AA. Reckling who turns 20 next week is 4-2 with a 1.01 ERA in 44 2/3 innings with 36 strikeouts between two levels.

Hector Rondon (Indians) is 5-1 with a 1.95 ERA in AA. Rondon has struck out 28 hitters in 32 1/3 innings.

Brad Lincoln (Pirates) is slowly working his way back to prospect status. After being selected 4th overall in the 2006 draft, Lincoln missed all of 2007 after having Tommy John surgery. He is currently 0-3 in AA with a 2.87 ERA. Lincoln has struck out 36 in 37 2/3 innings.

Also working his way back to form is Troy Patton (Orioles). Patton was acquired from the Houston Astros in the Miguel Tejada trade. After spending time with the Astros in 2007, Patton missed last season after shoulder surgery. Now down in AA, Patton is 3-1 with a 1.31 ERA, with 23 strikeouts in 34 1/3 innings.

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