Since returning from the 15 day disabled list (strained shoulder) Friday against St. Louis, Scott Rolen is on fire. It’s time to pick up the veteran third baseman before it’s too late.
Analysis: Just three games into his return Scott Rolen has seven hits, a double, a triple, two RBI and two runs scored. Rolen has went from being available in about forty percent of fantasy leagues to over eight percent while on the disabled list. At the very worst Rolen adds depth at third or the corner infield slot for your fantasy squad. When healthy he is a must own especially when considering he hits behind Brandon Phillips, Joey Votto and Jay Bruce and oh yeah… Great American Ballpark is a hitter’s paradise. Rolen’s walk rate is way down this year but that isn’t the worst thing in terms of fantasy roto leagues. His strikeout rate is similar to his last two years and his BABIP is right on track for another .270 batting average season. Third base has been the biggest disappointment from a fantasy perspective this year- A-Rod, Youkilis(multi-position), A-Ram, Reynolds with Zimmerman and Longoria missing significant time. Pick up Rolen and roll with him for depth at least until he goes back on the disbaled list at some point.
Projection: Still expect around fifteen homers by season’s end but his fantasy strength is his RBI numbers.