Author: TJ Streett

Kazmir To DL, E-Jax/Burnett Going Fast

The Angels placed Scott Kazmir on the 15 day disabled list earlier today with “tightness in the lower back.” This shouldn’t come as a surprise, Kazmir hasn’t put together a solid season since 2008 with Tampa.

Analysis: I wouldn’t consider outright dumping Scott Kazmir at this point, just put him on the disabled list and pick up a red hot pitcher off the wire. A few days ago I mentioned picking up Edwin Jackson and after his last outing with 13 strikeouts he going fast in every format. He already has a sub 2.00 ERA with 20 K’s and two wins in two starts. But there are two sides of Edwin Jackson, good E-Jax(2009) and bad E-Jax(2007) and it appears good E-Jax is with us right now. He’s throwing his slider more than ever this year but the biggest difference is with his command as he has only walked five batters in two starts, that’s pretty good for Jackson. Jackson’s ERA will come back up into the 3.8-4.1 range especially pitching in hitter’s paradise US Cellular Field but if his command is on point then his strikeouts, wins and WHIP will be the numbers that will help you the most in roto leagues. The other hot option isn’t necessarily a good one. AJ Burnett is pitching well for the Yanks but you cannot trust a guy who on any given night can give up seven earned runs. If he’s available on the wire you have to consider picking him up and packaging him in a trade. The only thing you can trust with AJ will be the win total he has by seasons end.

Nishioka To DL, Espinosa An Option

Slap hitting middle infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka will be going to the disabled list with a broken left fibula.

Analysis: Nishioka’s best assest was his legs and most experts thought he was good for twenty or so stolen bases this year. He is also capable of posting about a .280 batting average and there aren’t many second basemen on the wire who are a lock to hit .280. In deep leagues you certainly have to take a look at Washington second baseman Danny Espinosa. Over the last two years in the minors Espinosa has hit 40 bombs with 54 stolen bases. Espinosa probably won’t be hitting in the .280 range but I don’t expect to see his batting average dip below the .250-.260 mark. He really is a power/speed threat and only being owned in less than ten percent of fantasy leagues is certainly an added bonus. Espinosa already has six hits in six games with two doubles, two runs and two RBI. If you’re worried about a loss in long term batting average before Nishioka returns you may want to consider Orlando Cabrera. Cabrera is a lifetime .274 hitter with double digit steal potential even in his late thirties. And if you absolutely need to have a secure batting average going forward then it’s time to pick up Freddy Sanchez who is going fast in most standard leagues. Sanchez is a career .299 hitter but he doesn’t have the speed.

Ubaldo Jimenez To DL, Who To Pick Up?

The Rockies have placed fireballer Ubaldo Jimenez on the 15-day disabled list because of a cracked thumb cuticle on his pitching hand. This leaves many options so early in the season on who to pick up, here are some answers for you.

Analysis: Kevin Correia of the Pirates now has two wins in two starts. Correia has pitched 13 innings allowing just two earned runs. In deep, deep leagues the right hander is a solid choice as he is owned in less than one percent of fantasy leagues. Edwin Jackson of the ChiSox is another widely available interesting option. E-Jax threw six innings of two run ball while striking out seven batters last Saturday against the Indians. Jackson is due to start Thurdsay against a struggling Rays team, look to take advantage. Another deep league option is Clayton Richard of San Diego. Richard’s next start is in PETCO against the Dodgers on Friday night. Richard may have the best season of all the pitchers mentioned here thus far just because of where he plays. Richard had a 3.75  ERA last year with 14 wins but he still doesn’t get any love. Look for Richard to be a consistent presence in the Padres rotation as they will again try to push the action in the NL West. Obviously, if it’s not too late to pick up Kyle Drabek then pick him up. For more information on Drabek just scroll down the page. Drabek possesses the most upside with the nastiest stuff of all these guys next to Edwin Jackson’s slider.

Brandon Belt and Adam Dunn

Adam Dunn will be out at least a week after undergoing an appendectomy Tuesday night.

Analysis: If you are in a daily lineup situation and you don’t have the depth at first base that you’d like you have then you have consider the rookie who is the hot commodity right now, Brandon Belt. Belt ripped through the minors last year hitting 23 bombs, stealing 22 bags between High A ball and Triple A. His walk rates are solid as he is a very disciplined hitter. Belt already has a homer, a steal and four walks in five games this season and as long as he has a starting job he has great speed numbers to offer as a fantasy first baseman. Belt may go on a cold streak longer than his current 0-11 streak but he’s a good fit right now for the injured Dunn and he offers some potentially solid numbers as the season moves forward. Belt has reached base three times during his 0-11 streak so even if his bat is cold his eyes are sharp and patient.

Projection: The ChiSox list Dunn as being out for five days but I’m not buying it. Dunn will be out at least a week if not two so you’ll need a servicable replacement if one isn’t already on your roster. Brandon Belt isn’t going to hit 30 homers but he’ll produce in all five categories if he continues to start.

Jordan Walden Earns First Save Of 2011

The Angels have changed closers just five games into the regular season and the hard throwing Jordan Walden is now Mike Scioscia’s ninth inning guy.

Analysis: Former Angels closer, Fernando Rodney, pitched in just two games this year but Scioscia had hinted Rodney’s delivery just isn’t consistent. Rodney has allowed two earned runs in 1.1 innings pitched this year but the big number is allowing four walks to four outs. This may be a Brad Lidge delivery/confidence issue and it may be resolved by seasons end but his job may not be there for him when he turns it around. Jordan Walden is the real deal, a typical two pitch closer. His fastball tops out a 100 MPH but it settles in the high 90s while his slider ranges in the mid 80s. Walden isn’t a lights out Billy Wagner kind of closer where he’ll average 10 K’s per 9 IP but he should stikeout out about eight batters per nine innings pitched. One of the best things Walden does is limiting the big inning, he rarely gave up homers in the minors.

Projection: For now it appears Walden is somewhat secure in the closer’s role with the Angels and he should rank among the top 25 closers in the game going forward. If you have Fernando Rodney or a lesser tier closer then Jordan Walden is a must pick up and will put up better numbers than Rodney should have this year.