Category: MLB

Deep League Help- Blanton

Joe Blanton may have a 5.07 ERA but that does not mean he hasn’t been playing well recently or that he can’t contribute in deeper leagues.

Analysis: Blanton’s ERA at the end of May was 5.94 but in the month of June he posted a 3.44 ERA. In fact, Blanton has allowed more than three runs in just one of his last seven starts. He’s finally on track and his June numbers certainly show that. There aren’t many times when a case can be made for a pitcher with a 2-10 record but he can help in deeper leagues. Blanton’s walk rate is the 12th lowest in baseball and his 3.65 xFIP is 34th. His 81 strikeouts rank 43rd in baseball and his 4.50 K/BB rate is 15th and ahead of guys like Stephen Strasburg and Matt Cain.

I’m not saying Joe Blanton is a dominant ace but the guy has been unlucky this year- he’s 10th in ERA minus FIP. Expect an ERA around the 4.10 mark going forward to go along with his low walk rate and respectable strikeouts numbers. Blanton is available in 85-97% of fantasy leagues.

Stock Rising- Werth

Jayson Werth has played well over the last few weeks as his fantasy stock continues to rise.

Analysis: We know Jayson Werth was never going to live up to that $126 million contract but at least he is starting to hit again. Werth has 11 hits in his last eight games including 5 extra base hits. He also has 8 runs, 7 RBI and 1 home run on his current eight game hot streak. His batting average is back around his career average but his speed numbers do not appear to be returning any time soon. Werth stole 19 bags in 2011 and 8 bags last year in just 81 games. This year Werth has 2 stolen bases in 51 games played. Even when healthy the thirty-four year old is no longer a five-cat stud but he still has a place in the fantasy world.

Werth is hitting either second or fifth in the Washington batting order which is a great place to be with a healthy Ryan Zimmerman and Bryce Harper. With this in mind his run and RBI totals should be solid going forward as his stock continues to rise. At the moment Werth is available in 15-35% of fantasy leagues.

Last Call On Rickie Weeks

Rickie Weeks is one of the hottest players in baseball right now after an abysmal first few months.

Analysis: Rickie Weeks is hitting .429 with 5 home runs, 9 RBI and 10 runs in the month of June. He has hit safely in ten of his last eleven games… he is simply on fire right now. He’s the 9th rated roto second baseman over the last month and in that span he has raised his batting average .056 points. We all know how inconsistent he can be but the man has averaged 23 home runs, 12 stolen bases and 91 runs over the last three years… so give Rickie some credit. His batting average has always been suspect but he is hitting .256 over the last three years which is a great improvement over his first few years in the bigs.

The thirty year old is currently available in 30-60% of fantasy leagues nationwide despite a lengthy hot streak. We have to remember that Weeks was hitting just .183 at the end of May with 3 home runs, now he’s hitting .235 with 8 bombs and we aren’t even out of June yet. He’s already back into the top twenty among fantasy second baseman and like always the numbers will be there for you by the end of the year.

Shane Victorino Still Available

Shane Victorino is still available in a few leagues out there despite a long history of producing.

Analysis: Victorino has played in just 47 games this year but he’s hitting .291 with 8 stolen bases, 28 runs and 3 bombs. He’s the 60th rated roto outfielder this year despite missing 30 games. Over the last two weeks Victorino is the 16th best fantasy outfielder which takes us directly to the point- why isn’t he universally owned? He’s available in 12-17% of fantasy leagues yet Colby Rasmus and Kyle Blanks are getting all the attention on the wire.

What is not to like? He’s hitting in the two-spot in the BoSox lineup and the Sox are scoring runs in bunches. Victorino is a proven power/speed, five-cat outfielder but he isn’t being hyped any longer… perhaps it has to do with all the rookies breaking out or his age. Regardless, if he’s available he is worth a serious look. I don’t see second baseman Jose Altuve outperforming Shane by much going forward and Altuve is considered an absolute stud.

Whether it’s post hype or just plain fantasy negligence Shane Victorino is being lost in the mix.

Under The Radar- Venable

Will Venable has been a top fifty fantasy outfielder thus far this year yet he continues to fly under the radar.

Analysis: Venable’s line this year looks like this- 10 HR, 9 SB, 26 R, 26 RBI, .228 BA. Yes, his average is not up to par with his career .251 mark but his BABIP this year is .050 points below his career average. As far as power/speed combos go only eight other players in baseball this year have at least 10 home runs and 9 stolen bases. With his numbers it is shocking to see him available in 85-97% of fantasy leagues considering he is on pace for a 20/20 season.

Venable is currently outproducing Vernon Wells, Melky Cabrera, Josh Hamilton, Ichiro and Denard Span in roto leagues. Despite his production he continues to be passed on and looked over in the fantasy world. He is on pace for a career year in terms of home runs but his steals and runs are reliable while his batting average will pick up going forward. There aren’t many power/speed guys like this available on the wire but because he plays for the Padres he will continue to fly under the radar.