Tag: Alberto Callaspo

Rolen To DL, What’s Next?

The Reds have placed third baseman Scott Rolen on the 15 day disabled list with a strained left shoulder.

Analysis: Scott Rolen hasn’t been the most productive fantasy player this year hitting just .217 with two home runs, however, he has scored 11 runs and driven in 12. In standard leagues it is a bit of a question on whether to drop Rolen but you cannot deny that the Reds’ lineup and ballpark boost Rolen’s value. In deeper leagues he is a must keep and a great buy low option being available in about fifty percent of fantasy leagues nationwide. As for replacements, Angels’ third baseman Alberto Callaspo is hitting .303 and is still getting plenty of at-bats. Callaspo is the clear batting average third base option on the wire. The other third baseman in LA is the surging Casey Blake. Blake has four multi hit games in his last five contests. Blake has already scored 15 runs in just 14 games and has also been hitting behind Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp atop that Dodger order which is great news for runs scored totals. Blake may be 37 years old but he still has pop in his bat and he is available in over ninety percent of fantasy leagues.

Projection: Scott Rolen does get banged up a lot but when healthy he rakes. I like keeping Rolen and playing the hot hand until he gets off of the DL but Callaspo and Blake still have long term value.

Deep League Help- Alberto Callaspo

With Washington third baseman Ryan Zimmerman on the 15 day disabled list with an abdominal strain it’s time to look for his fantasy replacment, Alberto Callaspo.

Analysis: Alberto Callaspo has been one of the most underrated fantasy infielders over the last two years. Callaspo is a career .280 hitter just now entering his power prime and chip in second base eligibility in some fantasy leagues and you have a winner. Callaspo strikes out less than ten percent of the time for his career and he only swings and misses at strikes at a 3.7% clip. Thus far this year Callaspo is hitting .324 with two bombs and five runs batted in. He’s a fine replacement for Ryan Zimmerman for the time being and if this is his breakout power year then you have some trade bait down the road. Callaspo is a very underrated third basmean especially in roto leagues where his batting average is consistently good and yet he still puts up the counting stats hitting in the middle of that Angels order. Callaspo does have the potential to hit well over .300 this year as he sports a career .290 BABIP which is bound to come up.

Projection: Expect at least a .290 batting average with 14 home runs and 70 RBI. This isn’t a guy who should be available on the wire yet he’s available in over sixty percent of fantasy leagues nationwide. This just may be the year Callaspo breaks out but even if he doesn’t he will quietly produce.