A couple of weeks back, in my Bed Goes Up, Bed Goes Down column, I wrote about changes in baseball that we were witnessing, noting a bunch of the unsigned vets, were floating in the free agent ether, while teams were looking more to playing younger, hungrier, and cheaper players. Also, these players tend to have more upside.
Anyway, with both Rich Hill and Ian Kennedy being demoted, and Barry Zito, whom I wrote about last Monday in this space, getting sent to the pen (actually, he is just missing a start for now, truth be told), the times are indeed changing.
That said, let us tip our caps to Julio Franco who has retired at the age of 48. The guy actually could still hit. And, when I think of him, I think of being at Fenway Park in 2002, with Todd Zola, Mat Olkin, Bill Gilbert, Tony Blengino, and Cathy.
It happened to be an inter-league between the Red Sox and the Braves, and Franco was DH'ing. He came to the plate with his normal stance--upright, closed, with the bat waiving off in the direction of Neptune--and Cathy asked, "what's with this guy?"
Without blinking, Tony said, "That's Julio Franco. He is the only active player to have participated in the Crusades."
Julio, I will forever think of that when I hear your name. Thank you!
So, onto some names who have caught my eye. Topping the list has to be Arizona hurler Max Scherzer. As if the Diamondbacks needed more, this guy can throw. His Tuscon numbers this year include 35 whiffs to 3 walks over 23 innings. The 23-year old struck out seven Astros over his first 4.1 inning stint last Tuesday. He struck out 106 split between Visalia and Mobile, walking just two at A, but 40 at AA. So, expect him to have some adjustment issues, but very few. Grab him in any league you can.
What's with Paul Bako? True story: In my National League Strat-O-Matic keeper league I froze Carlos Ruiz as my catcher, and let Bako go when I announced my freezes. Now, note that is a very deep league, so one catcher will not do. And, truth be told, I should have kept Bako because I wound up drafting him back as my third pick, fearing I would not have a second catcher and would have to trade. (I actually picked up Curtis Thigpen after making a trade for an AL draft spot).
So, now it looks like getting Bako back might be huge next year. The 36-year old is hitting .298-2-10 with a .373 OBP, and that is over 73 at-bats, and, well, as long as he produces, he plays. Bako might be overlooked in a lot of leagues (.205-1-8 last year explains a lot of that) but, well, if you are going to ride the hot hand, do it.
Anyone notice Erick Aybar quietly coming into his own? 26-year old Aybar, playing everyday, is hittting .313-1-13 with five swipes for the season. Aybar's on-base numbers (.324, eight whiffs to two walks) could improve, but for now he is doing well, and in a shallow league, may not be noticed.
Speaking of the Angels, with Chone Figgins hurting, Brandon Wood will be getting some playing time. In fact Wood was around before Figgins' was hamstrung by his hamstring. Ideally Figgins is back soon, but Wood needs to get comfortable and playing regularly is the ticket.
Still with the Angels, don't fret Nick Adenhart too much yet. He looked very good in the spring, and it was his first major league start, and Adenhart will get another shot the coming week against the Royals. The guy's got good stuff (4-0, 0.87 at AAA Salt Lake) and it could take a little bit for the 21-year old to settle in. Patience, if you can afford it, would be the best route.
How could I not notice, let alone like a player with the name John Lannan? Well, in deeper leagues Lannan, 2-3, 3.74, can be of use. He has four quality starts and the 26-year has struck out 24 over his 33.2 innings, though allowed 16 walks.
Kind of in the same vein is 28-year old Baltimore pitcher Brian Burres. At 3-2, 2.87, with a 1.28 WHIP, Burres has certainly pitched well enough to be selected in deeper leagues, and if you are going to try for him in a mixed format, now is the time for his value will either skyrocket, or his stats and peripherals will tumble. For now, he looks good.
JoJo Reyes got a win in his first start subbing for but I would not think of Reyes as much of a long term solution to anything, at least based upon history. 2-2, 6.22 numbers last year with the Braves get scarier when you see he struck out 27, but walked 30 over 50-plus innings last year.
Finally, yes there is Shawn Gallagher on Kansas City, and Sean Gallagher the pitcher for the Cubbies. Tis the ladder who was advanced Saturday, after being named PCL pitcher of the week. 2-2, 3.01 at Iowa, Just 22, he Gallagher will have some growing pains a la Adenhart, but grab him now, and stash him till he becomes consistant. It won't be that long, but, it reminds us how rare a guy like Scherzer is.
See you in a week.