Hello, Loyal Readers! While some of you may come here for the amazing free logos, I am here to give you an amazing weekly article that puts specific players’ value under a microscope. I may be new to writing here, but I can assure you that this article will help you win your leagues.
We’ll start off with Josh Willingham:
I’m a Twins fan, so this blurb could be a bit biased; Josh Willingham has been absolutely tearing the cover off of the ball! Through six games and twenty-four plate appearances, Willingham has hit .409, with four home runs, seven RBI, and five runs. With a slugging percentage of 1.000 and a .591 ISO, it might , just might, not be biased of me to say that his stock is through the roof. Let’s take a look at someone who is receiving more hype, and not doing as much.
Player A:. 409 BA, four home runs, seven RBI, five runs, Slugging percentage of 1.000, .591 ISO, 24 Plate Appearances.
Player B: .273 BA, three home runs, seven RBI, five runs, one stolen base, .773 slugging percentage, .500 ISO, 28 Plate Appearances.
If someone knew the names of the players prior to this article, 9-out-of-10 of them would choose Player B. When, in fact, Josh Willingham has done more in less. We know that 24 and 28 plate appearances are small sample sizes, but by the looks of it, Willingham is a pure slugger, as opposed to Yoenis Cespedes (Player B), who could be a fluke, even with stats like those. Willingham has had prior success in seasons past, so we know that 25-30 HRs isn’t out of the question, if he can stay healthy. In seasons that he has played more than 130 games, he has had 26 (2006), 21 (2007), 24 (2009), and 29 home runs (2011). Make the Cespedes for Willingham swap everyday of the week, and you won’t regret it. Hell, you can even rename your team ” The Willinghammer” or ” The willing go ham”.
Yadier Molina
With the so-called ‘improvements’ made in the offseason and spring training, Molina has taken those and converted them so far into this season. He was overlooked in many standard 10-team mixed leagues, going near the back-end of the draft. It’s quite surprising that happened after hit over .300 with 14 dingers. Yadi got a huge contract, and seems to be proving himself worthy. As we should all know, he has an accurate, powerful arm behind the plate, so in leagues that count errors, his value gets a slight boost. I’m not saying I’m in love with him, but if you can get a good load in return, or get him for cheap, either way, you should do so. Infact, leave some questions in the comments bar, or tweet me on twitter, and your questions will be answered.
JD Martinez
Martinez has a lot to contribute in roto leagues, as he offers a great average with legit 20-25 home run power. With that being said, he has minimal speed, but can make up for it with the improved (didn’t take much) team, that will help him score more runs. He’s an ‘Stro, so if you can get him on the cheap, you need to do such. Expect him to do well this weekend back in his hometown, Florida, where he should get a lot of doubles, a category that he can also contribute in. Martinez seems to be a Billy Butler-type with just a tad more power.
Fernando Rodney
Rodney has had major control issues in the past, and, when I say major, I mean MAJOR, averaging just under 5 BBs/9. This season, though, he has not walked a batter in 2.2 innings pitched, and has racked up 3 saves. He seems to be the man in town with Farnsworth out a while longer, and if Farnsworth struggles, and Rodney continues to show decent control, things could switch in a hurry. Though, as we all know, Rodney has averaged a 4.36 ERA in 10 seasons, so this small sample size of 2.2 innings, could be a fluke. But in deep leagues, desperate for saves, he needs to be added, and could have finally put things together. He had 37 saves in 2009 with the Tigers, even while walking 4.88 batters-per-9, proving that he can get saves. Deep leagues only for now, until we have seen more.
Tim Lincecum
ENOUGH WITH THE POSITIVES! Lincecum has struggled this far with an ERA of 12.91, and a FIP of 4.81. Though it may not be all his fault, as he has a 2.64 xFIP, and 11.74 K/9. Once again, it’s a very small sample-size, but everything is when you consider it’s the first week of the season. But, that being said, the 11.74 K/9 is a career-high, even if it’s only 2 games in 7.2 IP. In his last meeting against Colorado, he had a career-low innings-pitched mark with 2.1. It’s sad to see him start off like this, but for those in need of a starting pitcher, it’s good, as you can afford to buy low on him, if the owner is getting very frustrated. Just like Greinke, who I almost cut in a dynasty league yesterday, because he had royally screwed me over. And the worst part of all, he screwed me, and didn’t even buy me dinner. It’s quite sad.
By PDGACO GaballaLoans