The Hot 8: Week 19
We have officially started the stretch run of the 2009 fantasy baseball season. The next few weeks are absolutely critical in moving into or out of contention for your league's championship. As the loyal readers of The Hot 8 will attest to, I have been able to single out many difference makers that were available in free agency so far this season. As we begin to wind down that task has gotten increasingly more difficult, but one that I am excited to take on. The focus of The Hot 8 for the next 3-4 weeks will be guys who will make an immediate impact for your team. As always, I will be making sure to select players from all positions because I realize that each of us have different needs at this point in the season. So, in these remaining weeks you will find speed, power, middle infielders, catchers, starters, closers and everything in between. My mission is to help you guys get to the promised land and I vow not to let you down. Here is The Hot 8 for this week:
HE'S A KEEPER
1) Mat Latos (RHP - Starter) -- Padres -- Latos is a damn good pitcher. He is still very young and will be shut down sometime around the first week of September due to the Padres being out of contention and the fear of arm trouble. But, you'll be getting a few more possibly dominant starts by him and thus he is a must pick up at this point. His control has been decent since joining the big league rotation and he's been able to minimize damage with huge strikeouts. This guy has the raw stuff to overcome whatever odds are presented and can be a big addition to your rotation down the stretch.
NO LONGER IN THE SHADOW
2) Kelly Shoppach (Catcher) -- Indians -- With the departure of Victor Martinez, Shoppach is now the full time starting catcher for the Indians. Although, I have been arguing all season that he was the starting catcher all season long with as much time as Martinez spent at 1B. Shoppach has great power and is now a fixture in the middle of the order which will present more run scoring opportunities for him the rest of the way. With the awful options that are out there at the catcher position, I just cannot see any reason why 90% of fantasy teams aren't making a run at him right now? He is owned in just 12% of Yahoo leagues right now which is just crazy. It is time to put somebody in your catcher spot that is something more than just a non-average killer and start making up ground with a position that is thinner than Mischa Barton.
RED HOT UTILITY OPTIONS
3) Chris Coghlan (2B/OF) -- Marlins -- I first recommended Coghlan back in May just before he was brought up to the big league club. I liked his ability to get on base and his versatility at the time and he hasn't disappointed. Coghlan has had some up and downs as any young player trying to stay in the league does. But he's made some adjustments lately that has him as a red hot leadoff man for the Marlins. His .357 OBP is most impressive and leads to stolen bases and plenty of runs scored. He is a lock for playing time and is a great addition to your fantasy team if he is still available.
4) Eugenio Velez (2B/OF) -- Giants -- This guy has great speed and has been on fire since his call up last week. He is hitting a whopping .330/.359/.477 with 14 runs scored and 11 RBI's. He is getting time both in the outfield and at 2B for the Giants and will see plenty of time going forward. I like his chances of sticking with the team and making a big impact in their wild card run. I think you will get a big boost in the stolen base department too if he continues getting on base at this type of pace.
5) David Murphy (Outfield) -- Rangers -- Loyal readers know that I have been a big fan of Murphy all season long. After all, I drafted him in both of my expert leagues this season and have subsequently dropped and picked him back up several times. With Chris Davis in the minors and Nelson Cruz now hurting, Murphy will see more time in the Rangers lineup. The more he plays, the more he will perform. I have no doubts about whether or not Murphy has the talent to make an impact, it is all about playing time for him. He's set up for another good run of production starting right now so don't miss the boat again on Mr. Murphy.
JIM JOHNSON, WHO?
6) Kam Mickolio (RHP - Closer) -- Orioles -- This is the Orioles closer of the future and the future in Baltimore is rapidly approaching. Mickolio has already been brought up a couple of times this year and was very impressive in his last few appearances. This guy is a giant who is as intimidating to look at as he is to face in the batters box. Jim Johnson has limited value because in a week or two, Mickolio will be closing out games for the Orioles.
USEFUL VETERANS
7) Kelly Johnson (Second Base) -- Braves -- Johnson is once again healthy and is finally hitting like his previous self. The only problem is that Martin Prado has sewn up the starting 2B job for now with his scorching second half. Johnson will get plenty of at-bats going forward and will wind up moving Prado over to SS & 3B on occasion to rest the Braves other vets. Johnson has some nice power upside for a second baseman. I think he'll see enough time to be a useful piece for a contending fantasy team.
8) Jim Thome (Utility/DH) -- White Sox -- I don't usually recommend DH's or straight utility players like Thome. But he is as hot as can be right now, launching HR's all over the place. With the lack of power that is plaguing fantasy teams, Thome is absolute gold right now. With HR's come runs and RBI's too which makes is worth finding a spot in your starting lineup for the big slugger.
That is the Hot 8 for this week. What do you guys think?
Post your comments below or email me at jeff@fantasybaseballsearch.com
HE'S A KEEPER
1) Mat Latos (RHP - Starter) -- Padres -- Latos is a damn good pitcher. He is still very young and will be shut down sometime around the first week of September due to the Padres being out of contention and the fear of arm trouble. But, you'll be getting a few more possibly dominant starts by him and thus he is a must pick up at this point. His control has been decent since joining the big league rotation and he's been able to minimize damage with huge strikeouts. This guy has the raw stuff to overcome whatever odds are presented and can be a big addition to your rotation down the stretch.
NO LONGER IN THE SHADOW
2) Kelly Shoppach (Catcher) -- Indians -- With the departure of Victor Martinez, Shoppach is now the full time starting catcher for the Indians. Although, I have been arguing all season that he was the starting catcher all season long with as much time as Martinez spent at 1B. Shoppach has great power and is now a fixture in the middle of the order which will present more run scoring opportunities for him the rest of the way. With the awful options that are out there at the catcher position, I just cannot see any reason why 90% of fantasy teams aren't making a run at him right now? He is owned in just 12% of Yahoo leagues right now which is just crazy. It is time to put somebody in your catcher spot that is something more than just a non-average killer and start making up ground with a position that is thinner than Mischa Barton.
RED HOT UTILITY OPTIONS
3) Chris Coghlan (2B/OF) -- Marlins -- I first recommended Coghlan back in May just before he was brought up to the big league club. I liked his ability to get on base and his versatility at the time and he hasn't disappointed. Coghlan has had some up and downs as any young player trying to stay in the league does. But he's made some adjustments lately that has him as a red hot leadoff man for the Marlins. His .357 OBP is most impressive and leads to stolen bases and plenty of runs scored. He is a lock for playing time and is a great addition to your fantasy team if he is still available.
4) Eugenio Velez (2B/OF) -- Giants -- This guy has great speed and has been on fire since his call up last week. He is hitting a whopping .330/.359/.477 with 14 runs scored and 11 RBI's. He is getting time both in the outfield and at 2B for the Giants and will see plenty of time going forward. I like his chances of sticking with the team and making a big impact in their wild card run. I think you will get a big boost in the stolen base department too if he continues getting on base at this type of pace.
5) David Murphy (Outfield) -- Rangers -- Loyal readers know that I have been a big fan of Murphy all season long. After all, I drafted him in both of my expert leagues this season and have subsequently dropped and picked him back up several times. With Chris Davis in the minors and Nelson Cruz now hurting, Murphy will see more time in the Rangers lineup. The more he plays, the more he will perform. I have no doubts about whether or not Murphy has the talent to make an impact, it is all about playing time for him. He's set up for another good run of production starting right now so don't miss the boat again on Mr. Murphy.
JIM JOHNSON, WHO?
6) Kam Mickolio (RHP - Closer) -- Orioles -- This is the Orioles closer of the future and the future in Baltimore is rapidly approaching. Mickolio has already been brought up a couple of times this year and was very impressive in his last few appearances. This guy is a giant who is as intimidating to look at as he is to face in the batters box. Jim Johnson has limited value because in a week or two, Mickolio will be closing out games for the Orioles.
USEFUL VETERANS
7) Kelly Johnson (Second Base) -- Braves -- Johnson is once again healthy and is finally hitting like his previous self. The only problem is that Martin Prado has sewn up the starting 2B job for now with his scorching second half. Johnson will get plenty of at-bats going forward and will wind up moving Prado over to SS & 3B on occasion to rest the Braves other vets. Johnson has some nice power upside for a second baseman. I think he'll see enough time to be a useful piece for a contending fantasy team.
8) Jim Thome (Utility/DH) -- White Sox -- I don't usually recommend DH's or straight utility players like Thome. But he is as hot as can be right now, launching HR's all over the place. With the lack of power that is plaguing fantasy teams, Thome is absolute gold right now. With HR's come runs and RBI's too which makes is worth finding a spot in your starting lineup for the big slugger.
That is the Hot 8 for this week. What do you guys think?
Post your comments below or email me at jeff@fantasybaseballsearch.com
posted by Jeff Mans at
Sunday, August 09, 2009
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