Power Performers
Some crazy power hitting from the NL this past week capped off with an explosive Sunday. I only wish I could name them all. Remember, the batting lines go: AVG.-R-HR-RBI-SB
AL Hitters
1. Alex Rodriguez, 3B NYY: .375-6-5-11-1 After a dismal West Coast road trip there's nothing better than getting hot on a home stand. He's found his stroke again and should close out the season in style. Suddenly cracking the 40 HR barrier doesn't seem so far away, does it?
2. Frank Thomas, DH OAK: .381-5-3-8-0 Looks like the Big Hurt wants to go out with some flair. He cracked the 30 HR barrier for the ninth time in his career and for the first time since 2003. Barring the usual injury, he should give you a nice power boost in September.
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B TEX: .250-5-4-7-0 It's nice to see the biggest bust of 2006 get a spot here. He's having a fantastic second half and should continue the rest of the way, but it just won't be enough to make him worthy of where he was drafted. Next year, however, he's going to return to monster form.
4. Grady Sizemore, OF CLE: .333-8-3-5-0 In a lost season for the Indians, Sizemore still finds a way to shine through. He'll clear that 20-20 mark that everyone said he would...again. Look for him to continue and set a winning example for the youngsters up with the club now.
5. Derek Jeter, SS NYY: .476-5-0-3-3 How much more do you need to say about the Yankees captain? Red Sox fans hate him so much because they know just how good and how invaluable a player he is. It's been a great season so far and will continue as he battles Joe Mauer for the AL batting title.
Honorable Mention: Jermaine Dye, Travis Hafner, Delmon Young
AL Pitchers
1. Esteban Loaiza, SP OAK: 2 wins-8 K-0.60 ERA-1.000 WHIP It's like a time machine back to 2003 here. He gave up his first run in 28 2/3 innings on Sunday and has found his groove as the A's try to run away with the AL West. Ride him while he's hot.
2. Kevin Millwood, SP TEX: 2 wins-18 K-2.12 ERA-0.647 WHIP At the suggestion of his pitching coach he's been using the curveball more effictively lately. The result? 18 K's in 17 innings. He's looked great this past week and has a great matchup in Seattle this week.
3. Bobby Jenks, RP CHW: 3 saves-4 K-0.00 ERA-0.333 WHIP It's lights out again for the Chicago closer. He's had a solid season and easily put that early season talk about closing committees to rest. The Sox will rely heavily on him if they plan to make a move this month.
4. Kelvim Escobar, SP ANA: 1 win-16 K-1.13 ERA-0.688 WHIP A little inconsistent in the win/loss department, but the one thing that remains constant are the strikeouts. He seems to be healthy and should provide you with solid pitching numbers the rest of the way.
5. Mark Redman, SP KC: 2 wins-9 K-0.56 ERA-0.812 WHIP Look at that...the Royals only all star makes the list this week. Even more impressive is that he put up these numbers against the White Sox and the Twins. He's still a little too risky for me.
Honorable Mention: Francisco Rodriguez, Seth McClung, Justin Duchscherer
NL Hitters
1. Ryan Howard, 1B PHI: .571-11-6-12-0 He just doesn't stop. Breaks the team record set by Mike Schmidt, leads the majors with 52 HR and 129 RBI, brings the batting average over .300 for the year. Just an amazing hitter who's gonna do it for years to come.
2. Albert Pujols, 1B STL: .286-6-4-7-0 Wasn't going to make it here if not for Sunday's 3 HR performance. He's still one of the greatest hitters around and remains the envy of all fantasy owners who don't have him.
3. Barry Bonds, OF SF: .539-7-4-5 With him being out of the ridiculous scrutiny he faced in the first half, Bonds is quietly (do you believe that?) putting together a very solid second half. He'll still never give you what he used to, but he could be fairly serviceable down the stretch.
4. David Wright, 3B NYM: .522-6-2-15-2 Just like his crosstown counterpart, Wright was having an atrocious August before turning it back on this past week. He's back to where he belongs as he lead the majors in RBI for the last scoring period. An all-around fantasy stud.
5. Hanley Ramirez, SS FLA: .500-8-1-7-3 He's bringing that batting average back up again, hitting .282 for the year now. This past week he scored his 100th run of the year and became only the eighth rookie in history to score 100 runs and steal 40 bases for their debut season. He has more than lived up to the prospect hype he received.
Honorable Mention: Adam LaRoche, Garrett Atkins, Jimmy Rollins
NL Pitchers
1. John Maine, SP NYM: 2 wins-5 K-2.84 ERA-0.789 WHIP The rookie has been the feel good story for the rotation over in Flushing. He was given the opportunity and ran with it; more than you can possibly hope for in a 5th starter. He should be a nice option in September as he auditions for a post-season roster spot.
2. Scott Olsen, SP FLA: 2 wins-11 K-0.60 ERA-0.467 WHIP Clearly on a mission to make everyone forget who was on the Marlins staff a year or two ago. He is making his way towards being the staff ace and should have great value for years to come. Atleast until they trade him like all those before him. Get him while he's still in Florida.
3. Brett Myers, SP PHI: 1 win-17 K-2.57 ERA-1.000 WHIP From beating down his wife back to beating down the batters. 17 K in 14 innings. Solid work and he is re-establishing himself as the Phillies make a push for the wild card. Meets the aforementioned Olsen in Florida thsi comin gweek so that should be fun.
4. Roy Oswalt, SP HOU: 1 win-16 K-1.84 ERA-0.614 WHIP The perrennial all star is getting hot again and Houston is only 3 1/2 games out of the wild card. It should be a nice fight to the finish with Oswalt leading the charge for the defending NL champs.
5. Mike Stanton, RP SF: 2 saves-2 K-0.00 ERA-0.600 WHIP Just when you think a guy is over and done he finds new life in the Bay Area. Stanton has really bolstered this bullpen and has filled in very nicely for the inconsistent Armando Benitez. He will continue to be a nice source for some cheap saves down the stretch.
Honorable Mention: Trevor Hoffman, Jake Peavey, Salomon Torres
AL Hitters
1. Alex Rodriguez, 3B NYY: .375-6-5-11-1 After a dismal West Coast road trip there's nothing better than getting hot on a home stand. He's found his stroke again and should close out the season in style. Suddenly cracking the 40 HR barrier doesn't seem so far away, does it?
2. Frank Thomas, DH OAK: .381-5-3-8-0 Looks like the Big Hurt wants to go out with some flair. He cracked the 30 HR barrier for the ninth time in his career and for the first time since 2003. Barring the usual injury, he should give you a nice power boost in September.
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B TEX: .250-5-4-7-0 It's nice to see the biggest bust of 2006 get a spot here. He's having a fantastic second half and should continue the rest of the way, but it just won't be enough to make him worthy of where he was drafted. Next year, however, he's going to return to monster form.
4. Grady Sizemore, OF CLE: .333-8-3-5-0 In a lost season for the Indians, Sizemore still finds a way to shine through. He'll clear that 20-20 mark that everyone said he would...again. Look for him to continue and set a winning example for the youngsters up with the club now.
5. Derek Jeter, SS NYY: .476-5-0-3-3 How much more do you need to say about the Yankees captain? Red Sox fans hate him so much because they know just how good and how invaluable a player he is. It's been a great season so far and will continue as he battles Joe Mauer for the AL batting title.
Honorable Mention: Jermaine Dye, Travis Hafner, Delmon Young
AL Pitchers
1. Esteban Loaiza, SP OAK: 2 wins-8 K-0.60 ERA-1.000 WHIP It's like a time machine back to 2003 here. He gave up his first run in 28 2/3 innings on Sunday and has found his groove as the A's try to run away with the AL West. Ride him while he's hot.
2. Kevin Millwood, SP TEX: 2 wins-18 K-2.12 ERA-0.647 WHIP At the suggestion of his pitching coach he's been using the curveball more effictively lately. The result? 18 K's in 17 innings. He's looked great this past week and has a great matchup in Seattle this week.
3. Bobby Jenks, RP CHW: 3 saves-4 K-0.00 ERA-0.333 WHIP It's lights out again for the Chicago closer. He's had a solid season and easily put that early season talk about closing committees to rest. The Sox will rely heavily on him if they plan to make a move this month.
4. Kelvim Escobar, SP ANA: 1 win-16 K-1.13 ERA-0.688 WHIP A little inconsistent in the win/loss department, but the one thing that remains constant are the strikeouts. He seems to be healthy and should provide you with solid pitching numbers the rest of the way.
5. Mark Redman, SP KC: 2 wins-9 K-0.56 ERA-0.812 WHIP Look at that...the Royals only all star makes the list this week. Even more impressive is that he put up these numbers against the White Sox and the Twins. He's still a little too risky for me.
Honorable Mention: Francisco Rodriguez, Seth McClung, Justin Duchscherer
NL Hitters
1. Ryan Howard, 1B PHI: .571-11-6-12-0 He just doesn't stop. Breaks the team record set by Mike Schmidt, leads the majors with 52 HR and 129 RBI, brings the batting average over .300 for the year. Just an amazing hitter who's gonna do it for years to come.
2. Albert Pujols, 1B STL: .286-6-4-7-0 Wasn't going to make it here if not for Sunday's 3 HR performance. He's still one of the greatest hitters around and remains the envy of all fantasy owners who don't have him.
3. Barry Bonds, OF SF: .539-7-4-5 With him being out of the ridiculous scrutiny he faced in the first half, Bonds is quietly (do you believe that?) putting together a very solid second half. He'll still never give you what he used to, but he could be fairly serviceable down the stretch.
4. David Wright, 3B NYM: .522-6-2-15-2 Just like his crosstown counterpart, Wright was having an atrocious August before turning it back on this past week. He's back to where he belongs as he lead the majors in RBI for the last scoring period. An all-around fantasy stud.
5. Hanley Ramirez, SS FLA: .500-8-1-7-3 He's bringing that batting average back up again, hitting .282 for the year now. This past week he scored his 100th run of the year and became only the eighth rookie in history to score 100 runs and steal 40 bases for their debut season. He has more than lived up to the prospect hype he received.
Honorable Mention: Adam LaRoche, Garrett Atkins, Jimmy Rollins
NL Pitchers
1. John Maine, SP NYM: 2 wins-5 K-2.84 ERA-0.789 WHIP The rookie has been the feel good story for the rotation over in Flushing. He was given the opportunity and ran with it; more than you can possibly hope for in a 5th starter. He should be a nice option in September as he auditions for a post-season roster spot.
2. Scott Olsen, SP FLA: 2 wins-11 K-0.60 ERA-0.467 WHIP Clearly on a mission to make everyone forget who was on the Marlins staff a year or two ago. He is making his way towards being the staff ace and should have great value for years to come. Atleast until they trade him like all those before him. Get him while he's still in Florida.
3. Brett Myers, SP PHI: 1 win-17 K-2.57 ERA-1.000 WHIP From beating down his wife back to beating down the batters. 17 K in 14 innings. Solid work and he is re-establishing himself as the Phillies make a push for the wild card. Meets the aforementioned Olsen in Florida thsi comin gweek so that should be fun.
4. Roy Oswalt, SP HOU: 1 win-16 K-1.84 ERA-0.614 WHIP The perrennial all star is getting hot again and Houston is only 3 1/2 games out of the wild card. It should be a nice fight to the finish with Oswalt leading the charge for the defending NL champs.
5. Mike Stanton, RP SF: 2 saves-2 K-0.00 ERA-0.600 WHIP Just when you think a guy is over and done he finds new life in the Bay Area. Stanton has really bolstered this bullpen and has filled in very nicely for the inconsistent Armando Benitez. He will continue to be a nice source for some cheap saves down the stretch.
Honorable Mention: Trevor Hoffman, Jake Peavey, Salomon Torres
posted by Howard Bender at
3:13 AM
