Wednesday, May 26, 2004
Timetable: A Bad Word/Meet the New Guys
“The timetable word is a bad word for me right now.” That was Brendan Donnelly speaking to the media postgame over the weekend, according to the team’s website. Indeed, it seems that the timetable word is a bad word all around the Halos’ locker room, not just with Donnelly, who’s still having trouble coming back with his rehab. And let’s face it, if you had your nose broken in 20 spots, would you feel chipper and bright? As far as--and excuse my French here--timetables go, Garret Anderson: none. He’ll be in the pool and on the bike soon, but post All-Star break is the best guess on his return. Erstad: late June. . .maybe. Donnelly: ditto. Glaus: September is the official line, 2005 is the unofficial (and most probable) one. Salmon: maybe next week. Anyone know the number for 911?
Meet the New Guys: Chone Figgins
Let’s take a look at some players who may not be new to the Angels roster but who are knew on the horizon of fantasy players. Figgy is possibly a candidate for a “breakout” player in AL fantasy this year. He’d only played in 86 games heading into this season, but he’s already logged 35 in ’04. A .310 AVG, 22 R, and 10 SB later, everybody wants a piece of CF. Should you? Well, Figgins stands to get everyday PT until at least the All-Star break and possibly the rest of the season if the Halos don’t deal for a 3B. Multi-position eligibility and the likelihood of 30 SB make him very attractive. I would expect the AVG to come down to maybe the .280 range, and his BB total leaves a lot to be desired for his type of play, but if you need everyday speed and help in runs, Chone can help.
Jeff DaVanon
Jeff DaVanon must have familial ties to Houdini or maybe David Copperfield is a distant cousin. For 2 consecutive years, he’s made us think he can hit .300 or better. He’s also got legit pop and some speed as well, so owners start repeating the words “diamond in the rough” over and over in their mind. Let me tell ya a little something about a stat called hit rate. The good folks over at Baseball HQ taught me about this and DaVanon could be its new poster boy. Right now, JD is getting hits on 38% of his batted balls. That is way above the mean, usually around 30%. Now, hit rate is specific to each batter, and DaVanon is normally right around 28%. Last year’s first half? 41 H%. AVG: .344. 2nd half: 28 H%. AVG: .233. Expect a dip soon. He could go 10/15 though with significant PT.
Casey Kotchman
Kotch already holds the record for the most ABs to begin a career without a whiff (48). He finally fanned last Wednesday and may never stike out again. Okay, that’s a little ridiculous, but this is a future fantasy-viable option. The key word here most likely is future though. While he could develop a great AVG pretty fairly quickly, he is still young and hasn’t had much time in the minors. Also, his strict 1B eligibility doesn’t make him very amenable to fantasy teams, considering his current makeup, unless said team is completely strapped for AVG. Even that will need time to grow because he’s only hitting .277 after starting off hot. Further, hitting in the latter part of the lineup won’t provide as many R and RBI opportunities. If you’re in a keeper, keep an eye on Kotch.
Kevin Gregg
Here’s a guy who can wheel. He can deal. And he’s basically getting no love for it with the likes of K-Rod taking the credit and the statement that he’s just another good arm in an already good bullpen. That’s true, but he’s been great this year. Here’s a guy who could certainly step into the rotation if Sele or Lackey were to falter. He’s got almost a K an inning, and looking good doing it. He’s throwing a lot more groundballs than he has in the past and he’ll help you out in every category except saves. Don’t expect big Ws, but he’ll definitely get some late ones. He’s already thrown 31 innings, so his inning total will be enough to affect your ERA and WHIP totals for the year, and that effect will be nice. Definitely worth a look. Easy to acquire too at 33% in mixed leagues.
Wings to Halos
Each week, I award a pair of wings to the most valuable Halo fantasy player of the week and I’ll do it again this week, but from now on we’re changin’ the prize to silver halos. It’s a switch I can make because it’s my column and they’re nonexistent anyway. So--this week’s halo marks the second time a hurler will pick one up. He threw 11 IP, allowed only 8 H, 2 ER, resulting in a W and a ERA of 2.45 and a WHIP of 1.18. Okay, I’ll say it. I guess I can’t put it off any longer. Aaron Sele gets the nod for the Week 7 Fantasy Silver Halo. I’m still not endorsing him--even this week he only had 5 K along with 5 BB--but he deserves the halo. Totals for the year? Figgins 2; Colon, Anderson, Erstad, Guillen, and Sele all with 1.
Odds and Ends
What a wild finish in Toronto on Monday night. Weird way to lose one and not really troublesome. I think the Halos could still win the series with two straight. Then it’s on to Chicago and back for a long homestand. Nice. . .Guillen called the pitchers out after not “protecting” him when he was hit by a Justin Miller pitch Monday. He must’ve not seen Lackey almost take Simon Ponds’ head off--twice. Maybe he’s expecting the pitcher to come out with a trench coat and a Uzi. Nice show of team unity, JG. . .Jose Molina could be on the block for a 3B. Names named are Randa, Hillenbrand, Spiezio, and Aaron Boone. Wait and see. That means keeping the more talented, more fragile Bengie, but a move that could help defensively at least. Reporting for the Angels, Matt Allen--ESPN.
Meet the New Guys: Chone Figgins
Let’s take a look at some players who may not be new to the Angels roster but who are knew on the horizon of fantasy players. Figgy is possibly a candidate for a “breakout” player in AL fantasy this year. He’d only played in 86 games heading into this season, but he’s already logged 35 in ’04. A .310 AVG, 22 R, and 10 SB later, everybody wants a piece of CF. Should you? Well, Figgins stands to get everyday PT until at least the All-Star break and possibly the rest of the season if the Halos don’t deal for a 3B. Multi-position eligibility and the likelihood of 30 SB make him very attractive. I would expect the AVG to come down to maybe the .280 range, and his BB total leaves a lot to be desired for his type of play, but if you need everyday speed and help in runs, Chone can help.
Jeff DaVanon
Jeff DaVanon must have familial ties to Houdini or maybe David Copperfield is a distant cousin. For 2 consecutive years, he’s made us think he can hit .300 or better. He’s also got legit pop and some speed as well, so owners start repeating the words “diamond in the rough” over and over in their mind. Let me tell ya a little something about a stat called hit rate. The good folks over at Baseball HQ taught me about this and DaVanon could be its new poster boy. Right now, JD is getting hits on 38% of his batted balls. That is way above the mean, usually around 30%. Now, hit rate is specific to each batter, and DaVanon is normally right around 28%. Last year’s first half? 41 H%. AVG: .344. 2nd half: 28 H%. AVG: .233. Expect a dip soon. He could go 10/15 though with significant PT.
Casey Kotchman
Kotch already holds the record for the most ABs to begin a career without a whiff (48). He finally fanned last Wednesday and may never stike out again. Okay, that’s a little ridiculous, but this is a future fantasy-viable option. The key word here most likely is future though. While he could develop a great AVG pretty fairly quickly, he is still young and hasn’t had much time in the minors. Also, his strict 1B eligibility doesn’t make him very amenable to fantasy teams, considering his current makeup, unless said team is completely strapped for AVG. Even that will need time to grow because he’s only hitting .277 after starting off hot. Further, hitting in the latter part of the lineup won’t provide as many R and RBI opportunities. If you’re in a keeper, keep an eye on Kotch.
Kevin Gregg
Here’s a guy who can wheel. He can deal. And he’s basically getting no love for it with the likes of K-Rod taking the credit and the statement that he’s just another good arm in an already good bullpen. That’s true, but he’s been great this year. Here’s a guy who could certainly step into the rotation if Sele or Lackey were to falter. He’s got almost a K an inning, and looking good doing it. He’s throwing a lot more groundballs than he has in the past and he’ll help you out in every category except saves. Don’t expect big Ws, but he’ll definitely get some late ones. He’s already thrown 31 innings, so his inning total will be enough to affect your ERA and WHIP totals for the year, and that effect will be nice. Definitely worth a look. Easy to acquire too at 33% in mixed leagues.
Wings to Halos
Each week, I award a pair of wings to the most valuable Halo fantasy player of the week and I’ll do it again this week, but from now on we’re changin’ the prize to silver halos. It’s a switch I can make because it’s my column and they’re nonexistent anyway. So--this week’s halo marks the second time a hurler will pick one up. He threw 11 IP, allowed only 8 H, 2 ER, resulting in a W and a ERA of 2.45 and a WHIP of 1.18. Okay, I’ll say it. I guess I can’t put it off any longer. Aaron Sele gets the nod for the Week 7 Fantasy Silver Halo. I’m still not endorsing him--even this week he only had 5 K along with 5 BB--but he deserves the halo. Totals for the year? Figgins 2; Colon, Anderson, Erstad, Guillen, and Sele all with 1.
Odds and Ends
What a wild finish in Toronto on Monday night. Weird way to lose one and not really troublesome. I think the Halos could still win the series with two straight. Then it’s on to Chicago and back for a long homestand. Nice. . .Guillen called the pitchers out after not “protecting” him when he was hit by a Justin Miller pitch Monday. He must’ve not seen Lackey almost take Simon Ponds’ head off--twice. Maybe he’s expecting the pitcher to come out with a trench coat and a Uzi. Nice show of team unity, JG. . .Jose Molina could be on the block for a 3B. Names named are Randa, Hillenbrand, Spiezio, and Aaron Boone. Wait and see. That means keeping the more talented, more fragile Bengie, but a move that could help defensively at least. Reporting for the Angels, Matt Allen--ESPN.
