2011 Fantasy Baseball Stock Market Watch: Smoak is Smokin’ While Fuld has Folded
BARTOLO COLON (48.3% owned ESPN leagues) – Colon was hit hard last night by the Rangers but other than that start he has been amazing since taking over for injured Yankee pitcher Phil Hughes. Colon is 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA. He is averaging a strike out per inning over his 37 innings pitched. What is even more impressive is that the 37-year old Colon's fastball is 95 mph once again. He has either found the fountain of youth or the Yankee pinstripes have rejuvenated him. I picked him up in several leagues. He has the potential to be a top 20 pitcher this year if he holds up.
JUSTIN SMOAK (88.7% owned ESPN leagues) – Smoak is currently hitting over .300 with 5 home runs and 20+ RBI's for the Mariners. He is hitting .381 in his last seven games. Justin, the major piece in the Cliff Lee trade from last year is still only 69% owned in CBS leagues. Yes, the first base position is very deep but he is a useful fill in for Adam Dunn and other struggling first sackers at this time. Grab him and ride the hot hand.
MIKE AVILES (59.6% owned ESPN Leagues) – Aviles is one of the top most added players in CBS and ESPN leagues at this time. The second basemen continues to rake with a .269 batting average, 5 homers, 25 RBI's, eight stolen bases and a .852 OPS. He currently has scored more points in head to head leagues than fellow second basemen Dustin Pedroia, Martin Prado and Gordon Beckham. Hard to say if he will continue the great numbers but for the time being he is worth a shot.
JASON BOURGEOIS (40.9% owned ESPN leagues) – Jason has 12 stolen bases in only 54 official AB's. He currently owns a .407 BA and a .954 OPS. In those 54 AB's he has only stuck out four times.With steady playing time he will be a huge addition to your team in steals, runs and OPS. It is unclear on how the Astro's will use Bourgeois now that Carlos Lee has returned, he qualifies as an OF but also got the start at second base last night. I think once the Astro's have fallen out of playoff contention they will move Lee and make Bourgeois the everyday out fielder. Grab him now! (Please note that Jason left last night's game with an oblique injury) watch his status closely.
FALLING FAST
ADAM DUNN (99.7% owned ESPN leagues) – Dunn a favorite of mine and a potential 50+ home run with his move to the American League continues to struggle. He did have appendectomy surgery to start the season and maybe the change in leagues has affected his play. Right now he owns a .165 batting average and just three home runs. I expect him to get hot soon so keep and eye on your free agent/waiver wire. Two teams in leagues I play in have dropped him already.
SAM FULD (59.5% owned ESPN leagues) – Fuld, the waiver wire darling of the early season, has started to come back to earth. In the last two weeks his batting average is .065 with no stolen bases. To make matters worse, the Rays have called up Brandon Guyer to play some left field which will eat into Fuld's playing time. Sam is currently the fourth highest dropped played in ESPN leagues. Can you say "flash in the pan". Drop him now.
DEREK JETER (Owned in 99% ESPN leagues) – Never thought he would be on this list but it is becoming increasingly hard to watch Jeter struggle on a daily basis. Derek currently has a .256 batting average with no home runs or stolen bases. He has a paltry .597 OPS. To make matters worse he is hitting the ball on the ground more now than anytime in his career. Many are still holding on to him but realistically what can you expect out of him for the year? If you have better options drop him now before it is too late.
MATT HARRISON (21% owned in ESPN leagues) – Matt is being dropped like a rock after his strong early season 3-0 start. In his last four games he is 0-4 while allowing 16 runs in only 17 innings of work. In the last two weeks he owns a 10.97 ERA. Tommy Hunter is due back shortly so we may see a return to the bullpen for Mr. Harrison. It was fun while it lasted but hopefully he is long gone off your roster.
Written by John Marino exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com
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