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2011 Fantasy Baseball – The Rookie Report: Dodgers’ Jerry Sands Gets The Call

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Jerry Sands

Rookie pitchers are still dominating the very young 2011 season with some minor breakthroughs now being seen from a variety of talented young phenoms. Here is a look at a few of the upcoming stars and how they are progressing.

SP-MICHAEL PINEDA (SEATTLE): Pineda has a 2.33 ERA in three starts, while holding opponents to 13 hits and striking out 16 in 19 plus innings. He has a 2-1 record and a 1.03 WHIP. I can see him eventually falling in behind Felix Hernandez as the the number two starter. Michael mixes in a sharp breaking curve ball to go with his 95+ MPH heater. Keep in mind Pineda is only 22 and will suffer some growing pains on a weak team. If you can still get him pick him up before it is too late. 

RP– AROLDIS CHAPMAN (CINCINNATI): Chapman missed some games due to shoulder inflammation but is now back pitching again in the Reds bullpen. Aroldis consistenly hits triple digits on the radar gun with some pitches nearing 105 MPH. He has been lights out with a 0.00 ERA and averaging a strike out per inning. He is still a setup man for now so temper expectations going forward. Keep a watchful eye on Red's closer Francisco Cordero to falter.   

C- J.P. ARENCIBIA (TORONTO): J.P. started the season with a two homer five RBI game against Minnesota causing waiver wires across the globe to light up with fantasy owners hoping to get the next greatest "sleeper catcher". Unfortunately Arencibia has done virtually nothing since, driving in only one run and putting up a goose egg in the HR category. He showed some pop in his minor league career but little else. Let somebody else hold on to him and play the waiting game. He is owned in 45.2% of ESPN leagues this year.  

1B– FREDDIE FREEMAN (ATLANTA): Freddie is struggling mightly with a .224/1/5 line. Needless to say at the deep first base position he is not worth owning in any format. The Braves are committed to Freeman as their first baseman, so the experience will come and eventually bring the stat line with it. In a positive note he is hitting .304 in his last seven games but without power numbers the 21 year old isnt doing it for me. Freeman is owned by 43% of managers in ESPN leagues who are all diehard Braves fans.  

2B- DANNY ESPINOSA (WASHINTON): Espinosa is quietly third in RBI's in the National League with 14. In fact that gives him 29 RBI's in his first 43 MLB games. His numbers across the board show a .256/2/14 line so he needs to work on the batting average a bit to boost him up into the top 10 second sacker category. Espinosa has now been moved to the top of the lineup which will only boost his fantasy appeal. He is still owned in less than half of CBS leagues. 

2B/SS-DARWIN BARNEY (CHI CUBS): Barney who barely made the team in spring training, is currently hitting .311 and batting second for the Cubs. Barney played two seasons for NCAA national champs Oregon State before being drafted by Chicago. Cubbies manager Mike Quade seems to like his play so what is not to like. Keep an eye on him to see if he can continue his hot play. Right now he can help your team in BA and runs.

OF- JERRY SANDS (LOS ANGELES): Jerry who stands 6' 4" hit 35 home runs last year in the minor leagues, got the call to the majors and started last night for the Dodgers going 1-4 with a double an RBI and two K's. Sands started the year with 5 home runs and a .400+ batting average at AAA Albuquerque. The Dodgers left field situation is in chaos so he may be here for the long haul. Los Angeles has pushed some of their prospects into the fire before like Andre Either, Matt Kemp, James Loney etc. I recommend adding him immediately if you have the roster space.    

Written by John Marino exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com

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Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Sports Advice, 2011 Fantasy Baseball, The Rookie Report, John Marino, Michael Pineda, Aroldis Chapman, J.P. Arencibia, Freddie Freeman, Danny Espinosa, Darwin Barney, Jerry Sands
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2011 Fantasy Baseball – The Rookie Report: Dodgers' Jerry Sands Gets The Call