On the Rise

Casey Blake – This week, Blake has stepped up his game and improved his batting average from .269 on April 16th to .333 today. In these seven days, Blake has 9 R/2 HR/7 RBI/.400 AVG, with his two homeruns coming in the past three days. Blake has typically been a decent utility option for deeper leagues during his career. Especially for a guy who could become eligible at several positions down the road (1B, 3B, OF), Blake is a solid option in leagues that do not use FAAB or allow several pick-ups per week. (5% owned in Yahoo! leagues)

Mitch Moreland – Since game three of the season, Moreland has kept his batting average above .280, and now bats .315 with his latest hitting surge upon him. This past week, Moreland has hit two homeruns with six runs batted in, while scoring four times. His hot streak is possibly credited to Hamilton’s absence, and with (1B, OF) eligibility, Moreland is a waiver wire stud suitable for any team. (23% owned in Yahoo! leagues)

Brandon McCarthy – One of the four remarkable starters for the A’s thus far has been 6-foot-7 Brandon McCarthy, who is proving his stuff each and every game. Despite going 0-1 in his last two starts, McCarthy has allowed one earned run (a solo homerun) in 14.2 innings pitched. Even more enticing is his 6.67 K/BB rate, ranked 5th in all of baseball. If McCarthy is available in your league, and you can be comfortable dropping someone in exchange, definitely go out there and get this strikeout honcho for your staff. (15% owned in Yahoo! leagues) 

Mitchell Boggs – The Cards apparently new closer position has seemed to be filled by Boggs. He has successfully closed two games since the firing of Ryan Franklin from his job as the St. Louis finisher too. For the beginning of the year, when Boggs was used as a setup guy, he had 12 K’s in just eight innings of work. However, he has only struck out one batter since being pegged the closer. Basically, you want saves out of your closer, and any extra strikeouts are a great bonus. For Boggs, as long as he gets batters out and closes games for big-man Tony La Russa, he should be added to your team. Hope to see his nice K/9 rate return as a closer too… unless you didn’t pick him and are facing him next week. (49% owned in Yahoo! leagues)

Free Fallin’

Alex Rios – If you thought you were safe drafting a 90 R/20 HR/90 RBI/30 SB/.280 AVG hitter, think again. Rios has struggled the entire year, and is currently going through his worst week to date. This past week, Rios has gone hitless in 20 at bats, with six strikeouts and just two walks. On the year, he is batting .160 with no homeruns and has not batted a teammate in since April 8th. Rios owners should absolutely be concerned at this point. If you own him: sell for any talented guy with some security in him. Non-owners: stay away. (90% owned in Yahoo! leagues)

Jimmy Rollins – Signs were looking good for J-Roll this year. He started the season off swiping some bags and getting on base regularly. Things have changed a bit over the past week or so for the Philly shortstop. Rollins’ batting average has fallen to .253 from .320 since April 14th. Also, he has only stole once in his past 13 games. His best skill is dwindling down, just like the number of Rollins owners. Some may look at his potential and start of 2011 as positive signs, but I see a waning fantasy shortstop unable to provide quality numbers. (98% owned in Yahoo! leagues)

Mark Reynolds – Potential 2011 sleeper Mark Reynolds seems to be taking his title quite literally. He might as well be asleep at the plate, hitting well below the Mendoza Line and failing to reach base even. In his career, Reynolds was a guy that could get on base, even with his fatal batting averages. In 2011, though, Reynolds has a .268 OBP, and is already on pace for another year of disappointing owners. Before this season, Reynolds was decent at reaching base, maintaining at least a .320 OBP throughout his career. This season’s abysmal rate is just another sign for an unproductive Reynolds with his new club in Baltimore. (83% owned in Yahoo! leagues)

Francisco Liriano – Coming off his 201 K year last season, Liriano was highly sought after by some fantasy enthusiasts. Lucky for their friends who avoided Mr. Liriano, he has been a complete disaster in four starts this season. Posting a 1-3 record and 7.40 ERA, Liriano has had control difficulties (14 BB in 20.2 IP) and an inability to go deep into the game (longest outing was a 6.1 inning victory against the Orioles). Liriano owners may remain optimistic, but even in his Baltimore outing Liriano walked five batters and only struck out two. It will be tough for Liriano to regain control and become a fantasy stud this year, so buyers should proceed with caution, and owners may want to begin to skim over your league’s trading block. (92% owned in Yahoo! leagues)

 
(April 9, 2011 – Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images North America) 

Written by Tyler Becker exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com

Follow Tyler on Twitter @fantasyprodigy for his fantasy baseball news and notes. 

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