2011 Fantasy Baseball Week 7: The Rookie Report Starring Justin Turner & the New York Mets!
2B/3B- JUSTIN TURNER (NY METS) – Turner has been hotter than a Brooklyn Decker photo shoot since he has seen regular playing time in New York. He currently is hitting .318 with one home run in 44 AB’s. While he has seen regular time at second base, the Mets will now move him to third to cover for David Wright’s recent trip to the disabled list. Justin who was claimed off waivers from the Orioles in 2010 is a proven minor league hitter holding a career .309 batting average. If you need help in the infield he is worth a flier.
OF- JASON PRIDIE (NY METS) – Jason took over for injured Angel Pagan back in April and has posted decent stats going .246 with three home runs, 10 RBI's and two stolen bases in only 65 AB's. Jason has spent quite a bit of time in the minors and with Angel Pagan's return looming it is hard to project what Pridie's future will look like. One likely scenario may see him become the 4th OF with Pagan's return. Another could be with the possibility of the Met's moving Carlos Beltran's salary to another team with Jason becoming a starter. We will have to see how this plays out. Keep an eye on him for now.
2B- REUBEN TEJADA (NY METS) – Tejada got called up Monday from Buffalo and will start at second base for the Mets. I watched Reuben play for my home town Binghamton Mets (AA) in 2009 where he swiped 19 bases and hit .289. In a brief stint in the bigs last year he hit only .213. He had a great spring and with experience I see him as the future Mets second baseman. He has a bright future but not ready to make a fantasy impact yet.
SP- DILLON GEE (NY METS) – Dillon currently is 2-0 for the Mets with a 4.44 ERA in 26 innings. In his last two outings his control has been an issue, as he has walked seven batters causing his WHIP to go to a 1.44 mark. I would consider him a mixed league option with the right match up and definitely a roster pickup in NL league only formats.
SP/RP- AARON CROW (KANSAS CITY) – Crow has been lights out for the Royals so far posting a 2-0 record , a 0.93 ERA and striking out 18 batters in 19 innings. The big question for the Royals is how to use him. He has started and relieved and done well in both roles. He was not overwhelming in his minor league career going only 12-10 with a 5.26 ERA, so the jury is still out on the 24-year old native of Kansas. He makes a good addition to your Rotisserie league team right now.
RP- AL ALBURQUERQUE (DETROIT) – Yep that is his name and you better get used to it. This guy can pitch. Al has struck out 23 batters in only 13 innings of work. He has a 95 mph fastball and a nasty breaking ball. He also owns a strike out plus per inning in his minor league career. Right now he is a middle reliever and can help your roto league team in WHIP and strike outs. Closer of the future stuff as I see it.
2011 HARPER WATCHBRYCE HARPER (HAGERSTOWN A) – Bryce continues his onslaught of A ball pitching with a .366 batting average, nine home runs and 31 RBI’s in ONLY 131 AB’s. He also owns a 1.10 OPS and a .656 slugging percentage. Since Harper has been working with well known eye specialist Dr. Keith Simpson in late April, his stat line has taken off with a 15 game hitting streak and .492 batting average. I think it is time we all road tripped to Hagerstown to see “The Natural” play in person.
(May 6, 2011 – Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images North America)
Written by John Marino exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com.
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