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The Staff: Waiver Wire Update

MLB Ultimate Resources

Waiver Wire Update

By KFL Writer Min Lee

It’s official. Francisco Liriano is relevant in fantasy leagues once again. Managers in all formats scrambled to the waiver wire after witnessing his six-inning shutout against the Indians. Many worried the Tommy John surgery would permanently compromise his control and strikeout numbers, but the outing was a positive sign to dispel that notion. Save for a bases-loaded jam, Liriano looked fairly comfortable, holding the Indians to three hits.

And now for an update on some worthy pick-ups:

Kelly Shoppach, C, Cleveland Indians

As long as Martinez remains sidelined, Shoppach is a viable option at catcher. Consider this: Ryan Doumit (.339 avg, 12 HR, 52 RBI, 41 R) is owned in 100% of ESPN Fantasy Leagues while Shoppach (.280 avg, 12 HR, 35 RBI, 35 R in 60 less at-bats) is owned in only 28.5%. Shoppach has a high strikeout ratio, but he’s currently on a hot streak, hitting .413 with 5 HR, 15 RBI last 12 games.

Fernando Tatis, OF, New York Mets

Ryan Church still has not started on his rehab assignment so Tatis will get the nod in the outfield for some time. Tatis has a 10-game hitting streak despite the Mets scoring only seven runs the last three games. In that span, he is hitting .385 with 2 HR, 7 RBI, 6 R, and his numbers should get better as the Mets pick up their offense.

Joey Votto, 1B, Cincinnati Reds

Votto is learning to maximize his chances at the plate (1 K in last 5 games) and also hit .429 with 1 HR, 8 RBI, and 3 R in those games. With Jay Bruce wielding the hot bat, Votto will get more opportunities to score.

Melvin Mora, 3B, Baltimore Orioles

Mora showed life in mid-July, hitting home runs in three straight games. He now has hit safely in five of last six games, including two multi-hit games. His batting average is 25 points higher than what it was in the beginning of July.

The Staff:

MLB Ultimate Resources
Letting Go
by KFL Writer Min Lee

A staggering 84.8% of ESPN fantasy owners have currently invested in Bartolo Colon, 82.8% in Pedro Martinez. Owners seem to have been wooed by the two veterans’ winning records (Colon is 4-1, Martinez 2-0) but I also suspect that fans just haven’t let go of the pitchers’ glory days. The reality is, Colon has pitched over six innings on only one occasion since returning on May 21, and he left today’s game with tightness in his back. And despite holding the Rangers to one run in six innings of work yesterday, Martinez still has a 5.31 ERA and 1.57 WHIP.

Here are some pitchers still widely available in leagues and worthy of a spot on your rotation:

Francisco Liriano: Liriano keeps pitching better and better in his rehab starts, and it seems his days down at Triple-A are soon coming to an end. He surrendered two runs and fanned five in seven innings in Sunday’s start. He may lack the explosiveness in his arm, but he’s good enough to post decent ERA and strikeout numbers when he returns to majors.

Aaron Laffey: He has one ugly loss to the Rangers, when he gave up eight runs in five innings, but otherwise Laffey has been remarkably consistent this season. In May, he went 28 innings without giving up a run and did not allow a home run in his five starts. In seven of his last eight outings, Laffey has pitched six innings or more and given up less than two runs. The 23-year old rookie has a bright future ahead of him.

Kyle Lohse: The same Phillies offense that lit up the Cardinals for 20 runs the previous game was stifled to a quiet two runs by the 29-year old hurler. Lohse has won his last five starts, sporting a miniscule 2.03 ERA.

Tim Wakefield: Wakefield has been outstanding in his last four starts, giving up just seven runs and eight walks in 29 innings of work (2.17 ERA). His K:BB ratio is approximately 3:1 in that span.

The Staff: Pick-Ups of the Week

MLB Ultimate Resources
Pick-Ups of the Week
by KFL Writer Min Lee

We all knew what Chipper is capable of doing when he stays healthy. But a .419 batting average 222 at-bats into the season? That’s just ridiculous, folks. Someone remind this man he is 36 years old after I win my fantasy league.

Pick-ups of the week:

Maicer Izturis (2B, 3B, SS): Like Figgins, Izturis is versatile and speedy. He has hit safely in his last 11 games, which include 8 multi-hit games. In that span, he scored 7 runs and drove in 10.

Alexi Casilla (2B): A lot of fans were disappointed by his numbers last season, but he’s filled in nicely for the Twins since being called up from the minors. He just put together a 13-game hitting streak, during which he averaged 1 run and 1 RBI per game. Casilla can also get you some stolen bases.

Ryan Garko (1B): In the month of June, Garko is batting .370 with 2 HRs, 9 runs, and 15 RBI.

David DeJesus (OF): His numbers still aren’t great for a leadoff hitter, but he’s been on fire since late May and hasn’t shown signs of slowing down. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Russell Branyan (3B): This 32-year old veteran has 6 homers in 40 at-bats. A good pick-up if you need short-term help at third.

Luke Scott (OF): His batting average is always a concern, but he’s hit 4 HRs this month, with 11 runs and 6 RBIs.

Lastings Milledge (OF): No stolen bases in June is disappointing, but the 23-year old has shown some power lately and won’t sit on .248 for too long.

Ultimate Baseball Resources Updated

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- 2008 Baseball Mock Draft (SI.com)
- 08 First 10 Picks (MLB.com)
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- Final Mock Draft of 08 (MLB-Draft.com)
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- 2008 Top 100 MLB Prospects (SportsCity.com)
- 2008 MLB Mock Draft Notes (myMLBdraft.com)
- 2008 MLB Mock Draft (MLB Draft Site)
- 08 MLB 1st Projections (Yahoo Sports)
- 08 Baseball Draft Capsules (Yahoo Sports)

Ultimate Baseball Resources Updated

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- 2008 Baseball Mock Draft (Fantasy Playmakers)
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