J.J. Putz is back off the DL, but can he return to his form of the last two seasons?
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Texas Rangers
It seems there is more power talent in Texas than just Josh Hamilton.
Young catcher Tyler Teagarden has had an eventful life in just a few short days. This week Teagarden was selected to, and appeared in the Futures Game at Yankee Stadium, was selected to the U.S. Olympic team, and to cap it off, was called up to the major league organization. He then produced his first hit (a homerun) to break up a shutout by Minnesota Twins’ starter Scott Baker, threw out his first base runner (Alexi Casilla) and called a 1-0 win over the Twins where he had the only run batted in.
There is also talk about regular starts for first baseman Chris Davis, who is showing a power display of his own. In only 67 at bats, Davis has already hit seven homeruns with fifteen runs batted in. With a .238 batting average, there is obviously room for improvement, but when it comes to power, Davis and his lumber have shown that they can deliver.
Toronto Blue Jays
Could the bats of Toronto actually be coming alive?
There was room to hope as the Jays avoided a sweep by the first place Rays. The highlights were Alex Rios and his three for five night (homerun, two doubles, three runs batted in) and the spark in Marco Scutaro’s bat (three-run homerun).
Rios has been a little less powerful at the plate than previous years, but I believe it has as much to do with the lack of quality pitches he has seen with Vernon Wells in and out of the line-up as it does to just plain lack of power. Rios finally snapped a 71 at-bat homerless streak, dating back to June 24th.
Scutaro, who in the last 16 at-bats has homered twice, driven in eight runs, notched four runs of his own, but unfortunately does not offer much fantasy-wise, even with a full-time status at shortstop unless you are in a deep AL Only league.
Seattle Mariners
It seems ridding themselves of Richie Sexson’s contract was not the only thing that the organization did to shock its fan base. The team made a shocking decision to put former spot-closer Ryan Rowland-Smith in the starting line-up…that is, for their Triple-A affiliate. One would have naturally thought that Rowland-Smith would assume the setup role upon the return of J.J. Putz. The team instead decided that he is best suited to be stretched out this year and either receive a September call-up in a full-time role, or at worst, compete for a starting position on the 2009 roster.
This story obviously helps segue into the return of closer J.J. Putz. Putz who returned from the disabled list (hyperextended elbow), hopes to bring more to the table along the lines of his 2006 and 2007 campaigns (36 and 40 saves respectively). Prior to his injury, he had amassed a rather large earned run average, 4.95, and only recorded seven saves in ten chances. Now if only Erik Bedard could return, we could bring the Mariners up in conversation for possibly the third time this season…but in all likelihood, he will not and this will be one of the few times the Mariners make news this season.
Kansas City Royals
Several players are starting to make names for themselves, or at least their statistics are…
Relief pitcher Ron Mahay has had an impressive June, going 3-0 (5-0 overall) and posting an impressive .059 earned run average, all while striking out 14 batters in 15.1 innings. Additionally, Gil Meche is starting to look like the Gil Meche who surprised everyone early on last season, posting a 3-1 record in June and recording a respectable 3.16 earned run average. Meche may be a pitcher you may have overlooked on the free agent market who is heating up and could add some value to the back of your fantasy team rotation.
In addition, it appears that rookie shortstop Mike Aviles has been able to make the adjustments at the plate at the big league level. After a smoking start to his rookie campaign, Aviles hit a brutal 0 for 17 slump. But it appears that he has found his groove again as he batted .500 in the last two weeks, striking out only twice in his last 12 at-bats.
Baltimore Orioles
Although they have no impact on playoff predictions, they have talent!
There are two players that have really stepped their games up and I do not mean Melvin Mora and Aubrey Huff (although both get kudos for their increased production at the plate); I am talking about the two outfielders that accompany Nick Markakis. I am speaking of Adam Jones and Luke Scott.
Jones has done a great job adjusting to the big leagues and making the Orioles organization glad they made the deal to get him from the Mariners. Jones is batting .280 for the season, with 41 runs batted in, stroking five long balls, and accruing 39 runs so far. He has also added eight stolen bases to his repertoire, which makes him a good candidate for 5 X 5 keeper leagues.
Now with Scott, who has been a streaky hitter so far in his career, he has done a lot to even out his plate presence and make his presence felt in Baltimore. Through 285 at-bats, Scott has now increased his average to .267, walloped 17 homeruns, driven in 40 runs and crossed home plate 42 times. For Orioles fans, to see three outfielders that are hitting for a fairly good average, driving in runs both with slap hitting (Jones) and thump (Markakis, Scott) it has to be exciting.
