In this week’s AL Grumblings, for a change of pace we’ll highlight a young player that has either joined the major league staff or is due for a September call-up that should have an impact in the playoffs as well as the roster for years to come.
TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS
LHP David Price
The countdown is on for the Tampa Bay Rays. With the playoffs all but secured, it is time to look to the stud in the barn, David Price. The left-handed pitcher drafted out of Vanderbilt made his Triple-A debut just a few short weeks ago. Price has struggled in comparison to his dominance in the Single-A and Double-A venues this season. With all the talk of his likely call-up in early September, one has to wonder, “If the hype/stress is getting to him now, what kind of a performance will he give at the highest level of competition?” There is no doubt that he can pitch or that he is major league material. I think the team should call him up and allow him to get his feet wet but I frown upon labeling him the next Joba Chamberlain and raising unnecessary expectations.
BOSTON RED SOX
SS Jed Lowrie
With a game-winning homerun and .298 batting average, everyone should see the writing on the wall. Jed Lowrie is the future shortstop for the Boston Red Sox. Lowrie has shown “Pedroia-like” (so named after Dustin Pedroia) mettle in his brief career in the major leagues. Lowrie has 32 runs batted in just 154 plate appearances. With the offense missing Manny Ramirez, J.D. Drew, and Mike Lowell’s bats, Lowrie could not have delivered at a better time. The only question is what do they do with Julio “Last Out” Lugo?
LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM
RHP Jose Arredondo
There is no doubt that Francisco Rodriguez is the Angels’ closer in 2008, but with free agency looming and a payroll to rival any other in baseball today, the question is “What do the Angels do if they cannot re-sign K-Rod?”
The answer is Arredondo. Show me another relief pitcher that can mow down the best teams in the American League with 36 K in 43.7 IP, earning a record of 6-1, while allowing only six earned runs all season, to maintain a 1.24 earned run average. Now that the list is as short as it is, add in the fact that he is only 24-years old. So, if the team either elects not to re-sign K-Rod or another team outbids them for his services, the Angels and Arturo Moreno know that they have a proven commodity on the roster that will not overtax the payroll for years to come.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
2B/SS/OF Alexei Ramirez
I know that I could showcase Carlos Quentin, and it would probably just as “unoriginal” as my mention of Ramirez, but in the fantasy realm, the Sox starting second baseman is just know starting to get nods for Rookie of the Year and airtime on ESPN.
Batting an impressive .307, Ramirez is winning over fantasy managers with his plate presence, his continually increasing pop at the plate (15 HR), and even displays of speed (9 SB). When a player enters his first full season without so much as a cup of coffee in the majors prior to that, and has 48 runs scored and 58 batted in, failing to mention him for ROY would be a cardinal sin. There is no doubt that the team landed a whale when they opted to sign Ramirez, and I have a feeling that he will be a Top 5 second baseman in 2009, at least in AL Only leagues.
MINNESOTA TWINS
LHP Glen Perkins
The Twins have so many that qualify for this category, basically 80-percent of their staff, that I elected to go with the player who has had the least publicity in my estimation. A relief pitcher turned starter, Perkins has responded by winning his last three consecutive starts and four of his last five. He will not mesmerize you with speed but appears to be more of a junk-ball pitcher. With an 11-3 record and a 3.90 ERA, he is probably one of the best Number 5 pitchers in the game.
To lend some perspective on the quality of pitching that this young player brings, consider that he threw an eight-inning, five-hit, shutout game against the Angels…in Anaheim.
Look for Perkins to join the young staff of Francisco Liriano, Scott Baker, Kevin Slowey, and Nick Blackburn, to be one of the youngest and most productive starting pitching staffs in baseball in the upcoming years. I now see why they could sacrifice Matt Garza in a trade.
Here are a couple of other, future notables, although they will have an impact on ther organizations in September, it will not be with playoff hopes still alive.
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
LHP Gio Gonzalez
Gio Gonzalez is the next best thing to join the Athletics’ organization. Making only his fourth career start, he struck out nine Mariners in five innings. Although there were mixed reviews, as four runs scored (two earned), there was also something to marvel about…The Athletics have again found an excellent arm to build their rotation with. He is easily a long-term keeper in AL Only leagues.
TEXAS RANGERS
RHP Brandon McCarthy
Once a highly touted prospect for the White Sox organization, McCarthy has had one career-plaguing injury after another. Recently called back from the 60-day disabled list, McCarthy pitched four innings, striking out three and was tagged for one earned run. Within the Rangers organization, this has to be considered a win. The team has endured injuries to Doug Mathis, Kevin Millwood, and Vicente Padilla, making their three “best” pitchers unavailable for great portions of the season. If McCarthy can regain his health and continue to take steps towards early career expectations, he will hold fantasy value in the near future.
