Brett Cecil, Toronto

Its extremely interesting how fast the fantasy stock market can change.  Every week I sit down to write this piece and wonder to myself who I can highlight for you guys.  It honestly takes me about a minute to think and I’ve got at least two solid candidates.  Some weeks I’ll have started writing and two other players who I wasn’t planning on discussing suddenly become a ‘must-add’ player. Let’s be honest though, its not every week a super stud becomes available on the waiver wire.  A lot of the time we’re going to discuss a player who possesses the skills to get a rare statistic, like steals, or a guy who suddenly gets playing time at a key position.  However, this week I’ve got at least one possible super stud type hitter who should see some solid at bats.  Who might that be you ask?  Read on.

Matt LaPorta 1B/OF Indians

What?  LaPorta a stud?  Let’s face it guys with all of the hype surrounding uber-prospects like Evan Longoria and Matt Wieters, players like Matt LaPorta end up being undervalued.  Yes Wieters and Longoria are likely in a prospect world of their own, but LaPorta is of a similar ilk, at least with the bat.  Like the aforementioned, he’s a player who can hit for solid average and provide major league ready power numbers.  Not to be confused with a speedster (two steals in four minor league attempts), LaPorta was hitting .333 with five home runs in 75 at bats in Triple A this season before the call up.  In case you forgot, the Indians thought so highly of him that they dealt ace CC Sabathia for him at the trade deadline last season. The only reservation with LaPorta, who should be universally owned in AL only leagues, is that the Indians have a ton of 1B/OF/DH types who are vying for at bats.  What’s the reason not to be concerned?  None of the competition possesses the elite on base and power skill set that Matt does.  As I discussed earlier, the fantasy world giveth and the fantasy world can taketh away. Travis Hafner, who looked like a solid sleeper pick early on, will be out a while with a shoulder issue.  Meanwhile, LaPorta’s already got his first major league home run and should stay put at the big league level There are very few high upside power bats that come into the league, especially one who could win the rookie of the year award.  Keeper leaguers bid accordingly.

Brett Cecil LHP Blue Jays

Somehow the Toronto Blue Jays continue to win games despite having a completely decimated starting pitching staff.  They started the season minus two key cogs in their rotation Shaun Marcum (Tommy John surgery) and Dustin McGowan (torn labrum).  Then default #2 starter Jesse Litsch went down with forearm tightness.  Early surprise sensation Ricky Romero then hit the disabled list with an oblique strain.  With David Purcey unable to find the strike zone, the Jays re-armed by calling up lefty Brett Cecil.  Cecil is a converted reliever whom many in the fantasy community completely ignored in their preseason prospecting.  Last season combined between Double and Triple A, Cecil struck out 118 batters in 117 innings.  He executes solid control and keeps the ball in the park.  A lot of people questioned this promotion because of Cecil’s struggles at Triple A so far this season ( a 8.31 ERA).  However, taking a quick peek under the hood you’ll note that a lot of his struggles were due to bad luck.  A batting average on balls in play of .356 and a strand rate of less than 40% will usually kill your earned run average.  For Cecil to be successful at this level he’ll have to keep the free passes down (above Double A, his walks per 9 were above 4.) and keep the strike out rate at the elite level he had shown (9.10 in 2008 at Triple A).  The best reason to pick him up is the Jays rotation is a mess right now.  If he can produce he will likely stick as the Jays frankly have few options.  Cecil makes for a good AL only or deep league pick up for those in need of starting pitching.  Keeper leaguers should also invest as Brett is only 23 years of age.

Last week’s Treasures, Julio Lugo and Rafael Soriano have had varying amounts of success.  Lugo has struggled coming back from an early season surgery.  He has been held out of action of late due to his poor defensive performance.  He’s still worth benching for now in deeper leagues while he gets into game shape.  Soriano has had two appearances since last week and continues to average more than a strike out per inning.  He remains an elite middle relief option who could see some save opportunities. 

I honestly find during the early part of the season I like to play it safe.  By safe, I mean I don’t generally like to trade my high upside sleeper types, for example Elijah Dukes.  I own him in a deeper league and continue to get offers for him and I’ve remained patient.  Its always sweet to see the patience pay off when Dukes gets you a home run, a stolen base and gets on base 4 times in on base percentage league.  Not to mention he’s driven in five in his last two games.  Anyway, remain patient with your more talented sleepers as its way too early to give up on them yet.

If you’re looking for some pitchers to pry away from owners who may be impatient, try offers for any of these pitchers suffering from poor BABIP: Josh Beckett, Ricky Nolasco, Kevin Slowey, Ubaldo Jimenez (if he can get those walks under control)  and back from the dead Justin Verlander.  Even if you pay draft value for these guys, note that their ERA/WHIP can only go down from here.  The team that you acquire them from gets the hit for the poor part of their season, while you gain valuable points in the rotisserie standings for the remainder of the season.

Well that’s all for me this week.  Happy hunting!