| NL Grumblings - May 3, 2007 |
| By Jesse Draper |
Published
05/2/2007
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NL Grumblings
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Jesse Draper
Jesse is researching Fantasy Sports in Popular Culture for the American Studies
M.A. program at Michigan State University. He's been playing fantasy sports for
10 years and has been a writer at Gridiron Grumblings for two years.
View all articles by Jesse Draper
NL West Grumblings
 | | Juan Pierre led the NL with five stolen bases last week. |
National League West
Los Angeles Dodgers
Andre Ethier isn’t sweating the return of Matt Kemp from the DL. There was talk earlier in the season of Kemp replacing Ethier’s cold bat in the outfield, but Ethier has picked it up of late, and seems to be settling down at the plate. Kemp was sent to AAA once he was activated.
It never ceases to amaze me how often people undervalue Juan Pierre. Two days ago he was acquired for AJ Burnett in a 12 team mixed keeper league that I play in. Call him a two category player all you like, but 55 steals, 100 runs and a .300 average over close to 700 at bats is money. Don’t underestimate how far that many at bats go towards countering the drag of a .250 power hitter.
Now’s a good time to get Randy Wolf on the cheap. After a solid 3-1 start, he’s been hit hard in two straight losses. What’s important to remember though, is that a healthy Wolf is a guy capable of racking up 175 strikeouts and double digit wins… especially in that home park with that bullpen. Expect him to bounce back and bring that ERA back under 4.00 before long.
Chad Billingsley is likely heading to AAA in the near future to get more innings. He still has tremendous potential, and he should be retained in keeper leagues if you have the roster space. Redraft owners, however, should feel free to let him go for now.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Stephen Drew is starting to resemble brother JD in one area that is anything but promising for fantasy owners; he’s starting to develop nagging leg injuries. Earlier in the season he was suffering from a sore groin, and this week it’s the hammy. That said, he still managed to string together a nice six game hit streak last week, four of which were two-hit games. Expect many more of those.
The Diamondbacks rotation is back to full strength, as Micah Owings (1-1, 2.93 ERA, 8.22 K/9) will return to the rotation on Thursday with Edgar Gonzalez moving to the pen. Livan Hernandez (0.78 K/BB ratio) is still having trouble locating his pitches, but he’s managed to mitigate damage by limiting the long ball and inducing groundballs. Every pitcher in this rotation is worthy of a roster spot.
Conor Jackson struggled mightily in April due to nagging injuries. He was out again last week with a cut finger, but will return to the lineup once he can grip the ball. Don’t be fooled by his slow start. Jackson is a professional hitter and it’s only a matter of time before he heats up. Buy low.
Justin Upton minor league update through 23 games: 5 HR - 14 RBI - 7 SB - .356/.458/.598.
Dynasty owners need to get on that.
San Francisco Giants
Barry Bonds is now just twelve homeruns away from Hank Aaron after hitting  | When Bonds approaches Hammerin' Hanks record most baseball enthusists will simply enjoy the show, others will choose to hate.
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number 743 on Wednesday night. Owners that gambled on Bonds bouncing back this season might be the only people on the planet that are enjoying this.
Randy Winn is heating up, with 13 hits in his last 29 at bats. Winn has always been undervalued, despite years of solid, consistent contributions in every offensive category. Chances are he's on the wire in many leagues. He's worth rostering, particularly in NL Only formats.
Top pitching prospect Tim Lincecum racked up his fourth win of the season on the 29th by striking out 14 in six innings. I don't care how well you think your rotation is doing, this guy belongs with the major league club now. Tentatively he will replace Ortiz in Week 6. If you can... pick him up yesterday.
San Diego Padres
Petco Park be damned, Adrian Gonzalez is one of the top power hitters in the National League, and has been out-hitting a guy named Pujols. He should regress a bit, but not as far as some might think. Try to get him from someone looking to sell high, chances are you'll still come out ahead.
Josh Bard hasn't found his swing yet since returning from the DL last week, but he should finish the season as one of the better hitting catchers in the National League. Stash him on your bench if you have the room and the need.
Colorado Rockies
Rookie SS Troy Tulowitzki is heating up hitting out of the two hole, and centerfielder Willy Taveras has finally found his swing as well. Tulowitzki hit two homeruns and six RBI’s last week, while Taveras stole two bases hitting .478.
Sure the power has been missing, and may never fully come back, but how can you overlook Todd Helton’s incredible hitting last week? He hit .545 with an astonishing .667 OBP. I don’t care what format you play in, there’s serious value in hitting like that.
Jason Hirsh has struggled with his command lately, but he’ll still provide good value in NL leagues by season’s end. Don’t give up on him just yet.
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