We make that face a lot too, Jeremy - when we look at your numbers lately.

Anyone notice we have started the movement of Triple-A prospects into the majors? My favorite story has to be the arrival of outfielder Rick Ankiel. Those of you who remember the National League playoffs of the year 2000 witnessed the meltdown of Cardinals’ 20-year-old rookie pitcher Rick Ankiel against the Atlanta Braves. After a good season where he won eleven games and struck out 194 hitters in 175 innings, Ankiel entered the playoffs and lost the plate. He became the first pitcher since 1890 (not 1990 but 1890!) to throw five wild pitches in one inning, ending with nine in only four innings of pitching during the series.

In 2001 Ankiel was 1-2 with a 7.13 ERA in six starts. After two years lost to injury, he had a 5.40 ERA in 10 innings over five relief appearances in 2004. At that point, Ankiel gave up pitching but did not give up his dreams of playing in the Majors again. In 2005, Ankiel began a career as an outfielder. This year Ankiel was playing for Memphis in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. There he was hitting .267, with 32 homers and 89 RBI when he was called up by St. Louis this week. In his first game up as a hitter, Ankiel swatted a 2-1 curveball from Doug Brocail over the right-field wall to turn a 2-0 game into a 5-0 rout. When he came out for a fan demanded curtain call, Ankiel was beaming. Perhaps major league pitchers will find a weakness and he will go back down to the minors but for one night at least, he was back on center stage as a winner.

Other recent call-ups include Cubs’ outfielder Felix Pie, from Iowa of the International League (Triple-A); Yankees’ pitchers Joba Chamberlain, from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre of the International League (Triple-A), and Philip Hughes, from the 60-day disabled list; Marlins’ outfielder Alejandro De Aza, from the 15-day disabled list; and Mariners’ outfielder Adam Jones, from Tacoma of the Pacific Coast League (Triple-A). All are good acquisitions in any keeper fantasy league but none should be factors in what remains of this year’s statistical battles. By the way, Jones combines with Ichiro Suzuki and Jose Guillen for probably the strongest armed outfield in the Majors. That is a reference to arm strength not weapons. The other best armed outfield plays for the Sing Sing Prison team.

If you want to examine who will make a difference, start here:

Top Players

Memo to self: remind all designated hitters that sliding can be dangerous. David “Papi” Ortiz is sitting on the Red Sox bench in due great part to an injured shoulder suffered in a head first slide into second base. Now Travis “Pronk” Hafner is complaining about an injured left knee suffered in a slide into second. He will undergo a MRI exam when the team returns to Cleveland. “Papi and the Pronk” sounds like a new sitcom on the CW network.

Carl Crawford – The perfect “roto” player has stepped it up in points leagues too. Remember, in points leagues it does not matter how you get your points, a one or two category superstar or a five category good player may produce the same numbers. Crawford may never hit for 30 homerun power, but he has every other category covered.

Jeremy Bonderman – What happened? Other than the fact that I traded for him three weeks ago, is there any reason a skilled pitcher would go into the tank with such a big belly flop? Over the past three weeks, Bonderman is 0-4 with an 11.28 ERA. Hitters have batted .385 against him and slugged .677. I have to believe there is something unusually wrong with him physically. I will be benching him until I see a good game and you should be too.

Surprise Upturn

Jermaine Dye – Since the All-Star break, Jermaine Dye is batting over .320. His 20 extra-base hits, including 11 home runs, lead Major League baseball. He is finally healthy and ready to lead the White Sox back to the World Series. Oops. Too late.

Scott Baker – I have become increasingly impressed with young Mr. Baker and it appears he will continue his numerical dominance. Over the past three weeks, Baker has held the opposition to a .160 average with a .267 slugging percentage. Most importantly, in 23 innings, Baker has a 16-3 strikeout to walk ratio. That is dominance.

Raul Ibanez – Watch carefully, the series with the Orioles may be an indication of things to come. Three home runs and seven RBI in the series follow a 116 at-bat span where he did not hit a home run. This upturn may revert backward. Use at your own expense.

Over Their Head

Melky Cabrera, Yankees – I refuse to believe a player I released in mid-season has the ability to put up the dramatic numbers that the Yankee Cabrera has over the past month. No, No, No! Well, he has bounced back from an awful April to produce numbers similar to those that would make Johnny Damon proud.

Geoff Blum, Padres – Blum is the epitome of a journeyman but for a week or two, he can put up great numbers. These are those weeks but as soon as you bring him up, the stats will disappear in a puff of smoke. I have been there.

Jim Edmonds, Cardinals – Edmonds is just too brittle to count on. With a .247 season average and a .387 slugging percent, I have to believe the 10 for 19 in the past seven days is an aberration. Besides, how can someone have an on base percentage this week of .609 and not score a single run?

Dontrelle Willis, Marlins – Willis continues his downward slide. He has not won a game since May 29 and is an Anthony Reyes-like 0-9 with a 5.14 ERA, and a 1.79 WHIP. The D-Train has fallen off the tracks and we will have to wait until next year to see if it is permanent.

Mike Bacsik, Jr., Nationals – When is giving up a home run being in over your head? When it leads to a notoriety that will last a lifetime. Just like Al Downing is remembered for giving up Henry Aaron’s 715th home run, Mike Bacsik will be remembered for serving up Barry Bonds’ 756th. Bacsik is only 5-6 with a 4.47 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 86 innings. He will end up being a footnote in baseball history but will be signing autographs forever.

Questions and comments can be sent to davidkopacz@sportsgrumblings.com