2009 Fantasy Baseball: Pick Up or Stay Away

This week sets the stage for some of baseball’s biggest rivalries. Finally, a chance to see our favorite players rise to the occasion or choke on the big stage. Who are some guys that can help your teams throughout this big week and beyond and who are some to pass on by?

Stay Away

Gordon Beckham- White Sox SS/3B: The White Sox are desperate. The offense has looked anemic all season and needless to say the pitching hasn’t been much better. They’ve resorted to using a rotation including Bartolo Colon, Jose Contreras (who actually didn’t look bad in his one start) and most recently signed Freddy Garcia. Paging El Duque? Either way, their recent struggles have led to the call-up of young prospect Gordon Beckham, the eighth overall pick in the 2008 MLB Draft. His quick promotion makes him the fastest White Sox player to reach the big leagues since Alex Fernandez in 1990. Despite hitting the ball very well in the minors, so far at this level, Beckham has looked overmatched. He is just 0-13 and with the Tigers and Brewers looming this week it does not help his case. Perhaps take a chance on him in some deep (and I stress deep) leagues because Ozzie Guillen has said he is not afraid to use Beckham at 3B, SS and even 2B and could add some depth but besides that, stay away!

Matt Wieters- Orioles C: For all of the fantasy owners who used up a roster spot waiting for the call-up on Wieters can’t be too happy right now. Not to say Wieters doesn’t have a great career to look forward to, and perhaps he can even turn it around this season, but I wouldn’t expect anything big from Wieters until after the all-star break. For now, he seems to be struggling to make the adjustment to the big leagues. He is just 4-for-28 since joining the O’s and doesn’t look very comfortable at the plate. Wieters faces a Seattle staff that held him to just one hit last week followed by a very talented Braves’ pitching staff this weekend. If you are in a deep league in need of a catcher, and Wieters is still out there, give him a shot if you are willing to be patient. If not, I would hold off; settle for Varitek.

Pick em’ Up

Rick Porcello- Tigers SP: This 21-year-old former first-round pick has really proven that he belongs in the majors. Despite a rocky April (1-3 6.23 ERA) he sure rebounded in May going 5-0 and leading the AL with a 1.50 ERA. While there is absolutely no chance his May numbers repeat for the rest of the season, you can bet that he will settle down and be a solid starter for some teams in need of pitching. With D-Train still suffering from all sorts of issues (too many to list), Porcello’s spot in the rotation seems like a sure thing. This week, Porcello is slated to get the ball Friday night in Pittsburgh. You have to like his chances against a weak lineup and a team still buzzing from the loss of Nate McLouth.

Hank Blalock- Rangers 1B/3B: Josh Hamilton’s injury could really benefit Blalock. Not a great guy for average, but he certainly knows how to hit for power. When healthy, he has proven to be a solid 25-30 HR guy with 90-100 RBIs. With Hamilton out for 4-6 weeks Blalock will man the number three-hole for Texas, which is already a very talented line-up. Look for Blalock to reward fantasy owners who need some pop on their team. Blalock faces the Blue Jays (Without Halladay) and then the Dodgers this weekend. Nelson Cruz’s unconscious numbers should provide some excellent protection for Blalock allowing him to see great pitches to hit.

Final Thought

John Smoltz- Red Sox SP: Why does it seem like everyone has forgotten how good this guy is? Before going down last year, he put up a 2.57 ERA and a 3.11 ERA in the full season prior. While it is likely coming off an injury and moving into a tougher league and division his ERA will take a hit, but in that Boston offense, he looks poised for some wins. With Dice-K struggling badly and Brad Penny on the trading block, Smoltz can be a big help for some teams down the stretch. He pitched six innings of one-run ball this past weekend for AAA Pawtucket and in all likelihood looks set to join the Red Sox staff for the Florida Marlins series next week (just in time for a showdown with the Braves in his second start back).