Nate Springfield
Under the Radar - NL-Only (Week 19)
Friday August 6th, 2010
Wasn't Ankiel just mentioned last week?(AP)
Each week Baseball Press will be providing some Under the Radar fantasy players for NL-Only Leagues, AL-Only Leagues and Mixed Leagues. These articles will be dedicated to finding those diamonds in the rough on the waiver wire that will either be a short term or long term replacement to an injury or struggling player on your fantasy team.
A rash of injuries across both AL and NL-only leagues has opened up some
every day spots and more playing time for some guys that can contribute
strongly in at least 1 category if not more. This time of year you
have to identify where you need help and match up the numbers
accordingly.
Wilson Ramos
- C, Washington Nationals (Yahoo! 0%, CBS 5%)
Ramos came over to the NL in the Matt Capps deal with the Minnesota Twins right around the trade deadline. Ramos will probably be a non-factor this year but if you play in any kind of NL keeper or franchise league he is worth a pick-up for his potential. The only reason the Twins let him go was because of Joe Mauer (he is pretty good) blocking his way to the big leagues. He will most certainly be a September call-up to get more playing time after the minor league season concludes.
Adam Kennedy - 1B/2B/3B, Washington Nationals (Yahoo! 6%, CBS 10%)
With Cristian Guzman now in Texas the playing time Kennedy was sharing with him is now all Adam's. Even though he won't come close to his 2009 production, he will be getting plenty of at-bats that will be useful to any NL-only team. He has hit .349 over the past 2 series and with more consistent playing time see a boost in his average that is now sitting at .262 on the year.
Omar Infante - 2B/3B/SS/OF, Atlanta Braves (Yahoo! 17%, CBS 28%)
All-Star second basemen made an aggressive slide into home plate that caused him to land on the DL with a broken pinky. With the injury, All-Star utility man Omar Infante steps in to take over as the Braves second basemen. Omar has had a wonderful year hitting .344 over 244 at-bats on the season. He doesn't offer a lot of pop or speed but solid at-bats, and with batting towards the top of the Braves offense he should see his Runs total climb for the rest of the year.
Chris Heisey - OF, Cincinnati Reds (Yahoo! 1%, CBS 4%)
Heisey has quietly stepped into a more active role with the Reds in the past couple weeks, seeing playing time in the last 14 of 15 games. There have been rumblings that when Chris Dickerson comes off the DL struggling center fielder Drew Stubbs could get sent down to triple-A to hopefully right the ship before the play-offs. If this happens look for Heisey to get a lot more at bats which so far he has made the most of. A slash line of .306/.384/.571 with 7 home runs - which includes one of the inside-the-park style.
Rick Ankiel - OF, Atlanta Braves (Yahoo! 5%, CBS 15%)
Well last week Ankiel was the cover boy for the AL-Only UtR. This week, he gets that billing on the NL side of things after being traded to the Atlanta Braves. Since coming off the DL, then with the Royals, he has hit a solid .313 with a home run and 8 RBI. Since coming over to the senior circuit he has hit a modest .222 and has struck out in every game but he is getting the at-bats and has the ability to put up a nice mix of power numbers when he gets going again.
Mike Minor - RP, Atlanta Braves (Yahoo! N/A%, CBS 22%)
Minor looks to fill the void in the Braves rotation left by the injured Kris Medlen. He is young and has had a solid minor league season with some excellent strike out numbers. There are two things you need to keep in mind with a younger player like this when they come up. The first start he probably will look excellent. His strike out numbers will probably translate fairly well. He will probably get hit hard most starts after his first few. If your WHIP and ERA are pretty solid and looking to pick up some K's he will be a great pick up for you.
Ramos came over to the NL in the Matt Capps deal with the Minnesota Twins right around the trade deadline. Ramos will probably be a non-factor this year but if you play in any kind of NL keeper or franchise league he is worth a pick-up for his potential. The only reason the Twins let him go was because of Joe Mauer (he is pretty good) blocking his way to the big leagues. He will most certainly be a September call-up to get more playing time after the minor league season concludes.
Adam Kennedy - 1B/2B/3B, Washington Nationals (Yahoo! 6%, CBS 10%)
With Cristian Guzman now in Texas the playing time Kennedy was sharing with him is now all Adam's. Even though he won't come close to his 2009 production, he will be getting plenty of at-bats that will be useful to any NL-only team. He has hit .349 over the past 2 series and with more consistent playing time see a boost in his average that is now sitting at .262 on the year.
Omar Infante - 2B/3B/SS/OF, Atlanta Braves (Yahoo! 17%, CBS 28%)
All-Star second basemen made an aggressive slide into home plate that caused him to land on the DL with a broken pinky. With the injury, All-Star utility man Omar Infante steps in to take over as the Braves second basemen. Omar has had a wonderful year hitting .344 over 244 at-bats on the season. He doesn't offer a lot of pop or speed but solid at-bats, and with batting towards the top of the Braves offense he should see his Runs total climb for the rest of the year.
Chris Heisey - OF, Cincinnati Reds (Yahoo! 1%, CBS 4%)
Heisey has quietly stepped into a more active role with the Reds in the past couple weeks, seeing playing time in the last 14 of 15 games. There have been rumblings that when Chris Dickerson comes off the DL struggling center fielder Drew Stubbs could get sent down to triple-A to hopefully right the ship before the play-offs. If this happens look for Heisey to get a lot more at bats which so far he has made the most of. A slash line of .306/.384/.571 with 7 home runs - which includes one of the inside-the-park style.
Rick Ankiel - OF, Atlanta Braves (Yahoo! 5%, CBS 15%)
Well last week Ankiel was the cover boy for the AL-Only UtR. This week, he gets that billing on the NL side of things after being traded to the Atlanta Braves. Since coming off the DL, then with the Royals, he has hit a solid .313 with a home run and 8 RBI. Since coming over to the senior circuit he has hit a modest .222 and has struck out in every game but he is getting the at-bats and has the ability to put up a nice mix of power numbers when he gets going again.
Mike Minor - RP, Atlanta Braves (Yahoo! N/A%, CBS 22%)
Minor looks to fill the void in the Braves rotation left by the injured Kris Medlen. He is young and has had a solid minor league season with some excellent strike out numbers. There are two things you need to keep in mind with a younger player like this when they come up. The first start he probably will look excellent. His strike out numbers will probably translate fairly well. He will probably get hit hard most starts after his first few. If your WHIP and ERA are pretty solid and looking to pick up some K's he will be a great pick up for you.
by Anonymous on Monday August 9th @ 1:39PM
Chris Heisey plays for the Reds and Omar Infante plays for the Braves
Comments are closed.
RELATED ARTICLES