Fantasy Sports Advice, Analysis and Projections | The Fantasy Fix
 
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Carlos Gonzalez
Power and Speed, two of the five essential “tools” or skills that baseball players are said to possess, are lethal when combined. Players like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Bobby Bonds, Dale Murphy, Barry Bonds*, Daryl Strawberry, Alex Rodriguez, Alfonso Soriano and Hanley Ramirez all have used their unique combination of power and speed to join one of the most elite fraternities in Major League Baseball. The 30/30 Club. 

A player who hits 30 homers and steals 30 bases is said to have joined the 30/30 club. The 30/30 club has been achieved 54 times in the modern era of baseball. Barry & Bobby Bonds combined, have accounted for ten of them. The more elite and rare club is the 40/40, which has been achieved by Jose Canseco, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez and Alfonso Soriano. The 50/50 has never been reached, but Alex Rodriguez is said to have come closest in 1998 when he went 42/46 as a member of the Seattle Mariners.

Ian Kinsler was the only player in MLB to achieve 30/30 in the 2009 season with 31 jacks and 30 stolen bags. Unfortunately, Ian started off the 2010 season on the disabled list, likely keeping him from back to back seasons in the 30/30 club.

The following have the best chance to join the elite 30/30 club in the 2010 season:

Ryan Braun (OF-MIL)
This kid is legit. Through 21 games, Braun has put 5 balls in the seats and swiped 6 bags. Projected over the course of an entire season, Braun could potentially reach the 40/40 plateau. Last year, Braun didn’t steal his sixth base until mid-June, so he’s a month ahead of schedule in that category. My Guess: 38/35.

Matt Kemp (OF-LAD)

Like Ryan Braun, Kemp is one of the brightest young talents in the big leagues. In 2009, Kemp came ultra close to joining the 30/30 fraternity, finishing the season with 26 HR & 34 SB. While he finished just shy in the HR category in 2009, he sure is off to a quick start this year, as Matt currently has 7 HR in just 21 games. This pace, projected over the course of a full season would put him in the 45+ HR range. In 2008 & 2009, Kemp stole 35 & 34 bases respectively. Expect Kemp to join the elite 30/30 club in 2010. My Guess: 42/34.

Nelson Cruz (OF-TEX)

In 2009, Nelly went 33/20 in just 128 games. Nelly got off to a fast start in 2010 with 7/5.  Cruz recently hit the disabled list with an aggravated hamstring, putting his potential bid for a 30/30 or even a 40/40 season in jeopardy. I hope this kid gets healthy soon, he’s one of the most exciting players in the game. My Guess: 35/26   

Next In Line: Carlos Gonzalez (OF-COL)
CarGo, as he’s well known throughout the media, fits the same mold as Braun & Kemp. Although CarGo doesn’t have a full MLB season under his belt yet, he did manage to hit 13 HR and steal 16 bags in 86 appearances in 2009 for the Rockies. While I don’t think he will be able to achieve 30/30 this season, I believe he’s one year away. The fact that three former Rockies are 30/30 members (Walker, Burks & Bichette) lead me to believe that playing home games at Coors Field will enhance his chances. My Guess: 28/32.

Is it any coincidence that Braun and Kemp were probably drafted in the first round of your fantasy baseball draft? I think not. There is no evidence to support that the first two will slow down and the latter two won’t continue to get better. Get them on your team any chance you get. They will lead you to the “Fantasy Promise Land!”

Do you have any other potential 30/30 candidates?
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Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Sports Blog, Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers, Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers, Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies, Nelson Cruz, Texas Rangers, Willie Mays, Bobby Bonds, Barry Bonds, Dale Murphy, Daryl Strawberry, Alex Rodriguez, Alfonso Soriano, Hanley Ramirez, Jose Conseco, Dante Bichette, Larry Walker, Ellis Burks, 30/30 Club, 40/40 Club, Fonzy Scheme
 
 
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Javier Vazquez
Here are a few starters having a rough transition to the American League. I’m sure those SP in contract years are watching…

Back for a second round in the big city are ya?

Javier Vazquez (SP-NYY)

Javy didn’t have the greatest of tenures during his first stay in the Bronx in 2004. He finished just 14-10 with a horrific 4.91 ERA and 150 strikeouts. Vazquez isn’t exactly thriving in the pinstripes this trip either. Just two weeks into the season and four trips to the hill, over 4,000 owners in Yahoo! leagues have dropped Javier today due to his 1-3 start and 9.00 ERA.

Verdict: Hold in all formats. Find a nice spot on the pine for him until he turns it around, or is determined to be a lost cause.

This park isn’t as friendly as Petco!

Jake Peavy (SP-CWS)

Not such a great start to your first full season in Chicago, is it Jake? In four starts, Jake is 0-1 with a 7.66 ERA and a 1:1 K:BB ratio. Maybe both Peavy and Vazquez are taking the switch to the AL a little tougher than we thought. You think he regrets not exercising his “no-trade” clause a second time?

Verdict: See Javier Vazquez above.

Everything IS bigger in Texas. Including your ERA.

Rich Harden (SP-TEX)

Like the two previous pitchers, Harden has had a tough time adjusting to the AL in his first four starts in Texas. Three of Harden’s four outings have been for 4.1 innings or less. Rich is has been walking almost as many batters as striking out and his ERA is hovering around 5. There are two Texas pitchers I’d rather have on my roster, and one isn’t even there yet. Colby Lewis & Derek Holland (who as of this article is @OKC)

Verdict: Don’t let the door hit ya’ where the good lord split ya’!

An AL SP to Keep an Eye on:

Joe Saunders (SP-LAA)

There are only 3 SP in all of MLB has more wins than Saunders over the past two seasons. Any guesses? Doc (37), CC (36) and Cliff Lee (36). That’s right, Joe’s win totals over the past two equal that of Tiny Tim’s (33) and are more than Haren, Verlander and Wainwright (30 each), more than Greinke (29), King Felix (28) and Javy Vazquez (27). All of the previous, EXCEPT Saunders finished in the CY Young voting in 2009. Saunders was not considered a CY finalist due to his high ratio numbers. He’s not going to give you stellar 5-category numbers, but he will get you some much needed W’s without destroying your ERA & WHIP.  Expect Saunders to get back on track and look like he did in the previous years. Joe is currently owned in only 22% of Yahoo! leagues.

Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Sports Blog, Roto, Javier Vazquez, New York Yankees, Rich Harden, Texas Rangers, Jake Peavy, Chicago White Sox, Joe Saunders, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Fonzy Scheme

 
 
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Generation K
Flashback to the early 90's. I was twelve.

Mets Fan: “Generation K is going to rival and overcome the Braves pitching staff”
Me: “Who?!?”
Mets Fan: “You know, Bill Pulsipher, Paul Wilson & Jason Isringhausen?”
Me: “Generation Who? Better than Maddux, Glavine, Avery & Smoltz?” 
Mets Fan: “Guaranteed”
Me: “Ha! You’re sniffing way too many markers”

Flash forward to this week.

Same Mets Fan via Text: “You better grab Ike Davis”
Me: “Remember when you told me about Generation K?”
Same Mets Fan via Text: “Ha, yea, forgot about that!”
Me: “I didn’t! Are you back on the markers?”

 It’s not that I don’t believe in Ike, or the Mets fan. Davis is a top rated prospect and his numbers at Buffalo have been phenomenal.  I mean, close to 5,000 Yahoo! league owners have added him since I started writing this article alone. However, I’m not ready to use my #2 waiver priority and a transaction (we get 40/season) to acquire him. Once he clears waivers, proves that he can hit pitches other than a fastball, and is found not to be cursed like “Generation K” was, I will consider him. Note: This is based on my team’s needs. I will be keeping Tim Lincecum and Justin Upton again in 2011, so I’m not necessarily looking in the market for a potential keeper. Additionally, I have 1b locked up with MCab and Justin Morneau. Davis would probably have to ride the pine.

Other potential prospects to get called up before the ASB:

Justin Smoak- 2% owned- He’s straight raking right now in OKC. Chris Davis is striking his way out of the Rangers lineup.
Carlos Santana- 4% Owned - Batting .364 with 4 HR, 14 RBI and a 1.178 OPS in 13 games. He’s the future.
Stephen Strasburg- 68% owned. Cruising through the minors. Get him now, while you can.
Ardolis Chapman-  30% owned. Holding his own in Louisville.  Give it a whirl.

Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Sports Blog, New York Mets, Ike Davis, Generation K, Bill Pulsipher, Paul Wilson, Jason Isringhausen, Fonzy Scheme
 
 
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 Who’s selling high on Ubaldo?

Not me. That’s partially because I wasn’t able to get my hands on him in any of my leagues. However, if I was able to draft Jimenez, I would only consider trading him if someone offered up the farm. This kid is the real deal at just 26 years old and he enters his third full season hotter than an Icelandic volcano.

Quick and simple comparison:

2008- Started 34 Games, 198.2 IP, Finished 12-12, 172K, 103 BB, 3.99 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, .243 BAA

2009- Started 33 Games, 218.0 IP, Finished 15-12, 198K,  85 BB, 3.47 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, .229 BAA

2010- Started  3 Games,  21 IP, 3-0, 20K, 10 BB, 1.29 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, .203 BAA (Did I mention a No Hitter?)

You do the math. He’s made noticeable improvements in the most essential categories, all while at Coors. Not sure he will keep up this pace, but I’d be patient until someone makes me a deal I can’t refuse.

What are your thoughts?
Who are some other sell high candidates? Who would you take for Ubaldo RIGHT NOW?
Please use the comment feature at the top of this article to discuss.

Tags: Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Sports, Colorado Rockies, Fantasy Sports Blogs, Fonzy Scheme, Ubaldo Jimenez, No Hitter, The Fantasy Fix


 
 
Ricky Romero will be an essential component to the Doc Holliday-less Blue Jays in 2010. Quickly vaulting to the top of the AL East with a 7-3 start, the Blue Jays need Ricky to be the #1 SP they anticipated when they drafted him #6 overall in the 2005 draft. Through his first two starts, Ricky is boasting a slick 1-0 record with 16K’s, 1.80 E.R.A and a stunning 0.67 WHIP. During his most recent start, Ricky had his no hit bid end in the eighth when he plunked A.J. Pierzynski, then gave up a two-run bomb to Alex Rios. The long ball to his former teammate turned out to be the only hit Romero gave up in this dominant winning effort.

Fantasy Impact: Ricky went 13-9 last year in 29 trips to the mound, so you should not be trying to figure out which rock he crawled out from under. Some former owners may be hesitant to add him based on his poor finish last season. Don't fret. Ricky added a two-seam fastball to his arsenal in the offseason and put it on display during his recent 12k performance against the White Sox. His new 4 pitch repertoire will guide him to the fantasy promise land. Currently owned in only 44% of ESPN leagues and 62% of Yahoo leagues, you need to add Ricky immediately with confidence. Expect a minimum of 15 wins, 165+ K, and an ERA in the 3.65 range. 

What are your thoughts?
Who are some other "Young Gun" options you might consider?
Please use the comment feature at the top of this article to discuss. 

Tags: Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Sports, Young Guns, The Fonzy Scheme, Toronto Blue Jays, Ricky Romero, MLB