The Real Deal - 10/05/08
Each week I will pick 5 hot players from the previous week and review if their hot week will continue or if the are playing over their heads. I will try to find out who is real and who is not in fantasy baseball
Got our first week of playoff action and let's see who is a possibility to get overvalued for next year on a playoff showing.
1) Evan Longoria - Tampa Bay Rays - 2/2/3/1/.400
We all know who Longoria is, but the reason I bring him up is people may expect him to grow some in average, but he is not likely to improve on his average in 2009. He has varied from 20-27% in AAA and the majors. This is where he will be around next year. This is around Braun's strikeout rate so I could see a similar line to Braun from 2008. He is The Real Deal just make sure you are prepared for a possible .210-.280 average.
2) Hiroki Kuroda - Los Angeles Dodgers - 1/4/0.00/1.26
Kuroda turned around his season after a slow start, but he has had great splits all year and is possibly going to be undervalued in 2009. His final K/BB was 2.76 which is very good and could improve with a few less walks. His FIP for this year was 3.59 and I would look for a repeat with his ERA just above 3.50. He is The Real Deal.
3) Clayton Richard - Chicago White Sox - 0/5/0.00/1.50
In Relief Richard has had 3+ great innings so far. He has improved at each level in the minors and although has had a rough first year in the majors with a 6+ ERA I expect that to improve. His FIP is 4.10 and he is a control type pitcher. His most K's would a K/9 of 6, but if he can keep his BB/9 under 2 he should be a usable pitcher when starting. I won't label him The Real Deal yet, but as a starter he could be worth owning in 2009.
4) Jason Werth - Philadelphia Phillies - 3/1/1/1/.313
Werth is your perfect platoon outfielder. He murders lefties and has always been subpar against righties. Last year he hit almost .300 points higher OPS against Lefties. This year his difference is left, but he is .767 OPS against Righties. He also strikes out 30% of the time and will continue to be a .270 pitcher. He does make a good bench OF with his 20/20 power and speed. He is the real deal with limited value to a possible platoon and poor average.
That is it as we have been limited in good performances by many young players yet. I will start to add in players fighting for jobs next year and free agents once the playoffs end. Check in next week for another 5 players. Let me know in the comments if there are any you disagree with.
Got our first week of playoff action and let's see who is a possibility to get overvalued for next year on a playoff showing.
1) Evan Longoria - Tampa Bay Rays - 2/2/3/1/.400
We all know who Longoria is, but the reason I bring him up is people may expect him to grow some in average, but he is not likely to improve on his average in 2009. He has varied from 20-27% in AAA and the majors. This is where he will be around next year. This is around Braun's strikeout rate so I could see a similar line to Braun from 2008. He is The Real Deal just make sure you are prepared for a possible .210-.280 average.
2) Hiroki Kuroda - Los Angeles Dodgers - 1/4/0.00/1.26
Kuroda turned around his season after a slow start, but he has had great splits all year and is possibly going to be undervalued in 2009. His final K/BB was 2.76 which is very good and could improve with a few less walks. His FIP for this year was 3.59 and I would look for a repeat with his ERA just above 3.50. He is The Real Deal.
3) Clayton Richard - Chicago White Sox - 0/5/0.00/1.50
In Relief Richard has had 3+ great innings so far. He has improved at each level in the minors and although has had a rough first year in the majors with a 6+ ERA I expect that to improve. His FIP is 4.10 and he is a control type pitcher. His most K's would a K/9 of 6, but if he can keep his BB/9 under 2 he should be a usable pitcher when starting. I won't label him The Real Deal yet, but as a starter he could be worth owning in 2009.
4) Jason Werth - Philadelphia Phillies - 3/1/1/1/.313
Werth is your perfect platoon outfielder. He murders lefties and has always been subpar against righties. Last year he hit almost .300 points higher OPS against Lefties. This year his difference is left, but he is .767 OPS against Righties. He also strikes out 30% of the time and will continue to be a .270 pitcher. He does make a good bench OF with his 20/20 power and speed. He is the real deal with limited value to a possible platoon and poor average.
That is it as we have been limited in good performances by many young players yet. I will start to add in players fighting for jobs next year and free agents once the playoffs end. Check in next week for another 5 players. Let me know in the comments if there are any you disagree with.
