The most recent rounds of cuts happened yesterday. Here are the victims:
RHPs Mitchell Boggs, Matt Scherer, Adam Ottavino, Jess Todd, and Clayton Mortensen; LHP Charlie Manning; IF Allen Craig; OF Brian Barton.
Here's the quick round up:
Boggs - He was slowed by a sore shoulder, but I expected him to be around a little longer. He'll still get the opportunity for MLB Spring Games, but he's not being considered for the long relief role (I'm expecting that Thompson has it pretty much sealed; PJ Walters is a long shot at this point).
Scherer - The player responsible for Luis Perdomo being selected in the Rule V draft (OK, it wasn't his fault, but they will be tied together if Perdomo makes the Giants roster). Scherer also battled injuries this spring and wasn't expected to make the roster.
Ottavino - The Team Italy pitcher has had a really good spring, but wasn't ever seriously considered for the team. He was just being evaluated by the MLB staff; he passed with flying colors. I expect him to be in Triple A by the end of the season.
Todd - He was one of the staff gems last spring, and really hasn't done anything to tarnish that. Everyone knows he's not ready (but getting close). He'll be ready in Memphis, with Boggs and Walters, if someone goes down.
Mortensen - Another early injury victim. Mort is right there with Todd; I actually like him more, but realize he needs a little more time.
Manning - He wasn't given much of a shot, especially after the signing of Dennys Reyes. He'll be in Triple A just in case, but I don't expect to see him.
Craig - I've addressed Craig last week. He was on fire but not even considered for third base. It's a shame. Hopefully they find a space for him. He'll be in Triple A.
Barton - He's had a slow spring, at least recently. This isn't very surprising. They are going to get him regular at bats since they now control him. He'll be one of the first ones called upon if there is an injury.
That leaves roughly 36 players in the Major League Camp. DG has a good run down and poll about who is left.
Showing posts with label Allen Craig. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Allen Craig. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Cardinal Impacts on Fantasy Baseball
I think there will be quite a few Cardinals that will have an impact on fantasy baseball this year. There are the obvious ones, like Pujols, Wainwright, and Glaus. I'm going to look at some of the other ones.
Chris Carpenter - Most fantasy baseball followers may pass over Carp since he hasn't been effective/healthy in 2 seasons. Because of this, he could be a late round sleeper.
Chris Perez - I think he's valuable in deep leagues, even if he isn't the closer. He'll pick up saves for sure, and, if your league has holds, he'll pick them up as well. He'll have a good strike out rate, which will help K/9 and K categories. Same will go with Jason Motte.
Joe Mather - He'll be a nice pick up and insurance for people who draft Glaus. He'll play full time for at least the first month. If he hits well, LaRussa will have to keep his name in the lineup.
Khalil Greene - There are 2 reasons - he's in a contract year and he's not playing in Petco any more. He's see an increase in power numbers and should also get on base better.
Here are a few that I'd avoid:
Yadier Molina - He had a pretty good year with the bat last year, but I don't think he's worth owning even if he duplicates that production. He was middle of the pack for catchers, so there are a lot of better options.
Kyle Lohse - I think last year was a fluke, since he pitched much better than his career line. He's also starting to pitch under his multi-year contract, so the urgency for a great season isn't there.
Colby Rasmus - I want to preface this one by saying he's worth getting in keeper league - I took him with my first minor pick in my keeper league. In non-keeper ones, this is probably the year to avoid him. He's a slow starter, so he's definitely not worth having until May to June. He's also not guaranteed a roster spot yet. You'll find that one prospect guy that will draft him earlier than he should in most drafts. There is also a good chance he could be plucked off the waiver wires when he's either called up, or some one give up on him too early.
David Freese - This is probably a non-issue now since he's back in minor league camp, but I don't see the upside that others do. He had a great year in Memphis, but I don't see him sticking in the majors. I hope he proves me wrong, but I'm playing my feeling here.
Guys for Minor League Drafts:
Colby - Enough said.
Brett Wallace - I probably took him early (11th overall), but I had 2 first round picks and he was the first pick of the second round, where I had another 2 picks. He can rake. The position is a question, but his bat will work in the outfield and first base as well.
Bryan Anderson - If/When he gets his shot, he could be a sleeper. Even with the lack of power, his numbers so far would make him a solid catcher in most leagues. He's get you BA and OBP, and possibly some R and RBIs.
Allen Craig - The guy is proving this spring that he can hit. His position is a question mark; he's a third baseman that's block (Wallace, Freese), but is seeing time at first (blocked again) and the outfield (it's crowded before he's added to the mix). I think he'll be trade bait, but could be a minor league sleeper.
Chris Carpenter - Most fantasy baseball followers may pass over Carp since he hasn't been effective/healthy in 2 seasons. Because of this, he could be a late round sleeper.
Chris Perez - I think he's valuable in deep leagues, even if he isn't the closer. He'll pick up saves for sure, and, if your league has holds, he'll pick them up as well. He'll have a good strike out rate, which will help K/9 and K categories. Same will go with Jason Motte.
Joe Mather - He'll be a nice pick up and insurance for people who draft Glaus. He'll play full time for at least the first month. If he hits well, LaRussa will have to keep his name in the lineup.
Khalil Greene - There are 2 reasons - he's in a contract year and he's not playing in Petco any more. He's see an increase in power numbers and should also get on base better.
Here are a few that I'd avoid:
Yadier Molina - He had a pretty good year with the bat last year, but I don't think he's worth owning even if he duplicates that production. He was middle of the pack for catchers, so there are a lot of better options.
Kyle Lohse - I think last year was a fluke, since he pitched much better than his career line. He's also starting to pitch under his multi-year contract, so the urgency for a great season isn't there.
Colby Rasmus - I want to preface this one by saying he's worth getting in keeper league - I took him with my first minor pick in my keeper league. In non-keeper ones, this is probably the year to avoid him. He's a slow starter, so he's definitely not worth having until May to June. He's also not guaranteed a roster spot yet. You'll find that one prospect guy that will draft him earlier than he should in most drafts. There is also a good chance he could be plucked off the waiver wires when he's either called up, or some one give up on him too early.
David Freese - This is probably a non-issue now since he's back in minor league camp, but I don't see the upside that others do. He had a great year in Memphis, but I don't see him sticking in the majors. I hope he proves me wrong, but I'm playing my feeling here.
Guys for Minor League Drafts:
Colby - Enough said.
Brett Wallace - I probably took him early (11th overall), but I had 2 first round picks and he was the first pick of the second round, where I had another 2 picks. He can rake. The position is a question, but his bat will work in the outfield and first base as well.
Bryan Anderson - If/When he gets his shot, he could be a sleeper. Even with the lack of power, his numbers so far would make him a solid catcher in most leagues. He's get you BA and OBP, and possibly some R and RBIs.
Allen Craig - The guy is proving this spring that he can hit. His position is a question mark; he's a third baseman that's block (Wallace, Freese), but is seeing time at first (blocked again) and the outfield (it's crowded before he's added to the mix). I think he'll be trade bait, but could be a minor league sleeper.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Is Allen Craig that bad?
I've been watching Allen Craig's name everyday in the box score, and can't figure out why he isn't getting a shot at third base. Is his defense that bad?
So far this spring he's hitting .500 and playing almost everyday. He's typically the guy that replaces Pujols at first base. He could be seeing time at third? His learning curve would be much less than Mather's at this point.
One reason I can see him being held back is the fact that's he's not on the 40-man roster. One easy remedy is dropping Royce Ring - with Dennys Reyes on the team, the neccesity to keep him isn't there.
Another reason is Craig played last season at Double A Springfield. While he didn't have an awful season, some considered it disappointing. The jump from Double A to the Majors isn't that uncommon, but normally the player lit up Double A.
My guess is Craig will be trade fodder. He's down the depth charts at third, and first base is spoken for. He spent some time in the outfield, but we all know that's pretty crowded too.
So far this spring he's hitting .500 and playing almost everyday. He's typically the guy that replaces Pujols at first base. He could be seeing time at third? His learning curve would be much less than Mather's at this point.
One reason I can see him being held back is the fact that's he's not on the 40-man roster. One easy remedy is dropping Royce Ring - with Dennys Reyes on the team, the neccesity to keep him isn't there.
Another reason is Craig played last season at Double A Springfield. While he didn't have an awful season, some considered it disappointing. The jump from Double A to the Majors isn't that uncommon, but normally the player lit up Double A.
My guess is Craig will be trade fodder. He's down the depth charts at third, and first base is spoken for. He spent some time in the outfield, but we all know that's pretty crowded too.
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