Fantasy Baseball Insiders

2011 Fantasy Baseball Player Profile: Ricky Romero’s Boston Red Sox Woes

Ricky Romero has become a valued fantasy asset over the last two seasons. His numbers against division rival Boston, however, have been downright awful.

Here are all seven of Romero’s starts against Boston over the last two seasons (not including Wednesday night)…

2011 Fantasy Baseball Projections: What’s Wrong With Atlanta Braves’ Dan Uggla?

2010 was a banner year for Dan Uggla, as the slugging second baseman posted career-highs in batting average (.287), home runs (33) and RBI (105).

A trade to Atlanta last November sent his fantasy value even higher, as managers salivated at the thought of a lineup that included Martin Prado, Jason Heyward, Chipper Jones, Brian McCann and Dan Uggla, and for good reason. Since his major league debut in 2006, Uggla had hit the second-most HRs (154) among non-first basemen in the majors.

My preseason second base rankings pegged Uggla as the third-best two-bagger this season, behind only Robinson Cano and Dustin Pedroia.

Yet despite all his past success, Uggla has struggled mightily this season, leading many to ask: What’s wrong with Dan Uggla?

2011 Fantasy Baseball Prospect Report: Kansas City Royals’ Mike Moustakas

In one of the most anticipated roster moves of the 2011 season, the Kansas City Royals have promoted third base prospect Mike Moustakas from Triple-A. He is expected to make his major league debut Friday night at Anaheim.

Moustakas ranked as the No. 9 prospect according to Baseball America prior to the 2011 season, one spot behind teammate Eric Hosmer, and several spots ahead of productive rookies Michael Pineda (16), Freddie Freeman (17), Zach Britton (28), Danny Espinosa (66) and Craig Kimbrel (86)…

2011 Fantasy Baseball Projections: Buy or Sell Texas Rangers’ Alexi Ogando?

Texas Rangers’ pitcher Alexi Ogando twirled another gem on Wednesday, limiting the Tigers to just one run on six hits in 7.2 innings. The 27-year-old outfielder-turned-reliever-turned-starting pitcher has turned in 10 quality starts in 12 outings this season, and is fourth among qualified starters with a 2.10 ERA.

The question is, of course: Is Alexi Ogando for real?

2011 Fantasy Baseball Prospect Report: San Diego Padres’ Anthony Rizzo

The news fantasy managers have been waiting for has finally been confirmed: San Diego Padres’ first base prospect Anthony Rizzo has been promoted, and will make his major league debut Thursday against the Nationals.
Rizzo was drafted by the Red Sox in the sixth round of the 2007 draft. He was hitting .373 in low Class A in April 2008 when he was diagnosed with limited stage classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma. After missing the rest of the 2008 season to receive treatment, Rizzo has been cancer-free…

2011 Fantasy Baseball Projections: Buy or Sell Atlanta Braves’ Jair Jurrjens?

Atlanta Braves’ pitcher Jair Jurrjens is enjoying a career year. The 25-year-old right-hander leads the majors with a minuscule 1.75 ERA (min. 70 innings) through 10 starts this season.
Despite this, his advanced statistics tell a very different story…Or do they?

2011 Fantasy Baseball Closer’s Corner, Week 10: Joakim Soria, Andrew Bailey, Jon Rauch & More

While messy bullpen situations dominated early-season headlines, the Closer’s Corner has been less exciting over the past few weeks. Here’s the latest:

Joakim Soria pitched two perfect innings Monday, earning the extra-inning win and re-gaining his role as the team’s closer. Aaron Crow didn’t see a save opportunity in his one week as the Royals closer, and will return to a setup role…

2011 Fantasy Baseball Prospect Report: Oakland Athletics’ Jemile Weeks

The Oakland Athletics promoted second base prospect Jemile Weeks from Triple-A on Monday. The younger brother of Rickie Weeks (and the A’s No. 5 prospect according to Baseball America) is expected to fill in for the injured Mark Ellis. The recently acquired Scott Sizemore will likely move to third base.

Weeks was the A’s first round pick in 2008, but just like his brother, injuries have limited his production. Hip and leg injuries have prevented him from playing a full season. In three-plus seasons in the minor leagues, Weeks has compiled only 873 at-bats…

2011 Fantasy Baseball Prospect Report: Los Angeles Dodgers’ Dee Gordon

The Los Angeles Dodgers made a few roster moves Monday, none more shocking than the promotion of top prospect Dee Gordon. Given Rafael Furcal’s return to the DL, Gordon figures to steal most of the starts at shortstop from utility man Jamey Carroll.

Gordon, the son of former MLB pitcher Tom “Flash” Gordon, was the Dodgers’ fourth round pick in 2008. Gordon’s best tool is his plus-plus speed, as made evident by his 166 steals across four levels in 374 career minor league games…

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2011 Fantasy Baseball Projections: Why You Should Buy Low on Chicago White Sox’s Alex Rios

After a year in which Alex Rios hit 21 HRs, swiped 34 bases and hit .284 in the middle of a potent White Sox lineup, the 30-year-old center fielder has slumped through the first two months of 2011, posting a pathetic .201/.253/.306 slash with four HRs and four steals in 225 plate appearances.

A look at Rios’ advanced stats, however, suggest that now is a great time to buy-low on the 18-HR, 30-steal, .275 three-year average player…

2011 Fantasy Baseball Prospect Report: Arizona Diamondbacks’ Paul Goldschmidt

Paul Goldschmidt set a Texas State school record with 36 career home runs before being selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the eighth round of the 2009 draft.

A product of The Woodlands—a hotbed for baseball talent—Goldschmidt led the Rookie-level Pioneer League in HRs (18) and slugging percentage (.638) in his first pro season. The 6-4, 240 pound first baseman made the jump to High-A in 2010 where he led the California League in doubles (42), HRs (35) and slugging percentage (.606).

Goldschmidt’s power is undeniable, but he’s prone to strikeouts (161 in 525 at-bats last season), leading some scouts to believe he’ll struggle as he advances…

2011 Fantasy Baseball Projections: Colorado Rockies’ Ubaldo Jimenez Throws Shutout; Back to Old Form?

Colorado Rockies’ pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez is not the same flame-thrower he was last year, and everyone knows it.

After 10 starts in 2010, Jimenez was 9-1 with a historically minuscule 0.88 ERA and 61/24 K/BB ratio in 71.1 innings. This season, Jimenez is 1-5 through 10 starts with an embarrassing 4.98 ERA and 52/30 K/BB ratio in 59.2 innings.

So what’s been the difference?

2011 Fantasy Baseball Projections: Buy or Sell Cincinnati Reds’ Jay Bruce?

After an extremely disappointing April (.228/.301/.380), Cincinnati Reds’ right fielder Jay Bruce bounced back with a scorching-hot May, showcasing his elite power potential. In 28 games last month, Bruce hit .342/.402/.739 with 12 HRs and 33 RBI, and now ranks as the No. 5 player in Yahoo! leagues.

I’ve always loved Bruce for his five-tool talent. Heck, I projected him to blast 35 HRs in 2010, and forecasted at least 30 bombs and a .284 average this season. I even ranked him as the No. 54 player overall on the 2011 Big Board. But I certainly didn’t expect him to be this good so soon…

2011 Fantasy Baseball Closer’s Corner, Week 9: What’s Wrong With Kansas City Royals’ Joakim Soria?

Kansas City Royals’ closer Joakim Soria blew his third consecutive save opportunity on Monday, his fifth in 12 chances. His ERA has ballooned to 6.55, and Royals’ manager Ned Yost announced after Sunday’s game that Soria would be relieved from his ninth inning duties. Aaron Crow will take his place, and is a must add in all formats.

Soria was thought to be one of the most reliable closers in the game two months ago, but a decline in strikeouts (7.77 K/9 this season, 9.75 career), increase in walks (4.09 BB/9, 2.60 career) and drop in average fastball velocity (90.5 mph, 91.9 last year) have left the Royals and fantasy managers alike with a pitcher that can’t get anyone out…