Aug
2
2011
Kitchen Drawer By Tito | No comments yet

Fantasy 40/40: Post To Continue…. I’m Sorry

I’m Sorry.  I really am.  I didn’t mean to step away for so long, but I’ve stepped away for too long.  Life happens and things kind of got a bit busy.  Working more.  Summer is here.  Socializing a bit more.  And I’m also in the process of searching for a new place to live in my spare time.

But I’ll be back.  I promise.  Goldschmidt!
Tito – Fantasy 40/40

Jul
12
2011
2011 Rankings, Kitchen Drawer, Rankings, Thirdbase By Tito | No comments yet

Fantasy 40/40: Top 10 Fantasy Third Baseman (3B)

Top 10 Fantasy Third Baseman (3B) – As of July 12th

  1. Jose Bautista TOR – .334-31-65-73-5. You could argue that “Joey Bats” was the first half MVP, putting up gaudy numbers and proving last year was no fluke.  You could also argue that he’s the best hitter in baseball right now.  Does he reach 50?  He’s got a chance.  60?  Don’t think so.
  2. Michael Young TEX – .323-8-59-42-4. Showing the Rangers why they shouldn’t trade him, Young is having a terrific season filling in all over the diamond.  He’s got a good glove, but sees most of his time at DH – fantasy owners could care less as long as he continues to rake.
  3. Adrian Beltre TEX – .273-19-71-56-0. One of the reasons why Young doesn’t have a position, Beltre is doing it in Arlington and proving his worth.  He’s an All-Star once again and will look to match his first half moving forward.
  4. Alex Rodriguez NYY – .295-13-52-53-4. AROD just had surgery on his knee and will miss up to six weeks.  Hopefully.  I’m sure having him back for the playoffs is far more important to the Yankees than the next month of regular season games.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t help you any if you drafted him. And apparently, he’s dating the 4th hottest chick in the world according to Maxim magazine, but don’t get me started!
  5. Jhonny Peralta DET – .312-14-50-40-0. Playing everyday at SS, he qualifies at 3B and is also having an All-Star season.  His versatility is another benefit for fantasy owners who own him since he ranks in the top 10 for SS as well - Peralta is a solid mixed league play up the middle.
  6. Aramis Ramirez CHC – .298-15-51-43-0. A historically slow starter, Ramirez has been on fire over the last month and has brought his fantasy value skyward.  Of course, I moved him earlier this season, A-hole.
  7. Kevin Youkilis BOS – .285-13-63-52-1. The Yooker has made the transfer to third base this season with the acquisition of Gonzo over at first.  He also made his way into the All-Star Game. Notice a trend?  Sixteen players dropped out of the Game this season.  Not to take anything away from Youkilis, he’s on pace to have a solid year when it’s all said and done.
  8. Ryan Roberts ARI – .266-11-37-47-13. A newbie to most lists, Roberts is having a bust-out season in the desert while getting regular playing time at the hot corner.  For leagues that have a one-game rule on eligibility, Roberts qualifies at 2B, SS, 3B and OF.  The Diamondbacks new third baseman has been a pleasant surprise to those who were quick to add him earlier this season off of the waiver wire.
  9. Mark Reynolds BAL – .227-20-49-47-5. This former Arizona third baseman is having a year of his own with his new team.  Reynolds has reached the 20 HR mark and is on pace for 37.  Hey, his average is up, too.
  10. Daniel Murphy NYM – .305-5-36-35-4. Daniel Murphy? Daniel Murphy.  With the injuries to David Wright, Ike Davis and Jose Reyes, the Mets infield has been a patchwork of triple-A players.  Murphy has gotten some regular playing time and has taken advantage while being productive for manager Terry Collins, qualifying at 1B, 2B and 3B.
Jul
11
2011
Kitchen Drawer By Tito | No comments yet

Fantasy 40/40: 2011 Batting Leaders At the All-Star Break

Batting Average:

  • T1. Adrian Gonzalez BOS – .354
  • T1. Jose Reyes NYM – .354
  • 3. Jose Bautista TOR – .334
  • 4. Joey Votto CIN – .324
  • T5. Hunter Pence HOU – .323
  • T5. Michael Young TEX  - .323

Homeruns:

  • 1. Jose Bautisa TOR – 31
  • T2. Curtis Granderson NYY – 25
  • T2. Mark Teixeira NYY -25
  • 4. Lance Berkman STL – 24
  • T5. Prince Fielder MIL – 22
  • T5. Matt Kemp LAD – 22
  • T5. Paul Konerko CHW – 22

RBIs:

  • 1. Adrian Gonzalez BOS – 77
  • T2. Prince Fielder MIL – 72
  • T2. Ryan Howard PHI – 72
  • 4. Adrian Beltre TEX – 71
  • T5. Matt Kemp LA – 67
  • T5. Paul Konerko CHW – 67

Runs:

  • 1. Curtis Granderson NYY – 79
  • 2. Jose Bautista TOR – 73
  • 3. Rickie Weeks MIL – 67
  • 4. Jose Reyes NYM – 65
  • 5. Adrian Gonzalez BOS – 64

Stolen Bases:

  • 1. Michael Bourn HOU – 35
  • 2. Jose Reyes NYM – 30
  • 3. Jacoby Ellsbury BOS – 28
  • 4. Matt Kemp LA – 27
  • 5. Coco Crisp OAK – 26
Jul
11
2011
Kitchen Drawer, Videos By Tito | No comments yet

Fantasy 40/40: Random Music Video: Taking Back Sunday – “Cute Without The ‘E’”

Jun
29
2011
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Fantasy 40/40: Top 10 Fantasy Shortstops (SS)

Top 10 Fantasy Shortstops (SS) – As of June 29th

  1. Jose Reyes NYM – .353-3-32-65-30.  He’s having one of the best years in baseball history.  Seriously.  He’s hitting .353 (1st NL, 2nd MLB), with a 119 hits (1st MLB), 40 multi-hit games (1st MLB), 15 triples (1st MLB – has seven more than 2nd place), 30 SB (2nd NL/MLB), 65 runs scored (1st NL, 2nd MLB), a .396 OBP (5th NL, 10th MLB) and a .928 OPS (6th NL, 12th MLB).  And of course, in a contract season.
  2. Asdrubal Cabrera CLE – .296-13-47-42-12. This Indians shortstop is having a breakout season for the Tribe and fantasy owners.  He’s on pace for 27/24 to go with 90+ RBI and 100+ RUNS.
  3. Elvis Andrus TEX – .278-3-30-45-22. I was going to use some sort of Elvis joke, but thought against it.  Your welcome.
  4. Starlin Castro CHC – .319-2-37-44-10. This kid has shown he’s for real and the sophomore slump is just a myth.  He’s been one of the few bright spots for Cubs’ fans and should be a fantasy player moving forward for years to come.
  5. Troy Tulowitzki COL – .272-14-50-41-6. My man Tulo has been a bit streaky this season.  Really?  Weird.  He’s as streaky as they come and should have a few more hot streaks in his future.
  6. Erick Aybar ANA – .285-5-33-33-16. Aybar will not hit 20 HRs in a season, but can be a serviceable SS and provide solid numbers for fantasy owners.  He’s got 16 SB already and is on pace to top the 30 SB mark.
  7. Jimmy Rollins PHI – .256-7-31-46-16. Another streaky hitter, JROLL has been up and down all season.  He still has a solid lineup around him and will give you double digit homers and steals, say 15/30.
  8. Jhonny Peralta DET – .309-12-46-33-0. Peralta is having a renaissance season after having two straight sub-par seasons in ‘09 and ‘10.  He has his average over .300 and should eclipse the 20 HR mark for the first time since ‘08.
  9. Alexei Ramirez CHW – .282-7-36-47-3. ALEXEI!!!  Ramirez was a sexy pick pre-season to finish in the top 10 for shortstops this year.  He’s been power-starved for the last month and has seen his fantasy value drop because of it.  I still believe that Chicago will be better in the second half and Ramirez is one of those players I see improving. I’m staring at you, Adam Dunn.  I got faith in ya, kid.
  10. Yunel Escobar TOR – .280-8-27-43-3. After being traded for Alex Gonzalez mid-season, Escobar has played some decent ball North of the Border.  He’s on pace for a career high in homers (14 is his best) and can be used in most mixed formats.
Jun
28
2011
Kitchen Drawer By Tito | No comments yet

Fantasy 40/40: Fantasy 40/40: Who’s Hot, Who’s Not

Who’s Hot

  • Yuniesky Betancourt MIL – He’s only batting .240-something on the season, but has been collecting multi-hit games recently and left the yard twice this past week.
  • Tony Gwynn Jr. LA – All kinds of issues for the Dodgers right now, but Mr. Gwynn seems to be playing just fine.  He’s taking advantage of the playing time since no one wants that left field job and is coming off a four-hit, two-stolen base game.
  • Matt Kemp LA – Speaking of the Dodgers, this is the only guy with some value over there.  Kemp has also hit two homers in the past seven days and is on pace to finish the season with 44/42.  He’ll be the first to do it since Soriano (‘06), glad I own him in some leagues – very upset I passed on him in one.
  • Evan Longoria TB - After a slow start and some injury time, Longoria is starting to heat up.  No batting gloves equals three homers and ten RBIs this week.
  • Nick Markakis BAL - He’s got a sixteen-game hitting streak right now.  I don’t know what happened to Markakis, but his numbers are getting progressively worse through the years.  He’s still a young guy and has his future in front of him, but I expected Bobby Abreu a couple years ago.  I now see him closer to Bobby Flay.  A little harsh, but you get my point.
  • Brian McCann ATL - I don’t know if there’s a hotter hitter in June than this guy.  McCann is McRaping baseballs right now and has eight homers in June, three in the last week including his shot in Seattle yesterday.
  • Brandon Phillips CIN - He’s 14 for his last 28 with a HR, 7 RBI and 7 R in the last week.  He’s actually on pace to have a drop in HRs and SB this year, but an increase in BA while maintaining level of RBI and R.  He’s still an elite option at second base and should be started in all formats.
  • Aramis Ramirez CHC – Ramirez started to percolate in the Kansas City series and has carried it over into the Colorado series as he went deep twice at Wrigley yesterday.  Aramis is a notoriously streaky hitter and late bloomer.  Somehow, someway, he’ll end up with 20-25 HRs.
  • Ty Wigginton COL - Last seven days: 8 for 24 with 5 HRs, 8 RBI and 5 R.
  • Michael Young TEX – Last week’s player of the week, Young batted .481 while leaving the yard four times, driving in eight and scoring five times.  He plays three positions and has been a solid fantasy option all year.

Who’s Not

  • Charlie Blackmon COL - It was bound to happen.  He’s slowly coming back to Earth and will have to play through his little mini-slump.  Manager Jim Tracy has confidence in the kid so I’ll buy him for now, just monitor his status since there might be better options for you to start right now, especially in mixed leagues.
  • Adam Dunn CHC - I’ve owned you the last four years.  And this is how you repay me.  Whatever.
  • Dee Gordon LA – The honeymoon is over and Gordon is struggling to get on, going 3 for 21 last week.  He’s a rookie and just like Blackmon, will have his ups and downs.
  • Justin Morneau MIN - Had surgery and will be out for the foreseeable future.  Check back in August so I can tell you he’s going to miss the rest of the season with a sore Britney.
  • Anthony Rizzo SD - He’s 3 for his last 18 with 0 HR and a RBI.
Jun
20
2011
Videos By Tito | No comments yet

Fantasy 40/40: Random Movie Clip: Moneyball Trailer

I can’t wait.

Jun
16
2011
Kitchen Drawer By Tito | No comments yet

Fantasy 40/40: The Biggest Gamble – Prospects

There’s no doubt we’re seeing a new youth movement in Major League Baseball.  I don’t know if it’s that players are getting better or stronger.  Or if they’re better prepared these days.  Or is it just job security and the pressure felt by front offices to get “their guys” up and prove they can produce.  Either way, the pressure to perform seems to be greater than ever.

Every executive would love to find the Mike Piazza gem in the 62nd round, but for every great pick like Keith Hernandez (Rd. 42), there seems to be countless busts in early rounds as well.

The reality is that there is no bigger gamble than the Major League prospect.  There’s no secret about my love of one Brandon Wood and his rapid accent to the majors and consequently, his even faster decent to obscurity.  We were looking at a kid who hit .321 with 43 HRs & 115 RBI’s in his first year of pro ball.  The hype was real and mostly warranted.  Yet, after five years, Brandon has a career .177 avg in the Major Leagues and is a phone call away from finding himself coaching at his alma mater Horizon High School.  There is no sure thing.

Moving on, it’s not like he’s alone by any means.  Remember names like Sean Burroughs?  Matt Bush?   And Andy Marte just to name a few.  These guys were touted as the “next big thing” and all are no doubt Andre Ware-type busts.

What does this mean for guys like Mike Trout & Bryce Harper?  That may be the best part of how baseball works…we really have no clue?  The consensus is that Harper will be rushed to the bigs like A-Rod was and find himself the savior of D.C.  Strasburg was (and no doubt still may be) that guy, but he may just as easily find himself fishing with Mark Prior, talking about what “might have been?”

None of this truly means anything and is mostly just random ramblings.  But, I just love a sport where guys can still produce well into their 40’s: Tim Wakefield, Vlad Guerrero, Miguel Tejada & Alfonso Soriano.  Yet, guys in their 20’s can seem to be such an enigma.

Here’s to hoping that the likes of Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas & Anthony Rizzo don’t find their names with Brandon Wood and Andy Marte five years from now.

Contributed by: Kroochie

Jun
10
2011
Kitchen Drawer, Videos By Tito | No comments yet

Fantasy 40/40: Random Music Video: Pitbull feat. Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer – “Give Me Everything”

Jun
8
2011
Kitchen Drawer, Prospects By Tito | No comments yet

Fantasy 40/40: Prospect Watch: Rizzo, Ackley & Others

  • Paul Goldschmidt ARI – AA – .349-20-57-53-4 in 60 games. Two words.  Miranda and Nady.  Goldschmidt, an afterthought in the Diamondbacks system before the season, has thrust himself into the prospect mix with the season he’s having at AA Mobile.  Once thought of a ballpark product, Goldy is showing that he indeed is the real deal and needs a look sooner than later – may get the call sometime in September according to most sites.  Once again, I have two words for the Dbacks front office: Miranda and Nady.
  • Brett Jackson CHC – AA – .259-6-23-31-13 in 41 games. The Cubs are terrible and have a bunch of overpaid outifelders.  Jackson is one of the top prospects in the Cubs organization and will be a piece moving forward.  He’s missed some time this season with a finger issue and might get the call when he returns.
  • Yonder Alonso CIN – AAA – .323-7-35-29-5 in 56 games. With 1B being occupied by the reigning NL MVP, Alonso might have to make his impact at another position or for another club.  Well, he’s taking fly balls in left field and may join the overcrowded platoon situation soon.
  • Charlie Blackmon COL – AAA – .337-10-49-49-12 in 58 games. Blackmon was just called up to replace Dexter Fowler, who was placed on the DL.  Blackmon as put up good numbers down in the minors and hopes it will translate in the Majors.  Fowler wasn’t producing and Blackmon should see some time to prove his worth.  He’s worth grabbing in NL onlys.
  • Mike Moustakas KC – AAA – .287-10-44-38-1 in 55 games. With the promotions of Eric Hosmer and Danny Duffy, Moustakas seems like the next one in line.  He’s a masher and should produce immediately if and when he’s brought up.  He plays at a shallow fantasy position and fantasy owners should grab and stash him in almost all formats.
  • Dee Gordon LAD – AAA – .315-0-18-34-22 in 50 games. Fragile Rafael Furcal will miss another month of play so the Dodgers brought up Gordon to replace him.  A little young and someone in need of more seasoning, Gordon should steal bases and more bases.  He’s an instant difference maker in the SB category is worth grabbing if he’s available and if you need the upgrade.
  • Trayvon Robinson LAD – AAA – .284-12-32-35-7 in 54 games. Fellow minor leaguers Jerry Sands and Dee Gordon have gotten the call, but many expected Robinson to be the first before the season started.  A multi-tooled outfielder, Robinson is hitting for more power this season, but not stealing like he is capable of.  With the Dodgers’ financial troubles and veterans Tony Gwynn Jr, Marcus Thames and James Loney sucking up the joint, you have to think Trayvon will get his shot this season.
  • Jemile Weeks OAK – AAA – .321-3-22-30-10 in 45 games. The younger brother of Rickie, Jemile also got the call this week and is the second baseman of the future in Oakland.  Management said they didn’t want to rush the kid, but when Mark Ellis is your starting second baseman, why not.
  • Anthony Rizzo SD – AAA – .365-16-63-42-5 in 52 games. One of the major pieces in the Adrian Gonzalez tarde, Rizzo is absolutely tearing up the minors and as a result, is getting promoted on Thursday.  He’s only 21 years old and will man 1B for the Padres for years to come.  He’s ready to hit right handers, but may need some time to effectively hit left-handing pitching.  Grab him in all formats if you haven’t done so yet.
  • Dustin Ackley SEA – AAA – .305-9-32-53-6 in 60 games. The former second overall pick in the MLB amateur draft, Ackley is starting to show why Seattle made that pick.  Ackley’s bat translates anywhere and will be an everyday player once he arrives at Safeco.  Ackley is a must add in keeper and dynasty leagues especially because of the depth at 2B.
  • Desmond Jennings TB – AAA – .282-9-26-44-10 in 57 games. Many dubbed Jennings Carl Crawford Jr. because of his athleticism and speed.  Not quite CC, Jennings figures into Tampa’s long-term plans and will be an impact player once he gets the call.  I think Jennings has the potential to have the biggest prospect impact in 2011 and should be coming up soon considering Sam Fuld is finally turning back into Sam Fuld, sorry Cinderalla.
  • Brett Lawrie TOR – AAA – .354-15-49-51-11 in 52 games. Traded for Shaun Marcum this off-season, Lawrie is raking down in the minors and was rumored to have been on the way to Toronto.  A hit by pitch later and he’s been delayed a bit.  Worry not Lawrie owners, this kid will come up, have 2B and 3B eligibility and slide right into your starting lineups.
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