In the second huge call-up this week for the Tampa Rays, top pitching prospect Jeff Niemann was recalled from Triple-A Durham
to replace the injured Matt Garza. He allowed 1 run on 6 hits and 1 BB in 6 innings pitched, while striking out 5 and earning his first career W. The 6′9″ right hander, ranked 99th overall by BaseballAmerica, will more than likely be sent back down upon Garza’s return. Regardless, with skills like this and the new and improved Rays offense, Niemann is definitely someone to watch as a fantasy sleeper this year.
Garza is scheduled for a bullpen session on Tuesday, and if all goes well he’ll go on to make a rehab tune-up in the Minors prior to rejoining the big league club.
Astros stud rookie catcher J.R. Towles got a big scare on Sunday, when a pitch from Marlins closer Kevin Gregg plunked him on the top of his hand. Initial x-rays came back negative, a diagnosis that was confirmed today by team physician Tom Mehlhoff. While this is a big relief to both the Astros and fantasy owners, Towles is still too sore to play. Evidence of this was the ‘Stros decision today to recall C Humberto Quintero from Triple-A Round Rock as insurance while J.R. sits.
- Rick Eymer of MLB.com reports that John Bowker made his first appearance in the big leagues on Saturday and became the 8th player in Giants history to hit a home run in his major league debut. Bowker had 4 RBIs and another home run in his second game the next day as the Giants went on to beat the Cardinals 7-4. Pretty impressive stuff, and needless to say, the Giants’ lineup could use a little power boost.
- Brian Bocock has been a solid replacement at shortstop for the injured Omar Vizquel, although his performance at the plate has left something to be desired (.200 with 2 RBIs). Still, he’s played every inning of every game so far this season. Bocock attributes some of his struggles to simply not being familiar with the pitchers he’s faced, so he’s been spending a lot of time watching film of the pitchers he will be facing in upcoming games, writes Chris Haft.
In his daily column today, ESPN’s Tristan Cockcroft gives an update on the development of the Orioles top pick in last year’s draft, Matt Wieters. Apparently yesterday’s game marked the first time since the first game this season that Wieters did not get a hit. He was, however, on base three times via the base on balls. Wieters is now hitting .478 with 3 HR and 10 BB on the young season. Cockcroft notes that if Wieters continues to hit at this pace the Orioles will be forced to promote him to Double-A ball sooner than later. If that happens and Wieters continues to hit, look out for him as a big time sleeper on the big league club in 2009.
Tampa Bay Rays prospect Evan Longoria will make his Major League debut today against the Baltimore Orioles. Opportunity knocked for Longoria when Willy Aybar was placed on the disabled list Friday after missing his second straight game with a sore left hamstring. Time to pick him up in fantasy leagues if he’s available because of the tremendous upside; if he plays well enough during this stint he could keep the job for good.
Cubs prospect Jeff Samardzija beat out Dodgers prospect Clayton Kershaw for the win Thursday night. Samardzija allowed four hits and a walk while striking out five in seven scoreless innings, leading his Tennessee Smokies to a 2-0 win over Kershaw’s Jacksonville Suns. Kershaw pitched well but allowed two runs on seven hits in five innings. He struck out a season-high eight, including Samardzija twice.
“He got me a couple times,” Samardzija laughed. “It was good to get a chance to see him throw from the batter’s box. He’s got some pop on his fastball.”
Despite the 2 earned runs, Kershaw’s eight K performance is encouraging and he definitely has a chance to make it to the Majors this year.
- Marlins pitching prospect Chris Volstad had a great start on Wednesday, giving up one run on five hits in six innings. He is now 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in Double-A Carolina. The 6-foot-7 right hander has a great chance at being fantasy-significant if he keeps pitching well, as the Marlins have already brought up Burke Badenhop from Double-A this year to replace the struggling Rick VandenHurk, and wouldn’t be afraid to promote another young pitcher if necessary. According to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com, Volstad’s experience in Double-A last has made him slightly ahead of other pitching prospects in the Marlins organization.
- The Marlin’s center fielder of the future, Cameron Maybin, is off to a fast start in Double-A Carolina. He’s batting .474 (9-for-19) with two homers and seven walks. Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest says:
“It’s great. It’s good for his confidence,” Beinfest said. “Spring Training was a little rough for him. Not being on field the whole time, and then he struggled a little bit at the end. It’s good for him to get off to a good start. He just needs to work on getting the experience and getting ready.”
Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reports that Braves center field prospect Jordan Schafer has been suspended for 50 games for using human growth hormone. Schafer is ranked the 27th and 25th best minor league prospect by Keith Law and Baseball America, respectively. Crasnick writes that the 21-year-old was considered by some to be a possible replacement for Mark Kotsay by the second half of the season. Schafer hit .312 in High-A ball last year with 176 hits (1st in minor leagues) and 49 doubles (3rd).
- Reds rookie right-hander Johnny Cueto pitched lights-out against the Brewers Tuesday, but barely walked away with a no-decision, writes Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News. It took a 2-out, 2-strike home run off Eric Gagne in the 9th inning by Corey Patterson to tie the game, but the Reds would eventually lose 3-2 after a walk-off single by Rickie Weeks. Still, Reds manager Dusty Baker had nothing but good things to say about Cueto’s outing (6 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 8 K).
Fantasy implications: Obvious. Get him if you can.
Fantasy implications: Until he gets more than every-other-day playing time, Votto’s fantasy value is effectively nil unless you are in the deepest of leagues.
- John Frisaro of MLB.com reports that Marlins pitching prospect Burke Badenhop, acquired from the Tigers in the Miguel Cabrera/Dontrelle Willis trade, will join the big league club today and will get the start on Friday or Sunday. This will be the 25-year-old’s first major league appearance. He was impressive throughout spring training and was the opening day starter for Double-A Carolina, going 6 1/3 innings with 3 strikeouts, no walks, and 1 unearned run on 6 hits. The Marlins now have two pitchers acquired in the Tigers trade in their rotation. (In related news, Detroit has yet to win a game this season.)
- Despite injuries to outfielders, the Marlins are still not considering bringing up Cameron Maybin until they believe he is ready.
