Commish

Futures Report

commish@fantasybaseballgeeks.com   - 4/19/2008

Six Pack of Aces

Each healthy Ace received only one start this past week, with no one throwing anything resembling a gem.   But here is this week's run down with any relevant buzz that I can pass along. #1 Ace Clayton Kershaw fell to 0-3 on the season, but had a decent outing.   His 11.57 K/9 rate is still heartening, but not being able to build on his scintillating spring is a little disappointing...You have to like the ERA & WHIP being posted by Nick Adenhart in his first 3 starts, but upon closer examination you have to be concerned about his 9/9 K/BB performance.   Luckily he has been able to keep the ball in the park, which is a key if you are going to walk that many.   He may not get called up to LA until he can prove that his control is under control.   But still look for him some time in the 1 st half of the season.... Rick Porcello only made it through 4 innings in his 2 nd loss of the year.   He was not hit hard but, the Flying Tigers are going to be careful with Detroit's future ace.   Porcello's line - 4 H/2 BB/1 ER/5 K; not bad.   Expect a better outing this weekend... David Price, hello!...After a rough first outing, Wade Davis has put back to back solid efforts together with a 1.000 WHIP in those 2 appearances and a 3:1 K:BB ratio.   So even though his early season stat line does not look overly impressive it will continue to improve after his first outing gets watered down.   He wasn't a huge name this off-season but Davis is going to be a must get prospect in 2009 fantasy drafts.   Fautino de los Santos is off to the worst start of our 5 healthy aces.   Although he has maintained a nice 11.25 K/9 ratio, FDLS is getting early and often in his outings with his control as his 1.438 WHIP and 3.38 BB/9 will attest.  

Off the Radar

Daryl Thompson, SP Chattanooga Lookouts (Cincinnati AA)... Could it be that the Reds are turning into a young pitching factory.   Check out these numbers after 3 starts:   17.7 IP/20 K/1 BB/10 H/1 ER.   That's right a 20:1 K:BB ratio and a 10.19 K/9.   Yes, I know that it is only 3 starts but at this point in the season that is all we have.   Thompson could be the last salvageable hope the Reds have of getting anything of value out of the Austin Kearns/Felipe Lopez deal in 2006.   Thompson was originally an 8 th round pick of the Montreal Expos in the 2003 draft and in 2005 had shoulder surgery which allowed him to only make 11 starts.   In 2007, combining stops in the Midwest and Florida State Leagues he posted 121 K and 33 BB in 133 IP with a 14-5 overall record.   It was a nice performance from the 22 year old, but with Johnny Cueto and Homer Bailey getting all of the minor league pitching press, Thompson's season went largely unnoticed.   He will probably need a full 2008 in the minors but if he is able to maintain this strong start and stay healthy he will start getting the recognition he is starting to deserve.

Welcome to the Show

John Bowker, OF San Francisco Giants... Is this the 2008 version of Jack Cust?   The Giants sure hope so.   It isn't everyday that a middling prospect starts off his AA season by hitting .185 with 0 HR and 1 RBI, then gets a surprise call to the majors and enjoys a first week that includes   2 HR/7 RBI/ .538 avg. with a hit in each game he has played so far.   There are rumblings out of SF that they will try to keep Bowker in the lineup while he produces.   The Giants, an organization with nary a high upside hitting prospect within shouting distance of the majors, have nothing to lose and everything to gain by giving Bowker a chance.   You should look at Bowker the same way.   If you are in an NL only league, or a mixed league that has 60+ OFs active each week, and with the caveat that you don't have to drop someone with some real value, then you might as well take a shot on Bowker.   Remember, you may have been thinking the same thing a year ago about Jack Cust, and look where that got you.

Icon SMI

Insider Information

Philadelphia Phillies 2007 1 st round draft choice Joe Savery out pitched Ace Rick Porcello on Sunday.   Savery went 8 innings, getting the win while allowing only 5 H & 1 BB.   He won't be in the majors this year but a 2009 debut is definitely on the horizon...After a disappointing 2007, Notre Dame WR Jeff Samardzija, is off to a nice start for the AA Tennessee Smokies.   With a 1.59 ERA/1.000 WHIP and 2-0 record it looks like he may be saving his baseball career and not yet turn into the next Quincy Carter or Drew Henson. At least not yet... If you are in a long term keeper league where you can pick up free agents and keep them, do yourself a favor and pick up Chris Davis if he is available.   The 6'4" 235 lb. 1B is off to a good start for the AA Frisco RoughRiders.   In 2007, Davis hit 36 HR and had 296 TB for Frisco and A ball Bakersfield while hitting nearly .300.   He was a 3B last year but the Rangers have moved him to 1B and he has a clear shot to the majors at his new position.   Take the numbers, couple them with the opportunity and throw in a hitter's park and you have yourself the ideal long term keeper candidate.   Adam Lind took his demotion to AAA Syracuse in stride and is tearing the cover off the ball.   .360/.411/.640 with 3 HR and 7:5 K:BB should get him noticed north of the border.

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