(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The season has found its mid-point, and teams are getting ready to head to the break. While, for the most part, the right outfielders are making their way to St. Louis for the All-Star game itself, there are many players that are going largely unrecognized for their work.
For some, statistics are fawned over by fantasy owners. Others are struggling to find glory even there.
In Anaheim, it is almost too much of a good thing. Over the last 15 days, the top three outfielders in all of baseball in terms of RBI are playing for the Angels. Production continues to emerge out of Torii Hunter, but Juan Rivera is still stuck without many believers and Kendry Morales is finding it worse.
Rivera has been discussed in this space the last several weeks, and his ownership is now pushing towards 70 percent.
Still, his .298 average in these last two weeks and four home runs should be more universally owned. Factoring in his entire month of June, and the question should be why are we still seeing him on free agent wires.
Morales is slightly easier to understand, but he has multi-position eligibility that makes him as attractive, if not more. The Angel is 16 for his last 46, good for a .348 average. His 10 RBI are tied for 12th across all outfielders in the last two weeks and he has added three home runs. Morales can hit, plain and simple. Owners looking for some roster flexibility should continue to flock towards his 40 percent ownership.
The situation in Texas has become slightly more clouded with the return of Josh Hamilton. The team tried to simplify it slightly by sending down Chris Davis. With that move, the outfield will look pretty normal with a fully healthy Hamilton. He will take his place in center, but until that time the team will continue to use Marlon Byrd there.
And why not? Byrd has hit three home runs and driven in 11 in his last 14 games while posting a .298 average. He has a certain spot in the lineup regardless, as he will slide to left when Hamilton is in center.
For some, statistics are fawned over by fantasy owners. Others are struggling to find glory even there.
In Anaheim, it is almost too much of a good thing. Over the last 15 days, the top three outfielders in all of baseball in terms of RBI are playing for the Angels. Production continues to emerge out of Torii Hunter, but Juan Rivera is still stuck without many believers and Kendry Morales is finding it worse.
Rivera has been discussed in this space the last several weeks, and his ownership is now pushing towards 70 percent.
Still, his .298 average in these last two weeks and four home runs should be more universally owned. Factoring in his entire month of June, and the question should be why are we still seeing him on free agent wires.
Morales is slightly easier to understand, but he has multi-position eligibility that makes him as attractive, if not more. The Angel is 16 for his last 46, good for a .348 average. His 10 RBI are tied for 12th across all outfielders in the last two weeks and he has added three home runs. Morales can hit, plain and simple. Owners looking for some roster flexibility should continue to flock towards his 40 percent ownership.
The situation in Texas has become slightly more clouded with the return of Josh Hamilton. The team tried to simplify it slightly by sending down Chris Davis. With that move, the outfield will look pretty normal with a fully healthy Hamilton. He will take his place in center, but until that time the team will continue to use Marlon Byrd there.
And why not? Byrd has hit three home runs and driven in 11 in his last 14 games while posting a .298 average. He has a certain spot in the lineup regardless, as he will slide to left when Hamilton is in center.
The person most impacted by the return of Hamilton will be David Murphy. Byrd proved last year that he can play, but he just does not have much power.
Murphy played well in Hamilton’s absence, but is simply not going to get the full-time gig in the crowded Arlington outfield. Murphy is 14 for his last 39, good for a .359 average. He has shown some moderate pop with four home runs.
Murphy played well in Hamilton’s absence, but is simply not going to get the full-time gig in the crowded Arlington outfield. Murphy is 14 for his last 39, good for a .359 average. He has shown some moderate pop with four home runs.
He makes solid contact, and will see time at DH and in left field when the team is fully settled. He will need to battle Andruw Jones for some of those at-bats at DH, and Davis will be back eventually.
Beyond that, the team decided to keep up speedy rookie Julio Borbon. Borbon had 19 steals in 23 attempts in the minors before his call-up, and was getting on base at a .365 clip.
He hit well in June in AAA, and the Rangers expect him to continue to play. He should get some sporadic playing time in that regard. Unfortunately, Borbon’s biggest impact will likely come in limiting the playing time of Murphy, in the long run.
Beyond that, the team decided to keep up speedy rookie Julio Borbon. Borbon had 19 steals in 23 attempts in the minors before his call-up, and was getting on base at a .365 clip.
He hit well in June in AAA, and the Rangers expect him to continue to play. He should get some sporadic playing time in that regard. Unfortunately, Borbon’s biggest impact will likely come in limiting the playing time of Murphy, in the long run.
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