Fantasy Baseball Around the Majors, June 25: Edwin Jackson, Zach Greinke & More

Zack Greinke is beginning to look like himself again.  Mike Pelfrey and Jered Weaver continue to excel in 2010.  Of course, the biggest story of the day, however, was Edwin Jackson’s 8 walk, no-hit performance.  Let’s look at these stories and all the rest from yesterday’s games:

Hitters:

Jayson Werth (2-5, 3 R) - Philadelphia Phillies - The Phillies were at home, but were the road team.  Seems fair, huh?  Roy Halladay stymied the Blue Jays (7.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 7 K, W), but it is the continued hot streak of Werth that is the bigger story.  In his last three games he’s gone 8-12 with 1 HR, 3 RBI, and 5 R.  You knew it was just a matter of time before he exploded.

Carlos Santana (1-3, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R) - Cleveland Indians -  He’s now hitting .317 with 3 HR and 12 RBI since his recall, certainly living up to all the hype.  Unfortunately, a thumb injury forced him from the game prematurely.  Owners should be keeping their fingers crossed that it’s not going to keep him out for very long, if at all, as early word is that he may play on Saturday.

Chris Johnson (4-5, 3 RBI) - Houston Astros -  Considered the third baseman of the future, the future may be now.  Recalled earlier this week to take over the job from Pedro Feliz, Johnson is 7-13 with 4 RBI, 1 R, and 1 SB since rejoining the team.  In the Pacific Coast League, he was hitting .329 with 8 HR, 33 RBI, 26 R, and 0 SB in 149 AB.  I’ll be writing a scouting report on him early this week, but if you need a corner infielder in deeper formats, he’s probably worth the flyer.

Chone Figgins (2-4, 1 R, 3 SB) - Seattle Mariners -  While it was easy to write him off with his early struggles, that would have been a big-time mistake.  While the runs are tough to come by in Seattle, he’s starting to produce solid numbers for fantasy owners.  In his last five games he’s 7-21 with 1 RBI, 3 R, and 6 SB.  His average, which was .194 with 5/26, is now up to .235.  Keep him active in all formats.

Pedro Alvarez (0-4) - Pittsburgh Pirates -  If that wasn’t bad enough, he struck out four times, leaving five men on base.  He has struck out at least once in all nine games he’s played, and 15 overall.  It’s tough to be successful when you aren’t making contact.

Coco Crisp (3-5, 3 R) - Oakland Athletics -  He has hits in all three games since returning from the DL and in this one acted like the sparkplug at the top of the A’s lineup.  He has value in five-outfielder formats, so if you are in need he’s worth the flyer.

Alex Rodriguez (2-4, 1 HR, 1RBI, 2 R) - New York Yankees -  Down year, huh?  He’s hitting .283 with 10 HR, 51 RBI, and 39 R.  A down year for A-Rod is almost like a career year for some, isn’t it?  He continues to be one of the elite 3B in the league.

Dustin Pedroia (0-1) - Boston Red Sox -  The bigger story was that he fouled a ball off his foot and was forced to leave.  He’s going to have it reexamined on Saturday, so owners need to keep a close eye on the news and hope for the best.

Pitchers:

Edwin Jackson (9.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 8 BB, 6 K, W) -  He actually walked seven batters in the first three innings, en route to a 149 pitch no-hit performance.  You have to point to some good luck to get through this one, instead of getting bombed in the early innings.  While the result is nice, it’s hard for me to get excited about this unlikely success. 

He entered the day with a 5.05 ERA and 1.43 WHIP, so he clearly hasn’t been dominant this season.  Still, we know his talent, and after those first three innings he was showing it off.  I wouldn’t give up on him in any format, not with the potential to get on a roll.

Jake Peavy (7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 9 K, W) - Chicago White Sox - He continues his roll, improving to 3-1 in his last four starts, allowing just 4 ER over 30 IP.  We’ve talked about him before as a potential buy low candidate, but it’s probably too late for that now.

Carlos Zambrano (1.0 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 1 K) - Chicago Cubs -  He was yanked from the game and ultimately suspended by the Cubs after he confronted Derrek Lee in the dugout after he botched a play.  It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out, but the Cubs patience with him appears to have finally run out.  Move him to your bench in all formats for now, and be prepared to ditch him entirely if this drags out for long.

Clayton Richard (6.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 H, 4 BB, 5 K, W) -  He has excelled this season, though he did enter the game with a strand rate of 79.7 percent.  While the rest of his numbers are extremely realistic (including his control of 3.3 BB/9 and BABIP of .291), the strand rate could regress.  Still, he plays for a team that continues to roll and he continues to keep his team in it (he’s allowed 3 ER or less in all but two of his starts this season).

Mike Pelfrey (6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 2 K, W) -  After allowing a leadoff home run to Denard Span (2-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R), owners had to be worried that his poor start against the Yankees would carry over.  Instead, Pelfrey settled down and improved to 10-2 with a 2.71 ERA on the year.  One certainly could argue that he is actually the ace of the Mets right now.  One cannot argue that he has turned himself into a must-use option in all formats, however.

Kris Medlen (6.2 IP, 1 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 5 K, W) - Atlanta Braves -  He’s now 5-1 with a 3.15 ERA on the year.  He has been impressive, but the question is: Is he pitching over his head?  That’s something I’ll be taking a look at early next week, but for now, he certainly is worth grabbing if he’s still available due to his performance thus far.

Jake Arrieta (4.1 IP, 5 ER, 8 H, 3 BB, 2 K) - Baltimore Orioles -  He looked good in his first two starts, but over his last two he’s allowed 10 ER over 9.1 innings.  The control has been an issue overall, walking 12 in 20.1 innings.  He’s got a ton of talent, but until he harnesses it, he’s too big of a risk to have in your active lineup.  Keep him stashed, if possible, in all formats.

Zack Greinke (8.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 6 K, W) - Kansas City Royals - This makes three straight good starts, allowing 7 ER over 24 IP.  Over the streak, he’s struck out 23 vs. just 2 BB.  You knew things were going to turn around and it is beginning to look like he is his same, dominant self.  Continue to use him as an ace in all formats.

Jered Weaver (7.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 11 K) - Los Angeles Angels - He took a no decision, but continues to be lights out in 2010.  He’s now struck out 118 over 101.2 innings, to go along with a 3.01 ERA and 1.09 WHIP.  He’s never shown this type of strikeout potential in the major leagues, but over his minor league career he posted a K/9 of 11.0.  In other words, it is very possible that he maintains this all year long.

What are your thoughts from yesterday’s games?  Which ones caught your eye? And which ones did I miss?

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