Sandlot Shrink: Unearthing potential pitching gems
Here is an inside look at potential pickups for the stretch run:
Kyle Davies, RoyalsDavies, 25, was recalled to rejoin the rotation. He opened the season in the rotation but was sent down June 20 after going 3-7 with a 5.76 ERA in 14 starts. He was 4-2 with a 2.14 ERA in eight starts at AAA Omaha. He has good stuff but still has to work on his command. Until he improves his consistency, he will be risky.
Tom Gorzelanny, CubsGorzelanny, 27, was recalled to make a few starts and looked good Tuesday night. He gave up only three hits and walked only one in seven innings. Still, be careful here. He won 14 games for the Pirates in 2007 but spent the last two months pitching AAA trying to regain his command. He had a 5.19 ERA in nine relief appearances with the Pirates before he was sent down on June 10.
Joe Martinez, GiantsMartinez, 26, was activated to join the rotation. In April, a line drive fractured his skull and he has been rehabbing for the last two months. He was pitching well in Fresno, where he had a 2.93 ERA in 38 innings. He doesn't throw hard but mixes his pitches and relies on a good changeup so he has to be sharp to win.
Justin Masterson, IndiansMasterson, 24, will replace Carl Pavano in the rotation. He needs to work on his change-up to be a starter though. He pitched well in spot duty last year, excelled in the playoffs and had a fine spring. He is tough on right-handers with his motion, but lefties sometimes hit him. He was 3-3 with a 4.50 ERA in 31 appearances, including six starts, prior to his trade to Cleveland last week.
Brian Matusz, OriolesMatusz, 22, was recalled to join the rotation and pitched well in his first start. The left-hander was a first-round pick last year and dominated at Class-A Frederick and AA Bowie. At Bowie he posted a 1.55 ERA with a 45/10 K/BB ratio in 46 innings. He's young so watch out for the bumps but he makes for an excellent keeper league pick.
Sean O'Sullivan, AngelsO'Sullivan, who threw a no-hitter in his last AAA start, will be recalled to rejoin the rotation. He throws around 90-mph with a decent curve and changeup so he has to be sharp to win. He has a 3.72 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 16/8 K/BB ratio in 29 innings this season.
Bobby Parnell, MetsParnell, 24, will be recalled to make a spot start or two. He has a 3.74 ERA with a 38/22 K/BB ratio in 46 relief innings this year. He was 10-6 with a 4.30 ERA in 24 starts for AA Binghamton last year. He is a hard-throwing sinker-slider guy with inconsistent control. Some feel he's better suited to relief.
Ian Snell, MarinersSnell was acquired from Pittsburgh to join the rotation after struggling for a year-and-a-half. He is worth a flier in AL-only leagues. He had a 0.96 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 37 innings for AAA Indianapolis after he was sent down. He has a good arm but inconsistent command.
Lou Piniella said he would rest Kevin Gregg who came down with a tired arm last week. Carlos Marmol is the backup closer.
Neftali Feliz, RangersFeliz, 21, was recalled to bolster the bullpen even though he will eventually be a starter next year. He throws in the mid-90s (topping out at 97-mph) with a curve and change that have improved this year. He posted a 2.16 ERA and a 20/3 K/BB ratio in 16 2/3 innings since he was moved to the bullpen last month at AAA Oklahoma. Overall he has a 3.79 ERA in 77 innings. He is a recommended future pickup.
Julio Borbon, RangersBorbon, 23, has good speed and line drive pop. He was recalled to help out an injured Rangers outfield situation. Borbon, who was up briefly last month, is hitting .307 with 25 stolen bases in 96 games at AAA Oklahoma City. Grab him if you need some speed but his recall could be temporary.
Elijah Dukes, NationalsDukes, 24, was brought up again and will play left field this time. He has a lot of tools, power and speed, but strikes out a lot and is a streaky hitter that keeps his average down. Still worth a pickup though.
Trent Oeltjen, DiamondbacksOeltjen, 26, was recalled from AAA Reno to help out in the outfield. He was batting .300 with 27 doubles, 14 triples, 10 home runs and 19 steals but is not a top prospect.
