Skip to main content

The Sandlot Shrink: Bailey, Happ worth your fantasy consideration

  • Author:
  • Publish date:
happ-st.jpg

Here's your weekly look at fantasy players to consider.

Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds: Bailey will make 1-2 starts in Edinson Volquez' place beginning Saturday against Cleveland. The former top prospect was 3-5 with a 4.60 ERA in eight starts for AAA Louisville. He has a lifetime 4-8 record and 6.72 ERA in 17 major league starts.

Ross Detwiler, Washington Nationals: Detwiler, 23, looked good in his first start and will get another on Saturday against the Orioles. The left-hander displayed poise and command but still doesn't have a fixed spot in the rotation. He throws in the low-90s with a hard curve and a decent changeup. Watch him.

Edgar Gonzalez, Oakland Athletics: Gonzalez, 26, went 3-2 with a 5.22 ERA in seven starts for AAA Sacramento but the A's will try him in the rotation anyway. He was extremely inconsistent in his six years with the Diamondbacks. Not recommended.

J.A. Happ, Philadelphia Phillies: Happ, 26, has replaced Chan Ho Park in the rotation and is worth a flier. He has a 2.49 ERA in 21 relief innings so far. He made eight appearances (four starts) for the Phils last year with a 3.69 ERA. NL-only leagues should consider him if you need a starter.

Derek Holland, Texas Rangers: Holland, a top prospect, will take the injured Vicente Padilla's place in the rotation for now. He throws in the mid-90s with a slider and changeup. He went a combined 13-1 with a 2.27 ERA in the minors last season. He has been struggling but keep an eye on him.

David Huff, Cleveland Indians: Huff was recalled to join the rotation and will remain there if he pitches well. he was hit hard in his first start though. He was 5-1 with a 4.34 ERA in seven starts at AAA Columbus. He struck out 32 and walked 16 in 39 innings. He had a chanced to make the rotation in spring training, but was setback with biceps tendinitis. He is a finesse lefty with an excellent changeup.

Kris Medlen, Atlanta Braves: Medlen, 23, was recalled to make a few starts until Tom Glavine is ready. He is 5-0 with a 1.19 ERA AAA Gwinnett. He throws in the low-90s with a big curve and a decent changeup. He is a bit on the short side at 5-foot-10 but is a decent prospect. He got hit hard in his first start though.

Tim Redding, New York Mets: Redding (shoulder) was activated to join the rotation. He has been inconsistent throughout his career but has had short stretches of success when he maintains his command. The 31-year-old went 10-11 with a 4.95 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 33 starts for the Nationals last year.

Craig Stammen, Washington Nationals: Stammen (4-2 with a 1.80 ERA at AAA Syracuse) was recalled to join the rotation. He is not a hard thrower and is not a top prospect. "He was a little bit of a late bloomer," acting general manager Mike Rizzo told reporters.

Anthony Swarzak, Minnesota Twins: Swarzak, 23, throws in the low-90s with a hard curve but his command and changeup have been inconsistent in the past. He was 3-4 with a 2.25 ERA in seven starts with AAA Rochester so maybe he has turned the corner. He will start on Saturday and then could be moved to the bullpen if Glen Perkins returns quickly.

David Aardsma, Seattle Mariners: Aardsma took the place of the struggling Brandon Morrow as the closer for now. Miguel Batista and Mark Lowe are also in the mix. Morrow had an encouraging outing Friday night so maybe he's back on track.

Andrew Bailey and Michael Wuertz, Oakland A's: Both could close with Brad Ziegler still struggling coming off a lingering illness. But none of them have taken the bull by the horns. Bailey and Ziegler blew the save Friday night.

Jesus Guzman, San Francisco: Guzman, 24, was recalled from AAA Fresno. Guzman, who was hitting .363 with three homers in 157 at-bats, will likely DH or play first base in the interleague series with Seattle. He is terrible defensively but his bat is deemed ready for the majors.

Tony Gwynn, San Diego Padres: Bud Black says he will take a look at Gwynn in center field and possibly as the leadoff hitter. With Nashville this season, he was hitting .309 with a .395 on-base percentage. He had eight doubles, one triple, one homer and nine RBI. He also had 15 steals in 16 attempts. He has the speed to help a fantasy team but has just a .248 average in 130 major league games.