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August 17, 2012

Value Picks

Outfielders for 8/17/12

by Paul Singman

Departures
Mike Carp (Yahoo! 6%, ESPN 9%, CBS 8%) lasted all of 17 games in between DL stints, this time succumbing to a groin strain. The 26-year-old first baseman wasn’t hitting much anyway, so it’s time to move on.

Another injury loss, Nate Schierholtz’s (Yahoo! 1%, ESPN 1%, CBS 4%) season could be done after suffering a fractured toe. It’s a tough break (honestly, no pun intended) for the recently-traded Phillie, who was in line for everyday playing time before the injury.

Hanging Around
Andy Dirks’ (Yahoo! 8%, ESPN 9%, CBS 25%) ownership rates barely budged despite his fantastic week in which he swatted four extra-base hits. Dirks started every game in left field—successfully eliminating Quintin Berry from the picture—and batted second every time a righty was on the mound. As his .337/.394/.526 slash line demonstrates, the guy can hit baseballs and should be owned in way more leagues.

Eric Young Jr. (Yahoo! 16%, ESPN 5%, CBS 11%) was one of the hottest hitters in baseball this past week and earned himself regular playing time, even with the return of Michael Cuddyer yesterday. When I say earned, I mean it: Young has multiple hits in eight of his last nine games. Unfortunately, I don’t work for the Elias Sports Bureau so I can’t tell you the last time a player accomplished that feat. What I can say, though, is even if Young cools down a bit from crushing pitches like this one, he still has solid contact skills and elite basestealing ability to fall back on. Those ownership rates have plenty of climbing to do before they properly reflect Young’s roto value.

David Murphy (Yahoo! 11%, ESPN 12%, CBS 38%) had a decent week, collecting a few hits and his first homer since the All-Star Break. The lefty was in the lineup every day, as promised, and should continue to be a solid fourth or fifth outfield option. Another solid week and he should graduate from the VP ranks.

Ezequiel Carrera (Yahoo! 1%, ESPN 0%, CBS 6%) managed to make his way into the lineup more often than not this past week and has collected a hit in his past five games. Last week was the tough one with three lefties on the bill, and he still managed pretty well. This week it’s five righties in the next six, so I give the green light for anyone looking for some cheap steals in Carrera.