NL Central Notebook: The division’s four unnoticed heroes

A Couple Days Off

Last month’s All-Star break was a high point for baseball, peaking with the
pre-game ceremony that honored, among others, Red Sox legend Ted
Williams. And while 64 players were appointed to the teams in Boston
that night, for many others, the break was a chance to rest, see family and
friends, and prepare for the second half.

Since then, a number of players who were not in Boston that night
have played well enough to change the arc of their season. In the NL Central
alone, there are four men who have played exceptionally well since the
second week of July, among the division’s best, yet whose performances are
going unnoticed. No longer:

• Rich Becker, Milwaukee: Becker, a favorite among analysts since Rany
  Jazayerli wore Underoos, has taken advantage of Jeromy Burnitz‘s
  injury to squeeze himself back the crowded Milwaukee outfield picture. Since
  the break, Becker is hitting .278/.422/.500 and is now platooning in right
  field with Alex Ochoa.

  If he can continue to play well, Burnitz’s return could force Phil Garner
  (or whoever is running the Brewers these days) to
  platoon Becker in center field with Marquis Grissom. This would be an
  additional boost to a Brewer offense already among the league’s best, and a
  defensive gain as well. Becker’s had a very bumpy career path: it’s nice to
  see him have some success.

• Russ Johnson, Houston: Ricky Gutierrez may have gotten injured one
  time too many. Johnson, who complained bitterly when he was left off the
  Opening Day roster, came back up at the end of April to cover for Ricky
  Gutierrez’s broken hand. He hit .222 with good plate discipline and very
  little power, primarily as an extra infielder. So when Gutierrez returned in
  June, it was easy for the ‘Stros to decide that Johnson needed to get some
  more time in New Orleans.

  But Gutierrez’s hand wasn’t completely healed: three weeks after he
  returned, he went back on the DL. Johnson was recalled, and has grabbed the
  third base job with both hands:.327/.364/.564, while playing good defense.

  In a year in which the Astros have been hit by an epidemic of injuries,
  their depth has saved them. Johnson–who may be ticketed for New Orleans again if
  Ken Caminiti ever heals–would make a better fifth infielder than Tim Bogar,
  and could even end up as the starting third baseman next spring. He’s been
  an integral part of the Astros’ 20-8 second half, and it will be interesting
  to see if Larry Dierker recognizes that at roster move time.

• Darren Oliver, St. Louis: Probably the least-expected hot streak has
  come from Oliver, who hadn’t been notably effective in any role since 1997.
  Oliver has an ERA of 2.21 in five starts since the break. In those five
  starts, he’s averaged more than seven innings per start–a critical need for
  the Redbirds–and doubled his strikeout rate.

  Can it last? I’m skeptical that a pitcher with Oliver’s track record and
  stuff can suddenly become great. He is left-handed, and Tony LaRussa and
  Dave Duncan, for all their struggles with young pitchers have had a lot of
  success with veterans (Bob Welch, Mike Moore) and retreads
  (Dave Stewart, Dennis Eckersley, Kent Bottenfield). It
  won’t matter much this year: the Cardinals are 10 1/2 games behind the Mets
  in the wild-card race.

• Greg Vaughn, Cincinnati: Jim Bowden gambled that the Reds could
  contend, and the acquisition of Vaughn was his biggest bet. Despite a low
  batting average, Vaughn has put runs on the board with his power and walks.
  His defense, once very good, is now pretty bad, buut he’s still a net
  positive.

  In the second half, Vaughn has turned up the power. Despite losing 30 points
  off his BA (.233 to .203), the left fielder has jumped from an OBP/SLG of
  .329/.483 to .375/.514. His plate discipline and power are helping to
  counter the hit the Reds are taking from Pokey Reese (.203/.288/.328
  since the break).

  The Reds aren’t going to catch the Astros, but if Vaughn stays healthy and
  productive at his current level, they’re going to stay right with the NL
  East’s second-place team deep into September.

We have to throw out an honorable mention to two guys who attended the party
at the Fens. You may have heard of them:

Mark McGwire, since ASB: .329/.444/.976
Sammy Sosa, since ASB: .314/.372/.716

Notes

Warren Morris is making a serious run at Scott Williamson
for the NL Rookie of the Year. Given the makeup of the electorate, expect
that Morris will emerge as the winner: middle relief value is hard to
understand, while double-digit home runs rom a second baseman aren’t….
Interleague play has got to go. Because of all the scheduling issues
involved, the Astros will play the Reds twice the rest of the
season, September 28-29 in the Astrodome. Gee, what a fun race.