Sunday, May 31, 2009
The Fantasy Man is on Twitter!!!
So go follow me or whatever it is you do to get my messages and I'll send my advice and thoughts as the season rolls forward! Remember, if you have fantasy advice related questions, please email me only!
http://twitter.com/TheFantasyMan
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Go Shopping at K-Mart" from NL King
Now, as you remember in the article the "25 Names You Need to Know" that I posted a few weeks ago, Fernando Martinez was on that list. For you Met fans, don't think this kid is going to come up and be Roy Hobbs. He's playing in a ridiculous pitchers park and he's only 20 years old. Having said that, Martinez did hit 2 HR off of the Red Sox Bucholz within the last week or so in a minor league game. So for NL only Leagues if you can get him via the waiver wire or your leagues free agency... do it.
C.Lizza the NL King
A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
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This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!
To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.
Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime� 6.5 or higher is required.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
My first game at the new Yankee Stadium....
This one is called .... Rain Delay! My first game at the new stadium was a washout, or so it seemed! On May 4th (I know, its a little late), My father and I had tickets for the first Boston vs. New York game at the new Yankee Stadium. It's raining all day and it was raining just as hard at 6pm as it was at 9pm. After spending a fortune on a few dogs and 2 beers we decided that at 9pm we called it quits for the night. So when we left, at 8:58pm to be exact, there weren't any grounds crew out, announcements made, or any kind of indication that the game would start anytime soon. 10 minues later we're back in the car, we're soaked, I turn on the radio and there's Susan "Goodness Gracious" Waldman ...... "And the ground crew is out and it looks like there will be baseball tonight!" Unbelievable!
Better yet, almost 20 days later, I figure out how to post pictures from my trusty free Samsung verizon sent me that I can text directly to my blog. No, this isnt a cheap plug for Verizon, I'm just excited about learning new technology that's been out since forever! Go Yanks!
Who's on 2nd in Milwaukee?
It has been mentioned maybe the Brewers call-up Alcides Escobar and have him play 2B. I don't see the Brewers putting Escobar at 2B for the rest of this year and then yank him back to SS next season. The Brewers view Escobar as their future starting SS (no later than opening day 2010) and they are not going to mess with him. Also based on his current stats in AAA (39 Games, 157 AB's, 2HR, 12 RBI, 26R, 18SB, .268 AVG, .
315 OBP) it looks like Escobar needs some more seasoning. If Escobar
catches fire down in AAA I could see him getting called up, but to me the more likely scenario would be to see if Hardy could play 2B.
By far their best setup offensively is Matt Gamel at 3B (hit his 1st HR last night and had 3 RBI's) and use Bill Hall and Craig Counsell at 2B. The question is can Gamel field enough at 3B & can Hall play 2B (he has played OF, 3B & SS what about 2B?). With Weeks' bat now gone the Brewers are going to need a bat and if Gamel hits and as long as he isn't a nightmare at 3B he isn't going anywhere. So jump on Gamel (as I said last week) if he is still available in your league, grab Counsell if you are week at middle infield and keep an eye on Alcides Escobar.
The NL King
An Excellent Credit Score is 750. See Yours in Just 2 Easy Steps!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Red Alert from the NL King, Parra & Gamel called up!
The Arizona Diamondbacks called up outfielder Gerardo Parra yesterday with Conor Jackson placed on the DL with some undisclosed illness. If you remember Parra was featured in my article last week for the 25 names you need to know. The 21 year old was in Double A Mobile hitting .361 with 3 HR, 12 RBI in 29 games. Parra can play all three outfield positions which could mean plenty of AB's. Parra also had a great spring in D-Backs camp this year and had a strong showing in the WBC. Parra is one the D-Backs top prospects and currently short in the OF and with everyone struggling at the plate on this team besides Justin Upton, Parra will get every opportunity to show what he can do. If he hits, he could play every day. Parra in his MLB debut last night batting 2nd went 1 for 4 with a solo HR off Johnny Cueto. It's a little sooner than I expected for him to be up but he is a solid looking ballplayer. In NL only leagues he is a must pickup.
The NL King
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Red Alert from the NL King
Chris Coghlan is getting called up by the Florida Marlins with the injury to Annibal Sanchez. Coghlan is a line drive hitter who can hit some homers, steal a few bases and hit for a strong average. The Marlins plan to play him at 2B, 3B and OF, so he also gives you roster flexibility. He is getting called up today (Friday). He is a must pick up in NL only leagues via the waiver wire. Pick him up ASAP. He was lighting up Triple AAA in New Orleans where he was batting .344, 3HR, 22RBI, 9SB, .419OBP in 96AB. They would not bring him unless he was going to play. Jump on him now!
The NL King
Friday, May 08, 2009
Josh Whitesell - Sneaky Keeper Potential?
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Introducing The NL King - 25 Names You Need to Know
Bringing you the best NL-Only League Advice on the Internet!
Just to give you guys some background I have been doing fantasy baseball since Craig Biggio was a rookie and qualified at catcher. I have been in exclusively NL only keeper leagues since then and I am a Yankee fan, go figure. I am going to be able to give you guy’s insights on the NL, which will help your fantasy teams both for the short term and the long term.
The NL is a league that currently consists of very few elite fantasy players (I only count eight). The NL has a number of players near the end of their careers. Many of the impact players have only been doing it a short period of time (less than 2 years). The closer situation on most NL teams changes every year or so and the NL has a lot of 1st year starters emerging in 2009. Unlike the AL where there are so many reliable & consistent players the NL is very chaotic and over the next 12 months or so you will see these 25 names emerge and for your team to be successful you need to know them.
The 25:
1) Tommy Hanson – Atl – SP - The 22 year old is dominating at AAA with 48K’s in 32 IP. Tom Glavine is done and Jo-Jo Reyes has been unimpressive. All you need to know is the Braves scoffed at giving him up for Jake Peavy. Peavy is already an ace. He could be up any day now.
2) Jason Heyward – Atl – OF The only thing negative I can say about him fantasy wise is he is only 19. They compare him to Willie McCovey. Big, strong and athletic and one of the top talents in the minors.
3) Kyle Banks – SD – OF - Once this 6’6, 270 lb kid figures out to play the outfield he and his power bat will be up the Pads. If Adrian Gonzalez were an outfielder, Banks would be the starting 1B now, had a great spring. The Padres have plenty of openings for bats. Gonzo is a monster and Headley could be a solid bat but outside of that everything is wide open.
4) Andrew McCutchen – Pitt – OF – The 22 year old has drawn comparisons to Marquis Grissom. Good pop and a lot of speed. He will make McLouth slide over to a corner outfield position. Pirates have shown patience with him but he should be up no later than the All-Star Break.
5) Buster Posey – SF – C – This 22 year old kid will be the starting catcher for the Giants come opening day 2010. Giants gave him a signing bonus last year of 6.2 million and Bengie Molina is a free agent after this season. Think Russell Martin.
6) Matt Gamel – Mil – 3B – This 23 year old is a pure hitter. Currently hitting over .370 in AAA. With the Brewers situation at 3B why isn’t he here yet? Because he fields like Gregg Jeffries. Am I dating myself?
7) Pedro Alvarez – Pitt – 3B – This 22 year old has a ton of talent was one of the top picks of the 2008 draft and the Pirates gave him over a 6 million dollar signing bonus. He can be in Pittsburgh ASAP the only thing stopping him is himself.
8) Mike Stanton – Fla – OF – Compare this kid to a young Dave Winfield. He has plus plus plus power and an extremely hard worker. He won’t be here until next summer but he will be an impact player.
9) Alcides Escobar – Mil – SS – This 22 year old shortstop will be the starter no later than next opening day in Milwaukee. His glove is amazing. He projects as a top of the order hitter with good stolen base potential. Even JJ Hardy has said I am just holding shortstop until this kid is ready.
10) Madison Bumgarner – SF – SP – This 19 year old has put up ridiculous numbers in the minors. The Giants say they are going to take it slow with him but didn’t they say the same thing about Lincecum? The Giants need position players, look for them to trade guys like Cain and Sanchez for position players and have a one – two punch of Lincecum and Bumgarner for years to come.
11) Carlos Carrasco – Phil – SP – This 22 year old pitcher currently resides in AAA and has the potential to be a front of the rotation starter. Have you seen the Phillies starting pitching this year? He could be getting his opportunity real soon.
12) Tim Alderson – SF – SP – Another 19-year-old potential front of the rotation guy the Giants have. Too bad they have no position players knocking on the door like this.
13) Yonder Alonso – Cinn – 1B – This 22 year old 1B projects to be a middle of the order bat. Part of the Reds future core along with Bruce and Votto. Have to figure out who will play the OF either him or Votto.
14) Jarrod Parker – Arz – SP – Front of the rotation starter who has command of 4 pitches and throws 97.
15) Fernando Martinez – NY – OF – I know the Mets have a poor history of position prospects (can you name anyone other than Strawberry, Reyes & Wright?) but they are hoping K-Mart will be a starting corner outfielder (wow is it hard watching Daniel Murphy play the OF) sometime early next year. Ideally by opening day.
16) Brett Wallace – Stl – 3B – A power hitting 3B who can be up in early June if Troy Glaus time table is pushed back again. Worst case scenario he will be the starting 3B for the Cards opening day next year as Glaus who is 33 and a free agent after this season.
17) Josh Vitters – Chi – 3B – The 3rd pick in the 2007 draft projects as a number 3 hitter. With Aramis Ramirez blocking him and in the middle of a long-term contract look for the Cubs to use Vitters as a big chip to land a big player by the trade deadline to get that world championship.
18) Jose Tabata – Pitt – OF – The talent is all there for this kid. I know he have been hearing his name for a while but remember he is only 21 and the Pirates really only have 4 core players on the major league level in Malholm, Capps, McLouth & Doumit.
19) Gorky Hernandez – Atl – OF – In the not too distant future the Braves outfield will be Heyward in right, Hernandez in center and Schafer in left. The Braves got Hernandez along with Jurrijens from the Tigers for Edgar Renteria. Helps make up for the trade of renting Texiera for 1 season
20) Andrew Lambo – LA – OF – If Manny is gone after this season in LA he could be the starting left fielder if not he will be used as trade bait and start for someone else next season.
21) Gerardo Parra- Arz – OF – Opened eyes in the WBC. Chad Tracy will be gone after this season in the desert (7 million dollar option), which will create an opening.
22) Lou Marson – Phil – C – Carlos Ruiz, Chris Coste and Citizens Bank Park.
23) Chris Perez – Stl – RP – Just recently got called up and I believe he will be their future closer. How old is Ryan Franklin?
24) Matthew Antonelli – SD – 2B – I know it’s hard to have a worst year than this kid had in 08 in AAA but the Padres haven’t given up on him. Has plenty of potential and they have no answers at 2B.
25) Stephen Strasburg – Should be the Number 1 Pick of the 2009 Draft – This kid who turns 21 on July 20th is putting up ridiculous numbers at San Diego State. I know it’s college but he is being called the best prospect to come along in forever. He is averaging nearly 2 strikeouts per inning this year and has an ERA below 1.50. He has three plus pitches that includes a fastball that breaks 100. Not only does he break 100 but also in a recent game he broke 100 twelve times in a 7-inning start. The Nationals own the number one pick and they have to take this guy. His agent of course is Scott Boras. Boras has been throwing around a crazy number like a 50 million dollar signing bonus for this kid. That won’t happen but the Nats have to take this kid and get him signed. He probably could pitch now in the majors but I don’t expect the contract negotiations to go quickly with Mr. Boras. I see him being signed somehow by the Nats and having him as their opening day starter in 2010.
Signing Off
The NL King
Monday, May 04, 2009
Fantasy Baseball Arbitration



