The Sandlot Shrink: Pick up Tillman, Johnson, Norris
Here's your weekly look at fantasy players to consider.
Mitch Boggs, Cardinals -- Boggs, 25, rejoins the rotation for now. He went 1-0 with a 3.22 ERA in five appearances, including four starts at AAA Memphis. He struck out 20 in 22 innings with 11 walks so his controlneeds work. He is a sinker-slider pitcher with a so-so changeup and needs to change speeds better. He got hammered in six starts for the Cards last year. He can only start because he takes too much time to warm up out of the bullpen.
Fausto Carmona, Indians -- Carmona, 25, was recalled to rejoin the rotation after five starts in the minors. Carmona, a 19-game winner two years ago, went 2-6 with a 7.42 ERA in 12 starts before he was sent down. In the minors he went 3-3 with a 2.72 ERA in seven starts after revamping his mechanics. If he maintains command, he will succeed. He still has very good moving stuff.
Bud Norris, Astros -- Norris, 24, will take the place of Russ Ortiz in the rotation. He throws in the low-90s with a good curve and improving changeup. He had elbow problems last year and was moved to the bullpen in the AFL. But back in the rotation for AAA Round Rock this year he went 4-9 with a 2.63 ERA. If he maintains command, he could have some success.
Chris Tillman, Orioles -- Tillman, 21, was recalled to join the rotation. He is 8-6 with a 2.70 ERA for AAA Norfolk. He has a good fastball and a sharp curveball and really improved his changeup this year. Excellent prospect but he is very young. Grade B+ for the future.
Jim Johnson, Orioles -- Johnson, 26, will take over closing duties for the departed George Sherrill. He has a 3.17 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP and a 35/16 k/bb ratio in 48 innings this year. Grab him now.
George Sherrill, Dodgers -- Sherrill, 32, gives the team a veteran setup man for closer Jonathan Broxton. For Baltimore, Sherrill posted 20 saves and a 2.40 ERA.
Brian Anderson, Royals -- Anderson, 27, was acquired to play center field for now. He has speed that gives him value in AL-only leagues. He is batting .242 with 13 steals and plays all three outfield positions well.
Tommy Everidge, Athletics -- Everidge, 26, is a right-handed hitting first baseman and will see some time there. He was batting .309-8-53 RBI at AAA Sacramento but is not a top prospect.
Andy Marte, Indians -- Marte, 25, was recalled to play first base replacing Ryan Garko. He was having a stellar campaign at AAA Columbus, batting .327 with 24 doubles, 18 homers and 66 RBI in 82 games. He credits hitting coach Jonathan Nunnally for shortening his swing leading to the newfound success. He batted .215 with nine homers in 456 at bats the last three years with the Tribe.
Lastings Milledge, Pirates -- Milledge, 24, was recalled to play left field. A former No. 1 pick, he has disappointed in two different organizations and has been traded twice. He began the season as the Nationals' leadoff hitter but was sent down after batting.167 in 24 at bats. In June he was traded to the Pirates while rehabbing a broken finger. He has batted .337 in 17 games with AAA Indianapolis and has been working hard while improving his attitude. He still has power-speed potential.
Michael Saunders, Mariners -- Saunders, 22, is a decent prospect and was batting .313-13-32 in the minors this season. He should get some regular at bats in left field vs. right-handers but he is young and strikes out a lot, so beware of a low batting average.
Delwyn Young, Pirates -- Young, 27, had been playing well filling in at right field but now becomes the regular second baseman with Freddy Sanchez gone. He has been working with coach Perry Hill on playing second, a position he played in the minor leagues. He began the season on the disabled list for the Dodgers, recovering from elbow surgery, and was then traded to the Pirates. The switch-hitter is hitting .316-4-24-2.