Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.The days where boos rained down upon Kosuke Fukudome seem like a distant memory.
Through nine games on the new season, the formerly-embattled center fielder is batting .375 with three homers, eight RBI, six runs and a steal for good measure. Compare that to his rookie campaign, where he only managed 10 big knocks in 501 at-bats. Should we believe in this new and improved Fukudome, or is it only a matter of time before fans are ripping him to shreds again?
I don't believe what we're seeing so far is a mirage. It's not like this kind of power outburst comes from nowhere. Let us not forget Fukudome put up a couple of 30+ homer seasons in Japan (in 2003 and 2006). It was a rough adjustment to the majors (and Chicago), but now he's found his comfort zone in his second year and he's mashing away.
Seeing that he's still unowned in about 40% of Yahoo! leagues, it's apparent that people don't believe in his ability. Do you really want to pass up an outfielder that can give you over 20 homers and 10 steals just so you can keep a geriatric like Randy Johnson on the roster? In Fukudome we trust. Go get him.
Bits from the Box Scores:
• Emilio Bonifacio meets Earth, Part II: 0-for-5 with three strikeouts against the Braves. That's an 11:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio now. We're still bullish on his steal and run totals, but say goodbye to the lofty average and RBI.
• I think Kenshin Kawakami will improve as he goes along. He threw 69 of his 109 pitches for strikes against the Marlins and racked up seven more punchouts, yet his command faltered again. You're not going to find many pitchers that can give you his kind of K potential on the wire.
• Let the Nyjer Morgan love continue. He collected three more hits against the Astros (in a losing effort, of course), and should get more active on the basepaths soon.
• Heath Bell has given you five more reasons why you don't pay for saves. The first-time closer who lost 25 pounds by playing Wii Fit picked up his fifth save against the Mets and is now your MLB saves leader. Record-breaker Francisco Rodriguez? He has two. Yes, there's a long way to go, but remember Bell was much, much cheaper on draft day.• I wouldn't say Cliff Lee is out of the woods yet. Only allowing one run and picking up the win against the Yanks was definitely a step in the right direction, though he still walked three batters and threw a wild pitch. I'd trade him off as soon as he puts together a good string.
• Victor Martinez could very well finish the season as the second-ranked or even top-ranked fantasy catcher this season. He picked up three hits at the new Yankee Stadium and now sports a .381 average with three jacks.
• With another homer versus the Phillies, Elijah Dukes has driven in six over his last three games. He should be rostered in all deep leagues even though the upside is limited on the Nats.
• I'm not jumping ship on Alexei Ramirez, definitely not this early. But your team can't stomach a punchless .156 average right now, so ride the hot hand with Marco Scutaro (13 runs! really?) or another middle infielder while Ramirez finds his way on your bench.
• The Rays swiped four bases on A.J. Pierzynski. Keep that in mind next time you've got speedsters going up against the White Sox.
The Afflicted: Vladimir Guerrero is out indefinitely with a strained pectoral muscle. It looks like a DL stint is inevitable, while Gary Matthews Jr. becomes relevant again in AL-only leagues. More woes for the Royals: Alex Gordon will undergo surgery for a tear in his right hip labral cartilage. Time for Mark Teahen to switch positions one more time. Mariners catcher Kenji Johjima will be out three weeks with a strained right hamstring, but Seattle didn't give Jeff Clement the nod. Instead, backup Jamie Burke got the call-up and Rob Johnson takes over at catcher.
Lineup Lock Time: The Indians and Yankees play at 1:05pm ET in one of two afternoon games on Friday's docket.
Down on the Farm: Catcher Matt Wieters went 2-for-5 and hit his first homer of the year. Rays' David Price struck out six and only walked one over five innings. It's only a matter of time, so don't bail now. Diamondbacks prospect Jarrod Parker struck out seven and walked none over five scoreless in Hi-A ball. He'll be rising up the keeper ranks, just you wait.
Saturday's Ace in the Hole: Wandy Rodriguez (0-1, 3.00 ERA) takes on the scuffling Reds at home. At the least he should be a solid source of strikeouts. For deep-leaguers, lefty Jo-Jo Reyes makes his season debut for the Braves. Luckily for him, the first assignment is Pittsburgh. Don't let us down, Jo-Jo.
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