Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.There are times where you see a possible gem sitting on the waiver wire, but you decide to wait. Your gut is pleading with you that he's legit. You just don't want to make a trade-off, dumping one of your struggling stars for the "new flavor."
This time, please know Ricky Romero is more than a new flavor.
Believe it or not, Romero is available in roughly 50 percent of leagues, depending on where you feed your fantasy addiction. That's just absurd. This is a pitcher -- a lefty at that -- that has six wins and a 2.85 ERA. He won his third straight game on Wednesday, a dominant eight innings over an AL powerhouse. The awesome showing came on the heels of making the World Series champions look silly over seven innings.
Since the beginning of June, no one has found an answer for Romero. He finished the month with a 2.36 ERA, a .211 batting average against, and 33 strikeouts in 34 1/3 innings with only 10 walks. As Will Brinson would say, "Romero is the balls."
He could be a 24-year-old ace in the making. Don't leave him sitting atop the waiver pile any longer.
Bits From the Box Scores:
• If you missed the bandwagon on Romero, there are some very solid candidates also on the wire. One of them is Brad Bergesen, who finished June with a 2.23 ERA and picked up right where he left off on Wednesday, holding the Red Sox to four hits over eight innings. Knox and I also mentioned other surprising pitchers in the last cram session podcast.
• Leo Nunez picked up the save for the Marlins, striking out two in a perfect inning of work. The situation may read "closer by committee" on the surface, but Nunez is the guy you want in Matt Lindstrom's absence.
• Juan Rivera's blazing hitting display would elicit "He's on fire!!!" from NBA Jam commentators. He homered yet again and is coming off a month where he knocked eight out of the park and drove in 24. He's starting outfield material even in mixed leagues.• Via Matt Snyder: "[Randy] Wells is legit. He's a true pitcher -- as opposed to a 'thrower.' He hits his spots, changes speeds, and mixes pitches well."
• Imagine how good Clayton Kershaw could be if he wasn't a walk machine? Colorado only managed one hit off of him -- over five innings. Kershaw was pulled after 97 pitches and five walks. His stats would be incredible if he harnessed enough command to pitch six or more innings consistently. All in due time. He's just 21 years old (!).
• The on-again, off-again full closing duties for Frank Francisco continues. Manager Ron Washington announced that Francisco is back as the team's full-time closer, leaving C.J. Wilson worthless other than as a vulture to keep around in deep leagues.
Don't Forget About: Troy Glaus. He's not on anyone's radar yet -- deep NL-only leagues aside -- but in a few weeks he might be. Glaus is heading to the Cardinals' spring training facility in Florida to continue his rehab, and it looks like he might return to the lineup in August. We'll see how the shoulder holds up, but he could be a decent source of pop at a thin position if he recovers OK.
The Afflicted: Don't expect to see Raul Ibanez (groin) back this weekend; his rehab assignment was pushed back. Josh Hamilton, on the other hand, is raring to go after recovering from abdominal surgery. He's expected back in the lineup this weekend, possibly even Saturday. Mark DeRosa is day-to-day with a mild wrist strain. He received an injection and should return in a few games. Alexei Ramirez will undergo X-rays on his right middle finger after leaving Wednesday night's game. It doesn't sound like he'll be out for too long. Alfonso Soriano isn't hurt, but Sweet Lou is giving him another day off so the streaky star can clear his head. He had an awful June with a .198 average and very little pop, but remains a strong buy-low candidate.
Down on the Farm: I gotta give Reds prospect Todd Frazier some love (Rutgers represent!). The shortstop-turned-outfielder is killing the ball in Double-A ball with 30 doubles, 42 RBI and a .317 average. He also has a healthy amount of walks to strikeouts (27:35). I think he could get called up for a cup of coffee in September, and will certainly have a shot at regular playing time in 2010.
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