Roto Rush: A Prince Among Men

Poppin' out of the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.

What a fantasy season it has been for Prince Fielder. Of course, we must thrown the "fantasy" before season, as I'm sure Fielder pictured himself squarely in the middle of a playoff race when looking ahead to September 21st earlier in the season, but his owners must be pleased by their second-round pick's production. Fielder launched his 40th homer of the season Sunday, making this year the second (2007) in which he's reached the 40-HR mark. His average is still trucking along near .300 (currently at .299), which is a pleasant surprise, and his 128 RBIs tie with Albert Pujols' total as the best mark in baseball.

Heading into 2010, you have to love Fielder as a first-round pick. With his walk total now above 100, he's making strides in his plate discipline, which is leading to better pitches to hit. What this says to me is that a .300 average might be the norm for Fielder heading forward, not the anomaly.

Sunday's game against the Astros was the last start of the season for Yovani Gallardo, and he made it count for his owners. Even though he was lifted after 77 pitches, the 23-year-old righty went five innings to get the win, striking out seven while allowing no runs. He finishes the year with a 13-12 record, 3.73 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 204 strikeouts and 94 walks in his 185.2 innings pitched. As the Brewers let his leash out a little longer, expect that innings total to be above 200 next year, provided Gallardo keeps his health.

Bits From the Box Scores
• Atypical for him, but Tim Lincecum was knocked around in his Sunday start against the Dodgers, pitching just four innings and striking out three batters while allowing five runs and four walks. Being in the thick of the H2H playoffs, this comes at a most inopportune time for his owners. If you think Lincecum just ruined your fantasy season with that line, be sure to remember who got you there in the first place. Andre Ethier went deep for the 31st time this season in the Dodger win.

• If you need to make a pickup or two to help out some categories, you may want to take a look at some of the key Royals from Sunday's win against the White Sox. Josh Anderson stole his 20th base of the season, and since it looks like he's locked into playing time for the Royals, the opportunity should be there for a few more steals before season's end. Willie Bloomquist is leading off for Kansas City, has multi-position eligibility in your league, and is hitting over .400 in September. And finally, Robinson Tejeda continues to soar, striking out five while allowing a run in 6 innings, pushing his record to 4-1.

• Daisuke Matsuzaka picked up his second win in as many starts since coming off the DL, striking out five and walking one in 5.1 innings while allowing three runs. He's a great add for anyone that needs a couple more wins. Jason Bay smacked his 35th HR in the win, while Jacoby Ellsbury contributed both a homer (his eighth) and a stolen base (his 63rd) while scoring three hits and a walk in the win over Baltimore.

• I had been wondering where the speed of Jayson Werth went, but he finally stole a bag on Sunday for the first time since July. Other Sunday speed freaks: Julio Borbon (15th), Elvis Andrus (28th), Luis Castillo (17th), Hanley Ramirez (26th), Aaron Hill (fifth), B.J. Upton (38th), Scott Podsednik (28th), Rafael Furcal (ninth), Yadier Molina (ninth). Yes friends, Yadier Molina and Rafael Furcal have stolen the same number of bases.

• Howie Kendrick put together a nice 3 for 5 game that featured his 10th homer and five RBIs. Though it took him half a year to get going, he's turning on the burners in a way that will win over many owners' hearts and heads in the draft room next year. Other power surges on Sunday: Joey Votto (22nd), Juan Rivera (23rd), Chone Figgins (fourth), Luke Scott (24th), Carl Crawford (14th), Adam Kennedy (11th), Ken Griffey Jr. (16th), Jake Fox (11th, which came in the 11th inning).

• Dan Haren faced off against the Rockies in Arizona, and it was clear that he was the second-best starting pitcher on the mound at Chase Field on Sunday. While Haren allowed five runs in eight innings, Ubaldo Jimenez stifled the Diamondbacks, striking out eight batters in seven innings while allowing one run in the win. Jimenez has done a wonderful job at cutting down his walk rate from 2008 and deserves to be drafted higher that you would expect from a Rockies pitcher. Despite the 34 earned runs since the start of August, Haren still has a sub-3.00 ERA. Yeah, he's that good.

• 2010 Prospect Watch: Aroldis Chapman, one of the world's best young pitchers, has defected from Cuba and turned up in the European country of Andorra. He'll likely sign with a major-league team soon, and I expect him to dominate the lower minor leagues, and possibly the high minors as well. He could debut in the majors at some point in 2010 and deserves to be atop your prospect wish list this offseason.

The Afflicted: Zack Grienke looks ready to roll for Tuesday's start, in which he's a must start for your team. While he's been magic when on the mound, Pedro Martinez left his last start early with pain in his neck. He could very well miss his next start, so don't be afraid to drop him -- time's running out. Say goodbye to Marco Scutaro, who's been very valuable at several positions in 2009. The Blue Jays infielder is having an MRI on his heel, and there's no need for the Jays to bring him back this season. Ross Ohlendorf is done for the season, but kudos for wringing some value out of him while you did. Michael Young had a very successful season as a third baseman, but his hamstring injury isn't allowing him to return.

Lineup Lock Time: 7:05 ET tonight. This is it, ladies and gentlemen, so make it count!