Ah, the All Star Break. A time to crunch and crunch numbers, and then crunch some more. And, a time to look at the standings and the free agent pool and the other teams and determine if your team can compete, or whether it is time to turn one’s focus toward football?
It is the time, too, where ideally we have a few days to remind ourselves what the names of our family members are, how much we appreciate them and maybe even try to do something outside the realm of sports.
But, since we all know what an ultimately losing battle this is — that fantasy will ultimately win the battle of minds, wills, and perhaps even family, this week the HotPage looks a four players I like a lot going into the second half, and four players of whom I am steering clear.
Robinson Chirinos (C, Rangers): Call it man-crush, or desire to see a player I like do well, but at this point last season Chirinos was hitting .212-12-25, and he finished the season going .285-5-13 with a solid .399 OBP. Chirinos’ first half this year has been to the tune of .209-11-37 — kind of a wash between the numbers of the last couple of years — though the RBI total is up by 33%. My hope is Chirinos is one of those second-half guys. All he need do is prove it.
Teoscar Hernandez (OF, Blue Jays): Hernandez was swapped with Nori Aoki for Francisco Liriano from the NL and not activated till September 1, but he then hit to the tune of .261-8-20. Hernandez, largely overlooked or dismissed this season, just belted his 15th homer of the year to go with a .257 average, 39 RBI, and three swipes.
Shane Bieber (P, Indians): Gad, what is not to like about a hurler who has tossed 274 minor league innings and allowed just 18 walks? Seriously. 274 innings, 248 hits, 255 strikeouts, and four homers allowed coupled to an 0.97 WHIP. Bieber finished his stint in the minors this year with a 6-1, 1.29 record before moving to the Jake, where he has been 5-1, 3.53 over seven starts with 42 whiffs to eight walks. I think he will get better in the Shane Reynolds kind of way.
Andrew Suarez (P, Giants): The #9 pick of the Rays in 2011 opted to attend Florida instead, then became a #2 pick of the Nationals in 2014 before the Giants finally sealed the contract deal in the second round of 2015. Suarez filled part of the huge rotation injury holes by being promoted, largely before he was ready, and in April the 0-1, 6.75 mark validates this. In March the lefty was 1-3, 5.46, but in June Suarez started to get the hang with a 2-0, 2.62 line, and prior to his start against Oakland yesterday (five innings, four runs) he had a 1.38 ERA in July. Suarez currently rests at 3-6, 3.99 with a 1.23 WHIP, and with the Giants rotation returning to original form, Suarez can quietly become the low-key #4 starter in a pitcher’s park with a good second-half team.
Tyler Chatwood (P, Cubs): All that hope around how good Chatwood could be away from Coors is wrapped within 73 walks allowed over 84 innings this year, tied to a 1.77 WHIP. Ugh. Jettison ASAP.
Chris Archer (P, Rays): I wish I knew just what happened to Archer, a smart guy with great stuff. Maybe he is thinking too much, but it seems I am always waiting for him to realize his skill set, and it seems that just won’t happen. Archer, who is 29, might blossom a la Ryan Vogelsong, when he is 34, but it ain’t happening now.
Tommy Pham (Of, Cards): I know all the arguments about how physically gifted Pham is, and that is fine. And, I remember Billy Beane telling me he was always the best athlete on any team for which he played, also acknowledging that the athletic skills did not naturally translate into a successful career. I think, for better or worse, Pham is a head case. Not one as self destructive as Milton Bradley, but Pham’s numbers — which are pretty good with 13 homers, nine swipes, and 59 runs — are OK, but not worthy of a second-round pick. He’s OK, but I would much rather have Odubel Herrera or Eddie Rosario.
Andrew McCutchen (OF, Giants): This is tough to write as Cutch was so good for so many years, but so many years are over and Andrew carries a .263-9-40 line — not as good as Teoscar Hernandez! Cutch could have a Renaissance, a la Matt Kemp, but for now he is just one of many #5 outfielders in MLB. Sorry, Cutch. It happens to all of us.
