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Today is July 6. On this day in 1912, construction on Ebbets Field began when the cornerstone was set. The first All-Star Game was played 78 years ago today at Comiskey Park, with the American League winning 4-2 on the strength of Babe Ruth's two run homer. John Lennon and Paul McCartney were introduced to each other on this day in 1957. Happy birthday to the United States Dollar (1785), Nancy Reagan (1921), George W. Bush (1946), and the AK-47 (1947). Here are your fantasy baseball links for today:
The Knurve To Say: July 5th, 2011 | COSFBA
I absolutely agree with Daniel here. In most leagues I would take Brian McCann over Joe Mauer.
Fantasy Baseball Free Agent Pool – 2011 Strikeout Kings Vol. 6 | LestersLegends.com
Bobby Parnell & Franklin Gutierrez: Deep League WW | FanGraphs Fantasy Baseball
It is never too early to start speculating on trade deadline activities. With current Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez apparently available for trade, Parnell is the likely replacement. The good news: Parnell’s strikeout rate has increased each season in the Majors, as has his average fastball velocity.
Updated Catcher Rankings -- July | FanGraphs Fantasy Baseball
Updated Shortstop Rankings - July | FanGraphs Fantasy Baseball
Follow the jump for more of the latest fantasy baseball news and analysis from around the web.
Bautista Dangerous On Outer Third, Too | Baseball Analytics
Bautista is slugging .603 on outside pitches in 2011, while the big league average is just .327. Jason Giambi and Laynce Nix are the only batters who have outslugged Bautista on outside offerings. Inside, middle, outside -- it hasn't mattered this season. Pitchers are getting whacked when Joey Bats pulls the trigger.
Under the Fantasy Microscope: Edwin Jackson | Roto Hardball
It's too early to go buying in on Jackson -- his career numbers serve as a caution -- but he may be worth watching in the second half. His BABIP of .341 is bound to come down, and as it does, we should expect an ERA closer to 3.50 with good strikeout numbers, some more victories, and a WHIP much, much closer to the league average rate of 1.31. Jackson should be a good buy in deeper leagues and is worth monitoring in the second half.
Five reasons to sell high on Jair Jurrjens | Fantasy Baseball 365
I agree with three of these...and if you can get Andrew McCutchen for Jurrjens as suggested in the article, you don't need to agree with any of them. Go do it.
Joel Hanrahan's New Approach | Baseball Analytics
Joel Hanrahan's pitching approach this year is simple, yet devastating. He's forcing batters to take cuts at a fastball that flirts with the triple digits, with the result being weak contact. And he's burying sliders low and away to right-handers or in on the legs of lefties. Hanrahan, once a control-challenged farmhand for the Dodgers and Nationals, is now a focal reason why the Pirates are no longer pushovers.
Injury Report: July 5: Jon Lester, Asdrubal Cabrera, Albert Pujols & More | Rotoprofessor
Prospect of the Day: Josh Reddick, OF, Boston Red Sox | Minor League Ball
I've heard different opinions about how "complete" of a hitter [Reddick] is. Red Sox officials seem optimistic that he'll produce across-the-board, as he's doing on his current hot streak. Sources outside the organization aren't quite as sanguine, projecting that he'll hit for plenty of power, but concerned that his strike zone judgment will hold him back, that he'll be streaky and prone to large fluctuations in batting average and OBP.
Prospect Tracker: Todd Frazier & Brett Jackson | Rotoprofessor
It’s easy to write off [Frazier's] power explosion, considering he had never hit more than 19 HR prior to 2011, but he is 25-years old. It’s not unthinkable that he has simply added power, is it? He did have 32 doubles in 2010 and 45 in 2009, so there certainly is hope. However, don’t consider it a lock.
Fantasy Baseball Player Prospecting: Bryce Harper, James Darnell, more | KFFL.com
Bryce Harper cruises to Double-A. James Darnell one of two Padres youngsters breaking out. Plus, should you bank on Blake Beavan after a stellar MLB debut?
2011 MLB All-Star Futures Game Roster Review: United States Team: Hitters | Minor League Ball
2011 MLB All-Star Futures Game Roster Review: United States Team Pitching Staff | Minor League Ball
Baseball Makes First Cut In Efforts At Olympic Reinstatement | Baseball America