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The big news of the day happened in a game involving the Marlins High A team last night, as Hanley Ramirez left the rehab game with more soreness in his ailing shoulder. He will return to Miami for more evaluation. The Marlins should make sure he is healthy, not for September, but for the start of spring training and the start of the 2012 season, especially with their new ballpark opening. So, any idea of trying to bring him back in September should be put on the back burner.
Orioles catcher Matt Wieters may be turning a corner as a major league hitter. He went 2-4 with a HR, 2 runs and 2 RBI last night, and on the season he is hitting .265-.329-.431 with 15 HRs, 52 RBI, 57 runs and a 71-38 K/BB rate in 415 ABs this season. So far in August, he is hitting .293-.370-.537 with 4 HRs, 13 RBI and 13 runs scored in 82 ABs. If the Orioles young starters could get back on track after a horrific showing this season, the Orioles could make some noise in the AL East in 2012.
Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer went 1-4 last night, and on the season, he is hitting .274-.324-.424 with 12 HRs, 57 RBI, 43 runs, 7 SBs, 35 extra base hits, and a 66-31 K/BB rate in 413 ABs thus far in 2011. These aren't gaudy numbers for the 21 year old, but they are pretty damn good for a 21 year old. I see him possibly doubling his 12 HR output in 2012, as he has hit just 2 HRs in August and hit zero HRs in June. As he matures as a hitter, he will not go a month without hitting a HR.
More Roundup after the jump:
Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman went 3-5 with a HR, 3 runs and 3 RBI last night in the Nats 9-2 win over the Braves. Zimmerman is having a hit August, where he is hitting .333-.381-.542 with 4 HRs, 14 RBI, 12 runs and 11 extra base hits in 96 ABs. His August is topping his solid July when he hit .313-.382-.434 with 2 HRs and 9 RBIs. His season stats won't look great on draft day 2012, but he should be one of the first few third baseman off the board.
Phillies ace Roy Halladay shut out the Reds for 7 innings, giving up just 2 hits, 2 walks, striking out 9 to win his 16th game of the season. He is now 16-5 with a 2.47 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and an unthinkable 191-25 K/BB rate. Halladay is the front-runner for the NL Cy Young award according to many, but I think Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw will give him a run for his money.
Marlins outfielder Mike Stanton went 3-4 with a HR, 2 runs, an RBI and a SB last night, and for the season, he is hitting .264-.354-.548 with 31 HRs, 78 RBI and 5 SBs. Manager Jack McKeon announced awhile back that Stanton could be a 30-30 hitter, but Stanton really hasn't run much thus far. I am a little surprised to see his OBP sitting a .354 as we all know he strikes out plenty-28% vs 31% in 2010, but he has improved his walk rate this year as well-11.2% from 8.6%. Stanton is only 21 years of age, but already has 52 major league home runs. Could he eventually break the home run record before his career is over?
Angels outfield prospect Mike Trout went 2-4 with a walk, 2 HRs, 3 runs and 5 RBI last night in the Angels 13-6 win over the Mariners. Trout showed us why he is one of the top prospects in all of baseball last night. He is now hitting .246-.306-.523 with 5 HRs, 13 RBI, 15 runs, 1 SB, 8 extra base hits in just 65 at bats. IWith a strong September, Trout might get plenty of love this offseason from fantasy writers.