Seesaw Report: June 16-22

Welcome to the seesaw report for the week of June 16-22! We've had a few top prospects get the call and it's been a surprisingly strong week for the catcher position. Several big name pitchers hit the DL, and one makes his long awaited return from the minor leagues. Let's get to the names!

Hitters Up

Derek Norris - A favorite prospect of mine for a while, Norris gets the call in Oakland to supplement the struggling Kurt Suzuki. Norris has always had a good eye, which bodes well for a rookie, though he's been far more free swinging in Triple-A this year. It's helped his average but hurt his OBP a bit. The plus power remains. This is a valuable skill set in a catcher.

Salvador Perez - I have Perez and Norris in a league where I lost Jon Lucroy, so this was a good week for me. Perez homered in his first game back last night and should be a top 10ish catcher the rest of the way. Worth grabbing in all two catcher and deep leagues. In single catcher 10 team leagues he can be grabbed but probably isn't an improvement over what you have.

Read more after the jump...

Alex Avila - Good week for the catcher position as Alex Avila comes back. If you own him, you'll be plugging him back in immediately. Hurts Gerald Laird's minute fantasy value.

Carlos Lee - Lee is back from an extended stint on the disabled list, sending Brett Wallace back to Triple-A. Lee is a shell of his former self, but he wasn't killing you in any category, so if you've suffered a rash of injuries at 1B, he might be worth a look. Otherwise he's best left on the wire.

Geovany Soto - Activated off the DL on the 18th, Soto's return sent Wellington Castillo back to the minors. Soto should continue to grab the majority of starts with Steve Clevenger getting the days when Soto needs to rest.

Hitters Down

Matt Joyce - Joyce went down with what was originally called a back injury but when he was sent to the disabled list it was termed a side injury. We know that side injuries tend to last longer than a 15 day stint on the DL, but the Rays are hopeful this is an especially minor injury and that he will be back as soon as possible.

Mitch Moreland - Moreland has been surprisingly good so far this year. He was replaced on the roster by Roy Oswalt, but many are speculating that top prospect Mike Olt could get the call eventually. Olt had played third base almost exclusively this season, but after the Moreland injury, has played first base in two games.

Jason Bay - Poor guy just cannot catch a break. He's on the 7-day concussion DL after a rough crash into the left field wall.

Pitchers Up

Roy Oswalt - The biggest name of the pitchers coming up this week, Oswalt is likely owned in all leagues where it matters. He pitched well in his first start, but it was against a Colorado team that is truly awful away from Coors. Oswalt has more name value than he does actual value, as I don't see him performing particularly well in Arlington, though he should get plenty of wins along the way. You're better off spot starting him, but he's likely not going to be available to do that.

Justin Grimm - Grimm was called up from Double-A Frisco for a spot start and acquitted himself well with only one walk and seven strikeouts in six innings. Texas has been hit hard in the rotation by injuries and he has a chance to stick around. Grimm is worth spot starting in shallow mixed leagues and worth a grab in all deeper leagues just on the chance he holds down a spot.

Chris Archer - See Jeremy Hellickson's post below. Same value as Grimm. Worth a grab in all deeper leagues and spot starting in shallow leagues.

Jered Weaver - Back from the DL. Plug him into all lineups immediately.

Jair Jurrjens - See Brandon Beachy post below

Pitchers Down

Brandon Beachy - This was the big blow of the week as Beachy had been one of 2012's best pitchers and he's down and out for 12-18 months. He underwent Tommy John surgery rather quickly, suggesting that even though his UCL tear was partial, it was substantial. Jair Jurrjens was given his rotation spot and excelled Friday night against the Red Sox. I can't profess to have any faith in Jurrjens as I think he's been pitching over his head for years. I'd leave him well enough alone and let someone else deal with the low strikeouts.

Jeremy Hellickson - Hellickson hits the DL due to shoulder fatigue and intriguing prospect Chris Archer was recalled in his place. Archer was one of the headline prospects the Rays received for Matt Garza, and has always had plus stuff. Control has always been an issue for Archer and while most rookies nibble at the corners, Archer was extremely impressive in his first start vs the Nationals with 7 strikeouts, 1 walk, and 1 earned run (3 runs total).

Jerome Williams - Williams has been surprisingly solid in the Angels rotation, but he heads to the disabled list with a respiratory issue. This likely means Garret Richards will hold his spot in the rotation even with the return of Jered Weaver, and that's good news as Richards has been mighty impressive over his last four starts.

Ryan Dempster - The oft talked about trade candidate will remain in Chicago for a couple more weeks by way of the disabled list (lat injury). Randy Wells is the uninspiring replacement in Chitown.

Bud Norris - Norris was sent to the DL with a left knee sprain and I'll be forthcoming and say there's no option for Houston to turn to that would make a worthwhile replacement in fantasy leagues.

Josh Beckett - Beckett was placed on the 15 day DL with right shoulder inflammation, and we can all assume that every Boston beat writer is currently staking out area golf courses for their next big story. Clayton Mortenson was recalled to take his spot on the roster.