clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Roto Roundup: A.J. Burnett, Paul Goldschmidt and Others

By Ray Guilfoyle
July 31, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett (34) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-US PRESSWIRE
July 31, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett (34) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-US PRESSWIRE

This will be a short one this morning.

Coming into the season, Diamondbacks first baseman had some question marks about his ability to hit for a high average and to keep the strikeouts down. Last night, he went 3-4 witn a HR, 2 runs and 2 RBI, and is now hitting .298-.364-.539 with 15 HRs, 46 runs, 53 RBI and 9 stolen bases. He has struck out 85 times in his 319 at bats, but has also walked 34 times. He is young and hits in a hitters park, so his ranking amongst first baseman may continue to rise as the season goes along if he can hit for a bit more power and continue to hit in the .280-.290 range.

His teammate Wade Miley should garner some Rookie of the Year votes later this year, as he won his 12th game of the season last night. He limited the Dodgers to one run on 3 hits, a walk and 7 strikeouts. He is now 12-6 with a 2.98 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and a 95-24 strikeout to walk ratio in 126+ innings pitched.

Jered Weaver may be the leading candidate to win the Cy Young award in the American League, and it will probably be a battle between him and David Price. Weaver held the Rangers to 2 runs on 5 hits, a walk and 3 strikeouts last night to win his 14th game of the season. He is now 14-1 with a 2.29 ERA, A 0.95 WHIP, and a 92-27 strikeout to walk ratio in 122 innings of work. He has given up 2 runs or less in 15 of his 19 starts this season, and has won his last 8 starts. He has been money in Vegas over the last month and a half.

Rockies rookie shortstop Josh Rutledge is hitting like he is Troy Tulowitzki's twin since his call up a few weeks ago. Rutledge went 2-5 with a HR and 3 RBI last night and is now hitting .381-.394-.683 with 3 HRs, 10 runs,11 RBI and 3 stolen bases in his first 63 major league at bats this season. He has some pop and can steal a few bases, and should be the team's second baseman out of spring training next year.

Tommy Hanson landed on the DL last night with a bad back a few days after I wrote about him here.

Pirates starter A.J. Burnett had a no-hitter for 7.2 innings last night, and settled for a complete game one hit shutout of the Cubs. Burnett walked 2 and struck out 8 while coming 4 outs away from his second career no-hitter. He is now 13-3 on the season with a 3.27 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and a 102-37 strikeout to walk ratio in 124 innings pitched. Who saw this coming from him this season?