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Early 2014 Position Rankings
The 2014 NFL Draft was about a month ago, so it is time for our early 2014 position rankings. This week we published our early 2014 Quarterback, Wide Receiver and Tight End rankings, along with an early Comeback Player of the Year candidate.
2014 Comeback Player of the Year
2014 Rookie Position Rankings and Post-draft Analysis
Prospect Buy and Hold
We all want to know when Gregory Polanco and Oscar Taveras will be called up to the big leagues, as they are the next prospects in line to make an impact on your fantasy teams. But who are some other top prospects who can help you this season? Jason Hunt publishes his weekly Buy and Hold article every Saturday morning, ranking his top 10 prospects in line for a call up, along with some other prospects to consider as well. In his week 8 Buy and Hold, he has two new faces in his top 10.
Yordano Ventura leaves start with apparent injury
The Royals are trying to build a winner and one of their building blocks, young starter Yordano Ventura is a big part of their starting rotation and their future. But, last night, he was hit around by the Astros and left his start with two out in the third. Here is Andy McCullough from the Kansas City Star:
Yordano Ventura departs the mound midway through the third with a trainer. Uh oh.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) May 27, 2014
McCullough later tweeted that Ventura's fastball, regularly in the high 90's, was clocked at 91 mph vs last batter he faced.
Ventura gave up 5 runs on 7 hits, 3 walks and 3 strikeouts in 2.2 innings, and is now 2-5 with a 3.45 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and a 59-19 strikeout to walk rate in 57.1 innings. Hopefully, the injury is nothing serious and he can make his next start, or at least can return after a short stint on the disabled list. With all of the Tommy John injuries surgeries this season, his owners will be holding their breath waiting to hear the extent of his injury.
Here is more from McCullough on Ventura's injury:
Yordano Ventura left with "lateral elbow discomfort." He will undergo an MRI tomorrow.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) May 27, 2014
It doesn't sound good.
For more on Ventura's injury, make sure you check out Royals Review, SB Nation's Royals fan site.
Hyun-Jin Ryu nearly perfect
On Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia, Dodgers starter Josh Beckett no-hit the Phillies. Last night, teammate Hyun-Jin Ryu nearly threw a perfect game. Ryu was perfect through seven innings, but after an inning where the Dodgers tacked on three runs, and Ryu running the bases, he gave up three runs on three hits. Reds third baseman Todd Frazier broke up the perfect game with a double to lead off the eighth inning. Brian Wilson came on to relieve Ryu, and proceeded to give up a hit and a walk that allowed two of Ryu's base runners to score.
On the season, Ryu is now 4-2 with a 3.10 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and a 47-12 strikeout to walk rate in 52.1 innings. He has given up three runs or less in seven of his ten starts this season.
For more on Ryu's near perfect game, check out True Blue LA, SB Nation's Dodgers fan site.
Round'em Up
It has not been a very good season for Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz, and on Monday he was roughed up, yet again. Buchholz lasted just just three innings, needing 89 pitches, and giving up six runs on four hits, EIGHT walks and four strikeouts in the Red Sox come from behind 8-6 win over the Braves. Buchholz is now 2-4 with a 7.02 ERA, 1.98 WHIP and a 39-24 strikeout to walk rate in 50 innings thus far, and is in real danger of losing his rotation spot.
Are any of you still holding Buchholz on your active roster?
I recently traded for Braves outfielder Justin Upton in a huge deal in the UBA NL only keeper league as I practically emptied my farm roster for him and several other hitters. I have been down on Upton over the last few seasons, as he seems to disappoint owners in one category or another each year. He has struggled to drive in runs over the last two seasons, but 2014 might be his break out year. At least it seems that he is well on his way. On Monday, Upton went 2-4 with two doubles, a walk and three RBI in the Braves 8-6 loss to the Red Sox. Upton is now hitting .299-.380-.598 with 13 home runs, 28 runs scored, 33 RBI and 5 stolen bases in 5 attempts, and has driven in runs in eight of his last nine games.
The Blue Jays have been scoring runs with ease lately, and leading the offensive onslaught has been first baseman Edwin Encarnacion. Last night, Encarnacion went 3-5 with a home runs and two runs scored in the Blue Jays 10-5 win over the Rays. He is now hitting .262-.338-.574 with 15 home runs, 33 runs scored and 41 RBI. After just two home runs and 15 RBI in April, Encarnacion has hit 13 home runs and driven in 26 in May.
After a terrific rookie season, Rays outfielder Wil Myers is struggling at the plate in 2014. Myers went 1-3 with a walk on Monday, and is now hitting just .230-.307-.346 with 4 home runs, 25 runs scored and 21 RBI in 50 games thus far. One of the reasons he is struggling is due to the fact that he has struck out 50 times in his 191 at bats this season.
it seems like I am writing about George Springer every day now, but it isn't because he isn't deserving. We all know about his April struggles, but he has figured things out at the plate in May and is producing like a Top 25 outfielder now. Last night, Springer went 4-4 with a home run, two doubles, a walk, five runs scored and three RBI in the Astros win over the Royals. Springer is now hitting .268-.348-.500 with 8 home runs, 20 runs scored and 25 RBI in 138 at bats since his call up. He isn't stealing many bases right now, but that will come as he gets more comfortable reading pitchers.
Fantasy Rundown
For more fantasy baseball (and football) news and rankings, make sure you check out Fantasy Rundown, your one stop for all the fantasy news you need on a daily basis.