FantasyFanatics.com Fantasy Sport Articles

Clayton Kershaw Demoted

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:18:30 EDT

Los Angeles Dodgers super prospect Clayton Kershaw has been demoted to the Double A affiliate after 8 starts and no wins. In 38.2 innings, Kershaw did fan 33 batters, but he also allowed 24 walks, and 39 hits. While the good news is that Kershaw showed some poise, never allowing more than 4 runs to cross the plate, his record also reflects an 0-2 record, which suggested greater development in the...

Castillo To DL

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:12:30 EDT

Mets second baseman Luis Castillo has been placed on the disabled list due to a strained hip flexor. The 32-year old speed demon has 13 stolen bases on the season along with a surprising 3 homeruns. However, the nagging injury has kept him out of the lineup recently, and the Mets opted to place him on the DL with hopes that rest will heal the ailing hip. In his place, the Mets will start Damion...

Frenchy Sent to Minors

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 10:52:19 EDT

Perhaps it was the great power surge from his rookie season, but Braves young talent Jeff Francoeur managed to raise expectations beyond what he could keep up with. In his first full season in the Major Leagues, Francoeur blasted 29 homeruns, but hit just .260. Last season, the strong-armed outfielder's average jumped to .293, but he managed just 19 homeruns. Finally, this season Francoeur has simply...

Sizzlers and Fizzlers - Week 9

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 10:46:11 EDT

Sizzlers and Fizzlers - Week 9 By Ben Berkon SIZZLERS Willie Bloomquist (UT, Seattle Mariners): The Mariners fired their GM and then their manager. In addition, there were some roster shake-ups. As a result, Bloomquist seems to be getting the bulk of starts in CF (and is stealing some AB's from SS and 2B as well). Bloomquist has long been a favorite in AL-only leagues because of his knack for...

2008 Fantasy Football Mock Draft - PPR League

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 19:14:03 EDT

Click here to check out our Video focused on drafting from the 12th position! On a cold, wintry night at the Fantasy Sports Conference in Denver, eight fantasy football experts gathered for one of the first Mock Drafts of the 2008 season. They represented a wide variety of backgrounds and companies, each bringing a unique perspective to the drafting process. The league starts one quarterback,...

DRAFT VIDEO: Drafting from the 12th Position

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:55:44 EDT

The Fanatics staff has been producing some pretty cool Draft-Focused videos behind the scenes, many of them based off ideas given to us on the forum. I'm posting one up today, a video I did on drafting from the 12th position. Many Fanatics grunt and groan when they enter their lobby and see they've been assigned the last draft position. However, as this video shows, it's really...

Matt Capps Out 2 Months

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:20:40 EDT

Pirates closer Matt Capps' fine season has been placed on hiatus. The 24-year old will likely miss two months de to shoulder bursitis. Capps has 17 saves this season with a 3.12 ERA. Most impressive is his 29:5 ratio of strikeouts to walks. Veteran Damaso Marte is now the favorite to grab some saves, but keep an eye on Romulo Sanchez, a 24-year old who earned his first save of his career on July...

Mark Ellis Earning A's

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:14:37 EDT

If you're in need for a second baseman, Mark Ellis has evolved into the only position player with fantasy value on the Oakland A's. The 31-year old infielder is fresh off a career high of 19 homeruns, and is currently on pace to match that value with 9 homeruns this season. A greater surprise is that Ellis has 11 stolen bases, which is already a career high. With 45 runs and 32 RBI, the former 9th...

The Giambino Returns

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:06:30 EDT

Jason Giambi took another step towards the AL All Star game with a sensational performance at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night. Giambi blasted his 18th homerun of the season, and drove in 6 runs with 2 hits. Giambi struggled through injuries last season, finishing with just 14 homeruns and a .236 average. Giambi has belted 6 homeruns in each of the past two months, while hitting at an average greater...

Nolasco Wins Again

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:02:27 EDT

Florida Marlins hurler Ricky Nolasco continues to enjoy a break-through season as he picked up his 9th win of the season on Wednesday night. The 25-year old hurler dominated the Nationals hurling 7 innings of 3-hit ball with 8 strikeouts and no walks. Nolasco has been sensational lately, having won 7 of his past 8 decisions, while dropping his May 3 ERA of 6.10 to just 3.94. Perhaps the greatest...

Brett Myers Implodes

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:16:39 EDT

Former Phillies ace, and one-time closer Brett Myers has been sent to the Minor Leagues. The 27-year old was a first round pick in 1999. Myers had racked up double-digit wins in four straight seasons (2003-2006), before being converted to a closer last season, when he grabbed 21 saves. This season has been a struggle for the hard-throwing right-hander. His record is just 3-9, with a 5.84 ERA. ...

Big Unit Implodes

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:12:31 EDT

What happened to the Big Unit? Long considered one of the best pitchers in the game, Johnson has blown up over the past two months, losing 6 games in a row, while allowing 7 runs to score in 3 of them. The 44-year old southpaw is now 4-7 on the season with a 5.46 ERA and 1.51 WHIP. Even the most patient of fantasy managers would be best served to drop him, as his numbers don't point to any turnaround...

Weeks Misses Game With Stomach Ache

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:00:37 EDT

Rickie Weeks missed Tuesday's game because of a stomach virus. He is considered day-to-day. Weeks is enjoying an up and down season, as he has impressed fantasy managers with 7 homeruns, 11 steals, and 48 runs. Unfortunately, his success comes with a .215 average, which has fantasy managers fighting the urge to keep him on their bench. Expect the former second pick overall to finish off the season...

Percival to the DL

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:55:14 EDT

Troy Percival and his 19 saves have been placed on the disabled list for a second time this season as he aggravated a hamstring strain. Unfortunately, fantasy managers will struggle to find a clear cut replacement for their rosters. The Rays have a winning formula, and probably don't want to mess with it much by moving their middle reliever Dan Wheeler to the ninth. Therefore, Grant Balfour may...

A View of the Diamond, 6-30-08

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:31:29 EDT

A VIEW OF THE DIAMOND BY ROB SHAW FANTASYFANATICS.COM ROCKIES Troy Tulowitzki hammered his first homerun since returning from the Disabled List. Entering the contest, Tulowitzki hit just .152 in his 6 games back. While a 1-3 performance won't lift his average much, it is noteworthy that four of his 5 hits this month are extra base hits. Last season, Tulowiztki blasted 24 homeruns and 99...

Red Hot DeJesus Bruises Ribs

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:29:38 EDT

Fantasy managers were dealt a blow on Sunday, when David DeJesus was removed from the game with bruised ribs. With a 13-game hitting streak snapped (DeJesus walked in his lone at bat), the Royals centerfielder had a nasty collision at the plate with Jason LaRue. The Major Leagues leader in hitting with runners in scoring position (.463) is considered day-to-day. Despite missing time early in the...

Milledge to the DL

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:13:18 EDT

Just as the Nationals won 3 out of 4, and the outfield combination of Lastings Milledge and Elijah Dukes started to stand out, Milledge has been sent to the 15 day disabled list on Sunday. Milledge currently leads the team with 13 steals this season. The former Mets prospect had just tied his career high with his 7th homerun two days before straining his right groin on Saturday. Speedster Rogearvin...

Ryan Church Returns

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:12:03 EDT

Ryan Church returned to the Mets lineup on Sunday. The talented right-fielder was enjoying a career season with 10 homeruns, 35 RBI, and a .300 average before heading for the DL after just 50 games. In his return to Shea Stadium, Church singled twice to raise his average to .304. After belting 15 homeruns last season, fantasy managers can expect 20 out of Church this season. Church compares well...

Braves Rookie Providing Speed

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:09:18 EDT

For the fourth consecutive game, Braves outfielder Gregor Blanco enjoyed a multi-hit game. During the span, the rookie's average has spiked from .244 to .270. On Sunday, Blanco even attempted his 7th steal, but got caught in the process. Speed is certainly a large part of Blanco's game, as he stole 181 stolen bases in 6 seasons in the Minor Leagues. Unfortunately, Blanco is lacking in power, as...

Troy Tulowitzki Homers

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 10:54:32 EDT

Troy Tulowitzki hammered his first homerun since returning from the Disabled List. Entering the contest, Tulowitzki hit just .152 in his 6 games back. While a 1-3 performance won't lift his average much, it is noteworthy that four of his 5 hits this month are extra base hits. Last season, Tulowiztki blasted 24 homeruns and 99 RBI to complement a solid .291 average. This season has been a great...