The second half of the baseball season is well underway. Some of us fantasy geeks are looking for players to either get us over the top or to grab for next year. Hear are a couple of guys that can help in either category.
Devin Mesoraco was a highly touted prospect in the Reds organization, putting up some nice power numbers that were to translate nicely to the Great American Ballpark. His first full year last year was less than anticipated, as he hit only .212 in his first extended action. He did hit five homers but was still considered a disappointment.
This year started off up and down. He started the season in a back-up role to Ryan Hanigan. In the small snippets of playing time he showed some signs of life but was still too inconsistent to be relied on. However, the kid is only 25 and is only in his 2nd full year in the bigs, so he still has some ability that hasn't come out yet, or has it? His latest hitting surge has come at the expense of Hanigan, who is serving some time on the DL. In a seven game stretch from the 14th thru the 23rd, he's gone 10 for 22 with 2 homers and 6 RBI. His back was an issue a few weeks ago. If he's healed and has started to tap into his potential, he could be a nice pickup for not only the last couple of months but as a nice fixture behind the plate.
Carlos Torres is another guy you might want to take a look at, at least down the stretch. He is now in the starting rotation for the New York Mets, taking the place of a hugely disappointing Shaun Marcum. In his stead Torres has put up some impressive numbers, like a microscopic 0.94 ERA, a 26/4 K/BB ratio in only 28 2/3 innings and a 1.01 WHIP. He pitched well out of the bullpen for the Mets since his recall in mid-June and Terry Collins has plugged him in to the rotation with some monstrous results.
His first full year in the majors was last year with the Rockies, where he failed to impress. However, he seems to have found some life in New York under pitching coach Dan Warthen. His strikeout to walk numbers are what jumps out at me. Those numbers show that he has some swing and miss stuff. Terry Collins calls him a 'strik throwing machine.' That also tells me has the confidence of his manager, as well. He's another that can help down the stretch and he's only 30. That, to me, although not a 22 year old flame throwing phenom, is still not old as it relates to pitchers.
I know this time of year you are looking for big guns that can help propel you over the top in your league, or you are looking for guys that you can build on for next year. These two guys might serve a purpose for you no matter which side of that fence that you're on right now. And these guys are probably sitting on your league's waiver wire or can be had for cheap in a trade.
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