The Mets recent history of gutting their farm system in the quest to help their immediate needs is infamous. The most notable trades have been sending Scott Kazmir, their first-round pick in 2002, to Tampa Bay in 2004 for what resulted in a bag of potato chips and acquiring Johan Santana this past offseason for four of their top 10 prospects, including Carlos Gomez.
Finally, New York can be praised for sitting tight with one of their homegrown talents. Mike Pelfrey, who was mentioned at times in the Santana dealings, won his fifth straight start Tuesday as he outdueled Giants All-Star pitcher Tim Lincecum. This comes after failed expectations for the right-hander early in his career.
Pelfrey was the Mets' first-round pick in 2005 (9th overall) out of Wichita State. He posted a 12-3 record with a 1.93 ERA, seven complete games and two shutouts in 19 outings for the Shockers in '05. He was named Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year for a second straight season and became the only pitcher to win that award twice. He even shattered the school's career ERA record (2.18) which was previously held by Darren Dreifort (2.24).
The Mets felt they drafted a can't miss arm in Pelfrey, who was hailed for his dynamite fastball. They were even more confident after Pelfrey breezed through three classes of minor league ball in 2006 on his way to making his MLB debut later that season. Enter the black cloud in Pelfrey's burgeoning career.
Pelfrey won his first two starts in '06, but would only make four appearances and eventually finish with a 5.54 ERA. The right-hander would return to the Mets rotation in 2007 in mid-April, but lost his first five decisions and after his sixth start he was sent back to the minors. Pelfrey wouldn't return until July and lost two of three starts before making another trip out of New York. He finally won his first game upon in his return in September, but finished the season 3-8 with a 5.61 ERA and 1.72 WHIP.
It's no surprise the Mets were intrigued by the notion of shipping the once promising ace to another franchise for a fresh start. When Minnesota balked at acquiring Pelfrey and an injury sidelined Orlando Hernandez in spring training, a door opened for Pelfrey to have another run at major league stardom.
Again, it was bumpy beginning for the former collegiate first-team All-American. After starting 2-0, his ERA skyrocketed from 1.50 to 4.43 by the end of April, and by May 26, Pelfrey was 2-6 with a 5.33 ERA. The Mets then had a decision to make. Pedro Martinez was set to come off the DL from a hamstring injury and somebody needed to be removed from the rotation. Then manager Willie Randolph decided to stick with the former college stud Pelfrey. Too bad Randolph, who is now on the unemployment line, isn't around to see the successful outcome of one of his better managerial decisions.
Pelfrey has not lost in his last eight starts as his record has surged to 7-6. He has allowed more than two earned runs just twice in that span and also has 36 strikeouts in his last 37 2/3 innings. His ERA has dropped to 3.93 and Pelfrey is even incorporating a curveball into his repertoire, an out pitch that former pitching coaching Rick Peterson had him ditch two years ago around the time his struggles began.
"Everything is getting better across the board," Pelfrey told MLB.com. "All my pitches."
The highlight of Pelfrey's recent run came Tuesday as he needed to be near perfect going against Lincecum, who entered with a 10-1 record. Pelfrey tossed seven scoreless innings and allowed just three hits -- all singles. Also, for the first time in 34 career starts, the 6-7, 230-pounder didn't walk a batter.
"He's just got a lot more confidence it looks like out there," Mets catcher Brian Schneider said. "Early on he would nibble, and I know he's not doing that anymore."
After all he has endured, maybe the scouts were right and Pelfrey does have what it takes to be the ace of a major league staff.
"The past month he's been unbelievable for us," Mets slugger Carlos Beltran said. "He's really becoming the pitcher that everyone thought he would be."
Call to the Bench -- We feel this player might be worthy of adding to Fantasy rosters for the long haul
Ubaldo Jimenez, SP, Colorado
Owned: 33 percent of
leagues
Analysis: The second-year hurler appears to be over
his early-season struggles. He has won three of his last six starts and
has allowed two or fewer earned runs in five of those outings. Jimenez
also has 27 strikeouts in his last 37 1/3 innings. The 24-year-old
Dominican is still a little road weary (1-6, 5.98 ERA), but he won
Monday in Milwaukee by pitching seven scoreless innings, so there is
hope he can have a big second half.
You're Out! -- We feel this player might have already peaked and his value could be on the decline, so Fantasy owners might want to cut bait ASAP
Gary Matthews, OF/DH, Los Angeles Angels
Owned: 34
percent of leagues
Analysis: The Angels probably wish they
could go back in time and void the $50 million dollar contract given to
Matthews when they had the chance. They were considering backing out of
the deal when reports surfaced Matthews allegedly received HGH, but
opted to follow through in hopes his breakout 2006 season with the
Rangers wasn't a fluke. Well, it has been all downhill since his 2007
signing. He had a disappointing first season with the Angels and the
team was forced to sign Torii Hunter to a
mega deal to make up for Matthews' failed promises. His 2008 season
hasn't gone much better. The outfielder/DH doesn't have a home run since
June 14 and doesn't have a multi-hit game since June 17. Matthews is
best left for AL-only leagues at this juncture.
GIDPs -- We feel this player might not warrant as much Fantasy consideration as he is receiving and should be avoided in most instances
Kevin Millar, 1B, Baltimore
Owned: 28 percent of
leagues
Analysis: Millar produced 11 homers and 44 RBI through
the first three months of 2008. Fantasy owners are now intrigued with
Millar's Fantasy appeal since his ownership has risen 13 percent in the
last six weeks. We caution Fantasy owners to take a closer look at his
numbers. Millar hasn't hit better than .253 in any full month this
season. Also, Millar has made most of his starts (43) as the Orioles
cleanup hitter, but he is hitting just .190 in that role. Mixed league
owners can do a lot better than the 36-year-old slugger.
Scouting -- We feel this player is on the verge of being a Fantasy reliable option, but still needs to be monitored over the next few weeks
Ian Snell, SP, Pittsburgh
Owned: 29 percent of
leagues
Analysis: Snell came off the disabled list Tuesday to
pitch for the first time since June 22. He had been sidelined because of
a strained right elbow. Snell only pitched 3 2/3 innings because of a
rain delay, but he allowed just one run, four hits and three walks
before leaving the game against the Astros. Snell has had a far from
stellar 2008 with a 3-7 record, 5.84 ERA and 1.93 WHIP. He has also
walked 52 batters in 89 1/3 innings, but perhaps he was overcompensating
because of the injury. Fantasy owners are always looking for pitching
help, and if Snell proves healthy in the second half, we could see the
kid who posted a 3.76 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in 2007.
Stopgap corner -- We feel this player might be worth using for the upcoming scoring period
Damion Easley, INF, N.Y. Mets
Owned: 3 percent of
leagues
Analysis: Easley is arguably one of the best bench
players in the majors and is showing why with Luis Castillo (quadriceps) on the DL. Easley, who is seeing most of
the starts at second base for the Mets, had strung together a 10-game
hitting streak, in which he is 17-for-37 (.459) with eight RBI, before
it came to an end Wednesday. Easley has some pop in his 5-11, 195-pound
frame, but as soon as Castillo is healthy, it's back to the bench for
the journeyman infielder.
Farm Boys -- This segment is for those long-term keeper owners looking for the next Fantasy superstar
Brett Anderson, SP, Oakland
Owned: 0 percent of
leagues
Analysis: Anderson's name is probably new to Fantasy
owners, but he was a key part of the trade that sent Dan Haren to the Diamondbacks. The 2006 second-round pick out of
Stillwater (Okla.) High was recently promoted to Double-A Midland after
posting a 9-4 record in Class A Stockton. Despite a 4.14 ERA, he held
batters to a .238 average and struck out 80 in 74 innings with Stockton.
His transition to Double-A has gone smoothly with a 1-0 record and 1.86
ERA in two starts. He also has 15 strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings. The
left-hander has great strikeout potential and the A's are excited about
his long-term outlook. However, it might be a stretch to see him in 2008
despite the recent trade of Rich Harden
and Chad Gaudin. Anderson is at best a
AL-only Fantasy keeper.
Doctor's Report -- This segment highlights a player on the verge of coming off the DL and ready to make an immediate Fantasy impact.
Hank Blalock, 1B/3B, Texas
Owned: 25 percent of
leagues
Analysis: Believe it or not, it has been almost three
months since Blalock was on a MLB diamond. He last appeared in a game
April 25 against the Twins before going on the DL with a partial tear in
his left hamstring. Blalock was all set to rejoin the Rangers in late
May before a severe case of carpal tunnel developed. It has since been a
long, arduous journey back for Blalock, who has received cortisone shots
and had surgery performed on his wrist. The slugging corner infielder is
hoping to begin a rehab assignment Monday and return to the majors right
after the All-Star break. He is expected to play first base upon his
return, giving him further value in Fantasy leagues thanks to added
eligibility. Blalock is an injury-risk sleeper for the second half since
he has solid power potential.
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