Last season, Franklin Gutierrez had somewhat of a breakout year. I use the adjective somewhat because I viewed it more as a set up to a true breakout year in 2010.
Gutierrez finished 2009 with a .283/.339/.425 triple-slash line and 18 home runs with 16 stolen bases. I viewed him as a solid third outfielder in 10-team mixed leagues going into the season especially with Ichiro and Chone Figgins batting ahead of him in the lineup.
Gutierrez was proving me right in April (.323 batting average), but since the calendar turned to May he has been struggling at the plate. He now sits with a disappointing .251/.324/.379 triple-slash line and despite solid power/speed numbers (8 HR and 13 SB) he has hardly been worth a roster spot over the last three months.
Looking at the numbers, Gutierrez has improved his walk rate (10.1% up from 7.3% in 2009), but has also been striking out more (24.2% up from 21.6% in 2009). If you look even deeper into his approach at the plate you will see that he is swinging at 27.1 percent of pitches outside the strike zone (23.2% in 2009) and 56.5 percent of pitches inside the strike zone (59.4% in 2009). Coincidentally, his contact outside the strike zone has gone up (60.5%), which probably describes his decrease in line drives as he isn’t making as good of contact.
There is no doubt that Gutierrez has been in an extended funk this season, but he has still managed eight home runs and 13 stolen bases. If he can correct his approach at the plate, there is some value to be had in the second half as I think he can recapture that magic from the beginning of the season. I’m still holding onto some hope.
Three Up
Aramis Ramirez, 3B, Chicago Cubs
On June 7, Aramis Ramirez landed himself of the DL with a .168 batting average, but has been on an absolute tear batting .438 (21-for-48) over the past 12 games with nine home runs and 24 RBI. It looks like he is healthy again and owners should be all-in on this perennial .300-30-100 threat.
Derrek Lee, 1B, Chicago Cubs
Sticking with the Cubs theme, Derrek Lee is starting to hit as he has a .423 batting average with two home runs and eight RBI in the past week. Lee was a late bloomer last year, but showed he could still be a valuable asset in fantasy and it looks like he’s getting ready for that second half surge again.
Yunel Escobar, SS, Toronto Blue Jays
Maybe a change of scenery was all he needed because in four games since being traded, Yunel Escobar has hit .471 with two home runs and seven RBI. Unfortunately, a hand injury has benched him the last two days, but Escobar is listed as day-to-day, which means it isn’t anything serious. Don’t forget this guy was a .300-15-75 guy last year.
Three Down
Nick Markakis, OF, Baltimore Orioles
I’m just about done with Nick Markakis because he gets the most value out of a .300 batting average that I’ve ever seen. Markakis provides you with waiver-wire power and speed yet he’s considered a keeper in most formats. Markakis has just four hits in his last 23 at-bats and hasn’t collected a run, home run or RBI in that span. Color me pessimistic, but give me Josh Willingham for the price of free over the overrated Markakis.
Chone Figgins, 2B/3B, Seattle Mariners
Who knew that a move from Los Angeles to Seattle would have this sort of effect on Chone Figgins? Sure the 24 steals are good, but he’s batting just .226 on the season and has two hits in his last 21 at-bats. I tend to be more patient than the average owner, but even I am stretching my patience with this guy.
Chris Davis, 1B/3B, Texas Rangers
How many of you scurried to your computers/iPhones/iPads to pick up Chris Davis after Justin Smoak was sent out of town? If you raised your hand, use that same hand to slap yourself in the face. I’m sorry, but it’s only your fault if you believed in someone who spends the better part of every year in the minor leagues. Davis has resumed his striking out ways (22 K in 81 AB) and has just a .185 average. Save yourself the headache and stay away from this heartbreaker.
“If you raised your hand, use that same hand to slap yourself in the face.”
Love it.