Ninja Notes: Reynolds available? That’s stupid [FBB]
Mark Reynolds, the slugging Arizona third baseman (with first base eligibility in Yahoo and ESPN leagues), is still available in 10% of Yahoo fantasy leagues somewhere.
He’s not available in any of the leagues I play in. But, then again, we’re good fantasy players. We’re Ninjas.
I’m not sure where these leagues are, but I would have to assume they don’t reward owners for having good players on their team. Reynolds is putting up fantasy rockstar numbers, and if you’ve read Chinstrap Ninjas, you know we’ve been singing his praises this year.
His batting average is .278, awesome considering everyone expected him to be a .235-strike-out-every-other-at-bat hitter. Don’t get me wrong, he’s not disappointing in the K category. He’s whiffed 140 times, but even in leagues that penalize for that, his other numbers are so strong he needs to be owned.
He’s scored 68 runs, driven in 69, mashed 29 homers and stolen 18 bases. He’s also walked 51 times and rapped 22 doubles. At least ESPN owners get it, Reynolds is available in less than 3% of leagues at the worldwide leader.
In related news 77% of you Yahoo owners still have hope Aubrey Huff will be relevant again.
Check your waiver wire and don’t hesitate to pick up Reynolds, he’s the guy Yahoo has ranked as the seventh best fantasy baseball player in 2009. ESPN has him ninth, the best third baseman and second best first baseman, behind only Albert Pujols.
Reynolds had two hits, not surprisingly both went for extra bases -his 29th homer and 22nd double – Friday. He’s hitting .396 since the All-Star break.
What else is going on around fantasy baseball? Take a look:
Aubrey Huff – The aforementioned Orioles 1B/3B hit his 200th homer. He’s 7-for-his-last-20, with 2 runs a homer and six RBIs in five games. He’s had an awful July, he only had three other RBIs and nine other hits during the rest of the month. I punted him before he started this five game stretch in a couple leagues. I don’t regret it.
Ryan Zimmerman – Hit his 20th homer and is sizzling again. He’s 11-for-31 (.354) with 10 runs, 5 homers and 11 RBI in his last eight games.
Edinson Volquez – Rehab setback and they’re talking Tommy John surgery. Obviously, don’t drop him in a keeper/dynasty setup, but in redraft leagues cleave him from your roster now.
Leo Nunez/Matt Lindstrom – Lindstrom was activated off the DL, but Nunez got his 9th save in 12 tries by pitching a hitless ninth Friday. Lindstrom has 14 saves but also a 6.52 ERA and a 1.90 WHIP. Those aren’t closer numbers, Nunez’s (3.83/1.21) are much better.
Elijah Dukes – The embattled outfielder was recalled to the Nationals, but his numbers in AAA make me sleepy: .288, 3 homers, 10 RBIs in 19 games. Unless he gets on a hot streak, don’t waste a roster spot on him. Drowsy Ninjas are never good.
Nolan Reimold – Hit his 10th homer of the season in Friday’s loss, but is 12-for-24 since July 24, with 5 runs, 3 doubles, a homer, 3 RBI and 3 stolen bases. He received his June Rookie of the Month award before the game Friday.
Matt Holliday – He’s not available anywhere, but we probably should have seen his scorching hitting coming. He’s a career .439 hitter, with six homers and 12 RBI at the Cardinals’ Busch Stadium.
Jhonny Peralta – Still available in 56% of Yahoo leagues, but has been crushing the ball of late: 12-for-28 (.429), 3 homers, 5 runs, 13 RBI last week. He’s eligible at 3B and SS and shouldn’t be available in almost half of all fantasy leagues.
Edwin Jackson – Like playing with fire. He has one win in his last 9 starts. On Friday, he gave up eight hits in only four innings, but gave up just 2 runs. His WHIP for the last month is 1.50, but his ERA is still a strong 3.16. One of those two numbers will have to change soon, I’m betting it’s ERA.
Adam Lind – Had a homer for the second night in a row and went 3-for-4 with 3 RBIs. He’s hitting .299 with a .365 OBP and a .522 slugging with 22 homers and 70 RBIs. That’s a damn good breakout season. Lind was on Chinstrap Ninjas’ radar in the preseason.
Jose Lopez – Thought he was done when the back spasms hit last week, but he went 3-for-4 Friday with a homer and 3 RBI. Lopez is 7-for-12, 2 homers, 5 RBIs in his last three games. Owned in only 52% of Yahoo leagues.
Kyle Blanks – Hit his fifth homer and was 2-for-3 for the Padres. He’s got 1B/OF eligibility and has all of his homers in the last 11 games. He also is 12-for-36 with 8 RBIs over that stretch. He’s no Mark Reynolds, or Garrett Jones for that matter, but still worth a look while he’s streaking in deep leagues.
Carlos Marmol – In case you didn’t know why he’s been causing heartburn all year: 50 IP, 46 BB, 9 HBP. He also has 58 Ks, 2 Ws, 3 SVs and a 3.60 ERA. Last night he walked two and plunked a guy in 2/3 of an inning. Taste that? It’s last night’s dinner.
Troy Tulowitzki – The Rockies SS was almost in the lead. He went 1-for-4 with a walk to extend his hitting streak to seven games. He’s 11-for-21 (.524) over that stretch and reached in 18-of-29 plate appearances. After I Tulo-pfffftski’d him more than a month ago, he’s really turned things around and is back on pace for a solid season: 19 homers, 50 RBIs.
What did I miss? Let’s talk about it in the comments, or go to our forums and start a conversation.
