Jun’s Boon Part II


September 13, 2010 by Adam Jun  
Filed under Baseball, Featured

It’s time to reveal the sweet swingers that are slipping through the cracks in some leagues. Guys that are heating up in the clutch part of the season or guys that haven’t performed up to expectations and are now primed and ready to break through. Anybody can look at their ‘add player’ option in one of their respective leagues, click on who the highest rank players are in the last seven to 14 days and recommend picking them up to boost your chances moving forward.  But true fantasy analysis involves intuition, past performance, pedigree, matchups and surrounding support.  All of these things can still lead you astray because fantasy projections and analysis will likely always remain an inexact science. All I’m here to do is help you beat your one buddy who thinks his 2005 title makes him the Muhammed Ali of fantasy baseball.

Carlos Beltran OF New York Mets

OK, I know this five-tool superstar has been struggling mightily since coming back from knee surgery on July 16th, but when Beltran is healthy, he is one of the most dominant fantasy players in the game.  He recently had what might have been his breakout game against the Cubs going 3-for-4 with a double, RBI and stolen base. It’s also worth noting that Jerry Manuel continues to write Beltran smack dab in the middle of the Mets lineup. I have a great feeling Beltran will make a big impact in fantasy to finish out the season. It’s like the old saying goes–hitters hit.  Beltran has done nothing but hit throughout his career and has had ample time to shake off the rust during his current slump. Make sure you don’t miss out on the opportunity of scooping Beltran from free agency and expect a hot finish and a big return from this proven commodity that is flying under the radar.

Ryan Raburn OF,2B,1B Detroit Tigers

I’m not sure anyone saw this coming. Rayburn has been FILLING UP the stat sheet over the past few weeks. So much so, that he can no longer be ignored. Over the last 30 days, Rayburn has hit eight homers, scored 21 runs and driven in 20 while hitting .357 and reaching base at a .394 clip. Perhaps the most intriguing part about Rayburn is he gets credit for so many positions, particularly second base.  No one in baseball is producing quite like this at the second base position save Robinson Cano. I am still not ready to take Rayburn over a proven commodity, but if second base has been a weak spot for you, this guy may be a godsend.  Take him at your own risk, because he could soon fall off the map, but desperate times call for desperate measures and if you are fighting to stay afloat in a playoff series, it may be time to roll the dice on Rayburn.

Jay Bruce OF Cincinnati Reds

Bruce is an ultra talented outfielder with Paul Bunyan power. Power and ability have never been in question for Big Bruce. The question has been whether or not he would display the kind of patience and plate discipline to realize his potential as an all-star caliber player.  My prediction for Bruce before the season was that he indeed would begin figuring out Major League pitching, projecting that he would hit 30 home runs, drive in 100 runs and bat .300. While Bruce won’t quite meet my lofty expectations for him this season, he should check in at about 23 home runs and 90 RBIs while hovering around a .280 average.  He also has managed to swipe five bags this season just in case you need that one extra steal from an unexpected source to win the category. Don’t miss the upside of having Bruce in your fantasy lineup.

Stephen Drew SS Arizona Diamondbacks

Stephen Drew will help you in your playoff race. He is the definition of a gut feel pick. Here is a guy that has all the tools with the pedigree coming out of school as such a highly touted prospect. His brother J.D. has shown sustained–if not spectacular–success in a long career. The reason that this is an intuition pick is because this Drew has never quite lived up to all of the expectations for him. He has been around long enough to realize his potential but has never quite turned the corner. He has shown flashes though and is no less talented than when he broke into the big as a wide-eyed rook. Drew hit eight of his 12 bombs on the season in August, and recently hit his 10th triple for the third consecutive year. A power boost from the shortstop position is hard to come by at the beginning of the year let alone in a playoff chase, so scoop Drew now and thank me later.

Coco Crisp OF Oakland Athletics

Don’t look now, but the guy with perhaps the coolest name is major league baseball’s history is now fantasy relevant. You didn’t really think I was going to end this column without giving you a burner who can give you a boost swiping bags.  The need for speed can be great this time of year because it’s one category that remains relatively consistent even through the darkest storms and hitting slumps. Crisp recently stole a career-high three bases and has stolen his past 19 consecutively without getting caught. The great thing about Crisp is he has also started contributing in other key categories. Over his last 22 games, he has also hit four homers. If he can continue to contribute in other key categories, Crisp will be the toast of your team, and perhaps more importantly, the clever team names are unlimited with a guy named after your favorite breakfast cereal starting in your centerfield slot.

Go now in peace, or war—whichever it takes to win in fantasy baseball.

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    1. 21 Mlb Baseball Display says:

      [...] Jun's Boon: Hot pickups for your Fantasy Baseball team down the … The question has been whether or not he would display the kind of patience and plate discipline to realize his potential as an all-star caliber player. My prediction for Bruce before the season was that he indeed would begin . Don't look now, but the guy with perhaps the coolest name is major league baseball's history is now fantasy relevant. You didn't really think I was going to end this column without giving you a burner who can give you a boost swiping bags. [...]



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