LestersLegends.com

.
If you scan the league leaders in ERA you might be surprised to see Detroit Tigers rookie Drew Smyly among the leaders at 1.23. Technically his 22.0 innings don’t qualify Smyly to be among the leaders, but it’s hard not to be impressed with what the 22-year old southpaw has done.
.
It’s not like he’s had an easy path to his early success. He’s faced the Rays, Royals, Rangers, and Yankees thus far, making his 1-0 record, 1.23 ERA, and 1.18 WHIP all that more impressive.
.
He gave up one unearned run to the Royals, but what he’s done against the three powerhouses is where he really makes the grade. He allowed just three runs on 11 hits in 16.0 innings for a 1.69 ERA and 1.13 ERA against three of the most patient, powerful offenses in the league.
.
He’s not getting it done with smoke and mirrors either. He is averaging a strikeout per inning, and even took it up a notch (10.1 K/9) against that trio.
.
He has pretty much had success across the board. He’s got a 1.80 ERA at home and a 0.75 ERA on the road. He has a 1.69 ERA during day games and has tossed six scoreless innings in night starts. The only area he has struggled is facing left-handed hitting. He has allowed a .183 BAA and a .563 OPS against righties and a .333 BAA and .983 OPS against lefties.
.
His success should not come as a surprise. He was 9-1 with a 2.80 ERA in his final year at Arkansas. He toyed with minor league hitting posting a 7-3 record and a 2.58 ERA for Single-A+ Lakeland and a 4-3 record with a 1.18 ERA for Double-A Erie. He only pitched 1-2/3 innings of Triple-A ball so his 16.20 ERA there can be ignored. Overall he had a 2.26 ERA in 127-2/3 minor league innings.
.
Smyly is owned in less than twenty percent of fantasy leagues, which will surely increase if his success continues. His next start is today against the White Sox at home. If you aren’t high on Smyly yet, perhaps you should be.
.
.
Also check out:

• Are You Rockin’ Reddick?
• Should You Go Bass Fishing?
• Fantasy Baseball SB Help:  Tony Campana
• Is Jon Jay on His Way?
• Are You Hot on Hammel?

.
Max Scherzer went 15-9 last year with a 4.43 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. He collected 174 strikeouts. He has the ability to put up better numbers this year, but can he be elite?
.
Prior to last year, the only time Scherzer’s ERA has been above 4.00 in his professional careerw as 2009 for the Diamondbacks.
.
Part of the problem came in the form of the longball, as he yielded a career high 29 deep shots. Most of the damage came on the road as he allowed 11 home runs in 18 home starts and 18 home runs in 15 road starts. His ERA (3.80 at home, 5.23 on the road) was affected by that fact.
.
Interesting enough he pitched better in the second half (4.09 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, .263 BAA) than the first half (4.69, 1.44, .279), but had more success in the first half (10-4 compared to 5-5 record).
.
Scherzer was 8-4 with a 3.68 ERA in 16 starts against the AL Central. On paper the Indians, Royals, Twins, and White Sox do not provide an intimidating presence, and continued success remains a strong likelihood.
.
Scherzer has an Mock Draft Central ADP of 147, which puts him in the 13th round of 12-team drafts. He’s the 43rd pitcher to come off the board making him a fourth starting pitcher.
.
He needs to improve his strikeout percentage, which was a career low 20.9 percent last year and keep more balls in the yard. I don’t think he’ll be an elite starting pitching option, but he top 25 option.
.
He starts off against Boston, who bombed him for seven runs in two innings last year, so temper your expectations early on, but he should be a solid SP3 with SP2 upside.
.
.
Also check out:

• 2012 Fantasy Baseball Rankings
• Can Matt Wieters Continue to Improve?
• Can Chris Young Blow Up in 2012?
• Can Derek Jeter Still Get It Done?
• Will Joe Mauer Shed the Joey Singles Moniker?

.
Perhaps the happiest fantasy baseball players out there are those that hold Miguel Cabrera’s rights in keeper leagues. Even prior to the Prince Fielder signing, he was a consensus top three pick. Suddenly, he just became even more attractive to fantasy owners, which is hard to believe could even be possible.
.
For starters, adding a bat like Fielder’s means Cabrera is going to get pitched to more frequently. They form a 1-2 punch that is even better than the combination that he formed with Ryan Braun in Milwaukee.
.
You know Cabrera credentials. He is a lifetime .317 hitter. He doesn’t give you gaudy HR numbers, with a career high of 38, but he is consistent, averaging 33.1 over the past eight years. He has also hit .320 during that span with averages of 101.6 runs, 115.3 RBI and even 3.6 stolen bases. Cabrera had his two lowest RBI totals during full seasons in the past three years, but Fielder’s presence should get him back 115+ RBI territory.
.
It’s not just Fielder’s bat that likely propels Cabrera to the number one spot in most leagues. While Fielder and Cabrera will likely each take terms at designated hitter, it’s Cabrera’s return to third base that puts him over the top.
.
When you compare his numbers to Albert Pujols, Adrian Gonzalez, Prince Fielder, and Joey Votto, there isn’t much difference. If Mark Teixeira could get his batting average figured out, he could enter the discussion as well.
.
However, when you put him up against the likes of David Wright, Adrian Beltre and Evan Longoria, not to mention the quick, steep dropoff, you’re looking at the biggest positional differential in the league, and it’s not even close.
.
.

Also check out:

• 2012 Fantasy Baseball First Base Rankings
• 2012 Fantasy Baseball Second Base Rankings
• 2012 Fantasy Baseball Third Base Rankings
• 2012 Fantasy Baseball Shortstop Rankings
• 2012 Fantasy Baseball Catcher Rankings
• 2012 Fantasy Baseball Outfielder Rankings
• 2012 Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitcher Rankings
• 2012 Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings
• Additional 2012 Fantasy Baseball First Base Options
• Additional 2012 Fantasy Baseball Second Base Options
• Additional 2012 Fantasy Baseball Third Base Options
• Additional 2012 Fantasy Baseball Shortstop Options
• Additional 2012 Fantasy Baseball Catcher Options
• Additional 2012 Fantasy Baseball Outfielder Options
• Additional 2012 Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitcher Options
• Additional 2012 Fantasy Baseball Closer Options
• 2012 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers
• AL Only Fantasy Baseball Rankings
• NL Only Fantasy Baseball Rankings

.
Since coming over from Minnesota Delmon Young is hitting .308 with three runs, two home runs, and six RBI in 26 at bats. After hitting just four home runs through mid-August for the Twins, the power surge is refreshing for fantasy owners. Will he continue to deliver in his new  home?
.
For whatever reason Delmon’s time in Minnesota did not go as well as it could have or should have.  It was anticipated that Delmon would bring power to the Twins’ lineup when they traded Matt Garza for him. Unfortunately, that’s not his game. Young can hit the occasional home run, but going yard just isn’t his style.
.
He has shown the ability to drive the ball though, and more importantly to knock runners in. He had 93 RBI in 2007 and 112 last year for the Twins. He put the team Twins on his back from May through July last year knocking in 72 runs during that torrid stretch. Yet, he never fully endeared himself to Twins fans. Perhaps it was because he appeared lazy at times. Perhaps it was his erratic defensive play. Whatever the reason it seemed that slumps were magnified for Delmon.
.
Which is exactly what happened his year for Delmon as he started off slow hitting .211 in April and May. He rebounded to hit .321 in June, .290 in July and .291 in August to date, but that success got lost in the Twins’ poor team play.
.
One thing for sure is Delmon’s confidence appears to be restored since the move to Motor City. In a game that is as much mental as it is physical, that goes a long way.
.
Do I expect Delmon to start slugging home runs like the reincarnation of Hank Greenberg? Hardly. I do, however, think Delmon proves to be a solid fantasy option going forward though. What’s your take?
.
.

Also check out:

• Fantasy Baseball Free Agent Pool – 2011 Run Scorers Vol. 9
• The Bruce Is Loose
• Fantasy Baseball Free Agent Pool – 2011 Speed Demons Vol. 9
• Is J.J. Hardy Back?
• Fantasy Baseball Free Agent Pool – 2011 RBI Guys Vol. 8

.
OK, so his 3-12 record leave plenty to be desired, but as you know wins aren’t always a good indication of the type of pitcher you are. Fister’s ERA of 3.33 indicates that he did his part for the Mariners. His 1.17 WHIP indicates that he’s not even letting very many baserunners on. His offense just let him down. That shouldn’t be the case in Detroit.
.
It’s not just this year though that Fister has been snake bitten. In his rookie year he was 3-4 with a 4.13 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP.  Things went downhill for Fister last year as he went just 6-14. He still had a solid 4.11 ERA and matching 1.28 WHIP though.
.
Unfortunately for Fister, he leaves the confines of Safeco Field where he was 2-6 with a 3.00 ERA. Again the record is terrible, but it’s still a decent performance. He’s 1-6 with a 3.71 ERA on the road. He experienced a similar phenomenon last year when he went 4-8 with a 3.61 home ERA and a 2-6 with a  5.06 ERA on the road. The same goes for 2009 when he was 3-2 with a 3.76 ERA at home and 0-2 with a 4.76 mark on the road. If you’re keeping track at home that’s 9-16, 3.42 in Safeco and 3-14, 4.40 elsewhere.
.
To make matters worse, Fister is 0-2 with a 6.39 ERA in two starts at Comerica. He’s also a combined 0-10 with a 3.91 ERA lifetime against the Indians, White Sox, Twins, and Royals.  Not exactly the reinforcements you’re looking for.
.
If Fister has a decent match-up I’d give him a start, but don’t expect the trade to a contender to suddenly boost his fantasy value dramatically.
.
.

Also check out:

• Fantasy Baseball Free Agent Pool – 2011 Speed Demons Vol. 8
• Is It Time To Give Up On Guillermo Moscoso?
• Fantasy Baseball Free Agent Pool – 2011 RBI Guys Vol. 7
• Does John Lannan Have Fantasy Worth?
• Fantasy Baseball Free Agent Pool – 2011 Strikeout Kings Vol. 7

.
The reason for overrating these MLB players could be one of the following: a prolonged term of service, being a crucial part of a championship team, or for doing one thing exceptionally well.
.
H. Jose Bosch tells us what’s up:
.
It’s gotta be Brandon Inge for the Detroit Tigers. He is LOVED by the fans and yet only four players IN THE HISTORY OF THE GAME have had more plate appearances and a lower career BA than Inge. It’s painful to watch him. He’s batting.184. Let me say that again….1-8-4. Do you know how hard a legitimate Major League Baseball player has to try to his that low? His slugging is .251. That number shouldn’t even exist.
.
Then you have his supporters who say “But his defense is so good!” I was even one of those people. And his defense was pretty damn good. His peak was in 2006 and 2007. But since then, if you adjust his UZR to 150 games, his defense was slightly above average in a injury-shortened ’08 (6.2) and in ’09 (.6.9). Last season his UZR/15 was 3.5. This season it’s 3.8. That puts him slightly above the middle of the pack among third basemen.
.
In other words, he’s no Brooks Robinson.
.
But a lot of teams have a crappy everyday player. It’s a diluted league and managers have to fill nine slots in the lineup. What makes Inge most infuriating, aside from his average defense and terrible hitting, is his contract.
.
He’s making $5 million this year. He’s making $5 million next year. He has a club option in 2013 for $6 million and if the team wants to buyout, they have to pay him $500,000.
.
That is ridiculous.
.
I looked up the best third basemen based on UZR/150 (I don’t even care what they’re hitting because I know it’s not lower than Inge). There are three players considerably better than Inge in the hot corner making a lot less money this season: Brent Morel ($414,00), Jack Hannahan ($500,000) and Alberto Callaspo ($2 million). Placido Polanco is a much more reliable player and he’s just barely making more than Inge ($5.25 million). Finally there’s Scott Rolen, who may be aging, but is remarkably the second best defensive third baseman in the league. He’s making $6.5 million.
.
Inge can’t be blamed for David Dombrowski’s stupidity but that doesn’t stop me from hating him.
.
This season, It’s a lot easier to dislike Inge because, for God’s sake, he’s hitting .184. But as one Tweeter noted, Ryan Raburn (another guy who could be on this list) gets a whole hell of a lot more shit for his play than Inge does. While Raburn’s defense his atrocious, he’s still hitting 59 points better than Inge. He’s batting .213!
.
For whatever reason, there are fans who still get behind Inge no matter how painfully obvious it is his skills are deteriorating. Maybe it’s because he’s a 10-5 guy and Detroit LOVES athletes who stick around. Or maybe it’s because Inge is, by all accounts,  a hard worker who has also worked to help the city off the field. Whatever the reason, Inge has plenty of supporters.
.
And while Raburn gets mercilessly booed on a regular basis, despite having some semblance of an upside, Inge will continue to be the second face of the franchise (behind Verlander) and ride this gravy train until he gets a cushy team-related job post-retirement.
.
Only then, when he stands and waves to the crowd on occasion, will he be close to consistently producing.
.

Also check out:

• Can Danny Valencia Finish Strong?
• Who Are the Best Players to Own After the All-Star Break?
• Can Emilio Bonifacio Keep Up His Terror on the Bases?
• Should You Continue to Order the Worley Bird Special?
• Should Ted Lilly Owners Jump Ship?

.
.
Article from The Sports Bank.

LestersLegends.com is teaming up with EE Sports World.com to break down all the divisions in baseball. My assignment was the AL Central. I’ll review the teams in the order I expect them to finish.
.

First Place:  Minnesota Twins
The key to the Twins success is the health of Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan. Minnesota did an excellent job piecing things together last year with Jim Thome, Michael Cuddyer and company, but if they want to repeat as American League Central Champions, they’ll need Morneau’s bat. The Twins always seem to get by at closer so this isn’t nearly as primary a concern. Even if he falters, they have Matt Capps as an insurance policy.
.
The Twins added Tsuyoshi Nishioka in the offseason to bolster their middle infield. The rest of their moves were just securing their free agents, namely Carl Pavano and Jim Thome. Delmon Young and Danny Valencia were pleasant surprises for the Twins last year while Michael Cuddyer once again showed his versatility. Denard Span struggled at times, but should bounce back.
.
Francisco Liriano shined in the rotation, which will be the key to the Twins success. If they can get strong efforts from Liriano, Pavano, Scott Baker, and company there is a good chance that Ron Gardenhire pulls the right strings again to maintain A.L. Central dominance.
.

Second Place:  Chicago White Sox
The White Sox added some firepower in the offseason by bringing in Adam Dunn to join the likes of Alex Rios, Paul Konerko, Alexei Ramirez, and Carlos Quentin. Juan Pierre will once again set the table, and Gordon Beckham looks to break out.
.
The White Sox have a solid rotation, and should get a nice boost when Jake Peavy returns from shoulder surgery around the All-Star Break. Until then, it will be up to John Danks, Mark Buehrle, Gavin Floyd, and Edwin Jackson to carry the load. The White Sox lost Bobby Jenks in the bullpen, but Matt Thornton and Chris Sale should be up to the task.
.
Ozzie Guillen will be entertaining, or annoying depending on your point of view, once again. You cannot accuse him of not speaking his mind. The White Sox seem to have a mental block that keeps them from getting past the Twins. If they can overcome it, the division is theirs for the taking.
.

Third Place:  Detroit Tigers
Miguel Cabrera is the most talented player in the division, but he may also be the most troubled. Good news for Tigers fans and his fantasy owners that his arrest happened before the season started. He’s dealing with a serious issue though that is bigger than baseball. Fortunately the structure of the season could be what he needs to keep his life in order.
.
On a less serious note, the addition of Victor Martinez gives the team a little more firepower. With Austin Jackson, Ryan Raburn, Carlos Guillen, and Jhonny Peralta, the Tigers could have a potent offense in 2011. Justin Verlander anchors the pitching staff with Max Scherzer living up to his promise. There are question marks in the back end of their rotation, which makes it hard for me to imagine they can surpass the Twins or the White Sox.
.

Fourth Place:  Cleveland Indians
The Indians could actually surprise some people this year. Shin-Soo Choo is one of the most underrated players in the American League. Grady Sizemore is trying to recover from knee surgery. He was one of the most exciting players in baseball, and could really help their offense. Carlos Santana looks like one of the best young catchers in the league while Orlando Cabrera will provide veteran leadership. If players like Michael Brantley and Matt LaPorta can take the next step, the Tribe have an outside shot of taking third place.
.
That is, if they get the pitching they need. Fausto Carmona had a strong year, but if he loses his mechanics on his sinker, he can go south fast. Justin Masterson has the goods, he just needs to work on his control issues. Too many free passes lead to big innings. Chris Perez is a solid closer, but the rest of the pitching staff is loaded with question marks.
.

Fifth Place:  Kansas City Royals
Zack Greinke is gone. Jeff Francis, Luke Hochevar, Kyle Davies, and Vin Mazzaro do not intimidate opposing batters. Joakim Soria is one of the best closers in the American League, but how many leads will he be able to protect? Speaking of protecting, who is going to protect Billy Butler in the Royals’ lineup? Mike Aviles had a strong finish to last year and Kila Ka’aihue has a cool name and some pop, but this is a team that is going to struggle to avoid 100 losses.
.
.

Also check out:

• 2011 Fantasy Baseball Profiles
• 2011 Fantasy First Basemen Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy A.L. Only First Basemen Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy N.L. Only First Basemen Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Second Basemen Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Third Basemen Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Shortstop Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Catcher Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Outfielder Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Starting Pitcher Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Closer Rankings