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Normally that’s a pretty easy question when you are talking about a guy with a mere 68 strikeouts in 120-2/3 innings this year and 355 in 687 innings for his career. Especially one that entered the season with a 28-38 lifetime record that was coming off a 4.65 ERA and 1.56 WHIP season.
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That would probably be downplaying Lannan a little bit. Now I’m not saying that he should be owned in most fantasy leagues. I’m not saying  you should blindly start him when his turn in the Nationals’ rotation comes up, but he can be used at times.
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For instance, since May 27th Lannan is  5-1 with a 2.28 ERA in eleven starts. While he doesn’t have a name that grabs your attention, it’s hard to overlook that kind of production.
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Lannan has also been very effective at home. While his 4-3 record with a 4.60 ERA on the road doesn’t make you run for the hills, his 3-3 mark and 2.40 ERA at Nationals Park is much easier on the fantasy baseball totals.
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Some of Lannan’s success can be attributed to his improved luck and BABIP. Last year the mark was .319. This year it is at .281, which is more in line with what he did in 2008 (.266) and 2009 (.272) when he was more effective despite his combined 18-28 record. His BABIP has really improved in June (.254) and July (.246). Those numbers could go back to the norm, but it’s fairly clear that his home vs. away BABIP (.246 vs. .313) supports the theory that he’s a better pitcher at home.
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Don’t blindly use him because he’s starting at home. If you can pick your spots with Lannan, you’ll be in pretty good shape if you want to give Lannan a shot as a streamer.
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Also check out:

• Fantasy Baseball Free Agent Pool – 2011 Strikeout Kings Vol. 7
• Can You Trust Jhoulys Chacin?
• Is Cameron Maybin Getting It?
• Can Mat Latos Dominate Again This Year?
• Fantasy Baseball Free Agent Pool – 2011 Run Scorers Vol. 7

Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images
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The Washington Nationals have had enough of Nyjer Morgan and sent it packing. Morgan, who had 34 stolen bases in a tumultuous year with the Nats, gets new life with the Milwaukee Brewers. Morgan has 76 stolen bases in the past two years and is a career .283  hitter. He will likely take over in center field for Carlos Gomez, who also  has great speed, but is a career .246 hitter. Gomez has more trouble making contact, striking out every 4.2 at bats.  Morgan strikes out every 5.8 at bats.Rick Ankiel, who will play center field for the Nationals gets a small bump, but he’s likely on useful in N.L. Only leagues. If you’re looking for cheap steals, Nyjer Morgan could be your guy.

Click here to enter the 2011 Fantasy Baseball Team Name Contest


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In Spanish, the word Espinosa means thorny. A rose is thorny. Danny Espinosa is much like a rose. He can be a thing or beauty for his fantasy owners, or he can be downright painful.
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Espinosa hit .214 in his brief taste with the Nationals last year, picking up 22 hits in 103 at bats. Of those 22 hits, half of them went for extra bases (four doubles, a triple, six home runs) to give him a solid .723 OPS. He also struck out thirty times. That’s a strikeout every 3.4 at bats. He also was caught stealing in both of his attempts. It seems his cup of coffee was more about the thorn than the rose.
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He has potential though. The California native hit .303 in his three years at Long Beach State and was selected in the third round with the 87th overall pick by the Nationals. He displayed a nice power/speed combo for Single-A+ Potomoc with 18 HRs and 29 SBs in 2009. His jump to Double-A Harrisburg was smooth as he hit 18 HRs again with 20 SBs. Espinosa then had 28 hits in 95 at bats for Triple-A Syracuse, before getting the call to the bigs.
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Espinosa should have no trouble beginning the season as the Nationals’ starting second basemen. He should form a double-play combo with Ian Desmond for many years to come. He’s not a player to consider as a starting fantasy second baseman, but he could provide bench depth or be used in the middle infielder slot in deeper leagues. His average draft position, according to Mock Draft Central, is 331. Odds are he’ll go undrafted in your league. That’s fine. Just keep an eye on him. If he starts off hot, he could be a sneaky power source.
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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 A.L. Only Second Basemen Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy N.L. Only Second Basemen Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Third Basemen Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy A.L. Only Third Basemen Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy N.L. Only Third Basemen Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Shortstop Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy A.L. Only Shortstop Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy N.L. Only Shortstop Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Catcher Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy A.L. Only Catcher Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy N.L. Only Catcher Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Outfielder Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Starting Pitcher Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Closer Rankings

(Photo: Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Stephen Strasburg was surrounded by more hype than any player in baseball history. To say he lived up to the hype would be a lie. He actually looked underrated today toying with the Pirates. Granted it wasn’t the Phillies or Yankees, but he struck out 14 of the 24 batters he faced.

Strasburg gave up 2 runs on 4 hits in 7 innings to win his major league debut. His only mistake was a two-run homer run yielded to Delwyn Young. Strasmus is a holiday that will be celebrated for years to come in DC.

Images courtesy of Icon SMI