Chris Davis Recalled From the Minors

Texas 1B Chris Davis went 2-4 with a walk, a run scored, and 0 strikeouts in his first MLB action since being recalled from the minors. Davis, a pre-season break out candidate, struggled mightily during the season and was sent to the minors in early July to rediscover his hitting stroke. While playing for AAA Oklahoma City, Davis did just that hitting .329/.418/.521 with 6 HR and a 39:25 K:BB ratio in 166 AB's. Davis (34% owned in Yahoo Leagues) will see regular at bats at 1B, as he takes over for the struggling Hank Blalock (hitting just .180/.207/.334 in August). Of course, strikeouts are the biggest problem when it comes to Davis. If he can limit the K's, he could be a nice source of power down the stretch, and is worth adding.

Finally the strikeout machine is gone!

BYE BYE Chris Davis! Been nice knowing ya! The Rangers announced after tonights game that they are activating Josh Hamilton from the DL and to make space they will send Chris (Big Whiff) Davis to AAA Oklahoma City where he will split time with Justin Smoak, until Smoak is promoted that is. Well, in my opinion this demotion was a long time coming. Yes, Davis had 15 HRs and yes he played solid Defense at first but the one thing he excelled at is getting K'd. To say that Davis has been a disappointment is a HUGE understatement, this guy has been an absolute disaster in his sophomore year. In 258 AB's Davis was able to hit 15 HRs which sounds nice but look a little closer. Davis hit 15 HRs and drove in only 33 runs which means most were solo shots. Davis had a underwhelming 256 OBP and a sub 2.00 BA after tonight's game, he had 113 strikeouts in 258 AB's which put him on pace for almost 235 which would have shattered Mark Reynolds record of 204 from last year. Also he manged to kill more rallies then start with a 221 BA with RISP. Now he did hit 285 last year so the skills are there but he was unable to make the adjustments needed at the big league level, so he will be back but it might not be till next year(Reference Nelson Cruz if you want to know how the Rangers might handle this situation). The big story now, is that the Justin Smoak watch has officially begun, he was moved to AAA Oklahoma city over the weekend which I think was a calculated move by the Rangers to Prep him for a second half call up. Smoak has been tearing up the minors From single A to AAA to the tune of a 335 BA, 35 runs scored, 8 HRs 34 RBI and a 456 OBP (200 BA and 429 OBP in AAA so far) in 194 ABs. He's the next big thing in Texas and I think he will be up shortly after the break. The Bay State Scout

Quitting Time: Chris Davis

Some people hate quitting things. You hear them sanctimoniously saying things like “I’ve never quit anything in my life!” or “I’m not a quitter”. For whatever reason they’ve gotten it in to their head that quitting something is always a bad thing. Not me. I have no issues with quitting something should the situation call for it. There is a saying that goes: “quitting while you’re ahead isn’t the same as quitting”. Very true, but I think that quitting before you get too far behind isn’t the same as quitting either. I can tell you with absolute certainty that there are plenty of ex-heroin addicts and ex-Enron shareholders who wish they had known when to quit. That brings me to my new segment: Quitting Time. As the events of the league call for it, I’ll be updating you on guys who it’s finally time to give up on. Everyone always tells you who to pick up, but no one ever tells you who to drop… until now. In our first installment of Quitting Time we abandon Chris Davis, of the Texas Rangers. Before the season began, many Fantasy Baseball players were regarding Davis a lot like Josh Hamilton the year before. That is to say people had very high hopes and thought they could buy in for a 9th-10th round pick and get 2nd or 3rd round productivity. I even had a friend keep Davis over Carlos Lee in a keeper league I am in. That’s how confident people were that he’d be having a breakout season. Instead, Davis buyers have been treated to the proverbial sharp stick in the eye. I don’t even know where to begin talking about Davis’ numbers. He’s been awful at home and away. He’s be awful against righties and lefties. He’s been awful during the day and at night. In fact, Davis has only hit over .300 in two series all year. Series!! Think about that. I wish that were the end of the bad news. Davis has not had a month where he’s hit over .222. Nor has he had a month were he’s gotten on-base at better than a .273 clip. The guy is on pace to strike out 248 times. 248!! That’s just an absolutely staggering number. About the only thing Davis has done for you has been hit homeruns. He has 12 homeruns on the year, but none in June and his 27 RBI make you wonder if all of them were solo shots. Is there a chance Davis turns it around and has a solid second half? Sure there is. He does have a track record of catching on quickly. He was drafted by the Rangers in 2006 and in 2007 had already become their Minor League Player of the Year. Last year, when he came up to the big leagues he caught on quickly, hitting .285 and knocking 17 Homeruns in just 80 games. All that being said, I definitely think it’s time to quit on Chris Davis. If you’re able to get anything from another owner for him- get it. Even with his 12 Homeruns the rest of the numbers are absolutely abysmal. Dropping Davis at this point is addition by subtraction. Quitting while you’re ahead isn’t the same as quitting. Neither is quitting before you’re too far behind.

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PCB Scout

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Questions? Comments? Random nonsense? Email me: pcbscout(at)gmail.com

Hold or Fold

First off I would like to send out my thoughts and prayers to all members of the Adenhart family. It was a sad day for all baseball fans to see a kid just about to come into his own tragically lose his life to a drunk driver. These things happen everyday and it is a terrible thing to drink and drive.

In memory of:

Now as for fantasy baseball the first week is almost in the books and now it is time to hold or fold some of those draft picks you have.

Hold:

Justin Upton--He is 20 years old and is batting 8Th on a part time basis, why shouldn't I drop this kid? Well first he is 20 years old and has all the talent to be a superstar for years. He is going to have growing pains but because of his High OBP last year I think over the course of 162 he is going to be a solid 3rd OF. Bench him till you see signs of life but don't give up on the kid yet.

Lastings Milledge--This is a personal favorite of mine, I know he is off to a horrible start but I still see him as a 20-30 guy by seasons end. The issue right now is that he needs to be moved down in the order he is pressing to much batting leadoff. If they move him to second or fifth he would produce more. Lets not forget he led the Nationals in RBI and SB's last year.

Ching Meng Wang--He was torched for 7 runs in 3 2\3 innings in his first start since last June. He is a solid ground ball pitcher who should not be your current staff ace. He will get you wins and decent era and whip ratios but he will not help in K's. try to get him if you can afford the hit in K's and if you have him hang onto him he will be fine.

Fold:

Cliff Lee--OK I know he won the CY Young last year and the Indians have a better bullpen this year and, the offense is improved. Well I am not buying Lee at all, I just think you should try to trade him well he has value. Cliff Lee is not an ace he never projected to be an ace and is being overvalued due to he awsome season that he had last year. He will come back to earth the season and be a solid number 2 or 3 starter and that isn't bad but you might be able to trade him at last years value if you act now. Move him quickly if you can get something good.

Brian Fuentes--I know I have put in the past that I love Fuentes, However, something is wrong. Fuentes is topping out in the mid to high 80's (which is not a good sign for a low 90's pitcher)and he has been very hittable. I think there is a undisclosed injury and he will end up on the DL sooner then later.

Chris Davis-- I know what is wrong with me, I am telling you to get rid of the next Ryan Braun, well YES! Chris Davis is over matched right now and we have seen this before in Texas with Nelson Cruz Circa 2007. Davis better start hitting soon or he will be in AAA, because the Rangers have enough offense that they feel they can contend and they will grow impatient. I can see the Rangers sending Davis down and Starting Jones at DH, Blalock at 3rd, Salty at 1st and Teagarden at catcher. Davis doesn't Provide enough in his other stats, he will hurt you in AVG, Runs, OBP, and steals. Just my opinion and I am sticking too it, been proved wrong before and for Davis's owners sake I hope I am again.

The Bay State Scout