Atomic RoadRunners | Andrew Flynn’s High-Energy Fantasy Baseball

John Bowker was acquired and activated today with a $2 FAAB bid. Bowker, who became the first Giants player to homer in his first two games last weekend, hit his first career triple leading off the seventh inning Tuesday against the Diamondbacks and singled in the ninth. Bowker finished 2-for-4 with a run scored and is 6-for-10 with seven RBI in his first three major-league games. From the pre-season CBS Sports preview: Bowker is a 24-year-old outfield prospect who hit .307 with 22 homers, 90 RBI, 70 runs, three steals, a .363 OBP and a .523 OBP in 522 Double-A at-bats last season. He is behind Nate Schierholtz and Daniel Ortmeier in the pecking order this season, but he has more long-term potential than both — particularly because of his power. Consider him a prospect flier and a potential contributor in NL-only leagues sometime during the 2008 season.

Mike Gonzalez was acquired today with a $0 FAAB bid. According to CBS Sports, Gonzalez has begun throwing live batting practice and may be pitching in extended spring training in Florida as early as next week. He opened the season on the DL following Tommy John surgery last May. Gonzalez is a decent middle reliever and might even be a candidate to close at some point, but stash him on DL lists only in the deepest of NL Fantasy leagues at this point. With all the turmoil in the Braves bullpen, he might be the best bet out there, and a possible sleeper protection.

Gregor Blanco was the Atomic Roadrunners’ 7th-Round Minor League selection in the 2008 draft. Acquired as a hedge against China Doll Mark Kotsay, Blanco did well enough in Spring Training to make the squad, and with the fading of CF prospect Jordan Schafer (50-Game HGH suspension) I thought he would be a savvy pickup. Not so much. Thus far he only has 5 at-bats, and has been used as a pinch-runner, mostly. His total stats were 1-for-5 with a Run, a walk, and 2 strikeouts. He was never activated for the Roadrunners.

Dobbs was also the victim of the AaRr numbers crunch. A decent enough corner-man, Blanco is the primary backup for the Phillies at both 3B and 1B. As CBS Sports indicates, “Dobbs has made just one start this season for the Phillies and has appeared four times as a pinch hitter. He is a backup corner infielder, and as long as Ryan Howard and Pedro Feliz stay healthy, Dobbs will remain in that role. He is nothing more than an NL-only Fantasy option.” His totals for the season are a .214 average, with 2 RBI and 6 strikeouts in 14 at-bats. Dobbs was a 10th-round Minor League selection for the Roadrunners, but he was rendered expendible with the emergence of 3B Blake DeWitt of the Dodgers.

FAAB Acquisitions:

• OF John Bowker, Giants ($2 bid) [active]
• P Mike Gonzalez, Braves ($0 bid)

Up:

• P Jon Lieber, Cubs
• P Peter Moylan, Braves
• OF Brian Barton, Cardinals

Down:

• OF Shane Victorino, Phillies (15-Day DL)
• OF Rajai Davis, Giants
• P Chuck James, Atlanta
• P Zach Duke, Pirates

Cut:

• OF Gregor Blanco, Braves
• 3B Greg Dobbs, Phillies

Braves placed RHP Peter Moylan on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 12, with a sore right elbow. The Braves are being awfully secretive this year, so there’s no telling how long Moylan will out. It’s a good bet that Rafael Soriano will beat him back from the disabled list. In the meantime, Manny Acosta becomes the favorite for saves in the Atlanta pen. He isn’t pitching any better than Blaine Boyer, but he was getting more work in key games. (Rotoworld)

John Bowker worked out at first base before Monday’s game. The Giants are toying with the idea of converting Bowker to first a la Dan Ortmeier. Ortmeier’s struggles at the plate have caused him to focus on hitting form the right side, leaving the Giants looking for a left-handed option at first. He is being tutored by J.T. Snow, who won six Gold Gloves at first. Such a switch would allow Bowker more playing time and get some more power into the Giants’ lineup. Still, it will probably be a little while before the Giants can depend on Bowker, who has no professional experience at first, as their everyday first baseman. The left-handed Bowker has two home runs and seven RBI in his first two major league games. (Rotoworld, Rotowire)

Overall Standings

Rank Team                Batting Pitching Total Dif  Behind
---- ------------------- ------- -------- ----- ---- ------
 1   Goodfellas          30.0    41.5     71.5  -5.5 0.0
 2   The Pi Train        31.0    35.0     66.0  8.5  5.5
 3   Shoeless Jews       35.0    30.5     65.5  1.0  6.0
 4   X-Men               23.5    36.5     60.0  -1.5 11.5
 5   Misogynistic Padres 40.0    13.0     53.0  -8.0 18.5
 6   Uncle Lester        14.5    36.5     51.0  -7.0 20.5
 7   Atomic Roadrunners  17.5    31.0     48.5  11.0 23.0
 8   Stanimals           36.0    10.5     46.5  -1.5 25.0
 9   Cover Zero          26.5    17.5     44.0  -2.5 27.5
 9   Get Off Kong!       21.0    23.0     44.0  5.5  27.5

Yesterday's Stats

Atomic Roadrunners Players Yesterday (4/14/08)
Player                        BA HR R RBI   SB
------------------------- ------ -- - --- ----
Davis, Rajai OF SF        0.0000  0 0   0    0
Dewitt, Blake 3B LA       0.2500  0 0   1    0
Fielder, Prince 1B MIL    0.0000  0 0   0    0
Hart, Corey C. RF MIL     0.0000  0 0   0    0
Jones, Andruw CF LA       0.2500  0 1   1    0
Jones, Chipper 3B ATL     0.0000  0 0   0    0
Phillips, Brandon 2B CIN  0.0000  0 0   0    0
Reyes, Jose B. SS NYM     0.0000  0 0   0    0
Ruiz, Carlos C PHI        0.0000  0 0   0    0
Spilborghs, Ryan CF COL   0.0000  0 0   0    0
Teixeira, Mark 1B ATL     0.0000  0 0   0    0
Theriot, Ryan SS CHC      0.0000  0 0   0    0
Valentin, Javier C CIN    0.0000  0 0   0    0
Victorino, Shane CF PHI   0.0000  0 0   0    0

Atomic Roadrunners Players Yesterday (4/14/08)
Player                       ERA  K S   W WHIP
------------------------- ------ -- - --- ----
Duke, Zach SP PIT           4.50  0 0   0 1.67
Wilson, Brian RP SF         0.00  1 1   0 1.00