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

Reds RHP Jared Burton, a Rule 5 pick two years ago, is on a four-game winning streak and owns a 0.73 ERA over his last 20 appearances (24 2/3 innings, two earned runs). Burton is a solid middle reliever for deeper leagues that use true middle men. He could develop into a closer someday, but Francisco Cordero has a long-term deal he signed this winter, so don’t expect it at this point. He’s certainly a better option than David Weathers in the Cincinnati bullpen.

Braves prospect Thomas Hanson threw a 14-strikeout no-hitter for Double-A Mississippi on Wednesday night. The right-hander issued three walks in the 6-0 win against Birmingham in Pearl, Mississippi. The 21-year-old hadn’t been blowing people away so far in Double-A and the no-hitter only lowered his ERA to 4.32 through 50 innings in Mississippi. He does average nearly a strikeout per inning and is certainly on the map now with the impressive no-hitter. Fantasy owners don’t need to worry about adding him off the waiver wire in seasonal formats just yet as the Braves have no plans to call him up this season, but he’s worth at least keeping an eye on in keeper formats. (CBS Sports)

Sean Marshall has lost both of his starts since joining the Cubs rotation, but has 13 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings. Marshall’s time in the Cubs rotation is about to end as Carlos Zambrano (shoulder) is ready to come off the DL as early as Friday. When active, Marshall is primarily a NL-only Fantasy SP. (CBS Sports)

Carlos Ruiz has struggled to hit left-handed pitching throughout his career. Last season, Ruiz batted .189 against left-handers, and after going 0-for-3 Tuesday night against Red Sox LHP Jon Lester, he is batting only .194 against lefties this season. “Chooch has to get better on lefties,” said manager Charlie Manuel, who could start to use backup C Chris Coste more often against left-handers. Ruiz has been a bust for Fantasy owners and nothing more than an NL-only option at this point. Coste can mash when he plays, so consider him the better option between the two in deeper Rotisserie formats. (CBS Sports)

FAAB Acquisitions:

• P Thomas Hanson, Braves [$3 bid, reserve]
• P Jared Burton, Reds [$2 bid, reserve]

Up:

• P Todd Wellemeyer, Cardinals
• P Charlie Morton, Braves

Down:

• P Brett Myers, Phillies

Cut:

• P Sean Marshall, Cubs
• C Carlos Ruiz, Phillies

Ike over at Nine Bo Jacksons just ran through the biggest surprises and disappointments at the halfway mark for both hitters and pitchers. The system uses PECOTA and compares pre-season valuations to actual. Values indicate amount that the player is performing over/under projections. Here’s how some of the Atomic Roadrunners fared:

Hitters

Surprises:

• Ryan Theriot - $25.79
• Gregor Blanco - $21.74

Disappointments:

• Andruw Jones - -$31.92
• Prince Fielder - -$16.06

Pitchers

Surprises:

• Todd Wellemeyer - $14.44

Disappointments:

• Brett Myers - -$36.01

(He only ran the top/bottom 25 of each)

Mets SP John Maine lasted only four innings Monday at St. Louis, losing to fall to 8-6. He started slowly, allowing two singles and two walks to the first four batters in a two-run first, and never picked up any steam, although two of the five runs against him were unearned. He said he had a “dead arm” on top of poor preparation between starts. “It’s not like I was sick, it’s just that my arm just had no life,” Maine said. “Hopefully, you just chalk it up to one of those days.” He allowed seven hits and three walks, recording one strikeout. Maine had won his last two starts and allowed just four runs in 12 2/3 innings (2.84 ERA). He has had some rough moments, but he remains reliable for the most part. Hopefully, this “dead arm” doesn’t affect him going into his next start, but monitor his status in the coming days. He’s a must-start in Fantasy when healthy. His next start — and second of Fantasy Week 14 — is scheduled for Sunday at Philadelphia. (CBS Sports)

Jose Reyes went 2-for-4 with a run scored and a walk in the Mets’ 3-1 win over the Yankees Sunday but all that was being discussed in the papers was his actions following his seventh-inning error, the NY Newsday reports. After being charged with an error on a wide throw that first baseman Carlos Delgado could have gloved but didn’t, Reyes fired his glove to the ground - his sunglasses fell off, too - and then walked off the field instead of hustling to the dugout once the inning was over. After the game, Reyes said he was upset at making his 11th error of the year and not showing up Delgado, but it was a ball Delgado should have handled, though Reyes should have not reacted in that manner. Just another possible soap opera to add to the already combustible mix in New York. (Rotowire)

Corey Hart finished June with 24 RBI, one of the highest totals in the National League. The outfielder is producing at the level of a No. 1 or 2 outfielder right now and should be started accordingly. He continues to fill the stat sheet for Fantasy owners and remains a high-end option in Rotisserie formats as well. (CBS Sports)

Jody Gerut launched a game-breaking 2-run shot off Luis Vizcaino in the ninth inning Monday. The game was tied at 8 entering the ninth when the Padres jumped on Rockies closer Brian Fuentes (1-4). He gave up five of the seven runs before being lifted for Luis Vizcaino, who served up Jody Gerut’s three-run homer. Gerut has developed into a decent NL-only option this season, especially since the Padres are outfield-needy and able to get him regular at-bats. (CBS Sports)

The Rockies built the five-run lead Monday on a three-run double by Chris Iannetta in the first and a three-run homer by Brad Hawpe in the third. Iannetta is one of the up-and-coming catchers in Fantasy. There is real pop in his bat and he is earning more regular starts for the Rockies lately. Consider him a nice add in Rotisserie formats and we wouldn’t be surprised if he is a must-start in all Fantasy leagues by midsummer. (Rotoworld)

Diamondbacks closer Brandon Lyon recorded three outs in the ninth inning Monday against the Brewers for his 17th save in 20 chances. He recorded two strikeouts. Lyon had five saves in June and has less than doubled his total since April. The D-Backs have struggled, but they remain in first place, so expect more save opportunities to come Lyon’s way. (CBS Sports)

Los Angeles 3B Blake DeWitt went 1-for-3 with two strikeouts and a leadoff walk in the fifth inning Monday. He now has two hits in 19 at-bats with eight strikeouts over his past eight games (five starts). DeWitt struck out 15 times in his first 38 games this season (132 plate appearances), but since then, he has struck out 29 times in his past 34 games (124 PAs). The minors might be calling his name before too long. He’s nothing more than an NL-only reserve right now. (CBS Sports)

Prince Fielder’s first-inning single off Arizona LHP Doug Davis gave him his first RBI in seven games on the Brewers’ current trip. Fielder entered the game in a 1-for-24 skid. Fielder isn’t out of his funk just yet, but this is a good sign that he’s ready to turn things around. He’s been a streaky hitter in the past and could match his recent slide with a huge surge. Fantasy owners should make sure he’s active in all leagues for that. (CBS Sports)

Andruw Jones homered and walked as a DH for Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday. Jones (knee) may have been in for a lengthy rehab assignment before Juan Pierre went down, but now the Dodgers have reason to bring him back quickly if he shows anything offensively. So far, so good. Jones had only two home runs in 133 at-bats before the injury. He was also hitting only .165. He looked finished as a major-league hitter after a terrible season last year, but he does have moderate sleeper potential if you can afford to stash him. (Rotoworld, CBS Sports)

The Marlins said Monday that Josh Johnson (elbow) will make at least one more rehab start before rejoining the rotation. He’ll pitch for Double-A Carolina on Friday. It wouldn’t make much since to bring him back next week, since he’d get just one start before the All-Star break. Count on Johnson remaining in the minors until then. (Rotoworld)

Mat Gamel went 5-for-5 and hit his 27th double Sunday for Double-A Huntsville. He also committed his 22nd error at third base. The Brewers would have had reason to try Gamel at the hot corner before Russell Branyan if only he were a better defender. As is, he doesn’t seem to have a future there. Still, his bat will surely get him to the majors. (Rotoworld)