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

Gregor Blanco went 2-for-4 in Sunday’s loss to the Blue Jays. The team struggled against the Jays’ A.J. Burnett, so this performance is noteworthy. Toronto catcher Rod Barajas threw out Blanco on an attempted steal of second in the third. It was the first time this season Blanco has been caught stealing. Blanco is 10-for-17 (.588) with three RBI during a four-game hitting streak. Blanco has raised his average from .242 to .270 in that span. Blanco has been a decent stopgap option for the Braves in their injury-depleted outfield, but he still remains more of a NL-only Fantasy option. Blanco will remain in the lineup even with Mark Kotsay returning from the DL Tuesday, as Blanco will slide over to left. (CBS Sports, Rotowire)

Gregor Blanco led a comeback that fell a few runs short Saturday as the Braves lost to the Blue Jays 9-5. The Braves were down 6-1 heading into the eighth inning when Blanco tripled in a run. Kelly Johnson added an RBI single, then Mark Teixiera drove a Brian Tallet pitch over the right field wall for a total of four runs in the frame. The Jays countered with a three-run bottom half and took over the contest, but it was a valiant effort. Blanco finished 4-for-5 and is hitting .266 with 16 RBI in 207 at-bats on the year. (Rotoworld)

Braves OF Gregor Blanco again got to bat out of the leadoff spot Tuesday against the Brewers. He again struggled, going 0-for-4. He is hitting only .115 (3-for-26) as the leadoff man. Blanco reaches base at a decent rate, but he’s hitting only .242 and often sits against left-handed pitchers. Leave him for the deepest of NL-only leagues. (CBS sports)

Gregor Blanco had three singles and three RBI in Atlanta’s win on Friday. Most of Blanco’s offense lately has come in the form of walks, as his average had dropped from .361 at the end of April to .245 going into tonight. He went without an RBI in 15 straight games before tonight. He’s playing regularly, but he doesn’t have a lot of fantasy value. (Rotoworld)

Braves OF Gregor Blanco went 0-for-2 with two walks Tuesday at Philadelphia, but more important, he started again after starting both games of a doubleheader Monday. Blanco is batting .312 and getting on base at an impressive clip. He appears to have replaced Matt Diaz as the starter in left field against right-handed pitchers and deserves a look in all NL-only leagues in such a role. (CBS Sports)

Gregor Blanco started in center field and went 2-for-3 with a walk in Monday’s win over Washington. Blanco got the start against a left-handed pitcher even though he’s worked his way into a platoon in left field with right-handed hitting Matt Diaz. Blanco’s hot bat is going to keep him in the lineup when another outfielder, such as Mark Kotsay on Monday, needs a day off. (Rotowire)

Gregor Blanco becomes the first Atomic Roadrunner this season to re-join the team following his release. Blanco has worked his way into a LF platoon with Matt Diaz, something that hadn’t happened when he was released last week.

FAAB Acquisitions:

• P Nelson Figueroa, Mets ($2 bid) [active]
• P Manny Acosta, Braves ($1 bid) [active]
• OF Gregor Blanco, Braves ($0 bid) [active]

Up:

• OF Matt Murton, Cubs
• C Chris Iannetta, Rockies

Down:

• OF Brian Barton, Cardinals
• OF Andruw Jones, Dodgers
• C Javier Valentin, Reds

Cut:

• P Peter Moylan, Braves
• P Jon Lieber, Cubs
• OF Rajai Davis, Giants

Note: Gregor Blanco becomes the first Atomic Roadrunner this season to re-join the team following his release. Blanco has worked his way into a LF platoon with Matt Diaz, something that hadn’t happened when he was released last week.

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