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

Reds rookie OF Chris Dickerson singled in the first inning Sunday, ending his extra-base streak. His first six hits in the majors were for extra bases — four doubles, a triple and a homer. Since the trade of Adam Dunn, Dickerson has taken over as the Reds’ leadoff man and a starter in center and/or left. Consider him a nice sleeper in Rotisserie leagues down the stretch, especially NL-only and long-term keeper formats. (CBS Sports)

Giants SP Noah Lowry is a protected-list gambit who is out for the season. Formerly a 14-game winner (though never that great a pitcher), he’ll have 2 years remaning on his $1 contract. He was acquired in the 2008 auction by Misogynistic Padres. Lowry (left arm surgery on March 7) opened the season on the 15-day disabled list, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on May 30. He was told April 30 to stop rehabbing. He resumed throwing in late July, and trainer Dave Groeschner said he could begin throwing off a mound in mid-August. Lowry is likely to miss the remainder of the season. Lowry won’t be able to help in Fantasy leagues until spring 2009 at this point. Consider him a candidate to be a nice comeback player, but drop him in annual formats right now. (CBS Sports)

Marlins RP Matt Lindstrom allowed one hit and no runs in 1 1/3 innings in relief of Scott Olsen during Tuesday’s 4-1 loss to the Mets. Lindstrom struck out two. The Marlins optioned Lindstrom to the minors in late June when he posted a 0-1 record with a 16.62 ERA in 4 1/3 innings spanning six June outings. He returned in early July and has been nothing short of spectacular. He has not allowed a run in 11 outings spanning 11 1/3 innings. He also has 11 strikeouts in that span. The old Lindstrom is back and is once again a reliable Fantasy middle reliever. (CBS Sports)

Brandon Moss went 2-for-4 with two RBI as the Pirates fell to the Diamondbacks on Monday night. Moss had a two-run double to open a 3-0 lead Monday. The double gave the Pirates a double in each of their last 36 games. Since being acquired by the Pirates, he’s gone 4-for-12 with a homer, a double and two RBI. He should continue to see regular playing time in Pittsburgh’s outfield, and could prove a solid option in NL-only leagues this season. Moss is an outstanding addition in NL-only leagues at this point. There is pop in his bat and the rebuilding Pirates will give him a good long look down the stretch. (Rotoworld, CBS Sports)

Casey Blake, acquired by the Dodgers from Cleveland on Saturday for a pair of minor leaguers, started at third base Saturday night and was 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored. Blake, who was batting .234 through the end of May, is hitting .352 in 45 games since then with 29 RBI. He is the fifth player to start at third base this season for Los Angeles. Blake is an outstanding addition in all NL-only leagues and is a streaky player that can impact any mixed Fantasy format, too. Consider him hot and a solid start in any league right now.

Blake was batting .289 for the Indians, but he’s been hot over the last month, with a .347 average, four home runs and 12 RBI in his last 21 games. This would obviously be a blow to anybody who owns him in AL-only formats, but Fantasy owners in NL-only leagues should get ready to invest on Blake off the waiver wire. He’ll get regular at-bats at third base it appears and will be a solid corner infield option in those leagues. (CBS Sports)

Phillies starter Joe Blanton was making his first start for the Phillies since being acquired from Oakland last week to solidify a shaky rotation on Tuesday vs. the Mets. He took the spot of Adam Eaton, who was 3-8 with a 5.71 ERA. Blanton came in having thrown 15 shutout innings against the Mets in two starts for the A’s and he looked as if he were pitching to form until he walked Jose Reyes on four pitches to open the third. He gave up five runs and eight hits in six innings and picked up a no decision. Blanton didn’t have the debut Philly fans would have liked, but the Phils won the game anyway. Still, Blanton hasn’t exactly been on target in his last eight outings. He’s given up at least four runs five times over that span and is just 2-5. Target him in NL-only leagues because he works deep into games and has better potential than he’s shown so far, but he obviously won’t give you an instant ace the way CC Sabathia and Rich Harden did. He was a two-start pitcher this week and his next start comes Sunday against the Braves. (CBS Sports)

Jaime Garcia will make his first major league start next Sunday against the Padres. “Garcia is here, so we should see what he can do,” said pitching coach Dave Duncan. “It’s a good spot to see how he handles himself.” He tossed two scoreless innings in relief on Friday night, but his fastball topped out at 90 mph and he couldn’t seem to locate his curveball. The 22-year-old was 7-6 with a 3.73 ERA between Double-A and Triple-A this season, while fanning 98 batters in 103 2/3 innings. He projects as a solid third starter, but it’d be ill-advised to expect big things this season.

Making his major league debut last week, Jaime Garcia pitched two scoreless innings of relief to help secure a victory over the Pirates. Garcia looked pretty fantastic. He allowed just one hit while striking out two and won a lot of individual battles after falling behind in the count. He’s definitely worth checking out in NL-only leagues if he joins the Cards’ rotation after the All-Star break. For now, he provides the Cardinals with some much-needed left handed relief. (Rotoworld)

Minor League Ball’s John Sickels had a glowing review, but questions the timing of the move for the Cardinals:

Jaime Garcia was drafted by the Cardinals in the 22nd round in 2005. He made his pro debut in the Midwest League in 2006 and was quite effective, entering 2007 as one of the better left-handed prospects in the game. But he was erratic last year for Double-A Springfield. He went 5-9, 3.75 with a 97/45 K/BB in 103 innings, with 93 hits allowed. Not bad at all for the Texas League, but not dominant. Of greater concern was inconsistent velocity: he was his usual 89-93 MPH self at times, but also had several starts where he was working in just the mid-to-upper 80s with less life in the ball. His command was also inconsistent, and the pieces of the mystery came together when he went on the DL last July with a sore elbow.

The pain was traced to a strained ligament, but surgery was avoided. He rehabbed, and looks like he’s come back healthy this spring. His stuff is back to 2006 standards, upper-80s to lower-90s fastball with a very strong curveball. He’s also continued to make progress with his changeup, and right now it looks like he got through the elbow problem without ill effect.

His performance has been solid this year. He began back at Springfield for a tuneup, going 3-2, 2.06 with a 41/16 K/BB in 35 innings. Promoted to Triple-A Memphis, he’s held his own in his first look at the PCL, going 4-4, 4.06 wtih a 56/21 K/BB in 64 innings, 64 hits allowed. He has a 1.98 GO/AO ratio in Triple-A and is keeping the ball in the park with just five gophers given up.

He’s doing well, but I would be leery about promoting him to the majors right now. His control is still a bit shaky at times, and he’s alternated some outstanding outings (June 26th, 10 Ks in 6.2 innings for example) with weaker ones (eight walks in ten innings combined on June 15th and 21st). He is showing a reverse platoon split, with lefty hitters tagging him at .333 but right-handed hitters just .230.

I like Garcia but he needs more consolidation time in Triple-A. If I were the Cardinals, I would consider him a possible September call-up, but would avoid promoting him to the majors in July or August unless it was a huge emergency and no one else was available. He is still refining his command and needs to get further down the road from the elbow trouble. I gave him a Grade B in the book this year, and right now I will keep that rating the same.

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 will start for the Cubs on Tuesday, taking the roster spot of Carlos Zambrano. In three starts since missing time with a hamstring issue, Marshall has allowed just five runs in 16 innings, including an eight-inning, one-run effort on Thursday. He’ll likely make just two starts, against the Orioles and White Sox, before Carlos Zambrano returns, but could have short-term value in NL-only leagues. (Rotoworld)

Marshall was also on the 2007 Atomic Roadrunners. He was acquired for $6 FAAB on May 29th, 2007 (OF Todd Linden was cut to create the roster spot). Welcome back Sean!

Marlins SP Josh Johnson, who had Tommy John surgery last August, made his first rehab start Saturday, allowing two runs on eight hits and striking out seven in five innings for Class A Greensboro. He’s expected to make his next rehab start for Class A Jupiter. Johnson wasn’t expected back until September or so, but if he can get through a month of rehab without any trouble, he could be back in Florida next month. He is a top prospect and a DL stashee for all leagues where you can afford to wait until his return. There will be plenty reports on his progress in the coming weeks, so stay tuned. (CBS Sports)

Brewers SP Seth McClung continued his resurgence as a starter, lifting the Brewers to a 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Sunday. McClung (4-3) continued his superb turnaround since leaving the long relief role in the bullpen, scattering two runs and four hits, including a solo home run by Jason Kubel. He didn’t issue a walk and struck out four. The righty nicknamed “Chucky” after the horror movie character has pitched six innings in each of his last three starts, giving up a total of five earned runs with 13 strikeouts against just one walk. “My mechanics have always been fine, it’s just mentally, a mindset of just really not trying to overthrow that’s gotten me where I am right now,” said McClung, who was once a top-rated prospect in the Tampa Bay system before injuries and inconsistency eventually led the organization to trade him last season. McClung has done well with the Brewers, but we still like him more just as a NL-only Fantasy option. His next scheduled start is for Saturday against the Orioles. (CBS Sports)

Charlie Morton won in his major league debut, leading the Atlanta Braves to a 9-4 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday night. Morton, whose contract was purchased from the Braves’ Triple-A Richmond club earlier in the day, allowed three runs and five hits in six innings with four strikeouts and a walk. The 24-year-old right-hander is the ninth pitcher to start a game for the Braves, who have John Smoltz, Tom Glavine and Mike Hampton on the disabled list. A third-round pick in the 2002 draft, Morton threw 64 of his 104 pitches for strikes. He was 5-2 with a 2.05 ERA in his first season at Triple-A and didn’t allow a home run in his 79 innings. He now finds himself in a contender’s rotation and is a must-add in all NL-only leagues and long-term keeper leagues at this point. His numbers suggest he can help in mixed leagues as well. His next start is slated for Thursday afternoon at Texas. (CBS Sports)

Astros RP Doug Brocail, in to close a one-run game Saturday against the Phillies because Jose Valverde needed night off after taking a line drive to the face, loaded the bases with one out before left fielder Darin Erstad caught a Shane Victorino fly ball and threw out Pedro Feliz attempting to score. “I felt like a 4-year-old child running out to high-five Erstad,” said Brocail, who earned his second save in as many chances. “It’s rejuvenating.” Brocail looks like the fallback option for Valverde, but Houston won’t use him to close games very often. Leave him for deeper NL-only leagues that require the use of true middle men. (CBS Sports)

Braves SP Jorge Campillo, surprisingly good in his first three starts, has hit a bump in the road in two starts since. He allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks in 5 1/3 innings Sunday against the Phillies, striking out two. He didn’t factor in the decision. Campillo has a 6.75 ERA but only a 2.17 ERA overall. The longtime minor-league journeyman was pitching way over his head earlier in the season and probably doesn’t deserve a look outside of NL-only leagues. His next start is scheduled for Saturday at the Angels. (CBS Sports)

Mat Gamel’s prospect status has risen nicely in Double-A this season. He has posted an amazing .382-13-51-57-4 (.454-.668) and outperformed more elite prospect and teammate Matt LaPorta. Gamel’s Fantasy ownership is now over 1 percent because of his Bugs Bunny numbers and the fact Bill Hall has stunk and is whining his way out of Milwaukee. Consider Gamel a potential surprise arrivee in the coming months and a sleeper in deeper formats. Long term, he looks to us like a Kevin Kouzmanoff-type. (CBS Sports)

Jason Bergmann: Playing for the lowly Nationals has been rough on young Bergmann, who has at times pitched better than his record suggests. Bergmann went three straight starts from May 15 to May 26 without giving up a run, but has since let nine men score in his last two outings. He looked like a must-add in all Fantasy formats for a while, but has since come down to Earth. Continue to use Bergmann in NL-only formats and keep watch to see if he can bounce back. (CBS Sports)

Greg Reynolds: Reynolds, the second overall pick in the 2006 draft, had his sinker working, breaking four Brewer bats as he picked up his first win in six starts. He remains, however, only a stopgap option for the Rockies and should only be starting in NL-only Fantasy leagues. Reynolds next starts Friday at the Chicago White Sox. (CBS Sports)

Aaron Miles: Miles was coming off a nice series against Tampa Bay, and he is batting .458 (22-for-48) in interleague play the last two seasons and .349 (61-for-175) for his career. Manager Tony La Russa continues to rotate Adam Kennedy, Brendan Ryan and Miles at second and hit them in the No. 2 hole in front of Albert Pujols. However, it hurts their Fantasy value since none of them have an everyday role. All three players are just NL-only Fantasy options. (CBS Sports)

Renyel Pinto is having an excellent season in the Marlins bullpen. “He has a certain swagger when he goes out there because he knows he’s good,” catcher Mike Rabelo said. “He’s been awesome, taking the ball every day for us no matter if it’s righties or lefties. We’ve been able to rely on him every day. He has great confidence, and you need that in the game. He also has a nasty changeup. Everything’s clicking for him.” The 25-year-old Venezuelan lefty has given up just two runs in 25 2/3 innings this season for an 0.70 ERA. He put the Nationals down in order in the eighth on Friday, then he set down three straight batters after allowing a walk on Sunday. He is of some use to Fantasy owners in deeper NL-only leagues that use true middle relievers and he’s also become a decent cheap source for holds. (CBS Sports)

Padres OF Jody Gerut hit a home run for the first time in nearly three years Monday at the Cubs, going 2-for-3 with two walks out of the leadoff spot. His last homer came on May 24, 2005, against the Twins while he was playing for the Indians. He wasn’t in the majors the last two years. Gerut had only two hits in 17 at-bats before his two-hit game Monday. The veteran will split starts in center field, likely with Scott Hairston, which limits his Fantasy value to larger NL-only formats. (CBS Sports)

Rockies RP Matt Herges pitched two scoreless innings in his last appearance Monday against the Cardinals, striking out three. He has a 1.77 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 20 1/3 innings. Herges was implicated in the Mitchell Report, but he won’t have to serve any suspension. He’s worth adding in deeper NL-only leagues that use true middle men if he continues to pitch like this. (CBS Sports)

Even a backup catcher will have decent Fantasy value in Philadelphia because of the park he will get at-bats in. Coste will work behind Carlos Ruiz once again this season, but he has pop and is certainly worth looking at as a No. 2 catcher in NL-only formats. Batting over .300 might be a stretch again, but .290 is within reach. If Ruiz stumbles out of the gate, like Coste did last year with a hamstring injury, then Coste could have an opportunity to start again. (CBS Sports)

Braves RP Manny Acosta, acting as closer with both Rafael Soriano and Peter Moylan disabled, pitched the ninth inning for the fourth time in five games Monday against the Nationals. He has only one save over that stretch, though, because the Braves keep winning by too many runs. He recorded one strikeout and allowed one hit in his one inning of work. Soriano might return within the next week, but Acosta looks like a nice stopgap option until that day arrives, particularly in NL-only leagues.

The Mets stayed close Thursday behind hometown pitcher, Brooklyn-born Nelson Figueroa. The journeyman right-hander struck out seven in seven innings, allowing two runs and three hits. He left with a 2-1 deficit, but it was erased in the eighth inning. Figueroa, who grew up a Mets fan, earned his first major league win since 2003 last Friday when he beat Milwaukee in a home start. Figueroa has now looked sharp in two starts with the Mets and this is what New York is hoping for — a guy that can be a band-aid until Orlando Hernandez or Pedro Martinez returns from the DL. Figueroa remains just a NL-only Fantasy option at this time. His next scheduled start is for Tuesday against the Cubs. He is on track for two starts Fantasy Week 4 (April 21-27) with his second coming against Atlanta.

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.