You get the impression that Arizona Diamondbacks Daniel Hudson has been ready for an extended big league audition for some time now. The July trade deadline provided just the opportunity the touted prospect needed as he was shipped to Arizona in a deal for veteran starter Edwin Jackson.

Hudson’s results (3-1 record, 2.12 ERA) have been spectacular in his first four starts, but can he maintain a pace worthy enough of a roster spot in fantasy leagues? Read more »

Upside chasers, beware.

The Colorado Rockies, according to the Denver Post, appear to be ready and willing to give utility man Eric Young Jr. everyday playing time. Young is a speedster who could both wake up the Rockies’ veteran lineup and create a spark for fantasy teams still in the hunt for league titles.

Young, a stolen base machine in the minors, held his own during a stint in Colorado earlier this season, then got recalled over the weekend. He’s made two straight starts — one at second base, one in left field — as the Rockies’ leadoff hitter and gone 2 for 9 with 2 runs and a stolen base. In 15 games this season, Young is hitting .244 with 5 steals (in 6 attempts), 5 walks and 4 strikeouts. Read more »

When he’s healthy, Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau offers a combination of batting title potential, power and run production. He’s a perennial American League MVP candidate and a unique contributor in fantasy baseball.

But, the trouble over the last two seasons has been, how often can fantasy owners truly count on Morneau to be in their lineups? Read more »

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton has struggled of late, prompting manager Joe Torre to give him a break from high-leverage situations. His choice to spell Broxton? Left-hander Hong Chih Kuo, who has been lights-out in a setup role. Kuo will add saves to an already-impressive fantasy game, but when will Broxton return to closing duties? Read more »

As a late follow-up to our previous list of top National League hitters, here’s another arbitrary list of hitters, this time from the American League. Some nice surprises dot the rankings, including Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Jose Bautista and Chicago White Sox outfielder Alex Rios, both of whom are having surprising career seasons.

Check out who else made the cut. Read more »

New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera is 40 years old and the definition of a three-out pitcher. He strikes out, relatively speaking, few hitters, and he rarely picks up cheap wins. So, why is he the No. 1 closer in this week’s rankings? Well, because he’s the only stopper, in our estimation, with zero questions to answer.

Jonathan Broxton is in the midst of an unsettling season. Jonathan Papelbon’s strikeout and walk rates are heading in the wrong direction. Joakim Soria pitches for a cellar dweller. Rafael Soriano’s health can never be trusted. Heath Bell puts too many runners on base. Carlos Marmol has more walks than any other closer in baseball. And so on.

Meanwhile, Rivera keeps churning out off-the-charts ratios and competitive saves totals. And now, as the season winds down, he historically gets even better. He’s the most trustworthy stopper in baseball, fantasy or reality, which makes him the rightful No. 1 closer in fantasy. Here’s how the rest of the rankings shake out.
** Statistics through Aug. 9 games Read more »

After dominating the Minnesota Twins in his first career start, Tampa Bay Rays pitching phenom Jeremy ‘Hellboy’ Hellickson gets another chance to pitch on the big stage. He’s done it all in the minor leagues with an extraordinary amount of success, now has the opportunity to claim a permanent big league roster spot with Wade Davis and Jeff Niemann both on the disabled list. His audition begins tonight with a start in Detroit. Read more »

The Oakland A’s promoted first baseman/outfielder Chris Carter, a 6-foot-5, slugging behemoth who has clubbed minor league pitching for the last six seasons. Carter, 23, has the reputation as an all-or-nothing slugger, but should hold his own in the batting average department and blossom into a consistent 30-plus homer producer. Read more »

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury is fighting to put a horrendous, confusing, injury-marred first four months of the season behind him.

The speedy Boston Red Sox outfielder has dealt with a rib injury for nearly the entire season, a nagging wound suffered on April 11 that didn’t get a correct diagnosis immediately, according to ESPNBoston.com.

So, nearly 100 games later, Ellsbury is still trying to make an impact, both for the Red Sox and the many fantasy owners who made a sizable invest in him. For the first time this season, Ellsbury, batting ninth in the order against the Yankees, did just that. Read more »

We make the obvious choice today after Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Brandon Morrow mowed down the Tampa Bay Rays yesterday. Morrow has had a nice year for the Jays, finally getting the stability of a firm role on the team’s pitching staff. The results are beginning to show for Morrow, 26, whose second-half improvement was culminated by Sunday’s 17-strikeout performance. Read more »