Baseball and Stuff – Aroldis Chapman, David Freese

Baseball and Stuff –  Aroldis Chapman, David Freese

Alex Rodriguez is within 30 homers of Willie Mays

Aroldis Chapman‘s start to the season has been very impressive, and the big performance is a follow up to a big spring. He struck out 18 batters while walking just two in spring as a starter, and as a set up man so far this year he has 10 strikeouts and no walks in five innings pitched. There is certainly value in speculating on Chapman, even though he is unlikely to get saves due to Sean Marshall‘s presence. Marshall is a stellar pitcher, so it is doubtful that he struggles enough to lose his closing job to Chapman. Even as a set up man, Chapman could provide very good value throughout this season, especially in holds leagues like ottoneu. http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/index.php/aroldis-chapman-looking-great-early/

David Freese, STL – .429 BA, 3 HR, 10 RBI – The former 2011 World Series MVP flew pretty under-the-radar coming in to 2012.  It looks like someone forgot to tell Freese this isn’t the Fall Classic anymore.  Freese either leads or is tied for the league lead in hits, homers and RBI.  Let’s get the bad stuff out of the way first.  Freese has struck out 7 times in 28 ABs and has only walked once.  Is the average real?  Obviously, Freese is most likely not going to hit .400, but he is a career .304 hitter and hit .297 in 97 games during the 2011 regular season, so a .300+ average is not unthinkable.  Okay, but is the power real?  Don’t everyone say “no” all at once.  Consider that since the start of July 2011, Freese has hit 15 HR in 89 games (including playoffs), which projects to 27 HR over 162 games.  Now, expecting a guy who has never played 100 regular season games to play 162 is certainly a stretch, but the point is that when Freese plays, he can hit for power.  Playing on a team that not only surrounds him with talent, but with veteran leadership, bodes well for Freese. http://www.bullpenbanter.com/rtmenu/742-bullish-or-bullshtdunn-o-meter-hitters-volume-1

MRI confirms Jacoby Ellsbury has a subluxed shoulder and will be placed on 15-day disabled list

Blake Swihart will remain a catcher in the Boston organization.

Nats rotation through 9 starts in 2012: 56.2 IP, 33 H, 10 ER, 13 BB, 55 K, 1.58 ERA

Yesterday was the first time the Red Sox have won two in a row since 8-27-11.