http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/21528 Recent articles about Micah Owings en-us Over the past several years teams have been looking more and more toward the future of the franchise instead of today. The "Win Now" mentality is waning and a youth movement has begun. Below we have several teams' profiled and broken down to show the climate change in Major League Baseball. Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:33:08 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291164 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291164 How about that home run? Don't worry, more on that in a second. First things first. Can these starting pitchers get a little help here? Cliff Lee and C.C. Sabathia have been nothing short of dominant over the last two days. Their combined numbers: 14.1 innings, 11 hits, two earned runs, 13 strikeouts, two walks. Oh, and two "no decisions," or ND for the stat heads. The combined numbers for Joe Borowski and Masa Kobayashi? Three innings, four hits, two earned runs, three strikeouts, two walks. Their results? Two wins and a save. I won't complain too much, considering the Indians came out with two wins in the end. However, for the bats to not show up until two extra-inning slates is a bit unnerving considering the efforts given by Lee and Sabathia. Speaking of Sabathia, is there any way we can start to get this guy some extra at-bats? Micah Owings pinch-hits for Arizona, so it isn't far-fetched. For a team that continually trots out guys like David Dellucci (.258 career average) as a designated hitter, I think it would be worth a shot. As evidenced by Sabathia's 440-footer over the visitor's bullpen, the guy can swing the bat. On an offesive starved team, why not put your best hitters out there? Yes, he'll strike out on the occassion (he did that twice yesterday as well), but I think you have to at least consider it an option. We constantly hear that he'd like to bat. He was reportedly counting down the days on his calendar, trying to figure out if he would have gotten to hit in Colorado or Los Angeles. So instead of trading him to a National League team to grant his wish, give him some rips while he's here. Small sample size, yes, but the guy is a .300 career hitter. Extrapolate away! The big man has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games with an at bat. He now has more home runs than Victor Martinez, Andy Marte and Jamey Carroll combined. Dellucci has hit safely in two of his last 11 games. Just food for thought. Sun, 22 Jun 2008 10:20:15 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/280786 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/280786 In response to the brilliant and ever tactful Hank Steinbrenner and his comments ("I don't like that, and it's about time they address it. That was a rule from the 1800s.") regarding the NL's no Designated Hitter rule, here are 10 reasons why the rule is good and should stay. 1. Managers have to earn their money. Do you let the pitcher hit or pinch-hit for him? Always a tough call after the 5th or 6th inning, the manager must decide how his pitcher's doing, what the chances are of scoring, how good his bench is, etc. The decision is much simpler in the AL, purely a pitching decision. 2. Double switches. Managers can utilize their bench to keep the pitcher's spot from coming up in the lineup, making the position players on the bench critical to an NL team's success, along with the pinch hitting already mentioned. Other than injuries, how often does the bench of an AL team matter? 3. Pitchers can help themselves at the plate. How much happier are you that Carlos Zambrano is pitching when he has a good ERA AND the best average in your lineup? Micah Owings, anyone? This allows the pitcher to contribute in other ways. 4. Squeeze plays. The squeeze is one of the most exciting plays in baseball, but you almost never see it in the AL because the manager doesn't want to take the bat out of the hitter's hands? With a pitcher, it's not a problem. Or just David Eckstein. 5. Pitchers take batting practice, allowing them to bond with the position players and improving team chemistry. 6. Quoting one of my favorite movies "Bull Durham" which has been featured recently at ESPN, "It's a simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball." How many of those things does a DH have to do? Should we have a designated fielder who doesn't have to hit? 7. The pitcher's spot in the lineup distinguishes the other slots. The 8th hitter has to be more selective because pitchers are more willing to walk him. The leadoff hitter has more RBI opportunities because the pitcher bunts whenever someone's on first or second with less than 2 outs. An AL lineup doesn't need any structure, but an NL manager has to construct the lineup more carefully. LaRussa and others have even put the pitcher 8th a few times. 8. Extra innings challenge an NL manager's ability to manage his bench, balancing pitching needs with the need to score, trying to save pinch hitters for important situations without giving away too many outs to pitcher ABs. 9. Pitchers who can hit can be used as additional pinch hitters. Zambrano and Willis have famously done this, and tonight the Rockies sent Aaron Cook up as a PH in the 5th and he got a hit. 10. Pitchers who can't bunt really damage the team's offensive chances by not advancing runners. Fruitless at-bats prevent the manufacturing of runs, something the NL has always been known for. Pitchers throughout the NL hit and run the bases every game, and very few are injured because of it. One of the most interesting parts of interleague play is seeing the AL teams deal with the lack of their DH in the NL parks. It would be sad to see the rule that makes the NL unique disappear. Mon, 16 Jun 2008 22:59:45 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/278667 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/278667 Before there was the DH, all pitchers HAD to hit and there were some greats, if you can remember. I recall someone by the name of Ruth who came up in the Boston organization as a starting pitcher. We all know what happened to George Herman Ruth once he was traded to NY and transitioned into an everyday player in the OF. Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:24:49 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/275303 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/275303 In this daily column, we take a look back at the night that was in fantasy baseball highlighting the best/worst bats and arms, emerging fantasy options and developing trends. In addition, we have added the Closer Corner, which offers the latest bullpen news/advice. Check out the Fantasy Baseball Happy Recap every weekday on Fantasy Sports Experience! Thu, 15 May 2008 12:49:15 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/267302 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/267302 Looking ahead to the coming week in fantasy baseball, FIO co-founder & editor Matt Hinzpeter discusses some of the two-start pitchers for Week 7. This is a must-read for weekly leagues or if you like to stream pitchers on your roster. Check the Favorable Match-Ups, Two-Start Pitchers to Stay Away From, and the two-start pitchers to Keep an Eye On. Sun, 11 May 2008 20:19:28 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265836 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265836 Who's hot, who's not in Major League Baseball? We'll get you started with a sizzler named Mike Cameron. After being suspended for the first 25 games, Cameron is back, and has a starting job (as he should). For those owners (like myself) who took a chance on Cameron, knowing that he was suspended and might risk losing a job, should be quite pleased. He's showing a few signs of rust, but he has already posted a HR, 3 RBI, 4 R, and 3 BB's. The stolen bases should come too. Considering how lethal the Milwaukee Brewers lineup is, Cameron should get plenty of RBI opportunities. Add Cameron to NL-only teams, and if he heats up, you can add him in all leagues because of his power/speed abilities. Fri, 09 May 2008 00:36:33 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265080 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265080 Rotogod here. It's been a while, rotofans. I trust your fantasy baseball teams are all in first place and have suffered no injuries. Mine too. I jest. Today, I will be taking more questions, following up on my last Ask Rotogod post, covering Cliff Lee, trades and waiver wire pickups. Wed, 07 May 2008 14:13:47 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/264341 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/264341 How sweet would it be to represent an MLB starting pitcher? Now image that the pitcher can hit too. Not only hit, but crush the ball. Well that is exactly what Scott Boras has in Micah Owings. Not only is Owings a solid 4 or 5 starter, but he can hit in the 9 spot or even pinch hit like we saw last week. I know it's early in the season, but this guy has turned into a real weapon for the D-backs. Teammate Conor Jackson went as far as saying he has the most pop of all the Diamondback players. It makes me think that this may turn into a new trend in the sport of baseball. Now some may think I'm nuts, but how many people thought the NFL would adapt a two running back system, or that we would see 7 foot sharp shooters in the NBA? Teams are always looking for an advantage. Having a pitcher who can hit and essentially be the DH in a national league lineup is huge. Pitchers in high school and college are usually the best athletes and hitters on the team, and it's time to develop these players and take advantage of such pitchers. Talk about a bargaining chip for his agent. When it comes time for a new contract, not only can Boras sell his client on being a very serviceable starter, but a guy who can legitimately hit and be an asset in the line-up. He is no longer a pitcher that can help his team once every five days. I can see it now…Boras pulling up comps and some guy Babe Ruth comes into the discussion. Mon, 05 May 2008 19:57:41 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/263741 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/263741 Multiple times this year, the Phils have given victories away with errors and careless play. Well, they got one back on Sunday, after the Giants made three errors and the Phils scored 5 unearned runs to claim a 6-5 victory. Game notes: - Chooch was long overdue. He's only batting .203 but that dinger was huge. (That's what she said...) He needs more of this (and less dropping the ball as Rowand scores the go-ahead run) to maintain his hold on the starting catcher job. - Victorino went 2-5 and is only batting .231 but he showed signs of life on Sunday. The Phils need a healthy Victorino and Rollins back at the top of the lineup. I can't take much more of Eric Bruntlett six days a week. -------------------------- Howard the Suck When is an 0-2 a success? When no strikeouts are involved. Howard's year, day to day, is becoming reminiscent of Pat Burrell's 2003. I never thought I would see a year like that again, but now I'm not so sure. Howard looks clueless at the plate. Totally lost. Hurley isn't this lost. The fact that the Phillies can win this many games, with their 4-hole hitter looking like a slumping Tomas Perez, is a testament to the inspired play of the rest of the Phils, specifically Utley and Burrell. Needless to say, Howard needs to pick it up. -------------------------- A Bunch of D-backs There will be a Max Scherzer sighting today. Scherzer, a first round draft pick, went 4 innings and struck out 7 in his MLB debut, which was a relief appearance against the Asstros. He can chuck it. Luckily for the Phils, they are a group of contact-happy batsmen who rarely strike out... The D-backs have the best record in baseball and this will be quite a challenge for the Phils. A rookie phenom, a grizzled lefty vet, a .400 hitter, and a Cy Young front-runner are scheduled to pitch against the Phils. The series matchups: Monday - Moyer v. Scherzer Tuesday - Eaton v. Johnson Wednesday - Kendrick v. Owings Thursday - Myers v. Webb I called 2 of 3 against the Giants, but I'm not as hopeful today. I predict 3 wins for the Snakes. Mon, 05 May 2008 05:55:49 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/263503 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/263503 My vote goes to the Arizona Diamondback's Micah Owings. He's probably one of my favorite pitchers of the past two years, but I don't get to see him play much being from the east coast. To go along with his much improved performance on the mound so far this year (4-0 with a 3.48 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP 28 K's in 31 innings) he is hitting .421 with 1 HR (he won the Silver Slugger last year (in his rookie year). Fri, 02 May 2008 12:34:10 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/262768 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/262768 We all know that as a pitcher, Owings is pretty good, and that just might be an understatement, especially considering the first month of the season's pitching production - 4-0, 3.48 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, .195 BAA, and 28 Ks vs. 9 BBs in 31 IP. Owings is rolling right now. However, as good of a pitcher that he is, Owings is just as a good of a hitter, if not maybe even relatively better. Thu, 01 May 2008 08:52:19 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/262136 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/262136 The Rockies made a flurry of moves on the field and in their rotation. AccuScore analyst Jonathan breaks that down along with all the other fantasy relevant news from Wednesday's games. Thu, 01 May 2008 04:30:53 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/262061 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/262061 This one goes out to all those in the anti-DH constituency. Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:33:21 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/261908 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/261908 In this daily column, we take a look back at the night that was in fantasy baseball highlighting the best/worst performances, emerging fantasy options and developing trends. Check out the Fantasy Baseball Happy Recap every weekday on FSE! Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:33:15 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/253614 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/253614