The Braves have recalled 2B prospect Tommy La Stella from Triple A, and "the plan is for him to get most of the starts at second base for awhile," according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Any time we see a new guy who's going to play every day, we need to check him out, right?
La Stella hardly ever strikes out, walks at a pretty good clip, and has a history of high minor-league batting averages. Beyond that, there's not much to like for fantasy owners. La Stella was batting .293 with one homer, one steal, 18 runs scored and 23 RBI before his promotion. Last season, he batted .356 in 88 games between A ball and Double A, but had just five home runs with eight stolen bases. It sounds like La Stella is a better real-life player than he is a viable fantasy option, and this article by Eno Sarris of FanGraphs compares him to Marco Scutaro, who has never been a fantasy favorite.
Looking at the ownership levels of second basemen at FOXSports.com, I started at number 20. Would I rather own La Stella than Aaron Hill? Nah. Jedd Gyorko? Probably not, even if that makes me stubborn. Dustin Ackley or Alberto Callaspo? Still, I'd pass. La Stella might bat somewhere between .280 and .300, but if that doesn't come with any power or speed, I'd have to be in an NL-only league, or maybe a deep mixed league with a bench, to consider picking him up.
On to the rest of the news:
It sounds like Carl Crawford's ankle injury will keep him out for awhile. Matt Kemp started in left field for the Dodgers last night, and will get another chance to play every day. Are you willing to give Kemp one more chance?
Yu Darvish's stiff neck is apparently no longer stiff, and he's scheduled to start Sunday.
Streaming starters: Charlie Morton had an outing similar to the one Jon Niese had on Tuesday. By our Fantasy Quality Start standards - reaching at least two of Win/4.00 ERA/1.30 WHIP/4Ks - Morton was good enough. My buddy Vince told me yesterday that he didn't think the criteria were demanding enough, and while he has a point, I said I'd take those numbers for a guy I grab off the wire for a one-time start. Send me a tweet (@jhalpin37) to let me know what you think.
Anyway, we're 37-21 for the season. Today's pick is Minnesota's Samuel Deduno (owned in 0.7 percent of FOXSports.com leagues) against the Rangers, while Friday's selection is the up-and-down John Danks (1.2 percent owned) at home versus the Padres. Friday's schedule doesn't offer us many options; Danks is a bit of a reach.
In other White Sox news, 1B Jose Abreu (ankle) is expected to come off the DL on Monday, and Ronald Belisario blew another save last night. Belisario's job appears safe for now.
The Red Sox have placed SP Clay Buchholz (knee, 7.02 ERA) on the DL.
The Braves gave SS Andrelton Simmons (ankle) Wednesday night off, but he should be back today.
Marlins SP Henderson Alvarez left Wednesday's game due to elbow stiffness, but the team doesn't sound concerned.
It sounds like Ryan Zimmerman (thumb) is getting close to a return for the Nationals, and the rumblings of a move to left field continue. This will be interesting to watch, as Denard Span would be the likely playing-time victim if a position switch happens.
The Rays have placed C Ryan Hanigan (hamstring) on the DL.
Twins OF Aaron Hicks was scratched last night due to back spasms, and might miss today's game as well.
See you back here tomorrow morning.
