Crooked Pitch

I just listed the top five hitters by rising ADP’s last week, now let’s move on the the pitchers.

1. Edwin Jackson | Detroit Tigers | +35.7 - I guess the Tigers aren’t the only folks that think that Jackson’s 24% decrease in ERA last season makes him a real deal sleeper. Mock drafters took Jackson in the 23rd round last week (260.57 ADP) instead of at an ADP of 353.63.
2. Brian Fuentes | Los Angeles Angels | +18.9% - With the move to Los Angeles Fuentes is moving into top 15 closer status at Mock Draft Central. He was a 15th round pick (174.56 ADP) last week but now is a 13th round pick at 146.77.
3. Ian Snell | Pittsburgh Pirates | +17.6% - Snell was supposed to be a high strikeout sleeper in ‘08, but his strikeout total dropped by 24% and his ERA ballooned. He says he’s working out, eating right and feeling better, and apparently drafters are believing him. I’m not ready to drink the Snell rebound Kool-Aid, yet. He’s being taken at pick #263.67 (23rd round) now instead of #310.20 last week.
4. Rafael Soriano | Atlanta Braves | +15.2% - Soriano is hurt and unsure of an opening day return. Not to mention he’s #2 on the bullpen depth chart to Mike Gonzalez. But he’s climbing the charts at MDC; up from 252.30 (21st round) to 219.05(19th round).
5. Chad Cordero | Free Agent | +7.0% - Lot’s of rumors about Cordero and where he’ll land. But the biggest question is can he return and be effective from shoulder surgery. He’s up from 269.87 (23rd round) to 252.30 (21st round) as some of you believe the answer is yes.

Here is a review of this weeks best pickups as reviewed on Daily Roto Pickups. I will try to supply one from each of the following positions at my weekly review here on Crooked Pitch (C, CI, MI, OF, SP and RP). I will include their current availability that may have changed since my initial review. The reviews are how I view the player today.

C: Chris Iannetta - I didn’t review him at my site, but thought he needed a look. He is batting over .300 and Torrealba is having a rough start. He showed he could be a .300 hitter and could be a post hype sleeper if the Rockies will move him to full time.

He is currently owned in 8% of leagues.

CI: Ty Wiggington - I am going to take a liberty with my CI position this week. Ty belongs at 2B if you play him, but is eligible at 3B as well. He will get 20+ HR with enough at bats, but after missing most of April he might miss that mark, but should get you 15+ from now until October.

He is only owned in 43% of CBS leagues.

MI: Felipe Lopez - He is batting well and leading off which is helping in batting average and he has stole 40+ bases just 2 years ago. If you have enough power and need steals he would be a better pickup than Ty. He has great position eligibility at 2B, SS and OF

He is only owned in 51% of CBS leagues.

OF: Moises Alou - Another injury return help. At his age and ability to stay healthy he probably won’t be active for the rest of the season, but he seems to still have his hitting ability. He could hit 18-20 HR’s still and will have an average around .300.

He is only owned in 27% of CBS leagues.

SP: Kei Igawa - Everyone gave Daisuke Matsuzaka a break for needing a year to adjust. I don’t think he is anywhere as good as Daisuke, but he is not expected to get better like everyone expects Daisuke to. I think he could surprise. He should be given the rest of May to prove if he is going to keep his spot.

He is owned in 3% of leagues.

RP: Jon Rauch - Chad Cordero is out for a month. I know there are not 48% of leagues that don’t use 2-3 closers or that many leagues with that many teams quitting already. He will be closing for at least 4-6 weeks and as proven closers on sub .500 teams does not severely lower save opportunities. Can’t be much worse than Eric Gagne right now.

He is only owned in 52% as of this morning on CBS.