September Will Not Be Boring with Manny in Chicago

Manny Ramirez and Ozzie Guillen in the same clubhouse.

Kenny Williams has serious guts. The guy who exists in his own little world and the guy with no control of his mouth, together at last. Can you imagine the battle of wills that develops if Ozzie has a problem with Manny say loafing in the outfield or taking a day off to rest an injury to a part of his body he can't quite recall? Oh, you think Manny will be happy to DH? He once had a problem with moving to left field from right field. He has also stated his distaste for the idea of DHing. This should be a ton of fun to watch.

I would not expect Manny to hit like he did in his first month with the Los Angeles Dodgers but he should be a positive in the lineup as long as he's happy. If he's productive Ozzie will probably go out of his way to keep him happy. If he slumps that's when "things" will escalate. Either way, assuming that Manny takes Mark Kotsay's place in the lineup, he should help the White Sox as they chase the Twins.

In the last seven days he hit .286/.444/.571 in just seven at-bats as the Dodgers have refused to start him. For the season he has a slash of .311/.405/.510 with 8 homeruns and 40 RBI in just 196 at-bats (.392 wOBA). He has been hitting more groundballs than he typically does and his 14 percent HR/FB rate is far below his career rate of 21.2 percent which explains his disappointing power output.

Manny's walk and strikeout rates are around his career numbers but his plate discipline is not at its usual level. He is swinging at more itches out of the strike zone. His contact rates are steady but obviously it is changing the results.

If fantasy owners are still looking for a bat to add to their lineups, this is probably as good as it will get. He should hit for average with decent power, even if that is far below his career power rates. The White Sox have something to fight for and that tends to bring out the best in Manny.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=2974

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=210&position=OF

Fuentes to Twins, Rodney to Close, Walden the Future?

The Los Angeles Angels have sent left-handed closer Brian Fuentes to the Minnesota Twins for a player to be named later. Fernando Rodney will assume the closer role for the Angels. Fuentes will see some save chances for the Twins but as their sole healthy left-hander, Fuentes will often be used in platoon situations.

From MLB.com

"He'll be setup and probably occasionally close if I use [Matt Capps] too much," Gardenhire said. "He gets lefties out pretty [darn] good, plus he can close, too, another very, very good arm out in the bullpen with experience. He should help us out."

The Angels insist that trading Fuentes does not indicate they are giving up on the season. They're right, it doesn't. But it is a good move for a team with little chance of winning and a bullpen loaded with younger and superior talent. It also helps that the Angels are expecting a very good player in return.

From MLB.com

Angels general manager Tony Reagins said the club will "soon" receive a "prospect with upside" as part of the trade and thanked Fuentes for his two seasons with the club. It's still unknown how much of Fuentes' salary will be picked up by the Twins, as there is $1.89 million left on his contract this season.

Reagins and Angels manager Mike Scioscia said the move doesn't indicate they are giving up on this season and building for next season, as veteran reliever Fernando Rodney will serve as the club's closer the rest of the season, and young relievers Michael Kohn and Jordan Walden have impressed so far.

Walden, who has received a lot of attention lately for his gun-busting fastball, is a future closer candidate. He has awesome stuff but failed to develop as a starter. He is now considered a full time relief pitcher by the Angels. According to the Los Angeles Times, Jordan Walden has reached as high as 102 mph with his fastball.

From GazetteOnline.com

“These guys are just cutting their baby teeth right now,” Scioscia said. “They’re taking baby steps, but I think they’ve shown great poise on the mound for youngsters coming up. Becoming a Major League pitcher is a process and this is the first steps of it, but they’ve certainly taking that step and meeting the challenge head-on.”

Fantasy owners should hang on to Brian Fuentes if they are still in need of saves. Fuentes may not get many but his overall numbers should improve as he becomes more of a platoon specialist. Fernando Rodney may be available in shallower leagues and is worth picking up for those in need of saves. Rodney is also the likely closer to start the 2011 season as well. Jordan Walden has a bright future in the Angels bullpen and I see him becoming the full-time closer in 2012. He is an excellent speculation pick for those in re-building mode.

Stephen Strasburg Needs Tommy John Surgery

The Washington Nationals are getting a second opinion but they have announced that Stephen Strasburg has a significant tear to ligaments in his elbow and will likely require Tommy John Surgery. He will certainly miss the rest of this season and likely most of 2011 as well. This is bad news, not just to fantasy baseball fans, but also to Major League Baseball.

Strasburg was one of the few personalities in the game that could draw sell-out crowds to the park. He was and still is a huge part of the Washington Nationals future. TJS is not a death sentence for pitchers. Josh Johnson, Francisco Liriano and Tim Hudson are just a few examples of the major talents that have recovered and thrived after the procedure. Some pitchers have even claimed to be stronger than they ever were before. Typically those undergoing TJS are out of action for a year and need most of a season of pitching again to regain their top level of performance. But not always.

Those in typical keeper leagues that allow you to keep a player for three seasons without signing him long term are probably screwed unless they have incredible faith. Faith both in Stephen Strasburg's eventual return and their ability to draft a winning team short his cost and roster spot. While he should return in 2012 (maybe even the end of 2011) betting on an immediate return to top quality is unwise.

Down the Stretch: The Top Relief Pitchers of 2010

The best relievers in the game are not always the biggest names. Koji Uehara is the new closer for the Orioles although they did not bother to make a big announcement of the fact. Joe Thatcher is a great reliever that does not get saves. Heath Bell was one of the best sleeper picks I ever made. You can always count on the Mets to give up on good talent.

Name	Team	K/9	BB/9	K/BB	HR/9	WHIP	BABIP	LOB%	ERA	FIP	xFIP
Joe Thatcher	Padres	12.39	1.27	9.75	0.32	0.64	0.241	85.20%	1.27	1.34	1.99
Koji Uehara	Orioles	10.33	1.67	6.2	0	1.15	0.365	77.40%	2	1.37	3.19
Bobby Parnell	Mets	9.33	2	4.67	0	1.22	0.359	72.70%	3	1.7	2.31
Heath Bell	Padres	11.57	3.52	3.29	0.17	1.23	0.348	82.00%	1.84	1.95	2.93
Hong-Chih Kuo	Dodgers	10.76	2.93	3.67	0.2	0.85	0.235	85.50%	1.37	2.04	3.3
Mike Adams	Padres	9.97	2.72	3.67	0.18	0.93	0.261	78.50%	1.81	2.06	3.09
Carlos Marmol	Cubs	16.2	6.3	2.57	0.15	1.32	0.37	73.90%	3.3	2.07	2.9
Joaquin Benoit	Rays	12.24	1.75	7	0.78	0.65	0.201	90.20%	1.36	2.09	2.3
Matt Belisle	Rockies	9.27	1.53	6.08	0.35	1.04	0.318	76.80%	2.11	2.1	2.84
Brian Wilson	Giants	12.13	3.56	3.41	0.32	1.29	0.369	85.50%	1.94	2.12	2.88
Grant Balfour	Rays	9.14	2.7	3.38	0.21	1.08	0.297	76.80%	2.08	2.28	3.58
Matt Thornton	White Sox	12.17	2.85	4.27	0.57	1.1	0.329	80.30%	2.66	2.3	2.58
Jonathan Broxton	Dodgers	11.25	3.29	3.42	0.35	1.29	0.36	71.00%	3.46	2.32	2.92
Mariano Rivera	Yankees	7.49	1.38	5.43	0.2	0.72	0.216	80.90%	1.18	2.39	3.33
John Axford	Brewers	10.96	4.06	2.7	0.2	1.24	0.324	76.90%	2.64	2.39	2.99
Sean Marshall	Cubs	10.55	3.38	3.13	0.28	1.19	0.322	75.80%	2.81	2.39	2.88
Takashi Saito	Braves	11.87	2.49	4.77	0.77	1.11	0.332	73.30%	2.87	2.41	2.66
Ryan Madson	Phillies	11.76	1.6	7.33	0.8	1.13	0.363	76.10%	3.48	2.45	2.39
Billy Wagner	Braves	12.91	2.52	5.13	0.84	0.88	0.266	88.40%	1.68	2.46	2.54
Hisanori Takahashi	Mets	9.98	3.86	2.59	0.23	1.16	0.292	74.00%	2.5	2.5	3.55
Luke Gregerson	Padres	10.57	1.91	5.54	0.73	0.78	0.229	71.40%	2.64	2.5	2.56
Kris Medlen	Braves	7.99	1.9	4.2	0.38	1.14	0.315	66.40%	3.04	2.52	3.35
Darren Oliver	Rangers	9.99	2.28	4.38	0.53	1.07	0.308	75.80%	2.45	2.52	2.75
Joel Zumaya	Tigers	7.98	2.58	3.09	0.23	1.12	0.295	72.10%	2.58	2.53	4.01
Leo Nunez	Marlins	9.79	2.7	3.63	0.51	1.29	0.351	72.50%	3.38	2.56	2.91
Bobby Jenks	White Sox	11.11	3.26	3.41	0.57	1.38	0.376	66.30%	4.4	2.62	2.49
Rafael Betancourt	Rockies	12.83	1.34	9.57	1.34	1.13	0.373	71.80%	4.21	2.64	2.42
J.J. Putz	White Sox	10.53	2.11	5	0.77	0.96	0.279	76.70%	2.68	2.64	2.81
Wilton Lopez	Astros	6.39	0.8	8	0.48	1.07	0.304	73.50%	2.88	2.65	3.17
Francisco Rodriguez	Mets	10.52	3.3	3.19	0.47	1.15	0.307	84.60%	2.2	2.65	3.33
Jonny Venters	Braves	9.63	4.07	2.37	0.14	1.09	0.261	76.40%	1.76	2.7	3.16
Zach Braddock	Brewers	11.08	4.85	2.29	0.35	1.46	0.358	79.20%	3.12	2.76	4.15
Rafael Soriano	Rays	7.87	1.79	4.4	0.54	0.81	0.222	79.40%	1.79	2.79	3.99
Drew Storen	Nationals	7.34	3.67	2	0	1.2	0.283	67.30%	3.24	2.84	4.29
Joakim Soria	Royals	9.5	2.33	4.07	0.67	1.13	0.311	90.60%	1.83	2.85	3.23
Joel Hanrahan	Pirates	12.29	2.75	4.47	0.97	1.11	0.325	72.40%	3.88	2.86	2.85
Esmil Rogers	Rockies	9	3	3	0.43	1.33	0.344	58.00%	3.43	2.87	3.42
Phil Coke	Tigers	7.52	3.25	2.32	0.17	1.27	0.31	78.40%	2.39	2.88	4.34
Clay Hensley	Marlins	9.78	3.26	3	0.47	1.16	0.3	76.40%	2.79	2.9	3.41
Darren O'Day	Rangers	5.86	1.78	3.3	0.18	0.89	0.236	84.40%	1.42	2.95	4.26
Tim Stauffer	Padres	7.65	2.48	3.09	0.45	1.08	0.276	87.40%	1.58	2.96	3.67
Ryan Webb	Padres	6.22	2.72	2.29	0.19	1.34	0.323	74.70%	3.3	2.98	3.38
Kevin Jepsen	Angels	9.89	4.12	2.4	0.41	1.4	0.342	68.10%	4.53	3.02	3.36
Jose Contreras	Phillies	9.4	2.6	3.62	0.6	1.22	0.328	78.50%	3.2	3.02	3.4
Trevor Bell	Angels	6.66	2.22	3	0.37	1.6	0.387	67.40%	4.81	3.03	4.01
Sergio Romo	Giants	9.75	1.92	5.09	0.87	1.03	0.292	86.00%	2.26	3.07	3.66
Nelson Figueroa	- - -	6.68	1.95	3.43	0.56	1.02	0.263	69.50%	3.34	3.08	3.79
Sean Burnett	Nationals	8.87	3.21	2.76	0.57	1.2	0.297	76.20%	2.83	3.09	3.24
Frank Francisco	Rangers	10.32	2.92	3.53	0.86	1.26	0.334	73.30%	3.78	3.09	3.26
Joba Chamberlain	Yankees	9.11	3.25	2.8	0.65	1.37	0.342	65.30%	4.72	3.11	3.6
Jesse Crain	Twins	7.9	2.96	2.67	0.49	1.1	0.269	72.20%	2.63	3.11	4.07
Arthur Rhodes	Reds	7.9	2.76	2.87	0.55	0.92	0.221	86.10%	1.84	3.13	3.86
Jon Rauch	Twins	7.14	2.12	3.36	0.58	1.37	0.346	79.00%	3.28	3.13	4.22
Scott Downs	Blue Jays	6.97	1.97	3.55	0.54	0.99	0.259	79.90%	2.32	3.17	3.45
Eric O'Flaherty	Braves	7.46	3.86	1.93	0.26	1.23	0.279	79.80%	2.06	3.19	3.68
Travis Schlichting	Dodgers	5.56	3.97	1.4	0	1.32	0.286	70.00%	3.57	3.2	4.88
Jason Frasor	Blue Jays	9.25	4.44	2.08	0.37	1.52	0.355	67.40%	4.25	3.25	4.04
Kyle Farnsworth	- - -	8.19	2.96	2.76	0.52	1.28	0.318	76.00%	3.31	3.26	3.83
David Herndon	Phillies	4.87	2.64	1.85	0.2	1.58	0.357	67.50%	4.47	3.27	4.23
Rafael Perez	Indians	5.66	3.47	1.63	0.18	1.46	0.325	76.50%	3.1	3.27	4.06
Alexi Ogando	Rangers	9.2	3.86	2.38	0.59	1.09	0.248	93.00%	1.48	3.31	3.62
Dan Runzler	Giants	9.6	5.7	1.68	0.3	1.53	0.331	76.20%	3.3	3.31	3.78
Neftali Feliz	Rangers	9.49	2.62	3.63	0.82	0.98	0.254	73.10%	3.44	3.33	3.76
Doug Slaten	Nationals	8.05	4.15	1.94	0.26	1.3	0.295	70.80%	2.86	3.34	4.42
Andrew Bailey	Athletics	6.75	2.4	2.82	0.65	0.97	0.233	92.20%	1.52	3.35	4.06
Tyler Clippard	Nationals	10.48	4.32	2.43	0.74	1.26	0.297	75.90%	3.33	3.37	4.17
Daniel Bard	Red Sox	9.1	3.34	2.73	0.76	0.91	0.201	87.80%	1.82	3.39	3.56
Pedro Feliciano	Mets	8.4	5	1.68	0.2	1.84	0.402	80.40%	3.4	3.4	3.9
Brandon Lyon	Astros	6.39	4.06	1.57	0.15	1.35	0.296	74.80%	3.34	3.4	4.88
Randy Choate	Rays	8.39	3.41	2.46	0.52	1.34	0.324	64.90%	4.72	3.4	3.32

Down the Stretch: The Top Starting Pitchers of 2010

Stephen Strasburg is already at the top of this list. However, he still needs to show he has the durability to produce over the course of a long season. Francisco Liriano is back to being one of the best in the game two years after his Tommy John Surgery. Josh Johnson is also proof that TJS is no longer a death sentence for a pitcher. It is however, hell on keeper lists.

Name	Team	K/9	BB/9	K/BB	HR/9	WHIP	BABIP	LOB%	ERA	FIP	xFIP
Stephen Strasburg	Nationals	12.18	2.25	5.41	0.66	1.07	0.338	72.70%	2.91	2.1	2.17
Francisco Liriano	Twins	9.81	2.97	3.3	0.18	1.28	0.35	72.80%	3.45	2.33	3
Josh Johnson	Marlins	8.7	2.2	3.95	0.37	1.08	0.301	78.90%	2.36	2.52	3.26
Cliff Lee	- - -	7.78	0.57	13.73	0.67	0.98	0.301	69.60%	3.09	2.55	3.28
Roy Halladay	Phillies	8.09	1.09	7.44	0.7	1.02	0.301	82.20%	2.22	2.75	2.89
Adam Wainwright	Cardinals	8.09	2.22	3.64	0.52	1	0.265	81.20%	2.18	2.86	3.18
Brett Anderson	Athletics	6.71	1.43	4.7	0.43	1.13	0.307	74.90%	2.86	2.9	3.36
Yovani Gallardo	Brewers	9.78	3.79	2.58	0.5	1.34	0.332	72.20%	3.28	2.99	3.49
Felix Hernandez	Mariners	8.46	2.47	3.43	0.62	1.11	0.29	76.40%	2.47	3.03	3.26
Tommy Hanson	Braves	8.29	2.76	3	0.47	1.26	0.322	70.30%	3.53	3.12	4.07
Ubaldo Jimenez	Rockies	8.29	3.51	2.36	0.43	1.1	0.26	77.40%	2.66	3.13	3.75
Mat Latos	Padres	9.08	2.52	3.6	0.82	0.98	0.252	84.00%	2.33	3.15	3.4
Brandon Morrow	Blue Jays	10.81	4.06	2.66	0.66	1.36	0.341	69.10%	4.39	3.18	3.7
Anibal Sanchez	Marlins	7.04	3.16	2.23	0.36	1.31	0.312	71.40%	3.16	3.2	4.21
Chad Billingsley	Dodgers	7.58	3.08	2.46	0.43	1.32	0.32	71.50%	3.7	3.21	3.91
Clayton Kershaw	Dodgers	9.53	3.94	2.42	0.55	1.25	0.298	76.30%	3.07	3.22	3.89
Jon Lester	Red Sox	9.17	3.2	2.86	0.66	1.18	0.295	74.40%	3.26	3.24	3.35
Felipe Paulino	Astros	7.95	4.5	1.77	0.21	1.51	0.338	61.40%	4.4	3.24	4.59
Zack Greinke	Royals	7.66	1.97	3.89	0.78	1.2	0.313	67.20%	3.83	3.3	3.72
Jered Weaver	Angels	9.78	2.43	4.02	1.09	1.11	0.295	75.90%	3.21	3.31	3.55
Hiroki Kuroda	Dodgers	7.23	2.22	3.26	0.7	1.22	0.309	68.70%	3.56	3.32	3.6
Roy Oswalt	- - -	8.26	2.38	3.47	0.83	1.1	0.28	74.50%	3.22	3.34	3.48
Justin Verlander	Tigers	8.45	3.33	2.54	0.63	1.24	0.298	73.30%	3.65	3.34	4.06
Tim Lincecum	Giants	9.46	3.5	2.7	0.77	1.35	0.331	75.10%	3.72	3.35	3.43
Tom Gorzelanny	Cubs	8.2	3.98	2.06	0.48	1.45	0.334	70.40%	3.82	3.35	4.21
Jaime Garcia	Cardinals	7.07	3.44	2.06	0.45	1.25	0.287	75.70%	2.42	3.37	3.74
John Danks	White Sox	6.95	2.78	2.5	0.59	1.15	0.275	73.10%	3.31	3.37	4.05
Gavin Floyd	White Sox	7.44	2.76	2.7	0.66	1.32	0.32	70.20%	3.91	3.4	3.76
Colby Lewis	Rangers	8.7	2.79	3.12	0.84	1.17	0.291	75.60%	3.4	3.4	3.89
Ricky Romero	Blue Jays	7.76	3.18	2.44	0.59	1.28	0.304	72.20%	3.5	3.4	3.6
David Price	Rays	8.33	3.71	2.25	0.57	1.26	0.292	76.20%	2.97	3.41	4
R.A. Dickey	Mets	6.06	2.21	2.74	0.64	1.17	0.285	77.70%	2.64	3.44	3.69
Johan Santana	Mets	6.59	2.55	2.58	0.67	1.18	0.283	79.10%	2.94	3.48	4.34
Brett Myers	Astros	7.03	2.58	2.73	0.76	1.23	0.297	75.40%	3.08	3.51	3.76
Jeff Francis	Rockies	5.73	1.94	2.95	0.68	1.27	0.31	64.40%	4.56	3.53	3.96
Jhoulys Chacin	Rockies	9.28	4.27	2.18	0.64	1.28	0.291	70.50%	3.63	3.53	3.72
Doug Fister	Mariners	4.99	1.69	2.96	0.63	1.25	0.305	67.40%	3.87	3.57	4.21
Jason Hammel	Rockies	7.32	2.4	3.05	0.82	1.3	0.32	69.40%	4.35	3.57	3.75
Matt Cain	Giants	7.01	2.81	2.49	0.72	1.14	0.269	74.80%	3.07	3.57	4.38
Wandy Rodriguez	Astros	7.69	2.97	2.59	0.73	1.35	0.324	67.50%	4	3.58	3.8
CC Sabathia	Yankees	7.24	2.93	2.48	0.72	1.22	0.288	77.00%	3.02	3.59	3.88
Clayton Richard	Padres	7.1	3.61	1.97	0.56	1.4	0.316	76.10%	3.55	3.6	4.13
C.J. Wilson	Rangers	7.35	4.01	1.84	0.44	1.21	0.263	74.10%	3.02	3.6	4.25
Clay Buchholz	Red Sox	6.2	3.42	1.81	0.45	1.2	0.265	79.40%	2.26	3.61	4.21
Gio Gonzalez	Athletics	7.49	3.97	1.89	0.56	1.27	0.279	75.80%	3.24	3.63	4.14
Travis Wood	Reds	7.19	2.49	2.88	0.88	0.98	0.23	67.20%	3.38	3.71	4.33
Dallas Braden	Athletics	5.64	1.77	3.18	0.82	1.15	0.281	70.60%	3.49	3.72	4.16
Carlos Silva	Cubs	6.33	1.92	3.3	0.83	1.24	0.306	72.40%	3.92	3.73	3.95
Ricky Nolasco	Marlins	8.5	1.73	4.9	1.33	1.23	0.323	72.90%	4.22	3.75	3.48
Carl Pavano	Twins	5.19	1.53	3.39	0.84	1.16	0.285	73.90%	3.56	3.76	3.93
John Ely	Dodgers	6.67	2.82	2.36	0.79	1.32	0.306	65.80%	4.63	3.78	3.98
Shaun Marcum	Blue Jays	7.51	1.97	3.82	1.13	1.13	0.284	73.60%	3.7	3.83	3.94
Chris Carpenter	Cardinals	6.98	2.49	2.8	0.88	1.15	0.275	79.90%	2.88	3.83	3.81
Luke Hochevar	Royals	6.58	3.23	2.04	0.69	1.38	0.312	62.40%	4.96	3.84	4.22
Joel Pineiro	Angels	5.69	2.19	2.59	0.89	1.31	0.306	71.70%	4.18	3.88	3.87
Livan Hernandez	Nationals	4.74	2.88	1.65	0.59	1.31	0.288	75.70%	3.36	3.89	4.77
Tim Hudson	Braves	4.86	2.89	1.68	0.56	1.1	0.239	83.50%	2.28	3.89	4
Max Scherzer	Tigers	8.34	3.61	2.31	0.93	1.31	0.297	72.80%	3.73	3.91	4.02
Dan Haren	- - -	8.43	1.82	4.63	1.39	1.32	0.339	72.00%	4.45	3.91	3.63
Jonathon Niese	Mets	7.17	2.8	2.56	0.91	1.33	0.313	78.80%	3.33	3.92	3.93
Brett Cecil	Blue Jays	6.44	2.84	2.27	0.9	1.23	0.28	72.80%	3.8	3.92	4.18
Mike Pelfrey	Mets	5.2	3.11	1.67	0.6	1.45	0.316	74.00%	3.82	3.93	4.41
Cole Hamels	Phillies	9.22	2.71	3.4	1.3	1.23	0.304	81.10%	3.47	3.95	3.49
Andy Pettitte	Yankees	7	2.96	2.37	0.93	1.2	0.274	80.70%	2.88	3.96	4.05
Daisuke Matsuzaka	Red Sox	7.86	4.12	1.91	0.76	1.32	0.286	70.80%	4.19	3.96	4.64
Jason Vargas	Mariners	5.68	2.49	2.29	0.89	1.2	0.273	75.90%	3.43	3.97	4.7
Bud Norris	Astros	9.27	3.83	2.42	1.04	1.43	0.331	63.80%	5.03	3.98	3.91
Scott Baker	Twins	7.42	1.96	3.79	1.25	1.33	0.327	71.80%	4.63	3.99	4
Jair Jurrjens	Braves	6.25	2.94	2.13	0.85	1.29	0.291	67.60%	4.36	3.99	4.52
John Lackey	Red Sox	6.05	3.24	1.87	0.74	1.49	0.328	70.50%	4.51	4	4.51

Down the Stretch: The Top Designated Hitters of 2010

Luke Scott has had a career season. Vladimir Guerrero has made a fantastic comeback despite a streaky season. Jim Thome is still a huge threat at the plate and David Ortiz has dared the Red Sox not to re-sign him.

Name	Team	BB%	K%	AVG	OBP	SLG	ISO	BABIP	wOBA
Jim Thome	Twins	17.20%	30.90%	0.269	0.396	0.583	0.314	0.309	0.415
Luke Scott	Orioles	8.90%	21.80%	0.295	0.357	0.584	0.289	0.309	0.399
David Ortiz	Red Sox	14.10%	30.00%	0.267	0.371	0.544	0.277	0.31	0.385
Marcus Thames	Yankees	11.40%	29.90%	0.313	0.399	0.463	0.149	0.402	0.38
Jack Cust	Athletics	16.20%	38.00%	0.271	0.392	0.45	0.179	0.388	0.374
Jorge Posada	Yankees	13.00%	23.30%	0.26	0.365	0.477	0.217	0.287	0.37
Travis Hafner	Indians	10.80%	25.00%	0.271	0.37	0.435	0.164	0.325	0.356
Vladimir Guerrero	Rangers	6.00%	11.30%	0.296	0.344	0.488	0.192	0.292	0.355
Pat Burrell	- - -	12.70%	28.50%	0.253	0.346	0.466	0.213	0.296	0.347
Russell Branyan	- - -	10.90%	33.10%	0.237	0.324	0.478	0.241	0.286	0.347
Johnny Damon	Tigers	11.70%	17.50%	0.273	0.361	0.409	0.136	0.316	0.346
Hideki Matsui	Angels	10.80%	21.70%	0.262	0.341	0.433	0.171	0.294	0.338
Jason Kubel	Twins	10.30%	22.70%	0.258	0.335	0.446	0.189	0.289	0.337
Jose Guillen	- - -	5.80%	20.90%	0.263	0.317	0.434	0.171	0.292	0.328
Shelley Duncan	Indians	9.70%	36.70%	0.223	0.306	0.398	0.175	0.306	0.309
Adam Lind	Blue Jays	7.20%	26.10%	0.234	0.292	0.408	0.174	0.278	0.305
Mike Lowell	Red Sox	9.90%	14.60%	0.229	0.304	0.375	0.146	0.242	0.3
Mark Kotsay	White Sox	9.60%	11.00%	0.233	0.307	0.382	0.148	0.238	0.3
Willy Aybar	Rays	9.50%	21.90%	0.24	0.313	0.361	0.12	0.283	0.3
Milton Bradley	Mariners	10.10%	30.70%	0.205	0.292	0.348	0.143	0.258	0.289
Jake Fox	- - -	4.70%	27.00%	0.22	0.265	0.384	0.164	0.261	0.284

Down the Stretch: The Top Catchers of 2010

What happened to Victor Martinez? Geovany Soto has made a nice comeback this year but still has doubters out there. Buster Posey seems like the next big thing but he needs to work on that walk rate.

Name	Team	BB%	K%	AVG	OBP	SLG	ISO	BABIP	wOBA
Geovany Soto	Cubs	16.80%	24.40%	0.286	0.404	0.515	0.229	0.324	0.398
Buster Posey	Giants	5.90%	13.20%	0.342	0.386	0.516	0.174	0.366	0.387
Joe Mauer	Twins	12.10%	10.40%	0.33	0.408	0.487	0.157	0.349	0.383
Carlos Santana	Indians	19.30%	19.30%	0.26	0.401	0.467	0.207	0.277	0.383
Brian McCann	Braves	13.60%	20.90%	0.264	0.376	0.456	0.192	0.288	0.365
Jorge Posada	Yankees	13.20%	23.70%	0.251	0.359	0.461	0.21	0.278	0.362
Carlos Ruiz	Phillies	12.70%	14.30%	0.297	0.389	0.443	0.147	0.328	0.36
Ramon Hernandez	Reds	8.10%	14.50%	0.306	0.367	0.45	0.145	0.337	0.359
Miguel Montero	Diamondbacks	10.00%	21.80%	0.29	0.361	0.477	0.187	0.329	0.358
John Buck	Blue Jays	3.20%	27.20%	0.286	0.315	0.503	0.218	0.341	0.35
John Jaso	Rays	15.50%	11.20%	0.271	0.386	0.378	0.108	0.291	0.35
Ryan Hanigan	Reds	12.40%	11.90%	0.287	0.381	0.399	0.112	0.304	0.344
Miguel Olivo	Rockies	6.90%	31.00%	0.278	0.327	0.474	0.196	0.358	0.343
Mike Napoli	Angels	6.80%	29.80%	0.248	0.315	0.471	0.223	0.292	0.339
Yorvit Torrealba	Padres	9.50%	18.20%	0.292	0.367	0.377	0.085	0.347	0.334
Victor Martinez	Red Sox	7.50%	11.20%	0.281	0.332	0.441	0.16	0.29	0.334
George Kottaras	Brewers	15.00%	22.80%	0.199	0.316	0.421	0.222	0.197	0.324
Ryan Doumit	Pirates	7.60%	20.30%	0.247	0.318	0.413	0.166	0.28	0.322
Chris Iannetta	Rockies	13.10%	24.60%	0.204	0.321	0.394	0.19	0.218	0.318
Chris Snyder	- - -	14.00%	31.90%	0.222	0.332	0.391	0.169	0.275	0.317
Russell Martin	Dodgers	12.40%	18.40%	0.248	0.347	0.332	0.085	0.287	0.306
Kurt Suzuki	Athletics	5.60%	9.80%	0.246	0.304	0.383	0.137	0.243	0.304
Matt Wieters	Orioles	10.10%	20.50%	0.239	0.317	0.372	0.133	0.273	0.303
Yadier Molina	Cardinals	8.70%	11.30%	0.261	0.329	0.337	0.076	0.28	0.297
Jonathan Lucroy	Brewers	4.70%	16.60%	0.271	0.309	0.359	0.088	0.311	0.296
Ronny Paulino	Marlins	7.30%	16.10%	0.259	0.311	0.354	0.095	0.295	0.293
Nick Hundley	Padres	8.70%	24.10%	0.237	0.303	0.379	0.143	0.284	0.291
Alex Avila	Tigers	11.50%	26.20%	0.214	0.308	0.325	0.112	0.265	0.29
Matt Treanor	Rangers	7.90%	18.40%	0.222	0.3	0.346	0.124	0.242	0.289
Rod Barajas	Mets	3.00%	15.70%	0.225	0.263	0.414	0.189	0.219	0.289
Jake Fox	- - -	4.70%	27.00%	0.22	0.265	0.384	0.164	0.261	0.284
Francisco Cervelli	Yankees	8.00%	16.40%	0.239	0.314	0.296	0.058	0.281	0.281
A.J. Pierzynski	White Sox	3.10%	7.60%	0.248	0.282	0.362	0.114	0.254	0.281
Jason Kendall	Royals	7.20%	10.20%	0.26	0.318	0.302	0.043	0.284	0.279
Ivan Rodriguez	Nationals	3.00%	15.80%	0.271	0.293	0.347	0.076	0.313	0.278