He's a Real Sidler
June 08, 2005
by Chris Wang
Having just finished updating the FIC player rankings, I realized that several players have just sidled up the rankings and are now right up with the leaders at their respective positions. This week we'll take a look at each position and see who has sidled up the charts and maybe if you're lucky you'll see a stain that looks like Fidel Castro.
CATCHER
Jason Phillips is the embodiment of a sidler as he looks more like a computer geek than a ballplayer and last year he would have been more productive in tech support. Phillips has rediscovered his swing in LA and ranks #11 on the FIC catcher ranking. He's been a solid and consistent force for the Dodgers so far driving in 12 runs in April, 13 in May and is hitting .300-2-3 in June. Phillips is on pace to hit .273 with 11 homers and 78 RBI - I'll take those numbers from a catcher anyday.
FIRST BASE
After starting the season as a platoon player, Daryle Ward hit himself into a starting job in Pittsburgh. Ward had a smoking hot May hitting .277-8-19 and it's carried over into June (.450-1-5). Giddy-up!
Is the Diamondbacks Tony Clark sidling Luis Gonzalez and taking credit for his production or is Clark truly hitting .374/.415/.727 with 8 homers and 30 RBI in 99 at-bats!!! Manager Bob Brenly may have to find Clark more playing time as he's hitting .407-7-17 in 59 at-bats against right-handed pitching - that's one homer every 8.4 at-bats.
SECOND BASE
The Braves Leo Mazzone can turn anyone into a decent reliever and the Cardinals seem to resurrect second basemen: Fernando Vina, Tony Womack and this season Mark Grudzielanek. Grudzielanek is pushing his career highs in batting average (.320), on-base percentage (.368) and slugging percentage (.456). In May, he hit .333-2-12. He's driven in 26 runs which is more than he did all last season (23).
THIRD BASE
The super-utility sidler is Rob Mackowiak who now qualifies at 2B, 3B and OF. Last year he had a breakout season hitting .246/.319/.420 with 17 homers, 75 RBI and 13 steals. This season he's improved his walk rate and his BB/SO ratio and his hitting has taken a huge leap forward. Mackowiak hit .391/.494/.625 with 3 homers and 15 RBI in May and is hitting .364/.440/.636 with 2 homers and 7 RBI in June.
SHORTSTOP
The Brewers' JJ Hardy may not have heard Bill Hall behind him and Hall has hit himself into the lineup - of course Hardy is "hitting" .181/.293/.240 = ouch! Hall is like Mackowiak in that he has improved his walk rate and BB/SO ratio. In May, Hall hit .314/.352/.581 with 4 homers and 15 RBI, and in June he's hitting .310/.310/.655 with 2 homers and 5 RBI. Hall ranks #13 on the FIC shortstop rankings and could be an option for unfortunate Barmes owners.
Other suprises have been Neifi Perez and Craig Counsell. Perez has 7 homers and 26 RBI - that's more homers than his non-Coors seasons combined. Counsell has done a great job as the D'Backs leadoff man posting a .400+ OBP in the first two months and stealing 8 bases in April.
OUTFIELD
Who ranks 4th in the NL in batting average? Brady who? Yup the Brewers Brady Clark is having a great season hitting .335/.397/.461 with 6 homers, 25 RBI, 44 runs (2nd in the NL) and 6 steals (too bad he's been caught 8 times). Clark ranks an amazing 12th on the FIC outfielders rankings and he could move higher if he can improve his reads on the pitchers and improve his stolen base percentage.
Reggie Sanders isn't quite as old as cake from wedding of King Edward VIII but he's pretty damn close. He's fullfilling his even/odd year prophesy once again as he's on pace for 30+ homers and 25 steals again. Amazing...
One day roaming in the outfield in Yankee Stadium, a bird may fly into Mench's head. This season he's finally managed to stay healthy and play up to his potential. He's hitting .298/.360/.585 with 10 homers and 30 RBI and is surprisingly doing most of his damage away from the cozy confines of Arlington - .321/.356/.679 with 7 homers and 19 RBI on the road.
If you want more info on a specific player that I didn't go into or if you have any questions, comments or suggestions about this column, please use the comments section below or feel free to e-mail me at cwang@fantasyinfocentral.com.
Fantasy Baseball 
Unbelieveable!
Unbelieveable!
Oops didn't proofread the #s - that would be unbelievable - it should be .298.
I did see a guy with a batting average higher than his OBP earlier this season which kind of took me by surprise. Just found another - Dave Hansen is hitting .200 with a .167 OBP.
I just picked up Mackowiak but it seems he only plays against righties. Do you see this changing anytime soom?
I just picked up Mackowiak but it seems he only plays against righties. Do you see this changing anytime soom?
In the last three games against lefty starters (Chen, Kazmir, Hendrickson), Mackowiak has started in all of them so the Pirates are giving him some chances to face more lefties. If he continues to hit against them (.314/.351/.419), he'll continue to find his name in the lineup against lefties. He deserves a shot against lefties as he's show good ability to hit them even though he is a better hitter against right-handers. Last season he struggled against lefties (.164/.188/.230) but he only had 61 at-bats as the Pirates didn't give him many chances.