It's the most specialized baseball article there is; as we focus
solely on one category at a time. As usual, your disclaimer: These are
NOT everyday players, and nor are they claimed to be. These are players
that will help you in one way and one way only. Sometimes our rosters are
very deficient in one area or another, and these are players who are available
on the cheap (or for free) who can help sure that area up. So, with that
out of the way, let's get started.
Speed Kills
Mark Ellis - 2B - Oakland Athletics - Ellis has been a solid player throughout his career; but of late especially, he's shown a bit of a speed burst. This is good for those of you that still have a vacancy in your speed column, because it's from a middle infielder instead of an outfielder; and Ellis has actually been decent at the plate too. Here's Ellis over the past week: .273 (6/22) 2 HR, 2 RBI, 3 Runs Scored, 2 SB, 2 Ks, and an OPS of 1.021.
Chicks Dig the Long Ball
Jay Bruce - OF - Cincinnati Reds - A lot was expected from Jay Bruce coming from the minors, as he was being groomed to be Griffey Jr's replacement. Well, the bat took a while to come around, but August has ended up being a pretty big month for Bruce, showing everyone the reason why the Reds were so high on him. Here's Bruce's last month: .250 (27/108) 5 HR, 11 RBI, 11 Runs Scored, 20 Ks, and a .681 OBP.
Sometimes Average is a good thing
Daniel Murphy - 3B - New York Metropolitans - Since joining the big club from the minors; Murphy has come out of the box smoking. He's been on fire and just what the Mets have needed to keep their ship righted. Here's what Murphy has done since his call-up: .429 (18/42) 2 HR, 9 RBI, 9 Runs Scored, 6 Ks, and an OPS of 1.187.
Pitching (a.k.a. I don't like Manny Delcarmen very much)
D.J. Carrasco - RP - Chicago White Sox - Carrasco's just been on a tear in the 7th/8th inning role Crazy Ozzie Guillen has put him in. In fact, his performance in the pen was Guillen's excuse as to why he can't be a starter. Um ... ok. Regardless, Carrasco has been mowing people down, and has racked up a lot of Holds in the process. Here's Carrasco over the last month: 19.1 IP, 1 W, 0 L, 14 Ks, 7 Holds, and ERA of 2.79 and a WHIP of 0.98.
Steven Shell - RP - Washington Nationals - And this week's "best performing pitcher no one talks about" goes to Shell. Shell, the rookie; was brought up around the trading deadline, and has been almost lights out in his set-up role. Because he plays for the Nats, and because he's a rookie; you probably haven't heard of him. Now you have. Here is Shell over the last month: 18.2 IP, 17 Ks, 2 Holds, a 1.45 ERA, and a 0.80 ERA.