Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: Anthony Rizzo, Shaun Marcum

By Keith Hernandez
Edited by Tim Heaney

KFFL.com's Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market gives you candid reviews and ratings of fantasy baseball players making MLB news in your rotisserie or head-to-head baseball leagues. Are they trade bait or worth your FAAB dollars in your fantasy baseball games?

Bryan LaHair moving to RF, Anthony Rizzo arriving soon?

? Rizzo 10-tm mixed Consider 12-tm mixed Acquire 15-tm mixed Acquire NL-only Acquire

LaHair started in right field Monday night, and Chicago Cubs executive Theo Epstein hinted that this is a permanent move designed to open up first base for top prospect Rizzo. "You see the lineup tonight," Epstein said. "We might be taking a look at players in different positions to allow the team to be in a position to succeed when we do potentially make a move."

LaHair has tailed off recently; before his homer on Monday, he was hitting .167 with just one RBI in 18 at-bats since June 8. His power remains interesting, but he's striking out over 30 percent of the time. Coupled with a fortunate hit rate, chances are you won't be able to rely on his BA for the rest of the season unless he starts making more contact.

Rizzo, 23 in August, leads the Pacific Coast League with a .364 average, 23 home runs and a 1.170 OPS in 63 games with Class AAA Iowa. He's improved his plate discipline on the farm this year, but his plus power will be on display before he'll realistically hit for a high BA. Stash him if your roster allows for it.

Shaun Marcum's start skipped

? Thornburg 10-tm mixed Pass 12-tm mixed Pass 15-tm mixed Watch NL-only Consider

The Milwaukee Brewers have decided to skip Marcum's next start Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays due to right elbow tightness. Marcum felt tightness after his last start, and the pain has persisted.

It's somewhat alarming for Milwaukee, since Marcum has been one of the team's most consistent starters, going 5-3 with a 3.99 ERA in 13 starts. Marcum had Tommy John surgery back in 2008 and has been fairly durable since then. The Brew Crew is hoping he'll only have to miss the one turn. Keep an eye on his medical prognosis.

Tyler Thornburg, who came within five outs of a perfecto with Double-A Huntsville back in April, will be called up to make his major league debut. He's been exceptional with the Stars this season (8-1, 3.00 ERA, 8.52 K/9). He's also improved his command, dropping his walks per nine from 4.37 last year to 2.88.

He uses a deceptive delivery and sits in the high 80s to low 90s. Durability over the long term is a concern because he's more of a max-effort arm, so some believe he's destined to pitch in relief. He won't be anything more than an NL target unless Marcum's elbow ailment turns out to be serious.

?

---

Rate this article

Average score: Fewer than 3 votes.

new york auto show 2012 tulsa easter eggs pineapple upside down cake free ecards flying car masters golf tournament