Josh Hamilton's display at the Home Run Derby on Monday stood out as one of the more memorable moments of the season. Viewers of the Derby not only saw a great performance but also noticed that Hamilton had a few Rangers teammates on hand.
Milton Bradley, Ian Kinsler and Michael Young all deservedly joined Hamilton on the American League All-Star squad this year, evidence of the greatness of the Rangers offense.
Texas entered the All-Star break with a respectable 50-46 record yet had an AL-worst team ERA of 5.10. Fantasy owners looking to add some pop to their lineup can find some additional gems in the Rangers lineup.
Chris Davis made the journey from AAA Oklahoma to the Rangers on June 26. In 17 games with Texas before the break, he hit .259 with six homers and 14 RBIs in 58 at-bats. The Rangers recently insinuated that Davis, a first baseman, will remain in the lineup for the remainder of the season.
Fantasy owners looking for a power hitter can fill their void with Davis. In 2007, he hit 36 home runs in professional baseball, splitting time between Class-A Bakersfield and AA Frisco.
Before his call-up this season, Davis hit 13 homers in Frisco and then 10 more with Oklahoma. He also carried a .333 batting average at the time of his promotion to the Rangers.
The biggest thing going against owners looking at Davis is his position; first base has a significant depth of talent in fantasy leagues. Still, owners should consider acquiring Davis, 22, who is available in just over half of all fantasy leagues. He would be a good option at first base (if he can maintain his ridiculous home-run pace) or in a utility position.
Davis held on to his job at first base when the Rangers decided to keep Hank Blalock, freshly off the disabled list from a broken wrist, at third base instead of moving him across the diamond to first. Blalock had a good month of April, hitting .299 with three home runs in 22 games, before suffering his injury.
From 2003 to 2005, Blalock was one of the best third basemen in the American League. He averaged 29 homers and 97 RBIs during that span. Since then, however, he has been able to match neither the productivity nor the health of his heyday.
Blalock is still a serviceable third baseman in fantasy play, though. Owners should hurry to pick him up, even if they keep him on the bench for a week or two to see how he plays. Available in nearly two-thirds of all leagues, Blalock represents an opportunity for fantasy owners to increase their power numbers.
Florida Marlins righty Josh Johnson is making a comeback from an extended stay on the disabled list, too. Johnson went 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2006, garnering enough votes to come in fourth place in the NL Rookie of the Year balloting. After a horrendous start to 2007 where he went 0-3 with a 7.70 ERA in four starts, Johnson underwent successful Tommy John surgery.
Johnson made a quicker recovery from the procedure than some others, taking the hill again less than a year after the surgery. He made five minor-league rehab starts, posting a 3.68 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 29.1 innings.
He followed that up with a moderately successful return to a Marlins uniform. On July 10 against the Dodgers, Johnson went five innings and allowed three runs on six hits. He struck out six and did not walk a batter.
Johnson has the talent to warrant a place on many fantasy teams, but he may hit some bumps in the road during his recovery. He is available in 60 percent of all leagues and deserves a look from most fantasy owners.
Another pitcher that stands to make an impact in the second half is Tampa Bay farmhand David Price, maybe the most ballyhooed minor-leaguer this year. The Rays selected Price out of Vanderbilt last year as the No. 1 selection in the entire draft.
Currently in Double-A Montgomery, Price is 8-0 with a 1.92 ERA on the year. He will almost assuredly suit up for the Rays before the season is over. In fantasy leagues allowing the acquisition of minor league players, owners must get Price immediately while supplies last.
Owners in leagues where only major-leaguers can become free-agent pick-ups need to make the yuletide demand for a Nintendo Wii look small by comparison. Start lining up now for the phenomenal 22-year-old lefty.
Dan Massey's Fantasy Sports appears each week. E-mail him at dmassey@lnpnews.com.
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