Are These Guys For Real? MLB Buy or Sell!

Baseball season is a month complete, and it’s safe to say there are a few surprises out there.  Who ever thought we would be saying “The division leading Kansas City Royals…” meanwhile, the popular pick in the AL Central, the Cleveland Indians, are struggling so far at 9-16.  We all knew the Toronto Blue Jays had talent, especially with bona fide ace Roy Halladay anchoring their young rotation - but 18-9?!  They are 2 games in front of 2^nd place Boston, 3.5 in front of New York, and a comfortable 6.5 games in front of the defending American League champion Tampa Bay Rays.  There are certainly a lot of surprises so far - so should you buy or sell on them?  Let’s take a look at individual players, in our first edition of Buy or Sell.

Victor Martinez, C/1B, Cleveland Indians:  BUY!!!

The Indians slugger is posting a .388 batting average, 5 home runs, 17 runs scored, and 13 RBI’s.  I’m not saying to expect him to keep up a .388 batting average over the course of the year, but .320 is certainly feasible with his talent.  However, the kicker in this deal is the power.  Last year poor Victor was injury plagued, he didn’t even reach 300 at bats.  He homered only twice in 266 at bats, after hitting 25 in 2007 with a full season.  I am fully convinced his power outage was a pure product of the injury.  Now, he has had a full off-season to recover, and he is showing that his power is back with the 5 dingers he has hit so far.  It is not ridiculous at all to expect him to return to his 25-30 home run level that we know, and if this batting average is stronger than in years past (he hit .301 in 2007), he will unquestionably finish as baseball’s top catcher.

Nick Swisher, 1B/OF, New York Yankees:  BUY!!

The most popular player in New York right now (of course next to the immortal Derek Jeter) is playing like he has something to prove.  The “Billy Beane Dream” (as I have dubbed him) is hitting .312 with 7 home runs, 21 runs scored, and 19 RBI’s.  Many people would think Swisher is very good, but he is playing out of his mind right now.  Okay, the average might not stay, especially since Swisher has a great eye and walks plenty.  However, Swisher plays for the Yankees… in that lineup, he will see pitches to hit, drive in runs, and score them himself!  And when A-Rod returns, Swisher’s numbers will only become more dangerous.  What is perhaps the best part of this situation right now?  He hasn’t reaped the benefits of his home launching pad!  Swisher is struggling at home, hitting .174 with 0 home runs at home.  Everyone knows that the ball is flying out of New Yankee Stadium - over the course of the season Swisher’s home/away stats will even out, and Swisher will begin using the launching pad he was blessed with playing 82 games a year at.  It’s time for everyone to hop on the Nick Swisher bandwagon.

Nyjer Morgan, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates:  SELL!!!

Currently, the Pirates’ leadoff hitter is hitting .310 with 6 stolen bases and 18 runs scored.  The past two seasons, Morgan has had 107 at bats and 160 at bats respectively.  Morgan has gotten off to a very hot start this season… and that is just the reason why you should not expect his productivity to keep up.  Eventually, pitchers will figure out how to throw to him, and that average will plummet, which means his runs scored and stolen bases will fall too.  So, over time, expect him to start performing like a true Pittsburgh Pirate.

Frank Francisco, RP, Texas Rangers:  BUY!!

Francisco may forever be known as the pitcher who threw a chair into the stands, but he sure is trying hard to get rid of that bad rap.  As the Rangers’ closer, he has thrown 11.2 innings and has 7 saves, 10 K’s, microscopic 0.51 WHIP and even smaller ERA at zero, since he has not allowed an earned run yet.  He was even lucky enough to get a win!  Francisco has dirty stuff, and has total control over the 9^th inning role in Texas.  Expect this closer to be around for a while.