David Reiffer

Tigers | OF Brennen Boesch hits first big league slump

by David Reiffer July 25, 2010

Detroit Tigers OF Brennen Boesch went hitless with a walk and a strikeout against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday night as the Tigers lost the game 3-2.

Our Instinct:  People said it wouldn’t last.  The 25 year old Tiger slugger was playing above his pay grade in the months of May and June where he hit .345 and .337 respectively earning him Rookie Player of the Month honors both months.  Right now, in the beginning of the second half, he’s hitting a miserable 3 for 32 and .250 for the  month of July.  No homers, two RBI.  This is the test for the young hitter.  How will he handle the tough times?  There is nothing in his minor league career that shows that he can sustain his May/June pace.

Read the full article →

Baseball Instinct: Los Angeles Dodgers 3 Up, 3 Down

by David Reiffer July 18, 2010

Precision Instinct Los Angeles Dodgers Chin Music

Welcome back to Baseball Instinct’s series: Chin Music. We’re taking a quick snap shot of key player’s in each organization’s major league club as well as their minor league system. This isn’t a “point out the obvious” elite players. We are taking a look at player’s in situations that could help your fantasy team or be a good addition to your fantasy farm. This time we are going to take a look at the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Each Chin Music will give some background on a team and report on three major leaguers and three minor leaguers.  So let’s begin!

Read the full article →

Red Sox | SP Josh Beckett rehabs against Triple-A Syracuse

by David Reiffer July 18, 2010

Boston Red Sox SP Josh Beckett, in possibly his last rehab start against Triple-A Syracuse, threw 4 innings Saturday, giving up 3 runs, striking out 3 and walking one.  His rehabilitation from a lower back strain has taken nearly two months out of his season.

Our Instinct:  We dont’ know whether this performance is good enough to activate Beckett from the DL.  It could lead to another start in a Pawtucket uniform.  Check back for more updates.  Beckett has the ability to be a top arm.

Read the full article →

Rangers | C Bengie Molina hits cycle against BoSox

by David Reiffer July 17, 2010

Texas Rangers C Bengie Molina pounded Boston on Friday, hitting a single in the 2nd, a double in the 4th, a grand slam in the 5th, and only the 5th triple of his career in the 8th inning.  In all, the 35-year-old catcher went 4 for 4 with 4 RBI.

Our Instinct:  Batting .262 for the season, Molina is rewarding Texas for acquiring him by hitting at a .290 clip (9 for 31) since the deal.  Keep an eye on Molina.  Even though he’s on the down side of his career, being sent to a better hitter’s park and a better line-up could give him a bit of a resurgence.  This might be what we are seeing.  Ride it out, fantasy owners, while you can.

Read the full article →

Nationals | SP Stephen Strasburg blanks Florida for fourth win

by David Reiffer July 17, 2010

Washington Nationals SP Stephen Strasburg rang up 7 strikeouts while giving up no runs in six innings and allowing only four hits, but walking three, against the Florida Marlins on Friday night to bring his win/loss record to 4-2.

Our Instinct:  Strasburg just keeps adding to his impressive debut season.  In 48.2 innings, he maintains a 2.03 ERA with 68, count ‘em, 68 strikeouts.  Stras has pitched a total of 104 innings in 2010.  It is reported that Nationals management give him a limit of 160 innings total and then they are shutting him down.  That could mean we may only see him throw ten more times this season.

Read the full article →

Marlins | RP Jhan Marinez does his job in major league debut

by David Reiffer July 17, 2010

Florida Marlins RP Jhan Marinez made his major league debut disposing of Nationals shortstop Cristian Guzman with two pitches Friday night.  The 21-year-old fireballer only pitched to one hitter.

Our Instinct:  Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez plans on using young Marinez in the sixth innings, but this kid has shown closer stuff in his minor league career.  In 40 innings of work between Hi-A Jupiter and Jacksonville, Marinez kept a 1.80 ERA with 60 strikeouts.  His fastball sits at 94-96, but hits 98 on occasion.  If Jhan can continue his success, Leo Nunez will be looking over his shoulder very soon.

Read the full article →

Red Sox | Adrian Beltre back from hurt hamstring

by David Reiffer July 17, 2010

Boston Red Sox 3B Adrian Beltre missed Thursday’s game against Texas, resting his hurt hammy, but started Friday’s game batting sixth and going 2 for 4, hitting his 14th homer of the season.

Our Instinct:  Beltre is coming off from a mini-slump (going 7 for 36, .194 BA in the last ten games) so it’s nice to see him bounce back from an injury with some real production.  On the season, Beltre has put up numbers that currently rival his 2004 effort (though he’ll probably never approach 48 homers again).

Read the full article →

Brewers | OF Corey Hart stays hot against the Braves

by David Reiffer July 17, 2010

Milwaukee Brewers OF Corey Hart keeps his hot streak alive by going 2 for 4, scoring 2 runs against the Atlanta Braves on Friday.

Our Instinct:  After pretty run-of-the-mill showings in April and May, Hart has truly broken out by hitting .314 in June and .345 so far in July.  His 22 homeruns this season are only 2 away from his career season mark and his 66 rbi are among the league leaders.  This couldn’t have happened at a better time for Milwaukee since Hart’s name has been thrown around in trade discussions with teams like San Fran and Tampa.

Read the full article →

Angels | OF Mike Trout moves upstream after Futures game

by David Reiffer July 13, 2010

Los Angeles Angels OF Mike Trout got promoted to High-A Rancho Cucamonga on Sunday.

Our Instinct: Considering how Trout dominated the Midwest League, this move seems kinda tardy.  Check out the Prospect Instinct:  Mike Trout article to find out why we’re so crazy about this kid.

Read the full article →

Giants | SP Madison Bumgarner pounds the zone against Nationals

by David Reiffer July 11, 2010

San Francisco SP Madison Bumgarner put up another solid outing, going 6 innings and giving up only one run while striking out six.  This game gives him a 2-2 record.

Our Instinct:  At the beginning of the season, much attention was given to the fact that Bumgarner lost some velocity on his fastball.  Almost 4 mph actually.   Today, his heater sat at about 92 mph, but he mixed in a slider and a change-up.  Plus, he pounded the zone with 72 of his 103 pitches being strikes.  Through his first four major league starts of 2010, Mad Bum has scored a 2.57 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 28 innings, only walking five.

Read the full article →

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →