One interesting item to note each season is how teams handle their underperforming young players, especially those who have garnered top prospect status. Confidence is key, so clubs must be cautious in their decision to bench a rookie, demote him, or let him play through his struggles. Demotions make for interesting storylines because a player can, and often does, come back to the majors more prepared than ever for sustained success.
Four players come to mind as going that route in ‘08. The most heralded of the group was Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano, who was called up for an early test in his first major league action since 2006 Tommy John surgery. Liriano crashed and burned in the earlyaudition and was sent to Triple-A Rochester, where he went 10-0 in his final 11 starts and hit the ground running upon his recall to Minnesota.
Toronto’s Adam Lind flopped in two previous stints in the big leagues, but kept hitting in the minors and got a third chance when hitting guru Cito Gaston replaced the fired John Gibbons as manager. Since returning to Toronto, Lind has hit .331 with solid power and production numbers to confirm the organization’s belief in him as a franchise cornerstone.
Kansas City’s Billy Butler and Colorado’s Ian Stewart are two more who have found new life after stints in the minors. Butler was sent to Triple-A Omaha to re-focus and discover his power stroke, and he has flashed better slugging numbers since his return. Where he hit .263 with just one home run in 186 at-bats before the demotion, Butler has hit .279 with six home runs in 129 at-bats since returning.
Stewart was a man without a position in Colorado, filling in at second base in May and June, then getting shipped back to Triple-A Colorado Springs after he hit just .218 in 55 at-bats. An injury to Todd Helton has opened the door for him to return to the parent club and play everyday at his natural position, third base. The results have been exponentially better this time around, as he’s hit .397 and forced the organization to include him in its future plans.
Of course, the up-and-down approach doesn’t always work out. Cincinnati’s Homer Bailey was called up far too soon as a 21-year old in 2007, then returned to Cincinnati for two more troublesome stints this season. As the Reds have forced the action with Bailey, he has failed to meet the challenge, which could have some long-term negative effects on him.
In fantasy, knowing the difference between a resurgence and a flop is as simple as seeing and reading the results. By understanding what a prospect means to an organization and spotting good, consistent results, future gains can be sought out and found. Opportunities are especially easy with players who struggled in the past because season stat lines don’t reflect the improvements they have made.
Filed under: Storylines | Tagged: adam lind, Billy Butler, fantasy mlb, Francisco Liriano, Homer Bailey, Ian Stewart, minor leagues
