2B Movers and Shakers

The following list is of the 2B that have had the largest changes in % owned at ESPN and the reasons behind the changes.

Risers

Darwin Barney (+25.1%) – I can not put a finger on one particular reason for the sudden jump in his ownership, but here are several ideas.

Around the 1st of August, Barney was moved from the 8th spot in the lineup to the 1st or 2nd spot. This move helps his value in several ways. First, he will see more pitches in the strike zone as pitchers won’t be pitching around him to get to the pitcher in the lineup. Also, he will be getting more run scoring chances since he will no longer have the pitcher hitting behind him. Finally, he should be given the green light for more steals. Players are rarely given the green light when a pitcher is hitting.

Another reason for the jump could be that he looks to be on a hot streak in August (0.310 AVG). Owners may have just seen his season AVG jump over 0.290.

Finally, he may have been the best available option for owners that recently lost Kipnis to injury.

Orlando Hudson (+18.7%) – Hudson’s increase in ownership looks to be fueled by a hot August. His has hit half of his home runs in August (2) to go with a 0.318 AVG. The change in average is not diven by his BABIP (0.345) which is near his season average (0.319). Instead his K% for the month down to 13.5%. It was at 24.5% in Mar/Apr with a season average of 19.8%.

Brett Lawrie (+15.5%) – He is just heading up to the 100% ownership level.

Fallers

Jason Kipnis (-51.5%) A drop is expected as he should miss much of the rest of the season. I am surprised at the level of the drop. I expect at some point to see the numbers begin going up as owners with open DL slots pick him up.

Dustin Ackley (-10.3%) – A cold hitting August has owners letting Ackely go to the Waiver Wire. His AVG in August is 0.250, which is 50 points less than the first 2 months up. Also, he has yet to hit a home run in August.

It looks like pitchers are beginning to figure him out. His K% has gone from 11% in June, to 14% in July, to 22% in August. It took pitchers a month or so to adapt to him. Now it is his turn to adapt. The life of rookie.

Eduardo Nunez (-7.0%) – This drop is no surprise since he was basically filling in for A-rod when he was gone.