AL OF Stock Watch

Today brings yet another installment of the American League Outfield Stock Watch.

Bullish:
Brennan Boesch – I touched on Boesch in a recent Roto Riteup, and since that he has done nothing but continue to hit. After last night’s 2-3 performance (plus a walk) that included a homer, he is looking more and more like the outfielder that the Tigers had hoped he’d become. He now has a home run in back to back games and seven RBI’s in his past five games. By all accounts he is as hot as he’ll ever be. He is still freely available to pick up in 30% of Yahoo! leagues and 28% of ESPN formats. I’d act now before someone else does.

Ryan Doumit – Given that he is outfield eligible in Yahoo! formats, it makes sense to mention him here now. Doumit popped a pair of home runs yesterday afternoon and that gives him nine on the year to go along with 45 RBI’s. I would of course continue to play him at your catcher spot, but sometimes his flexibility comes in handy. His batting average is now up to .291 and though I feel that will represent the high water mark for him, I think he will hit .270 for the rest of the season. I know his ZiPS isn’t the most attractive thing in the world, but for someone is owned in just 30% of Yahoo! and not even 10% of ESPN leagues, he is worthy of a plug and play from time to time. If you need catcher help if you happen to play in a five outfielder league, I’d pick up Doumit and hope he keeps hitting.

Adrian Gonzalez – Gonzalez has had a very disappointing start to the season, but as of recently he has really turned things around. Even after yesterday’s home run he still is stuck in the single digit homer club, he is showing signs of more power. Over his past 10 games he has collected 17 hits and 13 RBI’s. For those of you that have stuck with him through thick and (mostly) thin times, now you are reaping the rewards of your patience. If you need CI or OF help, I’d aggressively target A-Gon.

Bearish:
Adam Jones – After hitting 16 home runs in April and May, Jones has cooled down and hit just three in all of June and still has three thus far in July. It isn’t even that he is hitting more doubles to compensate it either; he had 10 in April and May and 11 in June and July yet. His month-by-month average is .333, .298, .272 and .250. Even Jones’ stolen bases have disappeared. He has all of just one so far this month. If you play in a redraft league you may be able to deal Jones to someone who sees his seasonal line and is still a 100% believer in his early season numbers. If you happen to play in a keeper league, I’d tread water on him unless of course someone gives you a godfather offer.