Adam LaRoche - Fantasy News & Updates
Adam LaRoche - Fantasy News & Updates
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While hitting .325 with 12 homers in the 57 games he played for the Braves this past season, LaRoche seemed to enhance his interest on the free-agent market. Although there's a chance that he could return if he doesn't prove to be too expensive, the Braves may be reluctant to offer him anything more than a one-year deal, with highly-regarded prospect Freddie Freeman potentially ready to serve as Atlanta's first baseman as early as the 2011 season.
Well known to be a second-half performer, LaRoche lived up to his reputation with terrific numbers down the stretch. LaRoche has filed for free agency, and while Chipper Jones has expressed hope that Atlanta will re-sign the first baseman, it's unclear whether LaRoche fits into the club's plans for 2010.
Back problems have plagued LaRoche for the past three days, starting on Sept. 19 and forcing an early exit Sept. 20. "It's one little spot," LaRoche said pointing toward the middle portion of the left side of his back Monday. "It hasn't changed in three days. It's stayed right there. But it's not as fired up as it was." Owners may want to rest LaRoche until his next big game.
LaRoche strained his back while diving for a ball during the latter portion of Friday night's loss to the Phillies and felt further discomfort before exiting Saturday night's game in the seventh inning. "It wasn't horrible until I took my last swing on a changeup or something," said LaRoche, who took some additional swings in the batting cage before confirming he was unavailable for Sunday's game. "Hopefully it's nothing that will keep me out very long." The Braves also started Sunday's game without Brian McCann, who was given a day to rest, and Yunel Escobar, who told the Braves he was still feeling discomfort courtesy of the Pedro Martinez curveball that struck his left arm on Saturday night.
An impending free agent, LaRoche is leaving the season on a fine note with a .500 (14-for-28) batting average in his last eight contests. He has seven extra-base hits during that span, which makes the first baseman a must-start in every format.
Among the handful of impressive performances LaRoche has enjoyed since arriving in Atlanta, this one takes the cake. With 12 homers in the 40 games he's played since being acquired from the Red Sox, including three in his last two games, LaRoche has equaled the total that Mark Teixeira compiled during that same span after his arrival in Atlanta midway through the 2007 season. Don't hesitate to ride the sweet-swinging lefty when right-handers toe the rubber.
LaRoche, who has hit safely in seven of the last eight games, continues to love life in Atlanta. Since joining the Braves at the Trade Deadline, the 29-year-old first baseman is batting .333 with 10 jacks and 27 RBIs in 39 games to boost his overall average up more than 20 points to .274.
For a player who has cranked out 22 homers and driven in 65 runners, LaRoche sure bounced around a lot this season. His last stop in Atlanta -- where he started his career and enjoyed his best offensive season in 2006 when he smashed 32 bombs and drove in 90 runners -- has been his most favored destination by far, as he's hitting .331 (45-for-139) with nine homers and 23 RBIs in 38 games with the Braves while putting his name back on mixed-league wanted lists.
LaRoche has hit safely in 27 of his 34 games since re-joining the Braves, but most of his damage came in August. It's been another story in September, during which time the streaky first baseman is hitting just .226.
LaRoche has certainly lived up to his reputation as a second half player. After hitting .250 with a .784 OPS before the All-Star break, the first baseman has rocked a .319 batting average with a .960 OPS in the second half. He should be a starter in almost all mixed formats through the end of the season.
The affliction has hurt LaRoche the most when he runs and moves in a lateral direction. He's not sure of the source of the pain, though. "I can't pinpoint it," LaRoche said. "It started like three or four days ago." He's questionable to play in Sunday's game.
LaRoche has been on some kind of run during his 10-game hitting streak, putting up a .410 batting average with five homers and 11 RBIs. This recent surge bolsters the notion that LaRoche is a second-half player. It's tough to argue considering he holds a lifetime .302 batting average after the break compared to a .252 before it.
LaRoche is doing his usual second-half thing, and has now hit in six straight, with the last four being multi-hit affairs. While LaRoche routinely tops his first-half performance after the All-Star break, he has absolutely outdone himself so far this August by posting an eye-popping .415 average (27-for-65), seven homers and 16 RBIs over 19 August games. He should be starting in all formats as long as he keeps this up.
Of all the deals made at the Trade Deadline, Atlanta's acquisition of LaRoche leads the way thus far. Since arriving from Boston, the hot-hitting first baseman sports a sizzling .417 average with seven jacks, 15 RBIs and 14 runs scored in 18 games. Friday's blast was also his fourth in the last five games.
LaRoche has been surging since being dealt back to Atlanta at the trading deadline, and has now homered in three straight games. He is 21-for-54 (.388) with the Braves, and has six homers and 12 RBIs in August. Late season tears are nothing new for LaRoche, who traditionally tears it up in the second half and posted a .304-14-42 second-half line in 2008. He seems poised to do so again this year, which makes him a terrific pickup in any fantasy leagues in which he's available. Forget his uninspiring overall numbers -- the Adam LaRoche who shows up in the second half has traditionally been a top-10 fantasy first baseman.
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