Mitch Maier - Fantasy News & Updates
Mitch Maier - Fantasy News & Updates
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While Anderson’s speed is unquestioned, he doesn't reach base enough to warrant regular playing time. Should the Royals decide to pick up Coco Crisp’s option, Anderson’s chances at an increased role would be further compromised. Mitch Maier also figures to see his fair share of at-bats in the Royals outfield.
Maier has been playing every day down the stretch, but he just hasn't hit enough to provide much help in fantasy. Maier entered this game on a 2-for-20 skid, and his prime perch in the two-hole for the Royals hasn't meant much because of the struggling should-be run producers behind him.
No word on the severity of either injury so stay tuned. Willie Bloomquist took over in right field as Mitch Maier switched to left field in place of DeJesus. John Buck took over behind the plate for Olivo.
The spasms popped up after he attempted to backhand a ground ball during batting practice. "Best-case scenario, he'll meet us in Detroit," Royals skipper Trey Hillman said. "We just don't know right now. He was hurting." Mitch Maier should continue to hang on to right-field duties while Teahen is unable to suit up.
Injuries to Mark Teahen and Jose Guillen have pressed Maier into more of a fulltime role in right field for the Royals, but he has yet to make a distinctive mark on the club. The 27-year-old has gotten on base at a decent rate (.333 OBP) but his .251 average and punchless .360 slugging percentage don't suggest that he'll be of much use other than to owners in very deep AL-only leagues.
Guillen missed five weeks with a knee injury, then left the game early on Sept. 2 with tightness in his hamstring. It's a frustrating end to a frustrating season for Guillen, who battled injuries all year and finished with a .242-9-40 line in 286 at-bats. His slugging percentage has dropped from .460 to .438 to .367 over the last three years, but he could be worth an end-of-the-draft flier in AL-only leagues next year. Guillen's defensive issues had made him more of a DH this season, and Mike Jacobs will likely pick up the slack at that spot in Guillen's absence. Josh Anderson and Mitch Maier also seem locked in for at least semi-regular roles in the outfield for the rest of the season.
Maier has picked up more at-bats in August than he has in any other month this year (67) and has celebrated his uptick in playing time by crossing home 11 times, driving in 12 runners and raising his average nearly 25 points to .241. Maier has a dash of speed in his game, as evidenced by seven steals, but the 27-year-old does not help enough in any other categories to warrant a spot in any format other than deep AL-only leagues.
The former first-round pick continues to receive everyday looks in center field, so it shouldn't come as a surprise if he begins to make himself consistently productive. He batted .286 in 91 at-bats last year for the Royals, so he's proven that he can produce in a Major League role.
Maier drove in three of the four runs scored by the Royals Sunday, including the RBI single that staked the team to a late 1-0 lead. The part-time player is hitting .227 (34-for-150) on the year.
The move was viewed as a precautionary measure. "It's all right," Teahen said. "It wasn't that it came on with anything extra today. I've been battling it and it just wasn't getting any looser." Mitch Maier entered the game as Teahen's replacement, moving into center field as Willie Bloomquist slid over to right field to cover for Teahen.
Anderson brings some much-needed speed to Kansas City and the ability to play center field, holes the club has struggled to fill since Coco Crisp underwent season-ending surgery earlier in the season. With Crisp gone, the Royals have gone with Mitch Maier and, more recently, Willie Bloomquist in center, but that could change with Anderson on board. "Historically, he's been a solid on-base guy throughout the Minor Leagues and in limited Major League time," Royals GM Dayton Moore said of the 26-year-old. Reaching base has been a problem this year for Anderson, who sports a .242 average in 165 at-bats with 13 steals. Ultimately, Anderson's playing time and fantasy value will be dictated by how much he gets to first.
Anderson, who hit .242 with 22 runs and 13 steals in 165 at-bats for the Tigers, was designated for assignment July 24. The Royals were not certain when Anderson will report because his wife is expecting a child. When he does join the team, he’ll likely replace Mitch Maier or Ryan Freel as a solid defensive outfielder with speed off the bench.
It's the second DL stint this season for Guillen, who felt a pop in his knee Wednesday while preparing for his first at-bat. He was later taken to a hospital for evaluation. Bothered by leg injuries for much of the season, Guillen had struggled to cover ground in the outfield and was out of whack at the plate, batting just .245 with nine home runs and 40 RBIs. Mark Teahen figures to earn the majority of playing time in right while Guillen is gone. The Royals also recalled outfielder Mitch Maier from Triple-A Omaha for depth.
The moves cleared roster space for shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt and third baseman Alex Gordon, both of whom are coming off the disabled list and will be returning Friday against the Rays.
Freel's addition to the Royals has impacted Maier's center field duty, as he has been pushed from the middle of the outfield to bench and corner outfield time. Further hurting his value is that Maier hasn't attained a hit in 15 at-bats over his last six appearances.
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