Jason Bartlett - Fantasy News & Updates
Jason Bartlett - Fantasy News & Updates
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Bartlett's totals would have been even glitzier were it not for the ankle sprain that cost him three weeks from May 24-June 16. History casts doubt on Bartlett's ability to sustain this level of power production, but batting in a dangerous Rays lineup makes him an attractive target at a thin spot.
Bartlett became just the 15th player, and just the fourth shortstop, to reach 30 steals. Except that isn't even his most notable fantasy impact in '09. His career-best .320 batting average has been exceeded by only 10 players, so Bartlett's combination of excellence at the plate and on the basepaths has turned him into a top-flight fantasy shortstop.
While Bartlett's .319 batting average and steals total are the numbers that matter most to fantasy owners, Friday's run-scoring frenzy boosts his season total to 90. That ranks sixth among all big league shortstops and behind only Derek Jeter and Marco Scutaro among AL shortstops.
Although Bartlett has posted just a .226 batting average in September, the shortstop has notched a hit in 17 of 23 ballgames. Since only two of those outings have resulted in multiple hits, the shortstop has seen his batting average dip from .338 at the top of the month to its current state of .320.
The start came one day after Brignac busted out with a homer and two doubles in a 4-for-4 night. With Jason Bartlett at shortstop, the rookie infielder started at second base Tuesday, which is where he may wind up if the Rays decide to retain Bartlett. Regular second baseman Akinori Iwamura was given the night off.
The chances of Bartlett reaching those levels are strong, considering he is already hitting .328 with 14 jacks and 24 steals. He would join Hanley Ramirez, who hit .332 with 29 home runs and 51 stolen bases in 2007.
Rays manager Joe Maddon's decision to start Brignac at shortstop and shift Jason Bartlett over to DH paid major dividends, as Brignac took advantage of the opportunity by falling a triple shy of the cycle. The performance will likely earn him a few extra starts down the stretch, but probably not enough to make a fantasy impact. The Rays have no intention of benching Bartlett as he wraps up a career year.
A homer may not end Bartlett's dismal .207 average during September, but it's a step in the right direction for a guy who's in the midst of a career year. A .331 average overall to go alongside 13 homers, 60 RBIs, 74 runs scored and 24 stolen bases renders Bartlett among the AL's top shortstops.
Kazmir was traded to the Angels on Aug. 28 for left-hander Alex Torres, third baseman Matt Sweeney and, now, Rodriguez. Playing time will be tough to come by in Tampa Bay, where Ben Zobrist and Jason Bartlett have locked down starting spots up the middle. Still, given the impressive production Rodriguez delivered for Triple-A Salt Lake, hitting .299 with 29 home runs and 93 RBIs, the Rays are certain to give him a chance to shine somewhere down the line. He'll report to Triple-A Durham.
Bartlett's performance not only snapped a 0-for-11 slide but also served as a perfect ending to an otherwise outstanding month of August, during which time he batted .356 with 25 runs scored, four jacks, 16 RBIs and five stolen bases. It's hard to deny Bartlett emergence as one of fantasy's most valuable shortstops of 2009. He enters September holding a .340 average, 70 runs scored, 12 dingers, 59 RBIs and 24 stolen bases.
There's been no slowing down for Bartlett, who continues to add to his already impressive numbers in a breakthrough season. With multiple hits in five of his last nine games, the speedy shortstop has bumped his average up to .344 to go along with 64 runs scored, 11 homers and 56 RBIs.
Rays skipper Joe Maddon said Bartlett will be back as the leadoff hitter on Wednesday.
"I wanted to give J.B. the two days off ... and having Reid makes it a little bit easier to do that," said Maddon. Bartlett is in the midst of a monster month of August, boasting a .379 average with three homers, 13 RBIs and two steals.
Bartlett has shown no signs of slowing down in his second season with the Rays, hitting .379 with a ridiculously high -- especially for a shortstop -- .690 slugging percentage in August. The sizzling veteran has ripped off a trio of doubles, triples and homers this month, inflating his OPS to robust 1.136.
He takes the roster spot of Jeff Bennett, who was optioned to Durham Friday night. In 21 games earlier this year in place of Jason Bartlett, Brignac hit .271 with five doubles and two RBIs. He's one of the Rays' more highly-regarded position prospects, but there's no word if he'll receive consistent starting time at shortstop.
Bartlett has hit safely in seven straight games, with three homers and 10 RBIs during that stretch. His .340 average is good for third best in the AL, and a nice complement to his 21 steals, 55 RBIs and .596 slugging percentage. This side of Hanley Ramirez, there hasn't been a better shortstop in fantasy this season, and a case could certainly be made -- thanks in great part to games such as this -- that Bartlett has indeed been the best. His recent move to the leadoff spot -- from which he has posted a .383-4-12 line -- only enhances his value.
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