h2h Corner ~ Katy Perry (Hot ‘N’ Cold) All-Stars

Players get hot and cold over a seven-day period, it’s as sure as the samples are small.

That is why Katy created the Hot ‘N’ Cold All-stars.

In honor of everything that is good and holy in America and because you are busy this weekend with BBQs, parades and fireworks, this week’s Katy Perry lesson is merely a link to “The Full Esquire Nude Shoot (PHOTOS).”

Drink responsibly and drink American (sort of)!

‘Cause you’re hot…you’re yes…you’re in…you’re up

Coco Crisp – Since coming off the DL, Crisp has torn it up. Over the last seven days, Crisp hit .474 with nine runs and three SBs. When Crisp is healthy, he’ll steal. He is also pushing Rajai Davis (more on him later) to the bench. Crisp makes a great pick up in 12-team and deeper leagues.

Clint Barmes –While Barmes has not performed well this season, there are some signs of life. Over the last seven days, Barmes hit .407, two HRs and added seven RBIs. With Troy Tulowitzki injured, playing time is not as tenuous as it was a week ago. I’d be adding Barmes in NL-only and 20-teamers.

Corey Patterson – Over the last seven days, one-time big time Cubs prospect Patterson hit .500. He also scored six runs and stole three bases. Felix Pie (a more recent big time Cubs prospect) is expected back within the week, so Patterson’s playing time could be in jeopardy. However, Luke Scott did hit the DL, so there is a chance the Orioles will give regular at bats to Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, Patterson and Pie. Still, there isn’t much upside with Patterson. His best value lies in super deep leagues and AL-onlys. Shallower mixed league owners can ignore the week.

Cliff Pennington –The shortstop position has not been kind to fantasy owners this year. Pennington has been a pretty regular waiver wire tease in 12-team leagues, especially over the last seven days (.476 AVG, five RBIs and three SBs). If you are looking for shortstop help, Pennington makes a pretty good grab. He’ll hit for a decent average, score some runs and steal the occasional base. At the least, he won’t hurt you.

Wilson Valdez – With Chase Utley and Placido Polanco hitting the DL, Valdez has a clear route to playing time as long as he performs. Well, so far, he has (.278 AVG and two HRs over the last seven days). Still, Valdez is 32 and hasn’t done anything special so far. Basically, he’ll provide a .260 or so average and score some runs in a (still) impressive Phillies line-up. He is really only a super deep or NL-only option.

Matt LaPorta – With the trade of Russell Branyan, LaPorta (who was killing the ball in the minors) gets another shot at major league pitching. So far, the six percent owned 1b/OF has hit three HRs in just 17 ABs. Let’s temper expectations a bit though, as he owns a career .243 average in the Bigs. He was a big time prospect who is maturing (he is 25) so he might be hitting his stride. Nevertheless, I doubt if his value will ever be higher. If you can trade him (including in keeper leagues), I’d strongly consider it.

Wilson Betemit –Maybe it’s all those Betemit rookie cards I have, but I’ve always held a fantasy baseball fondness for Betemit. Over the last seven days, he hit .455 and smacked a homer. I’d definitely recommend stashing him in AL-only leagues, but that’s about it. He’s shown glimpses of real power, but who knows about his playing time in Kansas City.

Vicente Padilla – The Padilla Flotilla is back, in full effect. Last week, in two starts, he struck out 12, posted a 1.93 ERA and a 0.79 WHIP. He seems to like pitching in Dodger stadium, as evidenced by his surge at the end of 2009. Still, this week represents the best two start combo he’ll have all year. That doesn’t mean he is worthless. He is definitely worth a grab in NL-only and 20-teamers.

Travis Wood – All of a sudden the Reds are oozing young pitching prospects out of the minors. Wood, 23, is the latest to toe the rubber. In his first major league start, Wood went seven innings, gave up just two runs, struck out four and posted a 0.71 WHIP. In six minor league seasons, Wood has posted a 3.34 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. Most recently in AAA, Wood posted a 3.13 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 7.9 Ks/9. He hasn’t appeared to have a problem with the HR ball (0.7 per nine in the minors), so he could have some success this season. From the guy who brought you John Ely and Jhoulys Chacin, grab him in most leagues.

Then you’re cold…then you’re no…then you’re out…then you’re down

Cole Hamels – Last week, Hamels got two starts: 11 IPs, 11Ks, but a 6.55/1.55 ERA/WHIP. At this point, I might have to stop making apologies for Hamels. He has a .297 Babip this season (.300 over the last seven days). He is striking out more batters (8.9/9 in 2010 versus 7.8 last year); however he is walking about one more batter per game. Until those walk numbers come down and he gives up a few less HRs, Hamels is not a fantastic option. He looks a lot more like AJ Burnett than Cliff Lee.

Mike Pelfrey – I feel like I’ve piled on Pelfrey lately, but I kind of have to. He simply isn’t the kind of pitcher that can give you something when he doesn’t have his stuff. For instance, while Hamels sucked last week, he did offer 11 Ks. Meanwhile, in Pelfrey’s two starts, he only collected 5 Ks, while posting a 5.06 ERA and 1.78 WHIP. Quite simply, he can’t help in all categories, which keeps him from being a fantasy stud. He’s still good, but more of a #2/3 starter.

Rajai Davis – With the health and emergence of Coco Crisp, Davis has seen his playing time cut. The A’s have never seemed to be big Davis fans and it is really showing. Unfortunately, it has also translated to the field. Over the last seven Davis, in just 13 ABs, collected one hit. It’s probably dumps time for Davis in mixed leagues.

Jose Bautista – With a .230 hitter (as Mark Reynolds’ owners can attest), there will be weeks like this. Over the last seven days, Bautista hit .192. I think Bautista owners should get use to this, as he’ll have a much rockier second half than he did in the first. He simply isn’t that reliable.

All stats as of noon July 2.

FB101’s 411: Be sure you know how to judge a hot streak. Coco Crisp, Pennington, and Wood make good adds. Keep your eye on Patterson, Barmes, LaPorta, Padilla, and Betemit.

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