With players like Dmitri Young and Matt Stairs reviving their careers, it seems to be a new trend around Major League Baseball. Players who have had no success with other teams have found the success they have been looking for since they were touted prospects and former great hitters. Young, the brother of touted young outfielder Delmon Young, has found his swing. He is hitting .339 with 7 homeruns and 36 RBI's for the struggling Nationals. He is a great player to acquire in your fantasy leagues if your looking for some first base help. Carlos Pena falls into this category as well, hitting .298 with 17 homeruns and 44 RBI's. The Detroit Tigers obviously gave up on Pena too early. Other players like Matt Stairs, Sammy Sosa, and Oliver Perez have found their "comfort zone" as well, putting up great numbers. The most surprising player this season to me is Jeremy Guthrie of the Baltimore Orioles. They pulled him off the scrap heap this year, looking some help pitching wise. He was a former prospect that was drafted in the first-round of the draft. He was what us in the baseball world call a "bonus baby." When Guthrie was finally called up with the Indians, things did not seem so grand anymore. He has a ballooning 6.98 era and a 2.02 WHIP. The Indians lost faith in him as well, designating him for assignment. He is now with the Orioles posting stats consisting of 4 W, 0 SV, 2.42 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 56 K, 14 BB in 81 2/3 IP. He is having a great year with the Orioles, moving from bullpen to starting pitching. He throws smoke, high 90's with nasty sink on his pitches. Go get this guy as soon as you can for pitching help.
So as the All-Star break approaches, these "garbage players" have posted some great numbers for struggling teams. Will the success continue after the All-Star Break? No one knows, but for now old is new again.
-Written by Kenny Schiumo of Major League Ramblings
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