To Columbus and Back

By my count, four established and well hyped big leaguers had to endure being shipped off to AAA this season after horrid starts in the show.  Matt LaPorta, Dexter Fowler, Alex Gordon and Chris Davis all came into 2010 with promise and playing time, and left humbled.

The similarities don't end there.  All four hit almost immediately after being sent down (as we would expect they would) and started banging on the door of the big league club for another promotion.  The two who have gotten that second chance, LaPorta and Fowler, are now making an impact in the fantasy world.

Let's begin with LaPorta.  Once the centerpiece of the CC Sabathia deal, LaPorta failed to make an impact in a stint in Cleveland in 2009 and again in early 2010.  After an 18 game vacation in Columbus saw him mash five homers and post a near 1.100 OPS however, he was recalled to play first for the Tribe after Russell "The Muscle" Branyan was shipped to Seattle.  Since his recall, LaPorta has 10 hits and four jacks in just nine games for the Indians...and I wouldn't expect these numebrs to be a fluke.  LaPorta was once thought of as a pure power hitter in the mold of a young...(insert right handed power hitter here....thinking)..Glen Davis?  Not the RBI Baseball version either.  The good one.

Fowler obviously isn't a power guy like LaPorta and he has more major league experience, but he suffered though a similar situation at the beginning of 2010.  In his trip to the minors, Fowler also posted an OPS over 1.000 and hit .340 (though he stole just one base...but he really didn't need to work on that tool).  Also like the new Glen Davis, Fowler has had a huge week back in the bigs, and coming into Monday the centerfielder had notched 10 hits in his last four games.  That should be enough to keep his playing time up for now, and if he starts running again (he has one steal this week, eight on the year), his fantasy value will be better than ever.

It figures that Gordon and Davis can be helpful to fantasy squads as well upon their impending return.  However, Davis has to crack a roster that is destined for a pennant race, and may not get the oppotunity for regular playing time one would need out of him.  Gordon may be a different story.  In fact, if the Royals hadn't had him on spin cycle for the last three years I'd be more confident he could contribute as well.  The last rumor had them debating converting him to a lefty specialist out of the bullpen.  Still, if/when Gordon gets the call, I'd be willing to take a chance.  It's paid off with Fowler and LaPorta.

Cheers,
TFAM