The Braves took another big hit this week, in an already disappointing season, when they learned Tim Hudson is likely headed for Tommy John surgery that will keep him sidelined until the 2010 season. The veteran right-hander is going to try rehab before having to face the knife, but if it comes down the career-changing surgery, all he has to do is look down the bench for a bit of inspiration.
Jorge Campillo had his dream of becoming a major leaguer sideswiped in 2005 because of a strained elbow that lead to Tommy John surgery. His career quickly spun out of control and the 29-year-old hurler was ready to head back to his native Mexico before the Braves gave him one last chance.
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Jorge Campillo is making the most of what could be his last opportunity.
(Getty Images)
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Several months later as the Braves fall further out of playoff contention, Campillo is the unlikely hero of a makeshift rotation decimated by injuries.
"From Day 1 since he joined us, he's been just amazing," Braves manager Bobby Cox told MLB.com. "He started in the bullpen and was fantastic, and every start he has made has been fantastic. He's got tremendous control. He's one of our top dogs."
Campillo was signed to a minor league contract in December after three failed seasons with the Mariners that accounted for just 17 2/3 innings. Campillo did not break camp with the Braves, but he was quickly added to the bullpen in April. He would make his first start May 20 and has remained in the Atlanta rotation. Campillo is 5-4 with a 3.18 ERA and 14 starts. He also has 53 strikeouts in 79 1/3 innings as a starter.
The Tijuana native began his professional career in 1998 tearing up the Mexican leagues. He always dreamed of playing in the majors and finally got his chance when a Mariners scout signed him in 2005. It wasn't long after Campillo started to suffer from elbow pain. He missed most of the 2006 season and tried quickly to regain the form that made him a star in the Mexico.
After posting a 6.87 ERA in 13 1/3 innings last season with Seattle, the Mariners opted to cut ties with the once promising hurler. Campillo was ready to pack up camp and head back to Mexico to make a quality living for his wife and kid. His better half intervened and convinced him to give the Braves a shot, and the rest is history.
"He knows how to pitch and he's faced all kind of guys in the minor leagues, Mexican leagues and the big leagues," Braves catcher Corky Miller told MLB.com. "He has faced different types of hitters, different styles of hitters and he has an idea of how to get those types of players out. It's not necessarily about getting the individual out as much as getting that kind of guy out and what they are looking for."
Even the opposition is in awe of Campillo, who allowed just two runs in seven innings in his last start against the Cardinals Tuesday -- which came on short rest after his start Sunday was limited to 1 2/3 innings because of rain.
"He is like a right-handed Jamie Moyer, except his fastball is a little better," Florida's Jeremy Hermida said. "He hit the corners with all of his pitches, and that's difficult to do."
Campillo's arsenal of pitches includes a curveball, slider, cut fastball and changeup. He hardly has overpowering stuff since his fastball usually tops out at 88 mph. But, he fools hitters with a sneaky delivery and has firmly entrenched himself as a major league pitcher.
"I was happy in Mexico, but when you watch Major League Baseball on television you wonder if you can play there," Campillo told MLB.com. "I am happy now, and I just want to help the team win."
Call to the Bench -- We feel this player might be worthy of adding to Fantasy rosters for the long haul
Chris Snyder, C, Arizona
Owned: 39 percent of leagues
Analysis: Men everywhere felt sympathetic for Snyder when he landed on the DL in early July with a left testicular fracture. Just know that all Snyder's injury problems seem to be in the past with his latest run. In his last seven games, Snyder is hitting .292 (7-for-24) with two homers and nine RBI. He also has five walks. Snyder has good pop for a catcher and should be helpful down the stretch. He hit .292 with six homers, 16 doubles and 31 RBI in the second half last season and hit .289 in the second half in 2006. He appears to get stronger as the season progresses.
You're Out! -- We feel this player might have already peaked and his value could be on the decline, so Fantasy owners might want to cut bait ASAP
Jeff Keppinger, SS, Cincinnati
Owned: 30 percent of leagues
Analysis: Keppinger was on his way to a career season before breaking his kneecap in mid-May. He went on the DL with a .324 average, three homers and 21 RBI in 38 games. He returned in late June, but hasn't been the same player. He has a lousy four RBI in 31 games and is hitting a paltry .206 in July. His average has plummeted to .279. Keppinger has always been a good contact hitter, and might eventually return to form. However, he has little pop and his Fantasy outlook isn't all that appealing since he is hitting just .227 at the Great American Ballpark -- one of the top hitter's parks in the majors.
GIDPs -- We feel this player might not warrant as much Fantasy consideration as he is receiving and should be avoided in most instances
Jason Bartlett, SS, Tampa Bay
Owned: 13 percent of leagues
Analysis: Bartlett's Fantasy value has actually risen a few points in the last few weeks and it's perplexing to see an increase. He just came off the disabled list July 24 from a sprained knee and managed to extend a hitting streak to eight games after missing 16 contests. But the next night he was hitless and has since managed just two hits in 22 at-bats. Bartlett is a light-hitting infielder, always has been, and there has to be more intriguing options for mixed leagues owners. The fact he plays for a contender is not enough, especially since he is buried at the bottom of the lineup.
Scouting -- We feel this player is on the verge of being a Fantasy reliable option, but still needs to be monitored over the next few weeks
Garret Anderson, OF, L.A. Angels
Owned: 42 percent of leagues
Analysis: Anderson must have missed the memo that he is an aging outfielder that is supposed to be on the decline. The veteran slugger is having a bit of a resurgent July with a .384 average, five doubles, five homers and 22 RBI. Anderson pretty much has even splits between being the DH and playing in the outfield, but he has done his best work as the Angels' sixth hitter. He is hitting .383 with seven homers and 24 RBI in the six hole, and the acquisition of Mark Teixeira all but guarantees that Anderson can stay in that spot. Anderson has shown in recent seasons to be a stronger player in the second half, our only worry is that of a physical breakdown at 35 years old. Maybe he can get past the age hurdle for one more season.
Stopgap corner -- We feel this player might be worth using for the upcoming scoring period
Omar Infante, INF, Atlanta
Owned: 2 percent of leagues
Analysis: Infante is making the most of his playing time at third base with Chipper Jones (hamstring) on the DL. He has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games. Infante is 16-for-42 (.381) with two homers and seven RBI in that span. Also, since the Braves have been depleted by injuries and sold off Mark Teixeira, Infante is seeing some at-bats in the heart of the Atlanta lineup. He has Fantasy eligibility at second base, third base and in the outfield, so he is definitely a viable stopgap option for deeper Fantasy leagues since he has some power.
Farm Boys -- This segment is for those long-term keeper owners looking for the next Fantasy superstar
Luis Montanez, OF, Baltimore
Owned: 0 percent of leagues
Analysis: Montanez was the Cubs first-round pick, third overall, in the 2000 draft. He went two picks after Adrian Gonzalez, three picks ahead of Rocco Baldelli, 12 picks ahead of Chase Utley, 26 picks ahead of Adam Wainwright and 30 picks ahead of Dustin McGowan. You get the picture. He is another story of a high-end pick that hasn't panned out. However, the 26-year-old outfielder is trying to make up for lost time. He is currently hitting .323 with 30 doubles, four triples, 24 homers and 86 RBI in 111 games for Double-A Bowie. The Orioles faithful is just itching for this kid to get promoted. Therein lies the problem. Montanez has already had two stabs at Triple-A and failed miserably. Perhaps, third time is a charm? Montanez could be a September call-up for Baltimore, but he is not even a top 30 prospect in their system and has little Fantasy bearing. He is just a name to store for a rainy day.
Doctor's Report -- This segment highlights a player on the verge of coming off the DL and ready to make an immediate Fantasy impact.
Elijah Dukes, OF, Washington
Owned: 6 percent of leagues
Analysis: Dukes tore the his right patellar tendon (knee) on July 5 and was expected to miss 4-6 weeks. Everyone feared the worst and thought Dukes might be out the maximum amount of time. However, he has proven to be a quick healer and is already finished a rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus. He was 5-for-15 (.333) with two doubles, one RBI and two walks in four games. Dukes was activated from the DL Thursday and will likely play in a weekend series with the Reds. The injury came at an unfortunate time for Dukes, who was heating up at the plate for Washington. From June 1 up until his injury, Dukes was hitting .304 with six doubles, two triples, six homers, 18 RBI and seven stolen bases in 32 games. He has always had the potential to be a Fantasy star and could develop into a nice low-end buy down the stretch.
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