When I started sketching ideas for this week’s column, I thought I’d take a break from the player comparison series and focus on a single player. As I put pen to paper, I found myself thinking about the waiver wire and its magical call to the struggling owner. Even though the season is just five short weeks old, there are some owners out there who are scrambling to make up ground in an effort to catapult themselves out of the league basement. While I applaud the idea in theory, I don’t think an owner should mindlessly grab the first guy they see; if you don’t take the time and window shop you might just end up with a big old pile of something shiny…only to realize its nothing more than a pot of fools gold.

Of course I’m speaking tongue-in-cheek here, but you get my point. Stay away from player on the wire with gaudy stats—the seemingly “out-of-nowhere” guy. If you don’t heed my warning, you’ll regret it. Kind of like the morning after tipping a few too many pints with the boys and talking to “that” girl in the corner—the one who’s still there, all alone at closing time…anyway, you get my point.

To help me illustrate my point, why don’t we use “Russell the Muscle” as our test case. And I know what you’re thinking—who in the world is “Russell the Muscle?” To answer that let me provide you with the…

Drew Proof: Currently, Russell Oles Branyan is owned in 3% of the ESPN standard league universe.  And while its only 3%, its 3% too much.  The only reason someone would own Branyan is to see if they can pick up a few dingers on the cheap. Lest you think my diatribe is comprised of pure vitriolic vengeance, take a look at these stats:

In his first game, 11 years ago, he went 0-4 with two strikeouts.  Although unknown at the time, this line would become standard fare for the pride of Warner Robins, Georgia…

…as he’s struck out 40% of his career-to put that in perspective that is more than 950 strikeouts in just over 2,400 at-bats.

He’s only hit over .250 once in his career…and his career average is only slightly above the Mendoza line at .234.

58% of the balls he’s hit (and that hasn’t been too many folks) have been fly balls, yet he’s only managed 167 career home runs.  This from a 6′3″ 230lb man known for his “light-tower power?”

He’s played for eight teams in his tenure: Cleveland, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, San Diego, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia, St. Louis and Seattle.  For some unknown reason San Diego, Milwaukee and Cleveland liked his poor performance so much they each signed him on two different occasions.

And perhaps the most telling stat of all-he averages 80 games played each year he’s been in the bigs.  Translated over a 162 game season means he’s inactive 50% of the time!  Even if that lack of activity had been due to injuries and not abysmal performance it would be a red flag in of itself.

Again, Branyan is owned in 3% of ESPN leagues.  His ownership is probably similar in other leagues like Yahoo, etc.  So even with his “potential” to hit the ball a country mile, you can see that he’s nowhere near what he’s cracked up to be. Stay away from Branyan and the other “out-of-nowhere” guys-you’ll thank me later.

As always-I write these articles to provoke thought-please feel free to post a comment. See you next week!

Tags: 2010 Fantasy Baseball, Drew Proof, Fantasy Baseball Journal, MLB, Russell Branyan