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 It shouldn't be a surprise that Delmon Young is coming into his own, after all, whose own should he be coming into?
On June 19th Paul Leume told you why you should have Delmon Young on your fantasy baseball team. In fact, it was a reiteration of his October 5, 2009 recommendation to acquire him (when no one else wanted him.)
In his post, "Delmon Young is Under Owned in Fantasy Baseball Leagues", Leume mentions, "Over time you can expect Young to be moved up in the order." A mere ten days later, it's apparently time....
For only the third time in his career, DY is batting third in today's lineup. With a rest day for Minnesota Twins' catcher Joe Mauer, Young is moving up in the order as the Twins look to take the series from the Detroit Tigers and remain in first place heading into a series with Tampa Bay.
And why not, DY is hitting .293 with 8 HR and tied for the team lead with Justin Morneau with 50 RBI.
The last time Young batted above 5th in the lineup was May 18, 2008 in a 6-2 loss in an interleague game @ Coors Field against the Rockies.
Apparently some of you out there were listening to Paul's recommendation because ten days ago, according to CBSSportsline.com, Young was only owned in 57% of leagues and only starting in 42% of them. This morning, Young was owned in 68% of leagues and only starting in 49% of them. Good for those of you who acted quickly.
While you shouldn't expect Young to bat third when Mauer is in the lineup, this move does signal a change in sentiment about the way manager Ron Gardenhire views the 24 year old. The former number one pick (who seems like he's been around for quite a long time now) is finally being given the responsibility a draft pick of his stature is expected to have in his prime.
Young has gone from a can't miss prospect with a nice rookie year, to a platoon player and now to an integral part of a division leading team and is being counted on to produce in position generally reserved for a team's best hitter.
Young has battled through adversity much like a young NFL QB would have after some early success and he's earned this role. You should now come along and join him for the ride by getting him on your fantasy team now. - Mike Cardano
Mike is the founder of Around the Horn Baseball & Xtra Point Football.
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