Brad

Eldred

In 24 games since being promoted to Altoona, Eldred has 38 RBI and a .722 slugging percentage. The downside is he has just three walks and 38 strikeouts. Nonetheless, the team plans to work with Eldred on his defense and plate discipline to see if he can become their first baseman of the future.

Eldred, 24, hit 28 home runs with Single-A Hickory in 2003. This season, he has 27 homers between Single-A Lynchburg and Double-A Altoona. After failing to trade for a first baseman, the Pirates may be looking at Eldred to compete for a spot on the 2005 roster.

Eldred owners have less reason for concern now. It’d still be nice if the Pirates just went ahead and released Daryle Ward, but Eldred should get most of the playing time at first base if he just keeps doing what he’s doing.

Including an off day, Eldred sat three straight days earlier this week. It doesn’t seem to have bothered him, though. Each home run should help him keep Daryle Ward on the bench where he belongs.

Eldred could start taking batting practice next week. He is one of the Pirates’ top power prospects. It is unlikely he will make much of a fantasy impact before the middle of the 2007 season.

Eldred had been putting up some eye-popping numbers at Triple-A, including 13 HR and 35 RBI in just 20 games. He’s struggled in his previous chances at the major league level, but looks like he’ll be given every opportunity to succeed and add some much needed power to the Tigers lineup.

The Tigers signed Eldred to a minor league contract in January after the Rockies let him walk last summer. He’s 31 years old and can’t really play anywhere but first base, but the Tigers may consider calling him up anyway if the hot-hitting continues. Eldred is sporting a ridiculous 1.457 OPS.

He’ll take the roster spot of Brandon Inge, who was released by the Tigers on Thursday. Eldred, 31, has a .204 batting average and 103 strikeouts over 260 at-bats in the majors, but he had 13 homers and 35 RBI across his first 20 games at the Triple-A level this season. He may struggle to find regular at-bats, but the Tigers will try to catch lightning in a bottle. Give him a shot in AL-only leagues.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland indicated that he plans on playing Brad Eldred regularly in the DH slot. “We have the hottest hitter in all of minor league baseball,” Leyland said. “I’m going to DH him. How long depends on how he does. He’s doing something everyone is talking about. Maybe he can get us going.” Eldred was batting .388 with 13 home runs and 35 RBI over 80 at-bats for Triple-A Toledo. He’s worth an add in AL-only leagues to see if he can stay hot, but the 31-year-old Eldred has a .204 batting average and 103 strikeouts over 260 at-bats in the majors, so there’s no long-term value here. Playing Eldred at DH would put Delmon Young in left field regularly and Andy Dirks on the bench.

Not a surprise, as Young was arrested early Friday after allegedly shoving a man to the ground and making anti-Semitic remarks outside the Tigers’ team hotel in New York. It’s not clear when he’ll return to action. Don Kelly will start in his place in left field while the newly-promoted Brad Eldred will DH.