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April
usually is the month that causes me the least amount of work in terms of
fantasy baseball. I do not jump on the bandwagon of players who start off hot
and I do not part with players who start off cold. Some players are perennial
slow starters and fringe players shine in the limelight. They appear in the top
just because they had 2 good series. As mentioned before, let a batter have 100
at-bats and a pitcher 4 to 5 starts before I re-evaluate them.
But
this year I have to keep a close eye on a player’s development because never
before have I seen so many players end up on the DL this early as I have this
year: Evan Longoria, Ryan Zimmerman, Josh Hamilton, Victor Martinez, Joe Mauer,
Chase Utley, Kendrys Morales, Corey Hart, Brian Matusz, Mat Latos, David
Aardsma to name a few. In most of my
leagues I don’t even have enough DL spots for my injured players.
Managers
who are confronted with the same dilemma may want to have a look at the
following players as temporary, probably even permanent replacements or
additions to their teams:
OF
Lance Berkman (STL) 22 runs, 8 HR, 22 RBI, .410 BA
OF
Jonny Gomes (CIN) 15 runs, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 5SB, .200 BA
OF
Alex Gordon (KC) 19 runs, 1 HR, 15 RBI, 2 SB, .327 BA
Alex
Gordon has been mentioned as a sleeper for many years but never lived up to the
expectations. The move from third base to the outfield seems to have done the
trick for him. His numbers are for real.
OF
Jeff Francoeur (KC) 16 runs, 5 HR, 19 RBI, 3 SB, .330 BA
3B
Ryan Roberts (ARI) 11 runs, 5 HR, 15 RBI, 3 SB, .311 BA
DH
Travis Hafner (CLE) 13 runs, 4 HR, 11 RBI, .342 BA
Haffner
suffers from an ankle injury, MRI pending.
OF
Sam Fuld (TB) 16 runs, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 10 SB, .315 BA
OF
Brennan Boesch (DET) 16 runs, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 2 SB, .350 BA
C
Russell Martin (NYY) 12 runs, 6 HR, 17 RBI, 2 SB, .290 BA
IF
Placido Polanco (PHI) 16 runs, 2 HR, 16 RBI, 3 SB, .389 BA
SS
Angel Sanchez (HOU) 17 runs, 1 HR, 15 RBI, 1 SB, .300 BA
C
Nick Hundley (SD) 11 runs, 3 HR, 11 RBI, .286 BA
3B
Wilson Betemit (KC) 10 runs, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 3 SB, .349 BA
Betemit
is platooning with Mike Aviles but has significant value as long as he stays
this hot.
MI
Jed Lowrie (BOS) 13 runs, 3 HR, 12 RBI, .400 BA
These
numbers will make it hard for Marco Scutaro the reclaim his starter job.
OF
Johnny Damon (TB) 12 runs, 4 HR, 20 RBI, 4 SB, .279 BA
2B
Freddy Sanchez (SF) 13 runs, 2 HR, 9 RBI, .283 BA
SP
Matt Harrison (TEX) 3.69 ERA, 1.20 WHIP
SP
Aaron Harang (SD) 3.90 ERA, 1.20 WHIP
SP
Trevor Cahill (OAK) 2.30 ERA, 1.02 WHIP
SP
Derek Lowe (ATL) 3.21 ERA, 1.34 WHIP
The
high amount of outfielders proves my point why I don’t like to draft them
early. You can always find good outfielders on the waiver wire at any time
during the season.
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