The major league baseball season is only 20 days in. It’s still very early, but managers everywhere aren’t so sure about their “sure things” after a couple weeks of games.
Before you panic, it’s best to remember how unique of a fantasy sport baseball is. It’s safe to assume Mark Teixiera was a first round draft pick in most leagues, yet he started the season 0-17. Could you imagine a basketball player, let’s say Chris Bosh for example, going scoreless in his first four games? What about not getting a rebound in the first four games? It would never happen. In baseball it does, but it’s a longggg season… patience is key.
Try to grab these players from their frustrated managers:
Get’em While You Still Can
Jay Bruce, CIN: Bruce now has a four game hitting streak going with 3 home runs. This hitting streak has skyrocketed his average up to the mendoza line. The Buy Low phase may have passed, but it’s still worth a try.
Hunter Pence, HOU: Batting .173 with two extra-base hits after 13 games. The entire Astros lineup has been slumping. They are bad, but not THIS bad. The Astros have faced some of the toughest pitchers in the league so far. The Giants, then Phillies, followed by the Cardinals. The schedule get’s easier from here, look for a lot of Astros to rebound. Plus he’s 27 years old, so he HAS to break out, isn’t that how it works?
Justin Upton, ARI: Upton has 3 HR and 5 RBI after 15 games, yikes! Not to mention his AVG is .186, gross. Could it be the sprained left ankle from Spring Training is more seriously then we thought? Possibily, but more likely it’s just a early season slump mixed with some bad luck (.235 BABIP). Upton’s hitting too many ground balls (54%). If he can turn 5% of those back into line drives, then all will be well in Uptown.
Jon Lester, BOS: The velocity is still there, and the peripheral’s are still there. Unfortunately, the bad luck is also there. Like the rest of the Red Sox team, Lester just can’t do anything right early in the season. The bounce back will come. This 8.44 ERA will coast back down to the low-4’s before you know it.
Give them a Chance
Aaron Harang, CIN: After four starts Harang has an ERA over 8, and has forced at least eight Australian fantasy managers to through Boom Harang’s through their TV’s out of frustration. The good news is his velocity is actually up from previous seasons. Why the terrible pitching? A bad case of poor situational pitching combined with great situational hitting by opposing hitters. Harang should figure it out soon. Go get him now, and give him a chance.
Mike Napoli, LAA: Napoli has 22 AB’s after 16 games. Thanks to an injury to defensive specialist, Jeff Mathis, Napoli will now get plenty of AB’s. With a career AB/HR of 16.9, you know that 15+ Home Runs is a lock. What’s the worst that could happen?
Jeff Clement, PIT: You won’t even have to trade for Clement most likely. You can probably pick him up (owned in 3% of leagues). All I’m asking if for you to give him a chance over the next two weeks. Clement will have more AB’s than any “true” catcher in the majors since he’s playing at first base. However, he needs to start hitting to stay in the lineup. The Pirates next 10 games are all against pitching staff’s in the bottom 10 ERAs. If he can’t hit over the next two weeks, drop him and then spit in my face.
Kyle Blanks, SD: All of Blanks’ peripheral stats are the same if not better than last years, yet he’s hitting 30 points lower and only has two home runs. This is just a case of bad luck, and yet to find a power groove. Now’s the time to buy your Blanks, because he’s gonna be firing real bullets very shortly.
There are plenty of great values out on the market right now, who else are you guys targeting while their value is low?
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