Soxman’s Fantasy Baseball Follies for Week II

In a week where my Chicago White Sox received outstanding efforts from Gavin Floyd, Javy Vasquez, Paul Konerko, and Joe Crede to boast a 3-2 home stand, my fantasy team “Southside Soxmen” went the big 0-6. 

While this general manager is not down, nor ready to wave the White Flag in his dynasty league, there is cause for concern. Pitching was supposed to be my “power suit” this season.  Well after two weeks, that suit has holes in it. 

Royals Ace Gil Meche has been awful in his first two starts, Carlos Zambrano gave up five earned Red Bulls against the Phillies, and my dynasty “ace” Justin Verlander pretty much symbolizes how horrid the entire Tigers team has been thus far; with the exception of the one guy that they tried to dump all off-season, Brandon Inge. We won’t even get started on my hitting in the interest of cyber space and time.  It was nice to see Paul Konerko showing signs of life this past week. Well the positive thing about going 0-6 is that there is only one place to go next week right? As I said in my appearance in the Chicago Tribune Red Eye on Monday morning, I feel like I’m playing in a league with 15 single women and only leading in one category: strikeouts.
 
Stars Struggling 
 Speaking of “scoring” big with a sure thing, most fantasy owners with “can’t miss” players on their roster are scratching their stat geek gonads this week from their early season struggles. Here are some usual studs whose current totals would only win them a “loss” title on the Biggest Loser:
 
David “Big Pappi” Ortiz, .070, 1 HR, 3 RBI
Jim “Mr. Incredible” Thome, .171, 2 HR, 6 RBI
Miguel Cabrera, .175, 1 HR, 2 RBI
Paul Konerko, .229, 2 HR, 11 RBI
Andruw Jones, .100, 0 HR, 1 RBI  
Derek Jeter, .208, 0 HR, 1 RBI
Alfonso Soriano, .175, 2 HR, 5 RBI
Hunter Pence, .180, 0 HR, 1 RBI
 
Starting Pitching Busts
 Roy Oswalt, 0-3, 9.00 ERA, 2.00 WHIP.
Justin Verlander, 0-2, 6.52 ERA
 
Relief Pitching Busts
 Sadly, both of these guys are on my active roster.
 Eric Gagne, 7.20 ERA, 2 BS in five chances.
Joe Borowski, 13.50 ERA, 1 BS in three chances.
 

 
White Sox Surge in Fantasy Player Pick-ups
 
Most fantasy web sites pick about two players at each position that are “must starts” for a given week and then offer you a stat geek rationale as to why.  This week White Sox players are in hot demand!  What’s particularly impressive is that if you think about all of the teams in MLB, White Sox players are “must starts” at FOUR positions!
 
Catcher- A.J. Pierzynski 
The Sox’s schedule this week should help A.J. build on his monster offensive numbers. Oakland, Baltimore and Tampa could be the victims.
 
First Base- Paul Konerko
While he has a low .229 BA can you catch Paulie at the beginning of a hot streak?  He did have five RBIs on Sunday and is showing better patience at the plate.
 
Shortstop- Orlando Cabrera
The Sox face three southpaws that could be music to the ears of Cabrera’s batting average. He also hit his first homer and had his first multi-hit game over the weekend meaning you might grab him for an upcoming hot streak.
 
Third Base- Joe Crede
Do we really need to explain this one?  Two grand slams in two weeks, a .341 BA, and 4 homers on the young season.
 
Mr. Utility
 In my fantasy baseball scouting, I love players who qualify in multi positions for the flexibility they offer you on a daily basis.  My pick to click in this category is Brandon Inge. He is sporting at .282 BA, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 1 SB, and qualifies at 3B and OF in most leagues already.  In leagues where a player only needs one appearance at a position to qualify, you can add center field and catcher to the mix.  Even after Curtis Granderson returns, Inge will find plenty of ABs, especially if his hot bat continues.
 
Rookie Watch
 
J.R. Towles, Catcher, Houston.
 While his batting average is still pretty low, Towels is proving that he has major league power in a position not known for it.  He also has 6 walks to five Ks and in only 29 ABs he is hitting, .207, 2 HR, 7 RBI. While Fukudome will likely win the NL Rookie of the Year, Towles will put up very solid numbers if he stays healthy.
 
Happy hitting baseball fans.

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