Soxman’s Fantasy Baseball Weekly

 

Soxman’s fantasy baseball team really turned things around after a horrid 0-6 performance in week two. He went a perfect 6-0 and took home “team of the week” honors.

Much like the Chicago White Sox, this performance comes without my top “sluggers” doing much of anything on the season. 
 

Sizzlers
 
Paul Konerko
As I hinted last week and proved to be right, Paul Konerko really started to heat up at the end of the week, slugging two homers and walking twice in yesterday’s game.  As I said before, Konerko is a slow starter and usually pretty horrible in April.  He hit .198 last season and .218 in 2005, when the White Sox won the World Series. But as always, Konerko has managed to drive in runs. He is hitting .350 over his last six games with five RBIs so by all means stick with him.
 
Michael Young
An early injury and poor timing saw Young’s batting average swoon to .196. He’s locked it up now and is hitting .301. He already has three homers.  If he stays hot he could reclaim his ranking as a top fantasy shortstop.  I took a chance on Young early in my draft after losing on-base machine Carlos Guillen.  He’s showing signs of paying me back.
 
 
Carlos Zambrano
Yes, Soxman has a Cubbie on his roster.  Control issues are something that has killed Big Z for most of his MLB career.  Since ditching the Red Bull before games he has shown the best control of his career and is a must-start in all leagues.  He has a 2.21 ERA on the season with a 1.13 WHIP.

 

Fizzlers
 
Justin Verlander
A top draft choice for starting pitchers in most leagues, Verlander was generating Cy Young buzz in spring training, where he did not give up his first earned runs until his last start.  Justin Verlander gave up six runs, seven hits and four walks in 5.2 innings of work on Sunday night. Verlander won his first game on Tuesday, but struggled with his command in the process. He has now allowed four runs or more in five of his six starts and has a 6.50 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP on the season.
 
Ryan Braun
Sophomore jinx?  Despite raising his average to .255 this past week, Braun only has 3 homers on the season, a .280 on-base percentage, and has struck out 21 times in 102 Abs.

 
 
Rookie Watch
 
Jacoby Ellsbury
A grinder who plays with passion, Ellsbury is quietly taking over the full-time CF job, and creating Rookie of the Year buzz in the American League.  He’s hitting .280 with 3 HRs, 11 RBI and 8 SBs.  His on-base percentage is a robust .390!
 
 
Joey Votto
I told everyone to grab Joey Votto early despite the fact that he was playing for Dusty Baker.  Those who took the chance and activated him have been rewarded, as Votto is starting to create some Rookie of the Year chatter.  He’s hitting .310 with 4 dingers and 13 RBI in just 71 Abs.
 
Travis Buck
So far, I got this one wrong.  The Buck stops here.  Buck was placed on the DL to make room for Frank Thomas on the roster.  He may be reduced to a part-time player when he returns.
 
J.R. Towles
Despite a .200 batting average, Towles has a .500 slugging percentage, which is a good sign for the future.  While he could qualify in the fizzler category, his 4 dingers in 55 Abs keep the offensive candle burning.
 
Silent Contributors
These two players don’t appear to get a lot of fantasy love despite their solid production early in the season.
 
Carlos Quentin
Quentin has five home runs already, equaling his season total in 229 at-bats last year with Arizona. More impressive is the fact that he’s making the most of his RBI opportunities as well.  Quentin’s OPS is 1.040!  His on-base percentage is a league leading .440!  Overall, he’s hitting .300, 6 HR, 20 RBI, and 2 SB. He’s on an 8 game hitting streak and is performing this well DESPITE the fact that he’s still not 100%. Imagine what he’ll do once his shoulder is completely recovered from
 
Melky Cabrera
Melky Cabrera has been making the most of his full-time opportunity, enjoying a breakthrough year at the plate.  In 79 Abs, he’s hitting .291, 5 HR, 11 RBI, and 3 SBs.  Got Melky?
 
 

Back from the DL
 
Scott Rolen
Rolen hit safely in all three games since being activated from the DL on Friday. The Blue Jays should put him in a position to drive in a good number of runs. Two doubles and a homer in just 11 Abs is a good sign.
 

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