Fantasy Baseball - Hot Starts!

Baseball season is underway and this is no time to sit back, relax, and hope you owned in your fantasy draft, because most likely you didn’t or someone has already landed on the DL. You need to be active on your league’s waiver wire as young studs become available. Don’t be afraid of making a trade if you see gap in your lineup. Active managers who are aggressive right from the get-go win most fantasy leagues. Here are some of the top players who have gotten off to a fast start that you might want to take a look at if they fit on your team.

Worth Taking a Look At

1. Mark Reynolds 3B Arizona Diamondbacks
His 5 home runs and 13 RBIs are good for the league lead at this point. Will he maintain this lead when May rolls around? You shouldn’t count on it, but it doesn’t mean he’s not worth taking a chance on, especially if he’s a free agent in your league. He has some pop in his bat and should belt out 25-30 HRs. He’ll also have plenty of RBI opportunities batting 5th in a decent Arizona lineup.

2. Johnny Cueto SP Cincinnati Reds
Cueto has had two incredible starts one against the Diamondbacks, 1-hit and 10 Ks in 7 innings, and the Brewers, 2-runs and 8 Ks in 6 1/3. He’s probably gone in your league at this point and to trade for him you might have to give up a lot, especially if you’re in a keeper league. His upside at this point is so high that it might be worth trading a 5th or 6th round player if you need pitching. Don’t be surprised if Cueto wins 14+ games with 170+ Ks.

3. Kosuke Fukudome OF Chicago Cubs
Fukudome is becoming a fan favorite in Chicago very quickly with his clutch hitting. Don’t expect Ichiro numbers but his experience in Japan should keep this veteran from suffering any major slumps. Fukudome turns 31 at the end of April so don’t bet the farm on getting an all-star but he should be a pretty solid OF in most leagues.

4. Nick Blackburn SP Minnesota Twins
Blackburn, in 2 appearances this season (Angels and White Sox), has an ERA of 2.25 and 11 Ks in just 12 innings. He’s 0-1 but has only walked 3 batters and hasn’t given the long ball yet. The Twins handle pitchers well and Blackburn should benefit greatly from this.

5. Micah Owings SP Arizona Diamondbacks
Owings is sporting a 2.63 ERA and is 2-0 in 2 starts this season and is improving on his 8-8 rookie campaign last season. Not a dominate strikeout pitcher but can get 140+ Ks if he pitches 180 innings, which he should do. He has given up 22 walks in his past 85.4 innings pitched dating back to last season, which is a good sign for a young pitcher. However, one glaring weakness at this point is the long ball. Owings gave up 20 home runs in 152.2 innings pitched last year and has already given up 1 in each of his outings this season, but the D-Backs sport some excellent starting pitching and the bullpen will secure some wins for Mr. Micah.

Stay Away

Here are some players who have started off hot that I wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole.

1.Aubrey Huff 1B Baltimore Orioles
Just like the Orioles Huff is going to come to a dramatic slow down real soon. He’s batting .333 with 2 HRs and 11 RBIs and this is the peak of his season. If you own Huff and someone in your league has any interest in him make the deal, even for a bag of peanuts if you must. Huff is 32 years old and peaked back in 04’. He’s been on a decline ever since so don’t expect this year to be any different. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck then it must be Huff.

2.Jason Kendall C Milwaukee Brewers
He has 14 hits, 5 doubles, batting .538 and he’s a catcher!! Don’t fall for it. Fantasy-wise he sucks. He bats 9th for Christ's sake! On a National League team! That's right, BEHIND THE PITCHER!!! I think I have more career home runs than Kendall at this point (although he beats me financially).

3. Rich Harden SP Oakland Athletics
Rich Harden has gotten out of the gates fast, but you by no means should trade for him. Yeah, I know the numbers look sexy (11 innings, 15 K’s, 1-0 record, 0.82 ERA, 1.27 WHIP) but have you ever been more positive that a player will end up on the DL? He already got scratched from his last start because of a back soreness, and then the next day it was due to a “strain in his right side.” Which is it? This guy is a walking DL trip. AVOID AT ALL COSTS. He will break your heart.

[Editor’s Note: This was written before reports of Rich Harden actually being placed on the DL, thus confirming what was written.]

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