-Roto Words - By AJ Jackson
So after the longest off-season ever, the fantasy baseball season is finally underway in earnest. It is important for owners at this time of year to remain patient. Two games is not a good sample of what kind of season a player will have. However, it is possible to get a feel for the way a team plans on using a certain player. Also, it is a time to see which rookies and sleepers look like they could make a splash this season. Here is a look at some developing players and situations that have come up in the first few days of play.
PLAYERS TO GRAB
Andre Ethier OF, LA – This guy straight up took the left field job from Juan Pierre. Joe Torre seems to be taking a youth first mentality with his Dodgers and Ethier is the main beneficiary. Ethier played in the first two Dodgers games, with Torre opting to bench Matt Kemp in order to get Pierre in the batting order. Grab Ethier if you can, it looks like he is in the starting line up for at least a minute.
Carlos Gomez OF, MIN – Jose Reyes has called this guy FASTER. In the first two games of 2008 he stole 3 bases. As the lead-off hitter for a not half bad Twins line up, he can help a roto team in both steals and runs scored.
Manny Corpas RP, COL – Corpas is the closer for a team that is going to win many, many games. Enough said.
Yunel Escobar 2B, SS, 3B ATL – He is eligible to play everywhere, bats second in a fairly strong line up and could hit .300.
DUMP THEM NOW
Pedro Martinez SP, NYM – Martinez had to leave his first start of the year early with a tweaked hamstring. Even if the injury is not severe, it is definitely a sign of things to come. Now is the time to pick up Mike Pelfrey who will go from being the Mets fifth starter to their fourth if Pedro is out for a start or two.
Barry Zito SP, SF – His first start was yuck, no need to think his second will be any better against Prince Fielder and the Milwaukee Brewers.
Juan Pierre OF, LA – When I was a kid I was the guy who bunted, stole bases and never hit a home run. This is why I love Juan Pierre. Sadly, his time is up. He has been outplayed by somebody who is younger and more talented. His fantasy value is down to just a marginal contribution in stolen bases.
I DON’T BELIEVE
Xavier Nady OF, PIT – No way he continues to jack out home runs, he is just not that guy.
Livan Hernandez SP, MIN – Stay away! He doesn’t do anything to help your team win a championship over the long haul. Really, stay away, he might get you innings, but he’ll hurt your ERA and he couldn’t strike out either one of my dogs.
I DO BELIEVE
Kevin Kouzmanoff 3B, SD – He has got 20 home run potential. He could hit 25 if he didn’t play at PETCO Park.
Jim Thome DH, CHW – 35-40 Home Runs. Yeah, I said it.
Jeff Kent 2B, LA – Future Hall of Famers are that way for a reason. He will get 20-25 home runs, that makes him a top ten 2B.
PITCHER YOU WANT TO PICK UP
Ubaldo Jimenez SP, COL – Jimenez will be a two start pitcher in the second week of the season and he will have decent match ups against Atlanta and Arizona.
Jair Jurrjens SP, ATL – The future is bright for this 22-year-old although I have no idea how to say his name. As the Braves No. 3 Pitcher Jurriens will get two starts in fantasy week 2, he has sleeper possibility.
THINK BLUE BABY!
Joe wins his first two. Larry Bowa loses his mind, I mean he really lost it, poor Joe is not spry enough to hold back Bowa, the Dodgers need to develop the Bowa meltdown contingency plan..... Seriously though, how could anybody say that Vin Scully is not the greatest sportscaster ever? The man is poetry….. Wait till Russell gets going, we haven’t seen the big gun unload yet…..Derek Lowe was impressive…..Takashi Saito is perhaps the best closer in the game.
