Two weeks into the baseball season, the only thing on my mind are the busts so far. I know it's early, but I'm ready to put out a list of the Top 10 busts so far this season, and whether or not they can turn things around anytime soon.
10) Jose Reyes (5 runs, 0 homeruns, 6 rbi, 1 SB, .205 avg) - Reyes was the consensus #3 overall pick this past season, and most of his owners are regretting that. Reyes is currently out with a strained hamstring, which is probably the last injury you want a guy whose value is solely due to his speed. Reyes had a great season 2 years ago, a slight decline last year, and I wouldn't be surprised if his stats dipped a little more this year. He should still end up with around 60 SB though.
9) Troy Tulowitzki (4 runs, 0 homeruns, 0 rbi, 1 SB, .159 avg) - Tulo was taken in the early 4th round this year as most people expected him to improve on his rookie numbers (.291 avg, 24 homeruns, 99 rbi). He got off to a slow April last year as well, and the Rockies offense has been awful so far this season, so Tulo owners shouldn't be too concerned. It doesn't look likely that he'll top last years numbers, but they should end up pretty similar.
8) Alfonso Soriano (7 runs, 2 homeruns, 5 rbi, 2 SB, .175 avg) - Personally, Soriano would drive me crazy if he was on my fantasy team. He has 11 K's and 10 hits so far this season and his On Base Percentage is .230, but he insists on hitting leadoff. His 40/40 days are over because of his bad knees, but he'll still manage 20 stolen bases this year.
7) Roy Oswalt (16 IP, 0 wins, 12 K's, 9.00 ERA, 2.00 WHIP) - Pitching is a crapshoot, but Oswalt has been as consistant as they come. He has pitched 200+ innings in 5 of the past 6 seasons, averaging 17.6 wins during those 5 years, and has a career 3.14 ERA. He's off to the worst start of his career this season, already giving up 5 homeruns in 3 starts (4 homeruns in 4 innings against the Marlins). It looks like he's hit a wall and I'd be really concerned if he was on my team. All those years of 200+ innings may finally be catching up to him.
6) Prince Fielder (5 runs, 0 homeruns, 6 rbi, .222 avg) - 12 games without a homerun most likely has his owners sweating. As long as Fielder doesn't start panicking himself, he should end up with 40+ homeruns, he's too strong. But I also think he needs to man up and stop being a vegetarian.
5) Russell Martin (4 runs, 0 homeruns, 4 rbi, 1 SB, .146 avg) - Well, this is why you don't take catchers in the 3rd round... Wouldn't it make sense to draft Cole Hamels in the 3rd round instead, and draft someone like Geovany Soto in the 14th round or J.R. Towles in the 17th round? Martin will end up having a decent season based on Catcher standards, due to his stolen bases. But ouch, what a waste of a 3rd round pick.
4) C.C. Sabathia (14 IP, 0 wins, 13 K, 11.57 ERA, 2.56 WHIP) - 9 walks and 24 hits allowed in 14 IP.. That's really ugly. He only walked 37 batters in 34 starts last year, so his command is obviously off. It's not uncommon for players to crumble on the eve of a big pay day, and that may be the case with Sabathia. He's only had 3 starts, so don't panic just yet. But two of those starts were against that Oakland A's juggernaut of an offense...
3) Andruw Jones (3 runs, 0 homeruns, 1 rbi, 0 SB, .100 avg) - Good riddance. Just wanted to go ahead and say that as a Braves fan. Andruw has 14 K's and 4 hits so far this season. His last 8 games he is 1/25 with 12 K's. If you own him, sucks for you. If Andruw wants to hit above the Mendoza line, he better stop trying to pull everything. Yes Andruw.. Even if it's a foot outside.
2) David Ortiz (6 runs, 1 homerun, 3 rbi, .070 avg) - Ortiz got a hit tonight! This is cause for celebration, as a result he has upped his average to .089. Come on Big Papi, you're .011 points away from Andruw, you can do it! Wade Boggs thinks Ortiz is jet lagged from the trip to Japan... That's a pretty weak excuse, I'm not buying it. My theory is that by burying Ortiz's jersey under the Yankee's new stadium in an attempt to curse the Yankees, it actually backfired and cursed Ortiz.. Actually, I just think his days of putting up monster numbers are over. He's 33 and fat, Yahoo just made me laugh by claiming that he's only 230 lbs. He went from 54 homeruns in 2006, to 35 homeruns last year, to this. Who knows, he could surprise me, but I don't expect him to end up with more than 30 homeruns this year.
1) The Detroit Tigers (2-10) - I guess they never learned from the Yankees that you can't buy a championship or chemistry. If I listed each player individually, it would've taken up my Top 10 list. They have a potent lineup, so I expect the offense to come around. But their pitching is horrible and will drag them down even if their hitting lives up to it's potential. Detroit went from ESPN's 2nd favorite team (they're fascinated by the Braves) during Spring Training to the biggest joke in MLB in a matter of 2 weeks.
- Ivan Rodriguez (5 runs, 0 homeruns, 2 rbi, .195 avg) hit 8 homeruns in Spring Training.
- Miguel Cabrera (3 runs, 1 homerun, 2 rbi, .175 avg)
- Gary Sheffield (0 runs, 0 homeruns, 1 rbi, 2 SB, .179 avg) and a torn tendon in his finger.
- Magglio Ordonez (1 run, 1 homerun, 3 rbi, .234 avg)
- Justin Verlander (0-2, 19 IP, 13 K's, 6.52 ERA, 1.19 WHIP)
- Dontrelle Willis (5 IP, 9 walks, 0 K's, 7.20 ERA, 2.00 WHIP) atleast he's only given up 1 hit.
Next post: Top 10 Surprises.
1 comment:
Sabathia and Fielder will pick up the pace...too much money on the line.
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