Patience is a virtue.
If you play fantasy baseball, this is probably a phrase you should be repeating to yourself over and over again. It’s easy to give up on a guy after two weeks only to watch him explode the last four months of the season.
Think of all the times you’ve given up on something too early:
The summer fling who you really should have taken home to mom.
The time you left in the 9th inning only to hear screams of the crowd from the parking lot, signaling the most epic comeback ever.
The countless times you undercooked that meat you’ve been salivating over all week.
Robert Downey Jr.’s career.
Patience is one of the keys to life; it holds true for fantasy as well.
In this week’s HHD, we see one former MVP lighting up the stat sheet who is giving a big ol’ slap in the face to Father Time, while we look at a bunch of youngsters you want on your team even though their current numbers say otherwise.
Pickup of the Week!
Justin Morneau 1B – Colorado
And here we thought the former American League MVP was done. Not in Coloradie, friends! (if you’re from a small town you get the joke).
Morneau is only owned in about half of leagues and is ripping the cover off the ball (not like Martin Maldonado, however). He hit 3 home runs last week to go along with a .375 average. Will he stay hot forever? Probably not, but his peripherals are looking good. His strikeout rate is only at 11% and his Isolated Power numbers are actually higher than what they were during his 2006 MVP year.
Remember, the season is very young, but if you can get Morneau on your team for a cheap price — or off the waiver wire, for God sakes! — I would do it. The air is thin in Colorado.
Blazing Bats!
Ride the hot streak while it lasts.
Devin Mesoraco C – Cincinnati
The Reds have liked the 25-year-old for a long time and it appears he’s finally having his breakout season. He’s only owned in 50% of leagues (10% added in the last day) but he’s been raking since coming off the DL two weeks ago. He’s been slashing .515/.553/.970 with at least one hit in each of his nine games, which includes six multi-hit games.
Don’t Panic!
Wil Myers OF – Tampa
Many are wondering if Myers is already experiencing the dreadful ‘Sophomore slump.’ I say nay.
Looking from last year’s rookie numbers, Myers’ strikeout rate is only up 3% but his walk rate is also up 1%. Not only have the Rays not been hitting as a whole, but many of Myers’ personal stats suggest he is essentially the same player as last year with the same approach, with just some bad luck.
Myers is an elite prospect who blew away more pitchers as a rookie than many big leaguers do in a lifetime. So before you write him off after just three weeks into the season, just ask yourself what is most likely to happen? Does he spontaneously combust or does he rebound for a solid season?
I’ll give you a hint; he had two home runs last week.
Helmuth Hail Mary!
The lottery ticket that just might help you win a fantasy league.
Eric Young Jr. OF – New York Mets
Young is no secret to the fantasy baseball community. We all know that if he gets regular at-bats, he’s primed to steal 50+ bases. Well, it appears he’s finally getting those at-bats, even after a very slow start to the year.
In 82 plate appearances, Young already has 10 swipes. His opening weekend was dreadful; he struck out more times than Butabi brothers on a Saturday night. However, he’s found a liking to the leadoff spot since that time and in the past two weeks is hitting .261. If he bats anywhere close to that mark he’ll be well worth a start in any league.
Trade Bait!
Stephen Strasburg SP – Washington
… Also throw in Cincinnati’s Homer Bailey into this category (who is ranked No. 1022 on the player rater right now, which won’t last long) — Stras is just another big-time hurler off to a slow start, similar to what we saw with David Price last year.
In 27 innings, Strasburg has one win with a 5.33 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. However, he showed signs of life against a solid Cardinals team this past weekend, only surrendering two runs over six innings. Strasburg is a slight injury risk, but almost all pitchers are. If you can buy him for even 90 cents on the dollar, do it right away. That being said, if you’re reading this and you own him, don’t trade him!
Ripe Relievers!
Kyle Farnsworth RP – New York Mets
Let me preface this by saying that I don’t trust Kyle Farnsworth. No one does. Not even the Mets. But they’re out of options. He’s officially the closer in New York, for now, so if you need saves go ahead and pick him up. Just be sure to drop him before the Mets do if he starts to struggle.
Hitter of the Week:
Justin Morneau 1B – Colorado: .375/3/12, 6 R, 3 Doubles
Hurler of the Week:
Lance Lynn SP – St. Louis: 2 W, 12.2 IP, 16 K, 0.71 ERA, 1.11 WHIP
Josh Helmuth is the editor for CraveOnline Sports. @JHelmuth – Facebook.
Photo Credit: Getty
All stats are via Yahoo! as of Monday, April 21.
