Fantasy Baseball Weekly All-Star Team & Awards - Week 3

Awards Ceremony

Bat Of The Week: Chipper Jones - .565, 6 R, 2 2B, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 1.773 OPS

Chipper had a monster week, making only 10 outs on the way to hitting 4 homers, driving in 7 and putting up an OPS north of 1.700. Buster Olney had an excellent piece Sunday about how Jones now meticulously breaks down pitcher film before games and the ways in which it has made him a better hitter. Additionally, Olney talks to scouts who say Chipper’s approach at the plate right now is the best it has ever been. Jones’ injury history certainly has to scare fantasy owners as naturally none of this means anything he isn’t on the field. Given the gaudy numbers he has put up over the past 3 years (in remarkably quiet fashion) he is simply a risk worth taking at this point.

Arm Of The Week: John Danks – 2 GS, 2-0, 14.2 IP, 8 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 12 K

Danks pitched 2 shutouts this week and was dominant in both outings lasting 7 or more innings in each start. Danks also showed excellent control walking only 2 batters over 14.2 inning while striking out 12. If you take out Danks’ awful outing against Minnesota on April 9th, the young lefty has allowed 1 earned run in 21.2 innings spanning 3 starts. Danks will try to build on his big week 3 on Saturday against the Orioles at home.

Pickups Of The Week: Mark DeRosa - .421, 6 R, 2 2B, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 1 SB, 1.222 OPS

John Danks - 2 GS, 2-0, 14.2 IP, 8 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 12 K

We have discussed Danks who entered the week owned in about 30% of CBS leagues so let’s focus on the Cubs’ super utility man who has filled in admirably for Alfonso Soriano. Derosa has seen his ownership rise from 43 to 73% after putting together a hot week where he hit .421 and drove in 8 runs.

Worst Week Ever: Tadahito Iguchi – 0/21, 4 K, 1 R, 1 SB

The 1 run and steal accounted for all of Iguchi’s production this week as he did literally nothing at the plate going 0/21. Thus, it is no surprise he was subsequently dropped to 8th in the lineup with the next stop being the bench.

FSE All-Week One Team

C Ivan Rodriguez - .291, 4 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, .916 OPS
1B Conor Jackson - .480, 10 R, 2 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 1 SB, 1.599 OPS
2B Chase Utley – .391, 6 R, 1 2B, 5 HR, 8 RBI, 1.548 OPS
SS Jose Reyes - .428, 7 R, 2 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 SB, 1.305 OPS
3B Chipper Jones - .565, 6 R, 2 2B, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 1.773 OPS
OF Manny Ramirez - .480, 7 R, 1 2B, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 1.475 OPS
OF Alex Rios - .392, 4 R, 1 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 1 SB, 1.075 OPS
OF Aaron Rowand - .444, 2 R, 3 2B, 1 HR, 6 RBI 1.278 OPS
U David Wright - .521, 5 R, 6 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 1 SB, 1.633 OPS
U Miguel Cabrera - .428, 7 R, 4 2B, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 1 SB, 1.204 OPS

SP John Danks – 2 GS, 2-0, 14.2 IP, 8 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 12 K
SP Scott Olsen – 2 GS, 2-0, 14 IP, 8 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
SP Andy Pettitte – 2 GS, 2-0, 14 IP, 13 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 10 K
SP Ervin Santana - 2 GS, 2-0, 15 IP, 10 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 14K
SP Randy Wolf – 2 GS, 2-0, 13.3 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 5 BB, 16 K
MR Scot Shields – 3 Holds, 1 Save, 3.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
CL Billy Wagner – 3 Saves, 4 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

Honorable Mentions – Victor Martinez, Derrek Lee, Garrett Atkins, Justin Mourneau, Dustin Pedroia, Ryan Theriot, Derek Jeter, Edgar Renteria, Bobby Crosby, Hank Blalock, Kevin Youkilis, Miguel Batista, Francisco Rodriguez, Jake Peavy, Zack Greinke, Felix Hernandez, Jair Jurrjens, Paul Byrd and Cliff Lee.

Fantasy Baseball Weekly All-Star Team & Awards - Week 2

Awards Ceremony

Bat Of The Week: Matt Holliday – .480, 6 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 1 SB 1.398 OPS

Holliday rebounded from a terrible week one to edge out weekend stud Raul Ibanez for Bat Of The Week honors. The Rockies outfielder hit nearly .500 for the week and put up strong power numbers across the board namely in the RBI department. Additionally, Holliday even threw in a stolen base for good measure.

Arm Of The Week: Cole Hamels – 2 GS, 2-0, 14 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 5 BB, 9 K

Hamels picked the Phillies up this week, overwhelming the Cubs and Reds lineups; which is no small task. In three starts this season Hamels has only allowed 2 earned runs and 11 hits over 22 innings. His strikeout numbers are down but will surely come with time. By season’s end, we may be talking about the 24 year old Hamels as one of the elite pitchers in the game.

Pickup Of The Week: Ryan Ludwick - 5/12, 3 R, 3 HR, 5 RBI

No one could have seen this coming. Ludwick began the week owned in only 3% of CBS leagues and rightfully so given he is splitting time with Skip Schumaker in the Cardinals outfield. He received his first at bat of the week Thursday and his first start on Friday then proceeded to homer in each of the Cards three weekend games and drive in 5 runs. If Ludwick keeps hitting, he should keep playing and could be an intriguing option later in the season. Despite the big weekend, Ludwick’s ownership is only up to 7%.

Worst Week Ever: Phil Hughes – 2 GS, 0-2, 5 IP, 12 H, 9 ER, 7 BB, 5 K

Hughes couldn’t get past the 3rd inning in either of his starts this week, both losses, and worse yet in the eyes of Yankee fans – he got lit up in his first start at Fenway.

FSE All-Week One Team

C Bengie Molina - .384, 5 R, 1 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 1.037 OPS
1B Lance Berkman - .391, 8 R, 4 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 1.417 OPS
2B Mark Ellis – .384, 48 R, 3 2B, 2 3B, 5 RBI, 2 SB, 1.086 OPS
SS Hanley Ramirez - .392, 6 R, 2 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 1 SB, 1.091 OPS
3B Joe Crede - .294, 5 R, 2 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 1.309 OPS
OF Matt Holliday - .480, 6 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 1 SB, 1.398 OPS
OF Raul Ibanez - .370, 7 R, 3 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 1.468 OPS
OF Justin Upton - .476, 4 R, 1 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI 1.309 OPS
U Albert Pujols - .416, 7 R, 2 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 1 SB 1.392 OPS
U Mark Reynolds - .291, 7 R, 1 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 1 SB, 1.078 OPS

SP Brian Bannister – 2 GS, 1 CG, 2-0, 14 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 9 K
SP Javier Vasquez – 2 GS, 2-0, 14 IP, 12 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 17 K
SP Cole Hamels – 2 GS, 2-0, 14 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 5 BB, 9 K
SP Dan Haren - 2 GS, 2-0, 12 IP, 11 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 12K
SP Greg Maddux – 2 GS, 2-0, 12 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 K
MR Hideki Okajima – 3 Holds, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
CL Huston Street – 3 Saves, 3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K

Honorable Mentions – Jhonny Peralta, Pat Burrell, Vladimir Guerrero, Casey Kotchman, Vernon Wells, Miguel Tejada, Carlos Pena, Zack Greinke, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Gavin Floyd, Jon Lieber, Edwin Jackson, Tim Hudson, Roy Halladay, Aarron Harang, Livan Hernandez and Derek Lowe.

Fantasy Baseball Weekly All-Star Team & Awards - Week 1

Week One Awards

Bat Of The Week: AJ Pierzynski – .500, 7 R, 4 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 1.565 OPS

Monster week from one of baseball’s true heels, putting up big power numbers without striking out once. His ownership has spiked since the weekend and is currently around 80% meaning he is still available in many leagues. AJP could be a valuable add especially for those owners dealing with injuries to Victor Martinez and Dioner Navarro. Ride him while he is hot.

Arm Of The Week: Ben Sheets – 2 GS, 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.59 WHIP, 15 K, 2 BB, 1 CG

Sheets didn’t allow a run in 15.3 innings this week, striking out 15 and only allowing 9 batters to reach base over the 2 games. Talent has never been an issue with this guy as he owns one of the 10 best arms in baseball, it’s simply a matter of staying healthy. If Sheets can start 30 games this season, a contract year, you are looking at a legitimate Cy Young candidate.

Pickup Of The Week: Nate McLouth – .428, 5 2B, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 2 SB, 1.162 OPS

McLouth has been gaining steam as a sleeper ever since winning the starting CF gig in Pittsburgh late in Spring Training. He entered the week owned in roughly 30% of leagues and handsomely rewarded owners who believed in his 20-20 potential by piecing together a great all around week from both a power and speed perspective. McLouth has now been snatched up in 70% of leagues and is the most popular pickup this side of Johnny Cueto. If he is available in your league, do not hesitate to add him.

Worst Week Ever: Travis Buck – 0/21, 0 R, 1 RBI, 9 K

Going hitless in 5 straight games and striking out in nearly half of your at bats are a good way to land here. Buck was a sacrifice fly away from putting up straight zeros.

FSE Week One Fantasy All-Star Team

C AJ Pierzynski - 500, 7 R, 4 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 1.565 OPS
1B Derrek Lee - .400, 6 R, 3 2B, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 1.303 OPS
2B Chase Utley – .429, 8 R, 2 2B, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 5 BB, 1.470 OPS
SS Jeff Keppinger - .434, 6 R, 3 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 1 SB, 1.306 OPS
3B Ryan Braun - .321, 4 R, 2 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, .928 OPS
OF Xavier Nady - .385, 6 R, 1 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 1.270 OPS
OF Rick Ankiel - .347, 5 R, 2 2B, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 1.226 OPS
OF Nate McLouth - .428, 5 2B, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 2 SB, 1.162 OPS
U Jermaine Dye - .416, 7 R, 4 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 1.314 OPS
U Chris B Young - .217, 7 R, 2 2B, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 7 BB, 2 SB, 1.096 OPS

SP Carlos Zambrano – 2 GS, 1-0, 1.32 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 12 K, 1 BB
SP Ben Sheets – 2 GS, 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.59, 15 K, 2 BB, 1 CG
SP Brandon Webb – 2 GS, 2-0, 2.08 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 11 K, 5 BB
SP Chien Ming Wang - 2 GS, 2-0, 1.38 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 8 K, 4 BB
SP Jake Peavy – 2 GS, 2-0, 0.56 ERA, .056 WHIP, 12 K, 4 BB
MR Joba Chamberlain – 2 Holds , 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP, 4 K
CL Joakim Soria – 3 Saves, 0.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP, 7 K

Honorable Mentions – Pat Burrell, Carlos Guillen, Kosuke Fukudome, Justin Upton, David Wright, Alex Rios, Felix Hernandez, Rich Harden, Johan Santana, Kyle Lohse, Johnny Cueto, Livan Hernandez, George Sherrill and Mariano Rivera.