Fantasy Sports Fix: My fantasy baseball team — Hot or not?
I think it’s about that time to check in on my one and only fantasy baseball team. This team is in a points league with 12 total participants. At this point, I’m in seventh place but have won two weeks in a row after losing the first two weeks.
At some point, preferably early in the season, there comes a time when you need to assess your team. I’ll do it again in a couple months, and then again before the end of the year.
In my assessments, I’m looking for a couple things out of my players. It usually boils down to production (overall and future) and consistency. I’m looking for players with a high production rate, players who are scoring points and scoring them consistently. Also, it’s a little bit of “what have you done for me lately” kind of thing, where recent production is a good thing.
Let’s break down my team to see who’s hot and who’s not.
Batters — Hot
Victor Martinez, designated hitter, Detroit TigersVictor Martinez, designated hitter, Detroit Tigers
Victor Martinez, designated hitter, Detroit Tigers
Over the last week alone, he’s scored 42 points and hit a whopping .518. The veteran has been pretty good over the first month of the season, though, as he is averaging 3.4 points per game.
Bryce Harper, outfield, Washington NationalsBryce Harper, outfield, Washington Nationals
Bryce Harper, outfield, Washington Nationals
On the season, he is averaging 4.2 points per game which is good enough to qualify, but this past weekend was not so kind to Harper as he went 0 for 11 at the plate.
Daniel Murphy, second base, Washington NationalsDaniel Murphy, second base, Washington Nationals
Daniel Murphy, second base, Washington Nationals
Consistently scoring two to three points per game has surely been helpful, but it’s also somewhat of a surprise considering he was a ninth round pick.
Batters — Not
Carlos Gonzalez, outfield, Colorado RockiesCarlos Gonzalez, outfield, Colorado Rockies
Carlos Gonzalez, outfield, Colorado Rockies
In the past two weeks, the Rockies slugger has only 16 total bases and a mere two RBIs.
Jose Abreu, first base, Chicago White SoxJose Abreu, first base, Chicago White Sox
Jose Abreu, first base, Chicago White Sox
For someone with 100 at-bats, you might expect more than 1.6 points per game, but this is where his season average stands.
Jimmy Rollins, shortstop, Chicago White SoxJimmy Rollins, shortstop, Chicago White Sox
Jimmy Rollins, shortstop, Chicago White Sox
He’s only playing a couple of times per week at this point, but at the time I picked him up, he was playing very well and producing at a decent rate.
Pitchers — Hot
Johnny Cueto, starting pitcher, San Francisco GiantsJohnny Cueto, starting pitcher, San Francisco Giants
Johnny Cueto, starting pitcher, San Francisco Giants
Four wins, only given up five walks, and he owns a stellar 19.8 points per game average.
Taijuan Walker, starting pitcher, Seattle MarinersTaijuan Walker, starting pitcher, Seattle Mariners
Taijuan Walker, starting pitcher, Seattle Mariners
He has a very low walk and earned run rate which is one of the reasons why he is averaging 16.2 points per contest at this early point in the season.
Pitchers — Not
Clay Buchholz, starting pitcher, Boston Red Sox
Clay Buchholz, starting pitcher, Boston Red Sox
I really had hope for Buchholz coming into the season, but it has dwindled after seeing his season average drop to 0.6 points per game.I really had hope for Buchholz coming into the season, but it has dwindled after seeing his season average drop to 0.6 points per game.
Clay Buchholz, starting pitcher, Boston Red Sox
I really had hope for Buchholz coming into the season, but it has dwindled after seeing his season average drop to 0.6 points per game.
James Shields, starting pitcher, San Diego PadresJames Shields, starting pitcher, San Diego Padres
James Shields, starting pitcher, San Diego Padres
Due in part to the Padres’ lackluster offense, Shields has zero wins on the season and only 35 points total to prove it.
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