Fantasy Baseball: Major Slump Report (May 12th)

These guys gave fantasy owners headaches all week. Regardless of their name recognition, some these headliners will be riding the pine on fantasy teams if they can’t turn in some better production.

Week Five of the baseball season was simply not a good one for the following ballplayers.

1. Carlos Pena, 1B, TB

The Tampa Bay first baseman was only 1-for-27 for a .037 batting average last week. The month of May has not been kind to Pena thus far.

Pena has had only five hits in the last 49 tries, leaving him with a .102 average for the last two weeks.

Expect Pena to watch some games from the dugout until he beats the slump.

2. Hideki Matsui, DH, LAA

“Thrilla from Godzilla” wasn't tearing anything up last week. He was only 2-for-20. Not what you would expect from a player whose sole role on a team is to hit.

Matsui has only six hits in his last 45 plate appearances.

3. Adam Lind, OF, TOR

Lind was 3-for-29 last week. His single home run was not nearly enough to make it up to his fantasy owners.

4. Pablo Sandoval, 3B/1B, SF

“Kung-Fu Panda” was kicking anyone’s rear end last week. His week was terrible, as he also went 3-for-29.

5. Mark Reynolds, 3B/1B, ARI

Reynolds was 3-for-25. He was able to manage a home run during his awful week of production, though.

The Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman/first baseman has been dealing with a sore quad.

6. Michael Bourn, OF, HOU

The Houston outfielder was 3-for-23 last week.

Bourn is hitting .284 and has 11 steals overall this season.

Last week was just a hiccup; hold your breath and his slump will pass shortly. There is no reason at this point to even think about trading a guy projected to steal 50-plus bases in rotisserie leagues.

7. Aaron Hill, 2B, TOR

The Toronto second baseman was 4-for-30 for a .133 average this past week.

Hill’s overall average is horrific, at .190, and he has only had 15 hits this season.

He has certainly earned his way off your fantasy roster, but his projections are high this season. Giving him a few weeks to break out of the slump might pay off, but stick him on the bench in the meantime.

8. Johnny Damon, OF, DET

The Detroit Tigers outfielder had a tough week, going 2-for-14.

Damon did have a little success this week with a solo home run on May 10, but he has been dealing with a calf issue, which may have factored in last week’s slump.

Damon has always done pretty well for himself. There is no need to panic. Let him play it out, as he will beat the slump fairly soon.

9. Lance Berkman, 1B, HOU

The slump continues for the Houston first baseman. This past week he was 3-for-21 for a .130 average.

He is projected to hit .278 with 22 home runs and 78 RBI, but that might not be happening this season. His overall average of .194 with only two homers and 12 hits are Carlos Lee-like scary.

It’s time to cut the strings and let him go in shallow leagues.

10. Ryan Doumit, C, PIT

Doumit didn’t fare well last week, going 3-for-21 with only three RBI.

He hit a grand slam two weeks ago, making owners believe his struggles were over.

Doumit is projected to hit .286 with 16 home runs. It would be a good idea to put him on the bench if you have a backup catcher until he beats the slump.

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