Fantasy Baseball 2011: Who Should You Start, Sit During Week 2?

Major League Baseball is heading into its second full fantasy baseball week, and players are either starting to assert themselves or fall off the big league map.

Who are the players you want in your lineup for week two?  The answers are within your clutches on the roller coaster of this article.

Hang on for the ride, and I hope you get some great information from the show

Austin Jackson: Sit Him While He Struggles to Overcome His Early Strikeouts

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 28: Austin Jackson #14 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates scoring in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins during their game on June 28, 2010 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Tigers defeated the Twins 7-5. (Photo by

The speedy first batter for the Tigers, Jackson has struggled out of the gate this season.  He's batting below the Mendoza line (.200) and fanning a lot.

He struck out over 170 times last year, and looks to be approaching the number again.  No player is going to go 4-for-4 every single game, but Jackson is currently guaranteeing fantasy owners one out per contest.

He'll bounce back, but until he does...

Vladimir Guerrero: Start Him Because He's Starting to Mash the Ball

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BALTIMORE, MD - APRIL 04: Batter Vladimir Guerrero #27 of the Baltimore Orioles in the on deck circle against the Detroit Tigers during opening day at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 4, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

All Guerrero does is hit the ball—hard.  If you saw his home run to straight away center field last week, then you know he can still rake with the best of them.

He blasted a pitch from Brad Penny over even the leaping Austin Jackson's glove.  It looked just like a recent blast from Ryan Howard.

Guerrero is much younger than Howard, though—wink, wink.

Albert Pujols: Phat Albert's Bat Hasn't Gotten Skinny Just Yet

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ST. LOUIS, MO - APRIL 2: Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals returns to the dugout after striking out against the San Diego Padres at Busch Stadium on April 2, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

This young man is in the market for a larger contract, but he's starting off sluggish like the economy.  The Cardinals general manager may have a little leverage—for now.

But Albert could start shaking and raking at any moment.  He should never, ever be on your bench.

D'uh.

Phil Hughes: Is He Pitching His Way out of the Starting Rotation?

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 03: Phil Hughes #65 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Detroit Tigers at Yankee Stadium on April 3, 2011 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

This is a no-brainer because right now, Phil Donahue is pitching better than Hughes.  The starter for the Yankees behind C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, Hughes has been burning himself on the mound.

He's possibly on his way out of the rotation.  If he continues to pitch like this, then writers will have no choice but to compare him to last year's A.J.

Except for C.C. and Mariano Rivera, be afraid of all Yankees pitchers fantasy owners—until further notice.

Maicer Izturis: Start Him for Runs, Batting Average and Clutch RBIs

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ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 08: Maicer Izturis #13 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim slides safely across home plate and scores a run against the Toronto Blue Jays in the third inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 8, 2011 in Anaheim, California. The Bl

I noticed Izturis drove in the winning run for the Angels in the 14th inning last week.  But don't expect him to be a huge RBI guy this Major League Baseball season.

He's leading off for the Angels and with his high batting average, he'll be driven in a lot by the big boppers the Angels have.

Izturis is listed as a second baseman, shorstop and third baseman—providing extra value for fantasy team owners.

Chase Utley: Is the Chase On for a Return Soon to the Major Leagues?

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 23: Chase Utley #26 of the Philadelphia Phillies walks against the San Francisco Giants in the ninth inning of Game Six of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park on October 23, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvani

Now hear this, fantasy owners—a word of advice for newbies—do not start Chase Utley until further notice.

Some new owners may be tempted to put him in the starting lineup—just in case the Phillies slip him in secretly.  This won't happen.

Injured players usually go through rehabilitation stints in the minor leagues and get sent back to the majors when they look ready to perform at the highest levels.

Utley is a long ways away.  Try his replacement—Wilson Valdez.

Aubrey Huff: Sit Him at the End of Your Bench This Week

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PEORIA, AZ - MARCH 08: Aubrey Huff #17 of the San Francisco Giants hits a deep fly out against Seattle Marinerr during the spring training baseball game against at Peoria Stadium on March 8, 2011 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Imag

Huff was sent further slumping by the usually excellent St. Louis Cardinals pitchers.

He could come on strong this week.  For now, he's hitting .222.  Keep him on the bench until he does start coming on strong.

You'll know to start him after he has a multi-hit game.  Huff and puff and keep him on the bench until then.

Ike Davis: Start Him for His RBIs

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 18: Ike Davis #29 of the New York Mets in action against the Atlanta Braves during their game on September 18, 2010 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Davis isn't just a left-handed look-alike Jayson Werth.  Ike is batting in the order behind the suddenly relevant Carlos Beltran and should have plenty of RBI chances.

I like Ike as a fantasy player because he's coming off a season in which he hit 19 home runs.  It was his first full ride in the majors and he produced.

Look for steady production from the lefty all season long.

Luke Scott: Sit Him Until He Gets Going

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ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 02: Outfielder Luke Scott #30 of the Baltimore Orioles bats against the Tampa Bay Rays during the game at Tropicana Field on April 2, 2011 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Scott was injured to start the season and will need some time to get going.  Give him a go next week, and your team will be good to go.

Manager Showalter doesn't need offense, and he'll take it easy on Luke until he gets going.

Russell Martin: The Former Dodger Could Become a Very Solid Yankee Catcher

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BOSTON, MA - APRIL 9: Russell Martin #55 of the New York Yankees connects for a three-run home run against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning at Fenway Park April 9, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

One of the best hitting catchers in MLB, Russell hasn't shown it in the last couple of seasons, but he's showing it in the Bronx.

Must be something about the Jankees, I mean—Yankees.  Martin has to keep a clean-looking face, per team rules.

Maybe it's the stuff better hitting is made of.  Martin is back on track to join the club of elite hitting catchers.