Week 3 Fantasy Baseball Revelations: American League

1. There Was Nothing Fluky About Curtis Granderson's Monster 2011 Campaign

If we were to extrapolate Granderson's current numbers (6 HR, 10 RBI, 14 R, .279 BA, 1.003 OPS) over a 150-game slate, he'd be on pace for 60 homers and 140 runs. Obviously, that's a pipe dream for now, but the larger point suggests that skeptical or stubborn fantasy owners missed a golden opportunity to corral a top-five asset late in Round 2 (12-team leagues).

They also passed on a chance to acquire perhaps the American League's best power-speed option, although Granderson doesn't have a steal yet.

With Jacoby Ellsbury on the shelf until June, there are no Matt Kemp clones in the junior circuit. But Granderson (104 career steals) might be the closest thing to that. He's a healthy bet for at least 29 homers, 104 RBI, 117 runs and 22 steals. 

2. There Will Be a Three-Horse Race for American League Cy Young

While compiling my top 40 starting pitchers during spring training, I must have changed the rankings for Justin Verlander (2-1, 1.72 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 31/8 K/BB ratio), Jered Weaver (3-0, 2.43 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, 28/2 K/BB) and Felix Hernandez (1-1, 2.76 ERA, 1.02, 31/5 K/BB) at least 15 times before ultimately settling on Verlander (No. 3 overall), Weaver (No. 5) and King Felix (No. 6).

At this point, one could forever debate the trio's 1-2-3 arrangement.

But no other American League arm belongs in this super-elite cluster of pitchers—although Colby Lewis (2-0, 2.03 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 24/1 K/BB), James Shields (3-0, 2.76 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 20/8 K/BB), Matt Harrison (3-0, 1.66 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 13/4 K/BB), Bartolo Colon (3-1, 2.63 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, 19/2 K/BB), Jake Peavy (2-0, 2.75 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, 21/2 K/BB) and Ricky Romero (3-0, 3.29 ERA, 1.06, 18/10 K-BB) have been impressive. And CC Sabathia will soon rise up.

Bottom line: Weaver, Verlander and King Felix have sustained track records of fantasy excellence. They have also lived up to the immense expectations that came out of spring training.

Let's see Colon, Lewis or Harrison do that through Memorial Day. 

3. Enjoy the Edwin Encarnacion Thrill Ride While It Lasts

The above statement does not imply that Encarnacion is an eminently replaceable asset in fantasy circles, like Jack Hannahan, Delmon Young or White Sox pitcher John Danks.

I'm merely saying that Encarnacion's remarkable numbers through 15 games (4 HR, 13 RBI, 9R, 3 S, .323 BA) will likely taper off sometime in the near future.

Why?

Because guys with career marks of .262 batting and 32 steals (over eight seasons) don't start blowing up the opposition at age 29...as full-time designated hitters.

On the plus side, Encarnacion and his 1B/3B fantasy eligibility should fare well in the current trade market. Need a top-notch No. 2 pitcher like Ricky Romero, Ian Kennedy or Tommy Hanson? What about outfielders Jason Heyward or Desmond Jennings?

Strange but true: Fantasy owners can confidently seek out these five stars during the Encarnacion tidal wave. (No promises of a "yes" response...you just won't get laughed out of the room.)  

4. Speaking of Things That Might Not Last...

I have reservations about Yankees pitcher Ivan Nova (3-0, 3.79 ERA, 1.42 WHIP) maintaining a sub-4.00-ERA/sub-1.50-WHIP pace or eclipsing 160 strikeouts this season, for one prominent reason: He gives up too many hits.

Yes, Nova has All-Star marks in K/BB (20/2) and BB/9 (0.9), but he's just too much of a wild card to covet as a No. 3 or 4 pitcher in 12-team mixed leagues.

You know that old baseball catcall of "Just throw strikes. Make 'em beat you"? Well, allowing opposing hitters to bat .321 (on good days) simply isn't a long-term recipe for success. Too many balls in play, and too many chances to have ERA/WHIP reduced to mediocre levels.

Of course, that mini-rant has nothing to do with the almighty victory. Given his plum spot in the rotation and direct-beneficiary role with the Yankees offense, Nova is a good bet for 15-16 wins this season.

Jay Clemons can be reached on Twitter, day or night, at @ATL_JayClemons.