Fantasy Baseball Breakfast: Sanchez, Pelfrey, And More From 4/20

Mike Pelfrey, Kevin Slowey, & Jonathan Sanchez excelled.  Lance Berkman returned.  Let’s look at these stories and all the rest from yesterday’s games:

Hitters:

• Jose Reyes (4-5, 2 RBI, 1 SB) - Generally, I wouldn’t put this type of performance on here, but it’s extremely important when it comes to Reyes.  He had been 0-17 over his last four games and had just one stolen base on the season.  He likely is in line for a big-time explosion and this may just be the start of it.
• Vernon Wells (3-4, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 R) - That puts him at .364 with 7 HR and 12 RBI on the year.  The only thing that comes to mind is…  Wow!  He was certainly a sleeper heading into the season and has paid dividends over the first two plus weeks.  Even if he bottoms out from this point forward, he’s already justified the pick.
• Howie Kendrick (1-3, 3 RBI) - He’s now on a five-game hitting streak, going 8-18 with 1 HR, 6 RBI, 3 R and 1 SB.  Yeah, he’s had some luck with a .390 BABIP so far this season, but he’s proven in the past that he can flat out hit.  The average will likely take a bit of a hit (currently at .340), but he’s looking like the .300+ hitter we’ve all been waiting for.
• Rafael Furcal (2-5, 1 RBI, 2 R, 2 SB) - He’s been a revelation all around, with his .333 average and 12 R, but the most important number is his 6 SB.  It clearly looks like he’s over the injury issues he has been dealing with in the past.  Can he keep it up?  We’ll soon find out, but for now he’s a must own option in all formats.
• Lance Berkman (1-4, 2 RBI) - The team slipped him right into the third hole and he looked pretty good in his first game of the season.  He’s going to try and put 2009 out of our minds and is immediately a must play in all formats.
• Ryan Ludwick (3-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R) - He’s hitting .333 with 3 HR, 8 RBI, and 9 R.  Is he still just a sleeper or have we once again become a believer? 

Pitchers:

• Mike Pelfrey (7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 6 K, W) - One of my five starting pitcher sleepers heading into the season (click here to read the list), Pelfrey has been everything and more early on in 2010.  He improved to 3-0 with a 0.86 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP through 21 innings (not to mention a save to boot) and has thrown 19 consecutive scoreless innings.  Didn’t think he could post a usable strikeout rate?  With 16 Ks, he’s currently sporting a 6.9 K/9.  Needless to say, if he’s sitting on the waive wire, do not hesitate to grab him.
• Chad Billingsley (3.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, 0 BB, 2 K) - He is now sporting an ugly 7.07 ERA, but we all know he’s just not that bad.  Giving up on him now would be a major error in judgment, as it’s just a matter of time before he rights the ship.  You endured the bad, you need to stick around for the good.
• Colby Lewis (5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 5 K) - Lewis has been good, with a 3.12 ERA and 1.33 WHIP, but numbers can be a bit deceiving.  He’s already walked 10 batters in 17.1 innings, so let’s not get overly excited.  Plus, his first two starts were not against offensive juggernauts, having took on Seattle and Cleveland.  Is he worth considering?  Absolutely, but there is a good chance of struggles as well, so stay cautious.
• Kevin Slowey (8.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 9 K, W) - He currently has a 17:6 strikeout-to-walk ratio.  If he can keep up that type of pace, it’s going to be an extremely impressive season for him.  His next start comes in Kansas City and he’s certainly worth using at this point.
• Ryan Madson (1 IP, 3 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 0 K) - He blew the save, giving up two longballs in the process.  With a 7.24 ERA and having given up runs in three of his seven outings, it’s clear that Brad Lidge will be slipped right back into the closers role once healthy.  The other question that’s worth asking is if Lidge were to struggle again, would the Phillies again look to Madson to fill the role?  That’s certainly no guarantee right now and if you are in need of saves, it’s worth looking into and following closely.
• Jonathan Sanchez (7.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 3 BB, 10 K) - Unbelievable he can have this type of outing and come away with a loss (he was outpitched by Mat Latos, who gave up 0 ER on 4 H and 1 BB, striking out 2, over 7 innings).  He has 27 Ks vs. 8 BBs in his first three starts, with 21 Ks coming over his last two starts.  Has he finally put things together?  We’ll find out in his next start, when he takes on the Philadelphia Phillies.  He’s always had a ton of talent, but was also always a huge risk.  If he’s still available, for some reason, the reward right now clearly outweighs the risk.  Grab him in all formats.

What are your thoughts on these stories?  Anything else worth mentioning?

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