MLB Fantasy Week In Review: May 3 – May 9

What a tremendous week it was in fantasy baseball.

We saw Jody Gerut hit for the cycle, Rod Barajas hit two home runs in a game, Josh Beckett get bombed again, and of course, Dallas Braden throw the 19th perfect game in major league history.

Here are all the fantasy studs, players who have me concerned, and the potential pickups from the fantasy week that was.

Fantasy Studs

Vladimir Guerrero: .360/4/13

Vlad has found the fountain of youth in Texas.

You could be 100-years-old and would still be able to hit in Texas.

Aaron Rowand: .357/3/11

It’s good to see Rowand hitting the baseball instead of getting hit by them or a wall, or a dugout bench, or anything else Rowand has ran into over the years.

Jayson Werth: .360/4/9.

Werth is really gearing up for huge season and a huge contract at the end of the season.

Nick Swisher: .391/3/9/.440.

As long as guys like Robinson Cano and Jorge Posada get on base in front of him, Swisher should be a good source of RBI all season.

He is also a good source of walks.

Alex Rios: .464/3/8

One of the few Chicago White Sox hitters who have gotten off to a great start, Rios is liking his new home in Chicago.

Rios is hitting .324 with six home runs and nine SB’s on the season.

Jon Lester: 2-0 with 1.80 ERA and 12 K’s in 15 IP

After a slow start, Lester is starting to find his groove.

I still feel confident he can make a run at the Cy Young award.

Jake Peavy: 2-0 with a 1.20 ERA and 17 K’s in 15 IP

Peavy dominated the Toronto Blue Jays and Kansas City Royals last week.

He will face the Royals again this week, so Peavy is in play again.

Scott Baker: 2-0 with a 2.40 ERA and 14 K’s in 15 IP

This was a good week for Baker, who has gotten off to a slow start this year.

He will get wins pitching on the Minnesota Twins, but does give up a lot of hits and runs.

Dallas Braden: 1-1 with 1.69 ERA and 9 K’s in 16 IP

I guess when you throw a perfect game you have to be on this list.

I still wouldn’t trust Braden throughout the season, but on Sunday, he was the man.

Neftali Feliz: Four saves with a 0.00 ERA and Four K’s in four IP

If Feliz continues to pitch lights out, I don’t think Frank Francisco will ever see his job again. Feliz looks to be the new K-Rod.

Reasons for Concern

Troy Tulowitzki

“Tulo” left yesterday’s game with a strained right quad muscle and is listed as day-to-day. Remember, Tulowitzki missed time in 2008 with the same injury.

The Rockies don’t think he will miss any time because of this injury, but it is something to keep an eye on.

Bobby Jenks

Jenks has given up 19 hits in 10 innings this year and blew a save yesterday against the Blue Jays.

When your manager says, “I think we’ve got a lot of options,” that is never a good sign.

Jenks’ reign as closer in Chicago looks to be coming to an end.

Max Scherzer

Scherzer had a 14.46 ERA last week and gave up 17 hits in 9.1 IP.

I have said it before and I will say it again—Scherzer belongs in the bullpen.

His situation is very similar to Joba Chamberlain’s situation in New York. The Yankees realized Chamberlain belonged in the bullpen and the Tigers should do the same.

I would not start Scherzer until he can prove he can get hitters out two or three times in a game.

Potential Pickups

Matt Thornton

Thornton is closer material, and has a 2.35 ERA, and is averaging 14.7 K’s/9.

I would pick him up in lieu of Jenks’ eventual demotion.

JJ Putz has not proven he can get batters out on a consistent basis to warrant moving into the closer’s role.

Starlin Castro

Since his call up from Double-A, Castro is 4-for-12 with a single, double, triple, and home run.

Not a bad start for the 20-year-old shortstop.

Castro is worth the pickup in all Keeper League formats.

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