Fantasy Baseball: Ten Players Who Produced in Week Two

At this point in the fantasy season, the sample size is too small to be giving up on any of your early or middle level picks.  However, if some of your last few picks are struggling it might be worth dropping them in favor of a player who is actually producing.  While the odds are the player is just riding a hot streak, you might be picking up the next fantasy breakout player.  The cost is small, so why not take a risk?  Here are ten players that had an excellent Week Two.      

Note: The number in the parentheses is the percent owned in all ESPN Fantasy Leagues.

David Freese (63.9)

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - APRIL 10: David Freese #23 of the St. Louis Cardinals after hitting a home-run against the San Francisco Giants is met at home-plate with a high-five from teammate Skip Schumaker #55 during a MLB baseball game at AT&T Park April 10, 20

Freese had an excellent week posting rates of .462/.483/.577 with a homer and six RBI.  He does not have a lot of power, but he will provide a solid average and should continue to drive in runs at a solid rate.  Third base is a shallow position, and if you are looking for one (Ryan Zimmerman owners?) Freese should provide good value.

Ryan Theriot (33.9)

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LOS ANGELES - APRIL 15: Ryan Theriot #3 of the St. Louis Cardinals hits an RBI single in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 15, 2011 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Theriot broke out of his early season struggles this past week with 12 hits, five runs, and four RBI.  He won’t hit for any power, but Theriot has posted at least 20 steals in each of the past four years and he should continue to be a solid source of runs batting in front of Pujols and Holliday.  He has both second base and shortstop eligibility.

Jonathan Herrera (26.2)

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PEORIA, AZ - MARCH 02: Jonathan Herrera #18 of the Colorado Rockies at bat against the San Diego Padres during spring training at Peoria Stadium on March 2, 2011 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Herrera has had a big week, posting a .409/.561/.613 line with a homer, three RBI, six runs, and four steals.  While he is not a power threat, Herrera should continue to score runs and steal bases.  His hot week should earn him more playing time at second base, which is another shallow position, and the fact that he plays in Coors Field can’t hurt.  Keep an eye on him.

Travis Hafner (17.2)

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SEATTLE, WA - APRIL 08: Travis Hafner #48 of the Cleveland Indians watches his three-run homerun in the fourth inning against the Seattle Mariners during the Mariners' home opener at Safeco Field on April 8, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Gr

Is the 2006/2007 Hafner back?  Probably not, but that doesn’t mean he’s not worth owning.  Hafner continued his hot start by hitting .333 with a 1.042 OPS this past week.  He also knocked out two homers.  On the season, Hafner has a .354 average, four homers, and nine RBI.  If you’re looking for power, Hafner is a cheap option.

Johnny Damon (36.9)

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CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 07: Johnny Damon #22 of the Tampa Bay Rays hits the ball against the Chicago White Sox during the home opener at U.S. Cellular Field on April 7, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox defeated the Rays 5-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/

Johnny Damon (36.9) – Damon exploded this past week for a .375 average, two homers, 11 RBI, and a stolen base.  The 11 RBI earn him a mention on this list, but Damon got hit on the hand with a pitch Sunday and so he will be out for the next few days.  Regardless, it is more likely that this week was just lightening in a bottle rather than the result of Damon turning back the clock a few years.

Fausto Carmona (8.0)

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CLEVELAND - APRIL 01: Fausto Carmona #55 of the Cleveland Indians pitches against the Chicago White Sox during the Opening Day game on April 1, 2011 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

After an atrocious first start, Carmona has been spectacular.  This week he had a 1.84 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and a 11:4 K:BB ratio in 14.2 innings.  The key for Carmona has always been limiting his walks, and over the last three starts he has done just that with a 15:6 K:BB ratio.  With the way Cleveland is playing, he is definitely worth a pick up.  Just keep an eye on his walk totals.

Kyle Lohse (16.1)

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - APRIL 10: Kyle Lohse #26 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the San Francisco Giants during a MLB baseball game at AT&T Park April 10, 2011 in San Francisco, California. The Cardinals beat the Giants 6 to 1. (Photo by Thearon W

Lohse threw a 7.1 inning gem this past week against the Dodgers, allowing two runs and striking out six.  He has a 2.82 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, and 16:2 K:BB ratio in 22.1 innings this season.  Lohse gets the Nationals his next time out, so he is worth a start.

Justin Masterson (46.7)

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ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 07: Justin Masterson #63 of the Cleveland Indians pitches against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the game at Angel Stadium on September 7, 2010 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

The former Red Sox prospect has been a huge part of Cleveland’s success this year and he continued his hot start with a dominant seven inning, one earned run performance against the Orioles.  On the season Masterson is 3-0 with a 1.33 ERA and 0.93 WHIP.  However, he does not strike out that many people out with only 12 in 20.1 innings (and nine of those came against the lowly Mariner offense).  In addition, his BABIP stands at .242, which is significantly lower than the league average of .300.  Considering his low strike out rates, there should be a correction and so Masterson is best used on a match-up only basis.  He faces Kansas City his next time on the hill.

Kyle Farnsworth (29.3)

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ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 15: Pitcher Kyle Farnsworth #43 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates the last out with catcher Kelly Shoppach #10 during a game against the Minnesota Twins at Tropicana Field on April 15, 2011 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by

Farnsworth has somehow managed to find his way into the Ray’s closer role, and so far he’s responded with excellent results.  This past week he had two saves, a win, and four strikeouts in three innings.  This is Kyle Farnsworth, so there is bound to be some messy outings but for now he is entrenched as closer and saves are saves.

Matt Capps (28.8)

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ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 17: Pitcher Matt Capps #55 of the Minnesota Twins closes out the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on April 17, 2011 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Capps did not have a great week on the field with a  6.75 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and a save in four innings of work; however, he became important when the Twins named him the closer instead of Joe Nathan, who has struggled since returning from injury.  Capps has not been lights out this year either, but he does have significant closer experience and should provide good returns as a closer.  It might not always be pretty, but again a save is a save.