Around the MLB on April 21st: Who's Hot, Who's Not

I can't believe the way this MLB season keeps "flip-flopping" itself.  We've already seen a lot of surprises, coming in the forms of Boston's struggles and Cleveland's amazing performance.  There have been hot starts, like that of the Rangers and the Reds and heart breaks—Josh Hamilton being the prime example. 

This week brings no tragic news, such as that of Hamilton, but I can assure all of my readers that Rangers fans are safe from reading anything to make them frown.  One of my favorite parts about writing this sort of article is knowing how it keeps changing and analyzing it.

That all being said, I present to you this week's WHO'S HOT WHO'S NOT.

HOT: Jered Weaver

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 10: Jered Weaver #36 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim throws a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 10, 2011 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. The Angels won 3-1. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Usually, I'd lead the blog off with a couple hot teams, but in all seriousness, there really isn't a team that would qualify this week.  Going 5-0 with a 1.23 ERA and a league-leading 39 strikeouts is the tune that Weaver is currently singing to. 

He had a great 2009 campaign, winning a career-high 16 games.  In 2010, he slumped off a little bit, going 13-12, however, his ERA was almost a full point lower.  He could be the first to 20 wins this season and the best pitcher to start.

HOT: Josh Johnson

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - APRIL 01: Josh Johnson #55 of the Florida Marlins pitches during opening day against the New York Mets at Sun Life Stadium on April 1, 2011 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

His wins don't measure up to Weaver's, but his numbers definitely do.  His ERA is a very impressive 1.00.  To build on that impressive number, he's 3-0 and has a 9:2 K/BB ratio.  If we include 2011, Johnson is 36-12 since 2008—so to say he would be a shocker to win a Cy Young would be untrue. 

What is misunderstood about Johnson is that he pitches for a team whose offense has been stagnant for a long time, besides bright points like Hanley Ramirez and the recently-departed Dan Uggla.  This could be Johnson's year to reign supreme in the National League.

HOT: Matt Kemp

Harry How/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 17: Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers runs to first base during the game against the St Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium on April 17, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Kemp has had an incredible start on a team that has had, well, less than an incredible start (9-10, 4.5 games behind the Rockies).  His .426 average leads the majors and his .500 on-base percentage is second.  They are incredible numbers, and I gather from this that this man is on base every other time he comes to the plate. 

Kemp had a terrific year in 2009, with .297/.352/.490 as his stat line.  In 2010, however, he played up... or down... to the Dodgers' performance, having a .249/.310/.450.  Point is, Kemp is the only Dodger highlight to this point in the season.

HOT: Joey Votto

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PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 08: Joey Votto #19 of the Cincinnati Reds at bat during the Major League Baseball home opening game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on April 8, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks defeated the Reds 13-2. (Photo

The reigning MVP is on a roll—much differently than his Reds teammates.  He's batting .418 with an incredible .518 on-base percentage.  So far, there has been nothing to criticize Votto about.  His defense has been flawless, and recently, he's been the only Red that is hitting well.  Through 19 games, he's been on base in all but one, amassing 13 hits and 6 walks.  Mark my words, he'll be MVP again.

NOT: Los Angeles Dodgers

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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 14: Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt speaks at a news conference at Dodger Stadium prior to a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers on April 14, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. Large numbers of LAPD

It seems pretty self-explanatory.  Bud Selig and Major League Baseball have seized the operations of the team.  Pity that Frank McCourt had to give this name to such a storied franchise.  Worth the $30 million Frankie?

NOT: Chicago White Sox

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 07: Chris Sale #49 of the Chicago White Sox (L) is greeted by teammate Sergio Santos #46 during player introductions before the home opener against the Tampa Bay Rays at U.S. Cellular Field on April 7, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Wh

They were one of the top teams at the very beginning of the year, being near the top of the AL Central with the shocking Indians and Royals.  Now, they've lost seven games in a row.  Carlos Quentin is batting .309, and that's been their main contribution (Konerko is at .300, but it has not helped).  Pitching hasn't been bad, but the offense has been non-existant over the last several games.

NOT: Adam Dunn

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 07: Adam Dunn #32 of the Chicago White Sox waits in the dugout for player introductions before the home opener against the Tampa Bay Rays at U.S. Cellular Field on April 7, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox defeated the Rays 5-1

He has an average of .175 and two home runs.  Not what the Sox signed him for.

NOT: Nick Markakis

Rob Carr/Getty Images

BALTIMORE, MD - APRIL 10: Nick Markakis #21 of the Baltimore Orioles at the plate against the Texas Rangers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 10, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Oh how much more I expected from this man.  He's batting .171 on the year and .215 overall.  He's a career .296 hitter—clearly he has potential, but at this point, he's done nothing but disappoint.

Thanks for reading!  Next edition of Who's Hot Who's Not will be posted next Thursday!