Fantasy Baseball

Daisuke Matsuzaka was a player who was all over the draft board. Some saw Dice-K as nothing more than a Boston hype job, while others drafted him as if he were Cy Young incarnate.

Cy Young better scoot over, after game one at least. Matsuzaka was dazzling in his big league debut, with ten strikeouts in seven innings pitched. He gave up six hits, one walk and only one earned run while getting the win for Boston.

And the best news for Dice-K owners is that it didn’t look like a fluke. He was throwing upwards of 95 miles per hour and his off speed pitches were more devastating than advertised.

However, a smart Dice-K owner is already thinking about selling high. Even if he continues to be the best pitcher in the American League, his stock in some leagues might be even higher than that. If you can get another top of the line pitcher and a bat from a team, don’t let the excitement keep you from making a trade.

Selling high wins fantasy championships.

Early in the baseball season, feel good stories run rampant. Whether it’s a guy making it back from injury or the guy with the troubled past getting his life back on track, you can usually find a couple of heart warming stories around the league this time of year.

And not only can these stories warm the heart, they also have fantasy implications. Although usually these type of players are more of an impact in keeper or dynasty leagues, there are always a couple players who come out of nowhere to be big contributors right away.

Here are three players who you should keep an eye on:

Josh Hamilton - Hamilton’s story has the chance to become one of the best feel good stories of all-time. Here’s a guy who battled various demons over the last few years that kept him out of the game completely. He was the number one overall selection in the 1999 draft, but drugs ravaged his career and it wasn’t until this week that he finally appeared in a big league game. If he can shake off the rust and regain some of the skills that made him the top prospect in 1999, Hamilton could be the sleeper of the season for the Cincinnati Reds.

Elijah Dukes - This 22-year-old member of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays has had his share of run-ins with the law. It’s been reported that he’s been arrested a half dozen times, including a couple incidents recently. Given that, he’s a phenomenal five-tool talent who could do big things down the line. If he can turn his life around (and there are reports that he has), be sure to track his status.

Eric Gagne - In 2003, Gagne had perhaps the best season ever by a relief pitcher. He converted all 55 save opportunities with the Los Angeles Dodgers that season, to go along with a 1.20 ERA, a Cy Young Award and a sixth place showing in the MVP award. However, over the last two season, the once unhittable Gagne has only been able to pitch 15 total innings. This season, he has signed with the Texas Rangers and while he’s currently on the injured list, he’s expected to pitch soon and could have an immediate impact.

Don’t you love it when scrub players get off to a blazing start and then all the fantasy players in your league get overly excited? You check your league’s waiver wire and see that all the players who went 4-for-4 on opening day get picked up.

Happens every year. Once that happens, then I officially can ring in the baseball New Year.

Let’s look at players who are off to fast starts and which are for real and which are flukes.

Heroes

• Vladimir Guerrero - This is a case of a great player off to a great start. Guerrero has five hits in his first seven at bats, including a double, a homer and four RBIs.
• Richie Sexson - Sexson is off to a big start. Two hits, two homers in his first two games. Expect him to get his 35-45 dingers and 110-125 RBIs.
• Miguel Cabrera - Is there a more naturally skilled player in the game? This guy was born to hit. Five hits in seven at bats, with five RBIs, a homer and two doubles.

Zeroes

• Trot Nixon - The longtime Bostonian is now in Cleveland and has gotten off to a fast start. Don’t fall for it. If you do have him, sell high!
• Ian Kinsler - Kinsler is a solid young prospect. He has a chance to bust out this season, but don’t go overboard on this kid. He doesn’t have an overly high ceiling and won’t keep up the power numbers he’s shown early in the season.
• Orlando Hudson - He’s off to a nice start but he’ll find his way back to mediocrity before long. He’s nearly 30, so don’t expect a sudden breakout season from this guy.

Welcome to my Fantasy Baseball blog. Throughout the season, I will be giving everyone advice on the daily dealings of Fantasy Baseball. From the draft to the championships, I will hopefully be your guide to victory. I hope you all enjoy the blog!

Baseball, Fantasy Baseball