I think I can-o. I think I can-o. Opposing catchers are claiming to have heard Robinson Cano chanting these words to himself as he stepped into the batters box on numerous occasions during the first two weeks of the season. Sources have reported that Yasmani Grandal is confirming these allegations, saying he heard him mutter those exact words on Tuesday night right before he hit his first home run of the season. That two-run homer accounts for 7 of Robinson’s measly 13 points so far this season. While it is much too early in the season to Joe “Panik”, my preseason fantasy MVP is making me look bad. And for those of you that have never met me, which should be every one of you, I already look bad enough. Over the last five seasons Cano has averaged 511 fantasy points. However, last season’s move to Seattle saw his points take a dip to 449, his lowest total since 2008 (346). My preseason projections for Cano have him coming in just under 449 at 437 points. With 13 points in hand that means he’s got another 424 points in the tank. I don’t put much stock into projections, but if for some reason the Cano owner in your league is willing to make a fair deal, I’d try and make that deal.
I think I Cain. I think I Cain. I think he Cain too. Last week I suggested that you should keep a close eye on Lorenzo Cain. Between the time I wrote that article and the time it posted, I picked him up. I’ve been high fiving myself all week. Since then he has hit 5 singles, 3 doubles, a home run, driven in 7 runs, scored 6 runs, walked 5 times and stole 1 base. In points leagues that translates to 33 points. Subtract the 5 strikeouts and Lorenzo has tallied 28 points in the last six games. He has hit safely in every game this season and now has a 9 game hitting streak. Cain and able!!!
You know who else is riding a 9-game hitting streak? If you guessed Giancarlo Stanton you would be wrong. If I had asked who has a 9-game streak of no home runs [Jay’s Note: This was submitted before Stanton hit one.], however, you would have been right on the money. The correct answer is Adrian Gonzalez. While Gonzalez has not hit a home run since last week, he has yet to cool down at the plate. He has either a double, a home run or both in 7 of his 9 games and still leads all batters with 63 points, averaging 1.5 points per plate appearance. How about a stolen base Adrian? Isn’t your nickname Speedy Gonzalez? Wrong Gonzalez? My bad. I guess that was Juan Gonzalez.
Let’s talk about some birds. Are any of you readers bird watchers? Is that what they call the Cardinals fan club? What’s your big number? Has anyone seen The Big Year? Surprisingly it’s not the worst movie I’ve ever seen. Our first bird is actually an ex-bird. We have a new home run leader in fantasy baseball. I guess that would include real baseball too. I’ll have to admit, I expected a down season from him, but ex-Oriole Nelson Cruz has been on a home run tear, hitting six in his last five games and now has 42 points. I still don’t like him, but it’s hard to dispute the results. Nelson has a son whom he named Nelson Junior. How original. Personally I think he should have gone with Tom. He could have starred in a remake of Top Gun called El Top Gun.
Our next Oriole is brought to you by Adam Duritz. Adam Jones and me stumbling through the barrio leading the league in runs batted in. Second only to A-Gon, Jones now has 51 fantasy points and is averaging 1.457 points per plate appearance (PPPA). When asked about Jones’ performance Philip Seymour Hoffman, I mean Buck Showalter, said “he’s seeing it and hitting it. Mr. Jones and me, we’re gonna be big stars…”
How about we add a Blue Jay to our list. In 31 at bats, Devon Travis has 2 home runs, 6 RBIs and 27 points. For a player that was un-drafted in nearly all leagues he is having a nice start to the season. Currently he doesn’t have any steals, but I see him as a 10+ steal guy. A second baseman with double digit homers and steals is nothing to flip the bird at. Unowned in many points leagues, he’s a guy I’d keep an eye on. If you’re looking for a second baseman to give the finger to I’d look no further than Jedd Gyorko and his one point. You’re number one Jedd. Number effing one!
While I was busy pimping out Buster Posey in my preseason draft lectures, I should have spent a few cycles focusing on Salvador Perez. In 12-team leagues he was drafted, on average, in the 9th round as the 5th catcher selected. With 38 points (1.118 PPPA) Perez leads all catchers and is proving to be a real draft day steal for his owners. I love what he’s doing, but my money is still on Posey finishing the season as the top backstop.
Damn you Don Mattingly. Seriously! As a lifelong Yankees fan from the 80’s you are not making me a happy fantasy baseballer. Put Juan Uribe out to pasture and let Alex Guerrero have his chance to shine. In 12 at bats he has 2 homers, 8 RBIs and 22 points. It’s a small sample size, but I like what I see and would love to see what he can do with regular playing time. Come on Donnie Baseball. #inductdonnie
16, 15, 14. No, that’s not a countdown from 16. Who counts down from 16 anyway? It’s the number of strikeouts for George Springer, Chris Davis and Bryce Harper respectively. It seems the strikeout artist doesn’t fall far from the strikeout tree. Springer and Davis I expected, but Harper not so much. The Bryce ain’t right. Sorry, had to. But let’s get back to George Springer for a moment. Although I’m not sure he even deserves a moment. Springer’s 16 strikeouts leads the majors and has left him with -1 fantasy points on the season. Negative points?!? That’s the definition of pathetic. Winner winner, chicken dinner? I don’t think so. More like Springer Springer, you better hit a dinger.
While everyone’s busy ooh’ing and aah’ing over Billy Hamilton and his 8 stolen bases, 1 home run and 22 fantasy points, I am much more interested in Dee Gordon (35 points). Dee is second in stolen bases with 6 and is sporting a .378 batting average. Hamilton is batting a meager .218. When a reporter asked Pete Rose who he was betting would end the season with more points between Billy and Dee, not to be confused with Billy Dee, his response was “Deez nuts!!!” He followed that with, “screw Donnie, induct me”.
I guess I should touch on a few pitchers before signing off. Shane Greene leads all pitchers with 62 points. Shane who? Where the flock did this guy come from? Actually he came to Detroit from the Yankees as part of the trade that brought Didi Gregorius to New York. Last season he struck out 81 batters in 78 and two thirds innings. Right now Greene is 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA. On a team that scores runs like the Tigers do it will be interesting to see what Greene can do for you.
After Greene we have the usual suspects of Scott Kazmir (61 points) and Jake Odorizzi (58 points). Did I say usual suspects, I guess I meant unusual suspects. Were you expecting Clayton Kershaw? I know you weren’t, but that’s because if you’re reading this that means you’ve been following baseball and know that he only has 17 points. He also has 14 strikeouts in 12 innings. So there’s that. It’s tough to make much out of two starts, but while I’m trying I would like to give another shout out to Trevor Bauer is his league leading 19 strikeouts.
Some pitchers I am keeping an eye on include Collin McHugh (49 points), Bartolo Colon (52 points), Edinson Volquez (45 points) and Brandon McCarthy (37 points). And one pitcher I am glad I own no share of is John Lester, aka Mo-Lester. Why would I call him that? Do I have something to share? No. In two starts he has a total of 7 points and anyone that drafted him most certainly feels like they’ve been improperly handled.
Here are some players, besides the super obvious, that have a chance (according to Hitter-Tron) to score more than their fair share of fantasy points over the next week or so. Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas and Alcides Escobar. Looks like we have a Royal trifecta. Does Hitter-Tron live in Kansas City?
Welcome to the big leagues Kris Bryant. Game on!
This post is dedicated to Watty Piper.