- I'd be remiss if I didn't start by mentioning my very own Two-Bagger, Ian Kinsler. In 2004, Baseball America rated him the number one prospect in the Minors. He hit .402/11/52 with 30 doubles in 224 at-bats at low Class A Clinton in his age 21 season. Kinsler also had a lifetime batting average above .500 throughout his high school career. He has had a stellar resume where ever he's played and, so far, he's proving again why his 2008 campaign (shortened by a Sports Hernia injury) was no fluke. In Week 2, he put up a memorable line: .485/3/8 with 10 runs scored and six stolen bases. To date, Kinsler has outperformed nearly every one of his first round counterparts, save Miggy Cabrera and Albert Pujols. Now that's good company to keep.
- Matt Kemp is hitting seventh in an extremely formidable lineup. There is absolutely no way Joe Torre keeps him there for an entire season. But, I suspect Torre is employing the dual "don't rock the boat" & "lefty-righty" strategies for the time being as the Dodger's current state of play is quite good. Still, he was raking in Week 2, amassing hits in all six games, scoring eight runs with two home runs and driving in nine. He is for real. Take Notice.
- Pat Burrell who? Helloooo, Raul Ibanez. The long-time Seattle Mariner has been rejuvenated in his new home at Citizen's Bank Park. At age 36, he's getting off to one of the best starts of his career. He is on pace for well over 40 home runs, which would shatter his previous best of 33 in 2006. I'm smitten over his early power display (5 HRs and 4 doubles). To me, Ibanez is and has been a perfect good-value, third outfielder candidate in snake drafts. He' rewarding owners with a phenominal start. He'll slow down once that Philly heat wave hits in mid June, but he'll be good for his career norms, again: .280/24/94 with 90 runs scored, 270 total bases and 65 walks.
Filthy (Pitchers who stood out each week)
- Make no mistake about it, the Texas Rangers got straight Greinke'd against Zack last Saturday night. The guy has a 27 mph drop between his fastball (topping out at 95 mph) and his curve (68 mph). Combine this with deceiving arm speed, that's just unhittable. During his week 2 starts, Greinke pitched 14.0 innings, gave up zero runs, two walks, and fanned 19 batters. Oh, he picked up two Wins and a Quality Start in the process. Not too shabby for a guy who is 2 years removed from a social anxiety disorder.
- Heath Bell is the shining example of why you do not, under any circumstance, want to over pay for saves. Who among us could have predicted that Bell (a 16th round pick) would be a perfect 7 for 7 in Save opportunities two weeks into the season? He's also striking a guy out an inning with a WHIP under 1.00. Raise your hands if you like cheap saves!
- The pirates in Somalia must have pitching envy because Pittsburgh's starting staff has pitched extremely well. Paul Maholm, in particular, pitched 7 strong innings against the Braves and picked up the Win in week 2. Although owners ought to be pleased with his performance, they should also take notice of his low K rates. Maholm has never struck out guys at a high rate during his major league career, but low K/9 rates are usually an indicator of future trouble unless you have pinpoint control. So far in 2009, he has 6 Ks to 6 BBs... I look for his ERA to balloon a little from his current 0.87 line. But again, it will all depend on his walk rates.
Good Eye (Notable pick ups made by league owners each week)
- Chris Duncan: picked up by Jon Hurwitz on Tax Day (Apr. 15). Since he's gone 8 for 14 with a home run and 6 RBIs.
- Orlando Hudson: picked up by Robby Willey on Apr. 15. Since he's gone 9 for 19 with 5 runs scored, 5 BBs and a stolen base.
- Kevin Millwood: picked up by Hurwitz on Apr. 18. He went 9.0 strongs innings, giving up only 2 runs but picked up the loss against Greinke and the Royals.
Kinda difficult to see the Excel graphic, but there was a method to my madness... I compiled each team's categorical rankings and gave every one a composite average rank (no brain surgery).
| Team | Rank |
| 1. Inspect Her Gadget | 2.80 |
| 2. Yuri Sucart M.D. | 4.40 |
| 3. Gangsta Nation | 5.27 |
| 4. I Want to F--k ARod's Labrum | 5.60 |
| 5. The Fast & the Bi-Curious | 5.80 |
| 6. Fantasy Filipinos | 6.80 |
| 7. Laminated Wood | 6.80 |
| 8. San Francisco Switchhitters | 7.13 |
| 9. J. Gomes' Wife Babysat Me | 8.33 |
| 10. Lincecum Honor | 8.33 |
| 11. Team Longhorns | 8.40 |
| 12. Frederick Keys | 8.80 |
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