BY: SOME GUY NAMED STEVE
This past week was the start of the MLB season and more importantly the start of fantasy baseball. Each Monday I will go over the top pitcher and batter for both the AL and NL as well as some honorable mentions. Since most leagues started on Thursday this week will technically be the best players for the first 1.5 weeks.
AL Batter: J.D. Martinez (Boston Red Sox DH)
Week Statistics: .472avg, 5 HR, 16 RBI, 10 runs, .500 OBP, 1.083 SLG
There were many great batters in the AL this week, but no one compared to J.D. Martinez. Last year Martinez had his worst statistical season to date with only a .213 AVG and 7 home runs. At the age of 32, many saw this as a sign of Martinez getting older and that the Boston slugger would never return to the feared power hitter he once was. In just a week, “Just Dingers” Martinez debunked that theory as he leads all of baseball in home runs and RBIs as well as fourth in batting average. Martinez has gotten a hit in every single game this season and at least one RBI in all but one. His offensive explosion has helped the Red Sox get off to a hot 6-3 start and lead all American League teams in runs scored. Currently ranked 1st on the ESPN player rater, Martinez looks to be back to a top 3 round value and should smash his preseason ADP (average draft position) of 91.
Honorable Mention: Byron Buxton (Minnesota Twins OF): .481 AVG, 5 HR, 9 RBI, 7 runs, 1 SB, 1.185 SLG
AL Pitcher: Tyler Glasnow (Tampa Bay Rays SP)
Week Statistics: 2 GS, 0 wins, 12 IP, 5 hits, 1 ER, 2 BB, 15 Ks, 0.75 ERA, 0.58 WHIP
Tyler Glasnow has always had the “stuff” to be an elite ace, but location and command of the strike zone has always been an issue. So far this year, Glasnow has not had any problems in that category. Despite having zero wins, Glasnow has been dominant in both of his starts this season, allowing just one run all year long. Glasnow has a phenomenal 15:2 strikeout to walk ratio and has made opponents look silly with his 100+ mph fastball complemented by his newly added slider. At age 27, Tyler Glasnow is heading into the prime of his career, and if he can keep the walks to a minimum, he has the potential to be an AL CY Young Winner.
Honorable Mention: Lance Lynn (Chicago White Sox SP): 2 GS, 1 win, 13.2 IP, 11 hits, 0 ER, 2 BB, 17 K’s, 0.00 ERA, 0.95 WHIP
NL Batter: Ronald Acuna Jr. (Atlanta Braves OF)
Week Statistics: .444 AVG, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 2 SB, 8 runs, .462 OBP, .917 SLG
The time has come where Ronald Acuna might be the best five-category player in all of fantasy baseball and week one was no exception. Batting leadoff for the Braves, Acuna is once again poised to have another dominant season. Acuna is one of the rare players in all of baseball who has 40-40 homer/steal potential and will continue to be an asset in both those categories all season long. This past week Acuna mashed four home runs and stole two bags while batting .444. Acuna ended the week with five multi-hit games in his last six and went 9-13 with 2 home runs in the weekend series vs the Phillies. We all knew Acuna was going to be a monster but this year he could evolve into baseball’s next Mike Trout.
Honorable Mention: Ryan McMahon (Colorado Rockies 1B/2B/3B): .324 AVG, 5 HR, 9 RBI, 1 SB, 7 runs, .784 SLG
NL Pitcher: Joe Musgrove (San Diego Padres SP)
Week Statistics: 2 GS, 2 Wins, 15 IP, 3 hits, 0 runs, 0 BB, 18 Ks, 0.00 ERA, 0.20 WHIP
The most obvious selection for player of the week was Joe Musgrove. Musgrove was traded from the Pirates to the Padres this off-season, and he could not have made a better first impression with his new team. In Musgrove’s first start, he pitched 6 scoreless innings vs. the Diamondbacks striking out eight. He didn’t allow a single runner to reach second base and generated 14 swings and misses in a dominant outing. Somehow, Musgrove one-upped that performance in his next start when he threw a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers! Musgrove struck out ten batters in this game and only allowed one man to reach base on a hit by pitch. It appears that Joe Musgrove is on his way to having the “breakout” season that his owners were hoping for after the trade to the Padres.
Honorable Mention: Corbin Burnes (Milwaukee Brewers SP): 2 GS, 0 Wins, 12.1 IP, 2 hits, 1 run, 0 BB, 20 Ks, 0.73 ERA, 0.16 WHIP
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