Are you scared you wasted a high draft pick on Josh Hamilton? Are you crying? Stop!
The 31-year-old showed signs of life last weekend when he hit his first two home runs of the season. Sure, he went 1-for-12 in the three games he has played in after his 4-for-8, four-RBI-performance, but it was a sign — telling fantasy owners though his batting average still is lower than his weight (he weighs 225, his average was .200 entering last night’s action), he needs time to adjust to a new home and teammates.
Here’s some food for thought: In Albert Pujols’ first 27 games with the Angels last season, he hit .194 with no homers and five RBIs, but he finished the season with 30 homers, 105 RBIs and a .285 batting average.
Give Hamilton time. Yes, it’s frustrating after three weeks of the season to see little to no action from players for whom you have high expectations, but we are just 15 games or so into a 162-game season. Though not every player has the potential to break out at any given moment like Hamilton, here’s a look at some players to keep in your lineup waiting for an explosion, a few to bench while waiting for signs of life and two to drop:
IT’S COMING …
Ike Davis, Mets: So, Davis decided to hit two homers and drive in three RBIs in Friday night’s 7-1 win over the Nationals. Does he realize the games still count? Isn’t it customary for him to wait until the Mets are virtually eliminated to start blasting homers and try to raise his batting average over . 200?
Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays: Was last year’s 42 homers and 110 RBIs a fluke? Too early to say, but if you look at the Encarnacion’s eight prior big league seasons, there is one thing lacking: consistency. (Heck, his jersey number has changed seven times and he only has been on two teams.) Here’s the good news: Between Sunday and Thursday, he went 9-for-17 (.539) with a homer and three RBIs, while walking twice and not striking out. He will be fine, no need to panic.
Cole Hamels, Phillies: No wins and a 6.46 ERA after three starts? It’s all right, he will get back to his ace-like ways.
David Price, Rays: See Hamels (only with a 6.26 ERA).
Anthony Rizzo, Cubs: Power is there (five homers, 12 RBIs going into yesterday), but he has struck out 16 times already, and that won’t help the batting average.
Josh Johnson, Blue Jays: Tuesday’s start was promising (two runs allowed over seven innings, eight strikeouts), and his high ERA can be attributed to one horrific start. The wins will come.
Roy Halladay, Phillies: The veteran won his second straight game Friday, allowing two runs in seven innings and striking out six. Still not convinced Doc is out of his funk, but two solid starts in a row is a good sign.
R.A. Dickey, Blue Jays: Even with Travis d’Arnaud’s broken left foot, do you still wish he was your ace, Mets fans? Hope you didn’t draft him expecting 20-plus wins and his Cy Young season ERA. He’s in the AL now.
Fernando Rodney, Rays: Worried that he has just one save and a 5.79 ERA after 16 games? He has only pitched 4 2/3 innings. Calm down.
Jason Heyward, Braves: And you thought Dan Uggla and B.J. Upton were having bad seasons so far?
PINING FOR BETTER DAYS
Matt Kemp, Dodgers: Coming off surgery to repair a torn labrum and rotator cuff damage, there is definite cause for concern to his slow start (.182, 0 HRs, 5 RBIs). Though he hasn’t shown any signs he is ready to heat up, you’re not about to go and drop him. If his slow start has you scared and his stats are harming your team (and they probably are), put him on your bench until he starts to come to life.
Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins: We all should have seen trouble brewing when Stanton tweeted this after the blockbuster Jose Reyes trade: “Alright, I’m pissed off!!! Plain & Simple.” He has no protection in the lineup, no homers (and no numbers of significance yet), and there is no way he is happy playing for Miami. As much as it hurts to say: Bench him.
Will Middlebrooks, Red Sox: Since his three home-run, four-RBI game on April 7, Middlebrooks hasn’t even been middle-of-the-road, going 2-for-30 (.067).
Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians: Detroit is playing Houston this weekend, which is fitting since Cabrera is hitting like he belongs in the Astros’ Triple-A lineup (.138, 2 HRs, 3 RBIs).
Eric Hosmer, Royals: Maybe what we thought was a sophomore slump really was Hosmer saying, “Your expectations were way too high for me.”
Ichiro Suzuki, Yankees: At least he’s not hurt, right?
Josh Reddick, A’s: Dealing with a wrist injury, which could be a factor into the atrocious start to the season. Be careful.
Mike Moustakas, Royals: Anyone else in the mood for gyro?
ABANDON SHIP?
Jesus Montero, Mariners: As of Week 1, Montero was owned in nearly 100 percent of ESPN and Yahoo! leagues. Now? He is owned in 50 percent or less. Though our normal advice would be to wait for that first homer and that .209 batting average to creep up, with veteran Kelly Shoppach getting more time behind the plate than the 23-year-old, it’s hard to recommend anything other than to abandon ship. (If you haven’t dropped him, stick him on the bench — largely because he still is young, has potential and it feels weird dropping him so soon.)
Pedro Alvarez, Pirates: You often hear how Alvarez is a streaky hitter, but having that status requires a streak of some sort outside of striking out constantly. He hit his first homer Thursday and his second Friday (break out the champagne!), but it’s tough to suggest holding onto a player who has six hits on the season.
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