The Top Fives of the Week...

Here's our first weekly round-up of the "Top Fives" --- Top Five Best Hitters for the Week, Top Five Starting Pitchers for the Week, Top Five Relievers for the Week, Top Five Busts for the Week, and Top Five "Hello There" Players of the Week. Let's get to it shall, we?

Top Five Best Hitters for the Week: April 3rd - April 8th, 2005.

1. Joe Randa - 3B: .429/3HRs/8RBI/5 runs. Gotta love those career middle-of-the-road type players that have a scorching hot week to start off the season, giving fantasy players hope that this is that guy's career year, a la Rich Aurilia a few years back. He did have over 100 RBI back in 2000 for the Royals, but his career best in HRs is 16, back in 1999 and 2003. If you're desperate for a 3B, he's a fine choice considering the park and lineup he plays in, and he's good for a solid average generally. But don't go after Randa if you're expecting Arod type numbers here.

2. Hideki Matsui - OF: .438/3HRs/7RBI/5 runs. Now here's a guy who should be hot all season, a guy who was a steal in the 7th-8th rounds and beyond in your typical draft. He's improved every season he'd played in America, and has continued his scorching pace to lead off this season. We strongly suggest trying to trade for Matsui while his value is still relatively cheap --- if you don't have him. If you do have him, then you already know you're a genius.

3. Luis Gonzalez - OF: .538/2HRs/5RBI/ 6runs. We have to be honest here, we didn't expect Gonzo to be coming back gangbusters this season. He's getting old, he's in a thinner lineup, he's coming off injury --- but we're willing to be wrong for this week, and maybe longer. It's nice to see a good guy start off strong. Still, we're not getting ourselves all lathered up just yet.

4. Ichiro Suzuki - OF: .533/1RBI/4 runs/3 steals. The ".400 Watch" for the 2005 season began the second the 2004 season ended, and Ichiro didn't hurt the buzz by having his blistering spring training. We don't think Ted Williams has to worry about Ichiro joining him in the .400 club, but we expect another batting title from Mr. Suzuki this season --- and a return to 40 to 50 steals. A great first week to the season for him.

5. Jose Valentin - 3B: .500/2HRs/8RBI/3 runs/1 steal. Nice way to win over your new team by smacking the ball around like Ty Cobb for week one of the season. He's still available in many leagues, and always good for his HRs and even his share of RBI, but we're still not buying his average staying over .300 through April. A career .244 hitter coming off a 2004 season where he batted .216 will do that to you and your confidence in him.


Top Five Starting Pitchers for the Week:

1. Jake Peavy: 6.2IP/10Ks/0.00ERA/0.90WHIP: You hate to see a guy pitch such a gem and not get the win from his team, but a fantastic start to the season for 2004's ERA title winner. Peavy's stock for some reason was lower than expected in many leagues coming into this season, but he's a great #1 pitcher to have for your staff. And we'll always love him pitching at Petrco Park. If you have him, feel proud.

2. Josh Beckett: 6.0IP/6Ks/0.00ERA/0.83WHIP/1 win: A few less Ks than Peavy, but instead got the win. Take it or leave it. Many are still frightened off by Beckett's past blister problems, but he's still only 24 years old. You can't ignore that type of promise, and Beckett's showing you why.

3. Roger Clemens: 7.0IP/9Ks/1.29ERA/0.71WHIP/1 win: The old man is showing the kids he's still got gas left in the tank. If the Astros are going to go anywhere this year, they better hope Clemens keeps it up. With some experts saying Clemens should have packed it up after last season, no doubt Clemens will use that as motivation to prove them wrong. That said, if Clemens keeps this up for April and thye beginning of May, we wouldn't be against you trading him for someone younger while his stock is still high.

4. Aaron Harang: 6.1IP/5Ks/0.00ERA/0.63WHIP/1 win: Harang's still relatively young for a pitcher, and if he's ever going to break out and be a star, it's going to be this season or never most likely. Good way to start off the season, and help the Reds where they're at their weakest - pitching. Don't expect an ERA title this season, but he has the goods to be a mid to high 3.00ERA pitcher over the season if he puts it all together.

5. Jeremy Bonderman: 7.0IP/7Ks/1.29ERA/1.14WHIP/1 win: The hottest pitching sleeper coming into this season lived up to the initial hype, having a pretty dominating game to start off his season. As Dimitri Young said, the Tigers aren't the Kittens anymore (least to start off the season), and Bonderman's one of the biggest reasons why. If you drafted him, you should feel damn good right now --- and DON'T trade him because you worry his value will slip. It should only increase as the season progresses.


Top Five Relievers for the Week: Hell, your guess would be as good as ours after such a horrible week of pitching for closers across baseball. They've stunk worse than fish left out in the hot summer sun. But we've got 5 winners nonetheless.

1. Dan Kolb: 3.0IP/3 saves/ 3.00ERA/0.67WHIP/2Ks: Yeah, yeah, he allowed a run this week. But he's the only closer in baseball to convert all three save chances he faced, and we give him a round of applause for that, since apparently everyone else was afraid to try it sometime. Some are down on Kolb because he doesn't have blazing stuff...but as we always say, he's got Leo Mazzone, Pitching Coach God on his side. So are you really going to doubt him?

2. Brad Lidge: 2.1IP/2 saves/0.00ERA/0.86WHIP/3Ks: Only thing keeping Lidge from getting the #1 spot this week was simple save chances given to him. Lidge showed why he's a dominant closer this week, and didn't let any fantasy players down. The Astros might not be as dominant this year, but Lidge might very well be the best closer in the NL this year when all is said and done.

3. Miguel Batista: 2.1IP/2 saves/o.00ERA/0.43WHIP/1K: While veteran closers apparently thought they were still pitching in spring training, the converted starting pitcher who everyone wants to doubt didn't allow an earned run. The Jays aren't a pushover either, so he very well might crack the high 30s for saves this year. Do we expect a 0.00 ERA by October? Uhhh, no. But he's been a great steal for all you who drafted him in the middle-to-late rounds of your drafts.

4. Mike Gonzalez: 3.1IP/5Ks/0.00ERA/0.60WHIP: If he pitched for the Yankees, everyone on ESPN would be clammoring that he's the most dominant middle-reliver in baseball. But because he plays for the Pirates, have of the fantasy baseball world still says, "Who that?" If Jose Mesa stinks up the closers role - which is always a possibility - than you're looking at your next closer here, and you're looking at a great one at that.

5. Danys Baez: 3.1IP/2Ks/0.00ERA/1.20WHIP/2 wins/1 save: You have to be euphoric when your closer chalks up two wins in a week --- and he didn't even blow the game! Now that's being lucky. Baez is another one of those closers that was one of the last off the draft board, yet still should put up solid numbers. A great steal for those who took him.


Top Five Busts for the Week:

Hitters:
1. Albert Pujols - 1B: .231/0 HRs/1RBI/1 run: We hate doing this to Pujols, and we know it's just a flat start and he'll round into form any day now, but when you're taken first in many drafts (or second), you don't expect almost nothing in return for your pick. Don't worry if you have him on your squad. He's healthy, and he'll Turn it around soon enough.

2. Alex Rodriguez - 3B: .176/1HRS/2RBI/3 runs/1 caught stealing: Same deal as with Pujols -- you expect some quick returns on your high investment in the guy, but again, don't worry. Worse average than Pujols, but hey, he did hit a HR, right?

3. Manny Ramirez - OF: .125/0 HRs/2RBI/2 runs: What is it with the huge power hitters on good teams snoozing to begin the season? While David Ortiz has been red-hot behind him in the lineup, Manny's still trying to catch his rythm. Still one of the best hitters in baseball and should be fine soon.

4. Bobby Abreu - OF: .176/o HRS/o RBI/4 runs/ 0 steals: We can understand no HRs after one week, because those can come in bunches. But no RBI at all? You're in a pretty good lineup there, Abreu -- anytime you want to start driving in runs, you feel free to do so, alright? Still, we wouldn't trade him and his 30/30 ability anytime soon.

5. Scott Rolen - 3B: .154/o HRs/1RBI/3 runs: The best hitting third baseman is also still hitting the snooze button to start the season. While he shouldn't have been drafted as high as the top 4 on our list here, you still expect more out of him...and he will produce soon. Too good of a hitter not to.

Pitchers:
1. Mariano Rivera - RP: 1.2IP/3Ks/10.80ERA/4.80WHIP/1 win/0 saves: He got the win because he blew his first blown save against the Red Sox --- which the Yankees came back and won and initially made people forget Mo's troubles. Blown save number two made that forgtefulness hard to do. Has nowhere to go but up from here.

2. Trevor Hoffman - RP: 1.2IP/0 Ks/21.60ERA/3.60WHIP/0 wins/0 saves: April's usually his worst month, but sweet mother this is a bad start. He's getting older, but he still has some gas left in the tank, but starting off in Colorado can't help matters either. He's out of the thin air, so maybe he can start turning it around.

3. Roy Oswalt - SP: 6.0IP/2Ks/9.00ERA/1.33WHIP/0 wins: You'd have to have been at least hoping for some Ks if he's going to stink up the joint, and he didn't even accomplish that very well either, striking out only 2 in week one. Still, one of the best when on his game, but another lackluster pitcher starting off the season.

4. Keith Foulke - RP: 3.0IP/1K/9.00ERA/2.00WHIP/1 save: Hey, at least he got a save, right? More than can be said of either Mo or Hoffman. But the bug afflicting closers across baseball struck Foulke as well, and he couldn't overcome it. Unlike Hoffman and Rivera, though, Foulke is a bit younger and without injuries in his past so you have less to worry about in the overall package.

5. John Smoltz - SP: 1.2IP/1K/32.40ERA/4.80WHIP/0 wins: He should be #1 this week, but considering it was his first time in a long time back as a starter, we'll give him a break....for week one. But when you only see 1.2IP for the week, you do a double-take, wondering if he's still a reliever. He can't do much worse in his next starts.


Top Five "Hello There" Players: These are players that are generally young players looking to make a breakthrough this season, or just starting out.

1. Jorge Cantu - 2B & 3B: .467/3HRs/6RBI/3 runs: If you drafted him, you were really did your homework. And if you still haven't picked him up, well, you better have a deep bench to not take him. He was a star in the D-Rays farm system, and now getting his chance to play full-time, he's showing what he's got. Good to see.

2. Clint Barmes - 2B & SS: .400/2HRs/4RBI/4 runs: Yeah, yeah, we were all over him at the start of the season like a fat woman at a dessert buffet, but even we're a bit surprised at how quickly he got out of the gate. He's starting to catch some buzz (as most Rockies prospects do), but if he's still available abd you're in need of some middle infield help, he might be worth a look. Don't say we didn't tell you.

3. Aaron Miles - 2B: .583/0HR/2RBI/4 runs: Not jacking the ball out of the ballpark, but slapping it just about everwhere else in the park to begin the year. If you're looking for a cheap 2B that's a free agent most likely, Miles will help your average, hitting around .300 most likely. Not a HR threat, but runs, average, and a solid amount of RBI doesn't hurt.

4. Nick Swisher - OF: .222/2HRs/3RBI/3 runs: Not the greatest average to begin the season, but the early odds-on favorite to win Rookie of the Year honors at the end of the season. This year's Jason Bay, perhaps?

5. Chad Tracy - 1B & 3B: .467/1HR/2RBI/2 runs: Shown he can maintain an average throughout the season last year in his first full season, and if he could turn a few more doubles into homers, he might crack 20 this year and drive in 80+. He's still not in the greatest lineup, but he's still only 24 years old right now. He's available in most leagues, but he bears watching. This year's Lyle Overbay maybe.