There’s nothing better than when a young rookie gets called up early on in the season and has early success. We’ve already seen it this year with Starlin Castro. Castro was called up before the weekend series and all he did was hit .333 with a homer, double, two runs, and six RBIs. Guys like Castro are definitely recommended, but here are other players that deserve your attention.
C- Rod Barajas (C NYM)- Barajas has been on a home-run binge and now has a surprising nine homers early on in the season. Perhaps it’s not such a shock considering he hit nineteen last year, but he deserves to be owned while he’s hot. Catcher is such a weak position, so if you have a struggling catcher, like Mike Napoli or A.J. Pierzynski, take a look at Barajas and ride the hot streak as long as you can. His numbers are impressive: .233 9 hrs 17 RBIs 13 rs.
1B- Nick Swisher (1B OF NYY)- Not many players have been hotter than Nick Swisher at the plate. Already in May his numbers are: .438 5 hrs 13 RBIs 9 rs. He should not be available in 44 percent of Yahoo leagues. Scoop him up and enjoy the ride.
2B- Orlando Hudson (2B MIN)- Hudson bats in a very dangerous lineup in Minnesota and in front of the reigning MVP Joe Mauer. He has been very consistent to start the year with these numbers: .296 2 hrs 11 RBIs 24 rs 3 sbs. If you need some immediate help at second, grab Hudson. He’s a solid contributor and in every category. He won’t hit many homers, but still has some pop and won’t disappoint. He’s only 35 percent owned in Yahoo leagues.
3B- David Freese (3B STL)- Freese has the luxury of batting behind the dynamic duo of Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday. All Freese has done is hit .320, three homers, twenty RBIs and scored twelve runs. Freese has a lot of potential so he is very worthy of a roster spot if you have one for him.
SS- Mike Aviles (SS KC)- Aviles started the year in the minors and has recovered from surgery that ended his season last year. Aviles looks like a man on a mission right now. Since he’s been called up his numbers are impressive: .417 2 hrs 2 RBIs 5 runs. Aviles was very productive two years ago when he hit .325 and hit ten homers. Grab him or Castro if you are in need of a shortstop.
OF- Andruw Jones (OF CWS)- Jones has resurrected his career with Chicago and looks like he’s in the best shape of his career. Jones has not only rediscovered his power stroke with nine homers, but patience as well with fourteen walks. Not many people are buying into his hot start as he’s only 54 percent owned in Yahoo leagues. Don’t make the same mistake and grab him and enjoy his career resurgence.
SP- Jhoulys Chacin (SP/RP COL)- Chacin was recently called up and has looked electric in his two starts. He has fourteen strikeouts to five walks and looks like he’s going to be staying in the majors for good. The Rockies have been desperate to find another answer to ace Ubaldo Jimenez early on and it looks like Chacin has answered the call. His early numbers suggest he’s overcome his control problems that plagued him in the minors. He’s also a ground ball pitcher and in the NL West. Those two reasons alone should warrant a higher ownership than twenty percent. Grab him while you can.
SP- Tom Gorzelanny (SP CHC)- He has looked like the prospect that was once hyped like so many young pitchers are today. He’s only 27 and looks like he’s turned the corner in his career. He has 22 strike-outs in his last three games and only six walks. He’s also only given up seven runs during that stretch. He’s had some bad luck with barely any run support, but the wins will be there in the end and should be scooped up immediately. He’s a much better option than guys like Carlos Silva or Jon Garland.
RP- Alfredo Simon (RP BAL)- Somebody has to get saves in Baltimore right? Jim Johnson was sent down and Simon has stepped up. He may not have a long leash with Koji Uehara recently activated from the DL, but ride him while you can. Saves are saves even from a bad Orioles team. He already has three saves since being promoted as the closer.
RP- Kerry Wood (RP CLE)- Wood started the year on the DL and that is why he’s only 32 percent owned in Yahoo leagues. Indians manager Manny Acta has stated that Wood would reclaim the closer’s role Tuesday and that means he warrants more ownership. He may get traded at mid-season and you will have to trade him by then but at least grab some saves in the mean time.
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