Here we go. Jose Bautista played sparingly this week, so he’s been knocked from his spot at the top of the chart! Could anyone have equaled his awesomeness?
SCORCHING HITTERS
Jose Reyes, Mets. .440/.517/.840, 3 R, 5 RBI, 2 2B, 4 3B, 4 BB, 5 K, 2/2 SB
Four triples in one week. For the record, that would be enough to tie for the league lead, even if he didn’t have any others over the season’s first month. To date, Reyes is having the best year of his career, and he’s looking like a more and more attractive trade chip for a team craving a shortstop come July. The Giants have to seriously start thinking about making a move if they keep struggling to put runs on the board.
Raul Ibanez, Phillies. .455/.455/.864, 4 R, 5 RBI, 3 2B, 2 HR, 3 K
From the outhouse to the penthouse! After a week where Ibanez couldn’t find a hole with any of his hits, everything was dropping this week for him. The Phillies need him to produce, otherwise their lineup is going to look pretty sparse after you get past the fourth spot in the lineup until their injured hitters start coming back. Philadelphia will be in much better shape if Ibanez is in a position to protect Ryan Howard.
Carlos Beltran, Mets. .412/.500/.941, 3 R, 6 RBI, 3 2B, 2 HR, 4 BB, 1 K
Beltran was left for dead after he struggled to come back from knee surgery last season. Now, he’s almost playing like the old Beltran…minus the great defense and speed, of course. Despite Beltran and Reyes having great weeks, the Mets only broke even on the week. Your team is in rough shape when you’ve got two guys on the top of this list, and you can’t even play over .500 ball.
Gaby Sanchez, Marlins. .464/.531/.786, 6 R, 10 RBI, 3 2B, 2 HR, 4 BB, 2 K
East coast bias is in full effect this week! Sanchez is having a great sophomore season, in contrast to his fellow 2010 NL East rookie, Jason Heyward of the Braves. The Marlins are shocking everyone so far with their strong play, and they’re trying their best to keep up with the Phillies in the NL East. Sanchez is a big reason why, despite the struggles of Hanley Ramirez and the injury to Logan Morrison. He’s keeping the offense’s head above water.
Paul Konerko, White Sox. .500/.500/.889, 3 R, 7 RBI, 1 2B, 2 HR, 3 BB, 1 K
Konerko was your weekly batting average champion. You might be wondering why his average is the same as his OBP despite three walks. The answer: he had three sac flies. Chicago continues to struggle despite strong weeks from Konerko and Alex Rios. They’re one of the most disappointing teams in the league so far, along with the Twins.
FRIGID HITTERS
Michael Saunders, Mariners. .000/.050/.000, 1 BB, 8 K
An awful week for the young Mariners’ slugger, but there is a bright spot to this: with the releases today of Milton Bradley and Ryan Langerhans, Saunders won’t be worried about veterans possibly taking playing time away from him. Maybe that piece of mind will allow him to hit.
Starlin Castro, Cubs. .095/.095/.095, 3 K
The young Cubs sparkplug is having growing pains, much like Saunders. Unlike Saunders, we know Castro can hit at the big league level. The next thing he should try to improve upon is his consistency, but even veteran hitters have their spurts. It’s the way of the game.
Sam Fuld, Rays. .087/.087/.130, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 2 K
Well, that was fun while it lasted. The legend of Super Sam is fading more and more as the days go on. But hey, the Rays are playing a hell of a lot better now, and Fuld’s energy near the beginning of the season is what helped them get back onto the winning track, so that counts for something.
Brian Roberts, Orioles. .042/.148/.083, 1 R, 1 2B, 3 BB, 3 K, 0/1 SB
In news that will make Outside Corner editor Daniel Moroz sad, Brian Roberts is playing pretty badly. His speed is gone, his once above average defense is in the crapper, his great walk rate is tailing off…it’s just a perfect storm of ugly. But hey, it’s still early, and his batting average on balls in play is 80 points lower than his career mark. He can easily turn it around and make the march towards respectability.
Miguel Tejada, Giants. .115/.148/.115, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1/1 SB
Remember how I mentioned earlier that Jose Reyes could be a good match for the Giants? Well, this is why. The Giants are willing paying Miguel Tejada to create outs in their lineup. He’ll be 37 this month, looked shot last year, and looks even more shot this year. But hey, Brian Sabean and his veteran position player fetish got him a ring last year, so I really am in no position to criticize what he does.
