FANTASY BASEBALL: 1B Rankings (April)

Fantasy Baseball: 1B Rankings (April) & Daily News (4/16)

By Muntradamus

Only if I could go back in time and re-draft my 1B options.  I would have selected Carlos Pena, and I probably would have passed on Michael Morse and his terrible Lat problem.  Below are my new updated 1B rankings, and I will cover the positions as the days go by.

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But first..The Headlines

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HEADLINES: (4/16)

James Shields throw 8.1 Shutout INN with 5 K’s against the Red Sox, and out-duels Daniel Bard who recorded 7 Ks with 1 ER in 6.2 INN.  Either way, Daniel Bard was recommended in my first waiver wire article, and he showed why today.  Fernando Rodney picked up the cheap 2 out save for #4.

Stephen Strasburg dominates the Astros enough to get the W.  6 INN, 2 ER, 5 Ks was enough along with Wilson Ramos and his 1st HR.  As I said to look out for in my latest Waiver Wire Article, Henry Rodriguez was looked on for the save and converted with ease.

Curtis Granderson and Derek Jeter both hit their 3rd HRs of the season, but still fall short as Freddy Garcia was out-pitched by Carl Pavano.  Despite the 3 ER in 7 INN for Pavano, he should still be on every waiver wire.

Ike Davis and Jason Bay each hit their 2nd HR of the season as Dillon Gee holds the Braves to 1 ER in 7 INN with 5 Ks.  Most impressive of it all was he beat Tommy Hanson in Atlanta.  With the start, you can move Dillon Gee to your watch list.  Keep in mind that the Mets are playing a lot better than anyone expected at this point.

Jake Arrieta gives up 2 ER with 7 Ks in 6.2 INN.  He was out pitched by Phillip Humber who K’d 7 Orioles in 5.1 INN while only giving up 1 ER.  But then Hector Santiago came in for the save.  He gave up a HR to Nate Reimold who surprisingly has 3 HRs already this season.  Still would not add him.  Then he gave up a HR to the RED HOT Adam Jones who hit his 3rd HR in 4 games to bring his total to 4 on the season along with 3 SBs.  Then in extra Innings, Matt Wieters hit his 2nd HR of the day which was a Grand Slam, and the Orioles won.  Hector Santiago can meet Matt Thornton, the guy who should have been closing all along while he threw a shutout INN earlier in the game to keep his ERA at 0.00.  Soon it will be Thornton’s turn.

Brandon Inge HRs in his first start at 2B, while Austin Jackson continues his torrid start with his 2nd HR of the season.  There was a reason he was recommended on this week’s Waiver Wire Article.  Justin Verlander throws 131 Pitches for the CG to guarntee that the bullpen will not blow his win for the 3rd straight game.  He pitched over 100 MPH to his last batter.  Danny Duffy has another great start, this time against the Tigers with 7 Ks in 6.2 INN while giving up 3 ER.  He is worth watching, one more good start and you can definitely take the flier.

Chris B. Young hits his MLB leading 5th HR, and Aaron Hill provides some early season pop with HR #3 as the Joe Saunders beats Erik Bedard.  Aaron Hill had 8 HRs all of last season, and is already almost halfway there.  The power looks to be back this season.  Joe Saunders has looked great in two starts this season going 2-0 with an ERA at 0.64.  Keep in mind his two starts were against the Padres, and now the Pirates.  You can add him if you want, I would prefer to wait until he beats a real team.

Nick Hundley knocks Chase Headley home 3x as the Padres and Corey Luebke dominate the Rockies.  Corey Luebke finally had the start his owners have been waiting for with 1 ER in 7 INN for victory #1.  The 4 K’s are a bit discouraging, but his owners will take the W.

Kendry Morales finally breaks out with 1 HR to go along with his first 4 RBIs of the season.  While Jered Weaver shuts down the A’s in 6.2 INN to pick up win #2.  Kendry Morales should be ready to get that bat going and carry this Angels offense.

Roy Halladay slows down the Giants to 2 run in 8 INN.  Jonathan Papelbon is able to notch down save #3.  The real story is Tim Lincecum who gave up 4 ER in the 1st INN, but settled down to finish with 5 ER in 6 INN with 6 Ks.  The Phillies are not a great offensive team, but it was nice to see him get his game together.  I would use the opportunity to Buy Low and offer a player in the caliber range such as Ubaldo Jimenez.

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Here are my new Rankings.  To see my Pre-Season Rankings and notes, follow the link (Pre-Season 1B Rankings)