Managing Editor and
Director of Operations for Sports Grumblings LLC, is nationally
published covering the National Football League, Major League Baseball,
College Football and has been a FSWA Writer of the Year finalist.
Involved with Fantasy Sports since 1973, Tony has hosted radio and
internet broadcasts that include the 'Dog and Tony Show' with NFL draft
analyst D.J Boyer, 'Football Central', 'Finn on Sports', 'Gridiron
Gamblers', and is the Senior NFL analyst for the PBS broadcast of "NFL
Intellect". Tony's
columns include 'The Finn Factor', 'Six Days to Sunday' and 'Sunday No Huddle' which are featured exclusively at Sports Grumblings and 'For Better, For Worse' a weekly feature for SportsIllustrated.
Weaver finished fifth in the '06 American League Rookie of the Year voting, but surely his 11-2 record with a 2.56 ERA was good enough?
Just a season ago there seemed to be an uncountable number of rookies that made the jump to the majors, and did it with a bang. What a difference a year makes. The 2007 crop of kids were anything but alright in April.
Last year Hanley Ramirez and Justin Verlander put up veteran numbers. Brewers’ slugger Prince Fielder didn’t get much face time for National League rookie of the year despite his 28 homers. In fact the Milwaukee first baseman finished tied for seventh in the NL ROY voting.
Angels dominating right-hander Jered Weaver finished fifth in the American League Rookie of the Year voting. I guess his 11-2 record with a 2.56 ERA didn’t impress.
While it’s still too early to panic with most teams less than 25-games into the season many of the top prospects can’t do much of anything right -- and are on the verge of a demotion.
For Better, For Worse takes a quick peak at some of the key rookies and where they stand just a month into the season...
For Better
1. Delmon Young, RF, Devil Rays Everyone’s top prospect and the number-one pick of the 2003 draft is having a solid first full season. The young Tampa outfielder isn’t hitting for average but is on pace to record over 650 at bats, score more than 100 times and hit 24 home runs. His current .248 average isn’t acceptable, but he has been productive in the clutch and has shown tremendous poise in April. All things being equal, Young will eventually be one of the top-ten fantasy players much in the mold of current teammate Carl Crawford but with more power.
2. Daisuke Matsuzaka, RHP, Red Sox
At time Matsuzaka appears to be a clone of Hideo Nomo, at least in his mound mannerisms
While classifying Dice-K as a rookie might annoy baseball traditionalists, this is exactly what he is and qualifies as such when year end awards are handed out. He wasn't sharp in his first pressure test, an ppearance at Yankee Stadium, but he got the job done limiting the Bronx Bombers to four runs on five hits over six innings. He struck out seven and won his third game of the season. In stretches of April, Matsuzaka looked utterly dominant facing some tough offensive teams. He's also looked like a rookie at times depending on who you ask.
3. Jason Hirsh, RHP, Rockies In what many would consider a questionable trade, the Rockies acquired one of Houston’s top prospects for veteran right-hander Jason Jennings. While most fantasy leaguers liked Hirsh’s potential, they avoided the team name on his jersey. Despite being a member of the Mile High staff he hasn’t allowed more than three runs in any one start and is on pace to throw 200 innings and win 12-15 games for the Rockies. Forget that he throws half of his games in Colorado and make a pitch for his services.
4. Josh Hamilton, OF, Reds
Hamilton's professional career had been a train wreck until an epiphany helped the 26-year old find himself
Already one of the most inspiring, stories of the month-old season is the Rule-5 pick Hamilton. The Reds outfielder was wicked good in the spring and continued to impress in April. At his current pace he will hit 36 home runs in less than 475 at bats. He is definitely the early favorite for NL Rookie of the Year. Especially after Dice-K's latest performance.
5. Carlos Ruiz, C, Phillies At 28, he's ancient as far as rookies go, but much like the Reds Josh Hamilton, faced a long and winding minor league road to get where he is today. The stocky backstop figured to challenge Rod Barajas in the spring but has easily outperformed his veteran teammate. As of April 27th Ruiz has a six-game hitting streak and had a hit in 11 of his 13 starts As it stands he will be fortunate to record 120 games this season simply due to the nature of the position, but he is worthy of fantasy attention moving forward.
Honorable Mention Travis Buck, OF, Athletics – Rushed to the majors because of injuries to the Oakland outfield. He figures to sick and offer fantasy owners solid numbers.
Akinori Iwamura, 3B, Devil Rays – Before Iwamura found the DL, he was showing plate discipline with lack of power, the exact opposite of his MO in Japan.
Shawn Hill, RHP, Nationals -- The 25-year-old Canadian has used his curveball to become a ground-ball-inducing machine.
Joakim Soria, RHP, Royals -- Another Rule 5 success, the 22-year-old might keep the closer role even when KC veteran Dotel returns from the DL.
