Projo Fantasy Sports Blog

By Rob Steingall

These recommendations are only for the fantasy week April 14th through April 20, unless otherwise suggested.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Put 'em in

Joe Crede, 3B, White Sox: Crede has been on fire the past week, collecting multi-hit games and driving in runs at a torrid pace. He’ll face the Orioles and the A’s at home next week, and will finish up the week on the road against the Rays -- all favorable matchups. In his breakout '06 campaign, Crede slugged 20 homers at US Cellular Field, and he won’t be facing either Rich Harden or Scott Kazmir this week.

Frank Thomas, DH, Blue Jays: There are good days ahead for the veteran slugger, who faces the Orioles at Camden Yards before returning to Rogers Centre to face the questionable Rangers and Tigers staffs. Thomas seems to have found his power stroke, blasting homers in three straight games in the early going to boost his confidence. Thomas is a good source of power in mixed leagues, and should provide an adequate batting average in these matchups.

Bench 'em

Jose Guillen, OF, Royals: Guillen has started off the season ice cold, which shouldn’t be a surprise since he has hit below .240 in April each of the past two seasons. Perhaps he was distracted by the lingering threat of suspension for steroid use, which is now
rescinded as part of the new agreement between the owners and the players union on a drug policy. He’s a consistent source of 20 homers when healthy, so keep him around until he breaks out of his slump.

Akinori Iwamura, 2B/3B, Rays: Started off his career in the majors last season scorching hot, but this season he's icy cold. Through the first few weeks, the Rays leadoff man has failed to reach base with any consistency, making his .359 on-base percentage from ’07 look like a fluke. Second-base eligibility gives his limited skill set a bit more value, but not at his current level of performance.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Put' em in

Mark Reynolds, 3B, Diamondbacks: An all-or-nothing hitter, Reynolds
has been blasting tape-measure shots in the early going, providing waiver wire hawks a great source of power and run production. His power is for real, as he proved last season hitting 17 home runs in only 366 at-bats. He’s locked in right now, and should be locked into your fantasy lineup while hot.

Randy Johnson, SP, Diamondbacks: After another back surgery, Johnson resumes his quest for 300 wins on Monday against the Giants. He’ll make two starts this week, also facing the light-hitting Padres. He struck out seven batters in his final rehab start in the minors, a sign that his stuff is still good enough to help out your fantasy squad every fifth day.

Bench 'em

Edwin Encarnacion, 3B, Reds: An early-season sleeper by many fantasy experts, Encarnacion has disappointed thus far, providing little value to the brave owners who have stuck by him. He’ll face the Cubs and the Brewers this week, arguably the two best rotations in the division. He struggled early on last season, but went out with a bang over the final two months, belting nine homers and driving in 35 runs while hitting well over .300. Friday night, he stranded seven baserunners. Reserve him for now.

Aaron Rowand, OF, Giants: Hitting in a weak Giants lineup, Rowand certainly isn’t about to repeat his ’07 performance. He may still provide you with a decent batting average, but that’s about all. He’s consistently had nobody to drive in over the first few weeks of the season. He’ll face a tough Arizona rotation to start the week before closing with the surprising Cardinals on the road. Don’t waste your time here.

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