Power Performers
AL Hitters
1. Frank Thomas, DH OAK: .462-8-5-13-0 The Big Hurt is in the midst of a late season surge and barring injury, should give your power numbers a nice boost as the A's walk away with the AL West crown.
2. Jorge Posada, C NYY: .421-5-3-9-0 Showing almost no signs of wearing down, a rarity amongst catchers, he is helping keep the power surging in the Bronx while teammate Jason Giambi is ailing.
3. Nick Swisher, OF OAK: .533-6-3-7-0 Apparently fully recovered from mono, his power numbers are creeping back to wehre they were in the first half. He hit his career high 32st HR of the season yesterday too.
4. Paul Konerko, 1B CHW: .423-4-2-6-0 It's a dogfight in the AL Central and the White Sox first baseman is pickin gthe perfect time to get hot again. He should be strong down to the wire as he goes for another season of 40 HR.
5. Derek Jeter, SS NYY: .407-1-1-7-0 In the midst of a career high 20 game hit streak. What more can you say about him? Love him or hate him, this should be baseball's choice for AL MVP.
Honorable Mention: Grady Sizemore, Tadahito Iguchi, Rocco Baldelli
AL Pitchers
1. Johann Santana, SP MIN: 2 wins-23 K-0.00 ERA-0.488 WHIP Say hello to another Cy Young here for the Twins lefty ace. He's leading the AL in wins again and he leads all of the majors with his 230 strikeouts. The Twins will lean on him even more for the next few weeks.
2. Boof Bonser, SP MIN: 2 wins-11 K-1.35 ERA-0.900 WHIP Feeding off of the energy from Santana and not wanting to lose his spot when Francisco Liriano returns, he has turned his game around at the perfect time. If the Twinkies make it to the post-season, he'll surely be on the roster.
3. Javier Vazquez, SP CHW: 0 wins-21 K-1.80 ERA-0.800 WHIP The hard luck loser in one game and a no-decision in the other, yet the strikeouts are pouring in. He'll go out there every 5 days and while the White Sox are battling, so is he.
4. Francisco Rodriguez, RP ANA: 3 saves-5 K-0.00 ERA-0.750 WHIP Became the youngest pitcher in the history of baseball to reach the 100 career save mark. It's like a human 9th inning valium for manager Mike Scioscia.
5. Jered Weaver, SP ANA: 2 wins-13 K-2.13 ERA-1.263 WHIP This is not your older brother's Weaver here. While he won't contend for the Cy Young, he will definitely warrant strong consideration for Rookie of the Year with his 11 wins, 2.30 ERA, and 87 K's.
Honorable Mention: B.J. Ryan, Joe Nathan
NL Hitters
1. Ryan Howard, 1B PHI: .526-6-4-5-0 If .316 hitting with 56 HR and 138 RBI isn't enough for you, how about the fact that he had a streak of reaching base in 11 consecutive plate appearances come to an end yesterday in the 7th inning? Ladies and gentlemen, your NL MVP.
2. Corey Hart, OF MIL: .435-5-4-12-0 Taking full advantage of Gabe Gross' injury, Geoff Jenkins' time in the doghouse, and Brady Clark's sudden ineptitude at the plate. He probably won't ever amount to being anything more than a 4th outfielder, but ride him while he's hot.
3. Jose Reyes, SS NYM: .308-4-3-5-2 If it wasn't for Ryan Howard, this could very well have been an MVP year for the young shortstop. He's currently on pace for 22 HR and 66 SB and shows no signs of letting up.
4. Juan Pierre, OF CHC: .400-5-0-4-6 Probably the only bright spot for the Cubs right now as he continues to be a strong fantasy asset in the steals department. His average is almost back to the .300 mark and he's cleared 50 steals extending his streak to 6 consecutive years with 45 or more stolen bases.
5. Garrett Atkins, 3B COL: .400-9-3-9-0 Sure he's a Rockie, but he is slowly establishing himself in the upper tier of third sackers with his 25 HR and 104 RBI. As long as he keeps hitting in the top 4 of that lineup, he should keep seeing great pitches to hit all year.
Honorable Mention: Scott Spiezio, Matt Holliday, Chris Duffy
NL Pitchers
1. Bronson Arroyo, SP CIN: 2 wins-14 K-1.06 ERA-0.529 WHIP I guess making my 2006 All Bargain Team wasn't enough for him. The move to the NL was great, despite the hitter's park he calls home. He'll be quite valuable down the stretch as the Reds continue to compete for the wild card.
2. Dave Bush, SP, MIL: 2 wins-15 K-1.65 ERA-0.857 WHIP He's always had the upside, it's just been a little inconsistent this year. He's in a solid groove right now, so he should make for a nice play for the rest of September.
3. Salomon Torres, RP PIT: 4 saves-5 K-0.00 ERA-0.923 WHIP He's filled in so beautifully for the injured Mike Gonzalez that he probably will remain in the mix for saves even when Gonzalez comes back.
4. Mike Stanton, RP SF: 1 win-2 saves-4 K-0.00 ERA-0.600 WHIP Armando who? The savvy veteran lefty has been the brightest spot in this bullpen since the trade of Jeremy Accardo. Keep him active for the remainder of the season.
5. Dontrelle Willis, SP FLA: 1 win-16 K-1.80 ERA-0.800 WHIP Not the ideal season for him, but his 10 wins, 3.75 ERA and 146 K's still show that he's a top flight starter. The surging Marlins are still pushing for the wild card, so expect some great outings before the year is done.
Honorable Mention: Chuck James, Brad Lidge
1. Frank Thomas, DH OAK: .462-8-5-13-0 The Big Hurt is in the midst of a late season surge and barring injury, should give your power numbers a nice boost as the A's walk away with the AL West crown.
2. Jorge Posada, C NYY: .421-5-3-9-0 Showing almost no signs of wearing down, a rarity amongst catchers, he is helping keep the power surging in the Bronx while teammate Jason Giambi is ailing.
3. Nick Swisher, OF OAK: .533-6-3-7-0 Apparently fully recovered from mono, his power numbers are creeping back to wehre they were in the first half. He hit his career high 32st HR of the season yesterday too.
4. Paul Konerko, 1B CHW: .423-4-2-6-0 It's a dogfight in the AL Central and the White Sox first baseman is pickin gthe perfect time to get hot again. He should be strong down to the wire as he goes for another season of 40 HR.
5. Derek Jeter, SS NYY: .407-1-1-7-0 In the midst of a career high 20 game hit streak. What more can you say about him? Love him or hate him, this should be baseball's choice for AL MVP.
Honorable Mention: Grady Sizemore, Tadahito Iguchi, Rocco Baldelli
AL Pitchers
1. Johann Santana, SP MIN: 2 wins-23 K-0.00 ERA-0.488 WHIP Say hello to another Cy Young here for the Twins lefty ace. He's leading the AL in wins again and he leads all of the majors with his 230 strikeouts. The Twins will lean on him even more for the next few weeks.
2. Boof Bonser, SP MIN: 2 wins-11 K-1.35 ERA-0.900 WHIP Feeding off of the energy from Santana and not wanting to lose his spot when Francisco Liriano returns, he has turned his game around at the perfect time. If the Twinkies make it to the post-season, he'll surely be on the roster.
3. Javier Vazquez, SP CHW: 0 wins-21 K-1.80 ERA-0.800 WHIP The hard luck loser in one game and a no-decision in the other, yet the strikeouts are pouring in. He'll go out there every 5 days and while the White Sox are battling, so is he.
4. Francisco Rodriguez, RP ANA: 3 saves-5 K-0.00 ERA-0.750 WHIP Became the youngest pitcher in the history of baseball to reach the 100 career save mark. It's like a human 9th inning valium for manager Mike Scioscia.
5. Jered Weaver, SP ANA: 2 wins-13 K-2.13 ERA-1.263 WHIP This is not your older brother's Weaver here. While he won't contend for the Cy Young, he will definitely warrant strong consideration for Rookie of the Year with his 11 wins, 2.30 ERA, and 87 K's.
Honorable Mention: B.J. Ryan, Joe Nathan
NL Hitters
1. Ryan Howard, 1B PHI: .526-6-4-5-0 If .316 hitting with 56 HR and 138 RBI isn't enough for you, how about the fact that he had a streak of reaching base in 11 consecutive plate appearances come to an end yesterday in the 7th inning? Ladies and gentlemen, your NL MVP.
2. Corey Hart, OF MIL: .435-5-4-12-0 Taking full advantage of Gabe Gross' injury, Geoff Jenkins' time in the doghouse, and Brady Clark's sudden ineptitude at the plate. He probably won't ever amount to being anything more than a 4th outfielder, but ride him while he's hot.
3. Jose Reyes, SS NYM: .308-4-3-5-2 If it wasn't for Ryan Howard, this could very well have been an MVP year for the young shortstop. He's currently on pace for 22 HR and 66 SB and shows no signs of letting up.
4. Juan Pierre, OF CHC: .400-5-0-4-6 Probably the only bright spot for the Cubs right now as he continues to be a strong fantasy asset in the steals department. His average is almost back to the .300 mark and he's cleared 50 steals extending his streak to 6 consecutive years with 45 or more stolen bases.
5. Garrett Atkins, 3B COL: .400-9-3-9-0 Sure he's a Rockie, but he is slowly establishing himself in the upper tier of third sackers with his 25 HR and 104 RBI. As long as he keeps hitting in the top 4 of that lineup, he should keep seeing great pitches to hit all year.
Honorable Mention: Scott Spiezio, Matt Holliday, Chris Duffy
NL Pitchers
1. Bronson Arroyo, SP CIN: 2 wins-14 K-1.06 ERA-0.529 WHIP I guess making my 2006 All Bargain Team wasn't enough for him. The move to the NL was great, despite the hitter's park he calls home. He'll be quite valuable down the stretch as the Reds continue to compete for the wild card.
2. Dave Bush, SP, MIL: 2 wins-15 K-1.65 ERA-0.857 WHIP He's always had the upside, it's just been a little inconsistent this year. He's in a solid groove right now, so he should make for a nice play for the rest of September.
3. Salomon Torres, RP PIT: 4 saves-5 K-0.00 ERA-0.923 WHIP He's filled in so beautifully for the injured Mike Gonzalez that he probably will remain in the mix for saves even when Gonzalez comes back.
4. Mike Stanton, RP SF: 1 win-2 saves-4 K-0.00 ERA-0.600 WHIP Armando who? The savvy veteran lefty has been the brightest spot in this bullpen since the trade of Jeremy Accardo. Keep him active for the remainder of the season.
5. Dontrelle Willis, SP FLA: 1 win-16 K-1.80 ERA-0.800 WHIP Not the ideal season for him, but his 10 wins, 3.75 ERA and 146 K's still show that he's a top flight starter. The surging Marlins are still pushing for the wild card, so expect some great outings before the year is done.
Honorable Mention: Chuck James, Brad Lidge
posted by Howard Bender at
3:01 PM
