Fred Slacks' Fantasy Stats: Aimless Ramblings of the Week

Happy Memorial Day weekend people. Fred Slacks is back this week after being pretty much lazy last week. We're gonna try and shorten this up this week as it is a great Sunday to be out and about. Also a washer box tourney and graduation party are in the mix today. Looking back, most of my production outlooks have been hitting decently but I did want to share one that I have completely missed the mark on. About 2 months ago I mentioned Wily Mo Pena being a force this year for various reasons, even after he came back from his injury. Well, that just hasn't happened. I still feel like if he hits a few out hes a great player to ride a hot streak on. He oozes power and potential and he still only 26, but lacks patience and control. It would figure that he starts to figure somethings out this weekend against the Crew. A few thoughts from the pockets of the slacks.


- Ryan Howard has finally heated up. It's about time, some people were getting worried he had too many holes in his swing. Now if only Prince Fielder would follow suit.

- Josh Hamilton is just a beast. He's currently leading the AL triple crown categories with a .337 BA, 12 HR's, and 53 RBI. I really don't see a slow down in sight. Barring injury, which is a stigma with him, he should be the best value due to draft position, and future 1st or 2nd round pick for years to come.

- About two weeks ago Tony Jackson of Inside the Dodgers wrote that Clayton Kershaw was not likely to see The Show before the All-Star break. Well Sunday Kershaw will find himself on the mound for the Dodgers. Apparently with 17 games in 17 days the Dodgers need a 5th starter and with Hong-Chih Kuo better suited for relief duties, Kershaw got the call up.

- Welcome back Jason Bay. After a disappointing 2007, Bay looks be returning to 2006 form. It helps when production is occurring around him as well.

- Just think, if things play out this season like they have so far, you could have the NL Cy-Young award winner traded for the AL MVP. Of course I'm talking about Edinson Volquez for Josh Hamilton straight up. I don't think anything like that has ever happened before.

- I saw the most ridiculous thing on TV the other night. The Puppy Bowl IV on Animal Planet. Words cannot explain how I died a little inside. Check out around the 2:25 mark, tell me how one gets this guys job. And is the guy doing the commentary in the very beginning an NFL films voice??? Just wrong on so many levels. Even big time dog lovers have to think this is stupid. Did I mention this was a three hour show?



- Russell Branyan is back in Brewer blue. I know Winks thinks a weak platoon is in affect with Branyan getting 2 starts per week. I actually feel it's going to be a little more aggressive. Branyan was just raking in AAA. His left handed bat should be a mainstay against all righties in the near future as Bill Hall has just been abysmal versus righties. I'm thinking hes fully platooned until he or Bill Hall phase out completely. Branyan could be a sweet pick up in NL-only leagues, but in mixed I would stay away until it becomes clearer what Yost is going to do with these two.

- Jesse Litch gave up his first walk in 6 games on Saturday's complete game effort. In that six game span he went 4-0 with 18 K's, a 2.31 ERA and a sparkling WHIP of 0.86 in 39 innings. You just have to love this guys control. 8 walks all year in 58 innings. Daisuke Matsuzaka had 8 walks in 5 innings against the Detroit Tigers a couple weeks back.

- Giants closer Brian Wilson has struggled lately. You really shouldn't worry though, they really don't have anyone else who can close. Tyler Walker has done it before but that experiment failed.

- Speaking of closers, with Eric Gagne on the DL, it looks like Solomon Torres is the man in the 9th regardless of the situation. So what I'm trying to say is a closer by committee doesn't look like its going to happen.

ICHIRO UPDATE: In the debut column I stated my claim that Ichiro Suzuki would hit under .300 for the first time in his career this season. Take a look back to see why. Let's take a look at how he's doing so far. Drum roll please..................................... .286. He's 59-206 through Saturday's game.