This is the most crucial week of fantasy baseball at this point in the season. I am going to make the introduction short and get right into the best and worst of week 23.
The five worst performances of week 23.
5. Torii Hunter, Outfielder, Detroit Tigers
The guy is getting old, this much we know. A lot of people did not expect Hunter to have a season like this. His week 23 was not so great. A batting average of .167 with nine strikeouts just isn’t going to cut it. He drove in one lone run and had a very disappointing week for all of his owners. There is not much you can do at this point and you just have to keep going with him this far into the season.
4. Chris Archer, Starting Pitcher, Tampa Bay Rays
Just a horrible, horrible week for the Rays starting pitcher. He lost both of his starts while giving up three home runs. His ERA was a miserable 8.22 and he only struck out six. His opponent batting average was laughable at .371. Not much else to say about him here as it is just a lost cause at this point. If you are starting him your pitching depth is already very short.
3. Michael Bourn, Center Fielder, Cleveland Indians
My favorite centerfielder in the league is this guy but he did not have much to brag about this week. He only had four hits in his last 23 at-bats with a putrid ten strikeouts. The one bright spot in an otherwise brutal week is that he got your team two stolen bases. Bourn has a tendency to slow down towards the end of the year. It happened in Atlanta over the past few seasons and it is happening again this year. It is hard for me to say this but the smartest choice you can make is to put him on your bench. Trust me.
2. Mark Trumbo, Outfielder, Los Angeles Angels
Trumbo has been taking some lessons from Trout in the field as he has came up with some spectacular catches. Unfortunately that does not do anything for your fantasy team and his numbers this week did nothing but hurt your team as well. A .200 batting average is rough, but his two home runs does not hurt. His other problem has been strikeouts and he had nine of them this week. He doesn’t walk much either and his OBP is the same as his average.
1. Justin Upton, Outfielder, Atlanta Braves
Arguably the streakiest player in baseball is on another bad end of a slump. When this guy is hot he is hitting the ball everywhere. When he is bad he is hardly even making contact. This week he struck out ten times and put up a .130 batting average. I know it is unacceptable but if you own him you have been dealing with this all year. You’re going to have to hope that he can turn things around next week.
The top five performances of week 23.
5. Adam Jones, Outfielder, Baltimore Orioles
One of the top five outfielders in the American League is this guy and he has been proving why all year. Hit hit for three home runs this week and drove in five men while walking twice. He has gotten better and better every single year he has been in the league and is about to hit for .300. This guy has been doing it all year and is one fun player to watch. He brings it every single night and I hope the Orioles can make the playoffs so he can show the world what he is all about.
4. Ryan Zimmerman, Third Basemen, Washington Nationals
The Nationals have been disappointing all season but it seems like something has clicked as of late and they are hoping to make a late season run at the wild card position. Zimmerman has helped them out this week with four home runs and six RBIs. He even walked twice to put his OBP at .345. Besides the defensive woes that Ryan faces this season hasn’t been a total loss. He is batting .276 for the year and has hit 19 RBIs, assume this guy will reach 20 by years end.
3. Andrelton Simmons, Shortstop, Atlanta Braves
One of, if not the best fielder in all of baseball is this kid. The craziest part is that he is a rookie. His bat is a bit behind his glove but he is turning it on as of late and is showing that he can be a big part of this offense. Over the past six games he has hit three home runs with eight RBIs. One of his homers was off closer Jonathan Papelbon with two outs in the ninth. This guy has the clutch gene in his veins and has the nicest glove in the league.
2. Mike Napoli, Catcher, Boston Red Sox
This guy has had a great season that a lot of people did not expect him to have. His week was even better as he led the Majors in home runs with four. His batting average for the week was .500 and he has been racking at the plate. He walked five times this week as pitchers do not know what to do with him. Keep starting this guy if you know what's good for you.
1. Brett Gardner, Outfielder, New York Yankees
A fan favorite in New York has done everything that you can ask of a centerfielder this week. He is not a power hitter by any means but he drove in nine runs which is more than enough. His .350 average put him in the top half of all hitters. If you have Gardner on your team you're going to keep starting him. Simply as that.