Fantasy Baseball: Week Two Additions

Here are some players whose nice starts could continue.

Grant Balfour, RP, Tampa Bay Rays

Four reasons Balfour can get saves this year:

1)  Balfour’s 2008 season: 58 innings, 82 strikeouts, 1.54 ERA, 0.89 WHIP.  

2)  Troy Percival is 39 years old and has a history of injuries.

3)  Percival has averaged 37 innings over the last three-years.  So, even if he is healthy, he probably won't close every day.

4)  Balfour already has a save in 2009.

Hunter Pence, OF, Houston Astros

2007 (456 AB): 57 R, 17 HR, 69 RBI, .322 BA, .360 OBP, 11/16 SB

2008 (595 AB): 78 R, 25 HR, 83 RBI, .269 BA, .318 OBP, 11/20 SB

Those 2007 numbers can’t be a complete fluke and Pence already has two home runs this year.  He is 6’4’’ and 24 years old, so the raw tools are there.  This could be a nice third season for Hunter. 

Aaron Hill, 2B, Toronto Blue Jays

Hill hit .291 in both 2006 and 2007, so if you need some consistent batting average at in your second base or middle infield spot, this could be the guy.  The 27-year-old hit 17 home runs in 2007, so there is some power upside too. 

2009 (26 AB):  4 R, 2 HR, 8 RBI, .321 BA

Matt Cain, SP, San Francisco Giants

Cain looked great in his first outing.  He’s in better shape and appears to be more polished.  He’s not trying to over-power the hitter on every pitch. 

Cain pitched seven strong innings of one-run ball in his first outing of the season, against the Brewers.  He induced seven ground outs to go with five strikeouts.  He may not pile on as many K's this season but his ERA and WHIP (and wins?) could really improve. 

Carlos Delgado, 1B, New York Mets

It is just me or does Delgado look like he’s in great shape physically and in midseason form at the plate?

Delgado usually starts off slow and heats up around the All-Star break (in batting average but not as much in power).  But if Delgado is in top form now, he could produce a monster season.

Last three years post All-Star break (676 AB): 

114 R, 47 HR, 159 RBI, .291 BA, .382 OBP, .561 SLG, .943 OPS

Season Equivalent (550 AB):  93 R, 38 HR, 129 RBI

2009 (five games):  1 HR, 8 RBI, .421 BA, .500 OBP