Fantasy Baseball Friday: June 4th

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Now that we've entered the month of June, it's safe to say we know whether someone is a bust or a pleasant surprise. Today's blog will be a little bit different. I'll just list the top 10 hitters and pitchers of the month, but will spend more time reviewing some of the aforementioned busts and surprises and look forward to the remainder of the season.

Top 10 Hitters of the Month:

1. Alex Rios - White Sox

2. Miguel Cabrera - Tigers

3. David Ortiz - Red Sox

4. Vlad Guerrero - Rangers

5. Alex Rodriguez - Yankees

6. Carl Crawford - Rays

7. Troy Glaus - Braves

8. Hunter Pence - Astros

9. Jose Bautista - Blue Jays

10. Michael Young - Rangers

I have to be honest that I'm shocked Ortiz, Rios, Glaus & Bautista on this list. Bautista will not hit for average, but he's a legit power guy the rest of the season. Look for Ortiz, Glaus, Pence and Vlad to slow at some point. I would especially watch out for Vlad in the nasty heat of Texas.

Top 10 Pitchers of the Month:

1. Mat Latos - Padres

2. Ubaldo Jiminez - Rockies

3. Clayton Kershaw - Dodgers

4. Jon Lester - Red Sox

5. Jonathon Broxton - Dodgers

6. Josh Johnson - Marlins

7. John Ely - Dodgers

8. Bill Wagner - Braves

9. Matt Cain - Giants

10. Shaun Marcum - Blue Jays

Look at the youth that's included in this list. No one is pitching better than Ubaldo this season, Kershaw and Lester are the two best young left handers in the game, and there's nothing to scoff at for Johnson and Cain. I think Latos surprises me the most. He's won 4 straight decisions after a terrible start to the year.

Top Busts: (listed in no particular order)

Zack Grienke - I really hesitate to put him on this list. Outside of his 1-7 record, his stats aren't that bad. He really is the killed by the fact the Royals are terrible.

Wandy Rodriguez - There was a ton of expectations on the left hander, and he hasn't delivered at all. I know the Astros are not a good team, but a 5+ ERA and a 1.62 WHIP is just awful.

Trevor Hoffman - I told you so. I cautioned you to stay away before the season, and the all time saves leader is making me look like a smart man.

Grady Sizemore - Even before he got hurt, he was off to an awful start. He has such promise, but he'll never reach his full potential. He can't hit for average, and really doesn't hit for enough power or drive in enough runs to garner all the hype.

Aramis Ramirez - Boy has he fallen off a cliff. His average is .162, and he has now power production at all. It looks like he may be done.

Chone Figgins - This one surprises me. His game should be able to translate to any team, and the cavernous SafeCo field shouldn't affect him at all. If anything, I figured he'd hit more doubles and triples.

Gordon Beckham - All the hype, and all the bust. He's done absolutely nothing so far. I'd actually keep an eye on him for a much better second half.
Top Surprises/Breakouts: (listed in no particular order)

Alex Rios - Who would have thought the Sox would get this type of production. He's making Ken Williams look like a genius.

Vernon Wells - Maybe now the Blue Jays will be able to unload his contract. If you read my articles, you know I wouldn't have taken Wells with my last pick in the draft. He has certainly shut me up with a huge start.

Jose Bautista - The man keeps hitting homers and driving in runs. That's about all he can do, but look for him to do it all season long.

Martin Prado - He's now a super utility type of fantasy player. He's eligible at three positions, and keeps hitting. I love him.

Troy Glaus - The Braves took a gamble on the power hitter, put him at first base and it's really paid off so far. I don't expect him to keep up the same pace, but he's certainly added to that lineup.

Jaime Garcia - Who is this guy? Well, he's just another in a long line of Cardinals pitchers to excel under the tutelage of Dave Duncan.

Mike Pelfrey - He finally looks like he's put it all together. He has the ability, so it's nice to see him pitching so well.

Carlos Silva - Wait, he's 7-0? Yes, he is, and you should probably trade him as high as you possibly can right now.

Early Season Fantasy Awards: (Full MLB)

Offensive MVP - Robinson Cano - It was close, but you have to give it to a guy who's hitting for average, power, drives in runs, and scores runs

Cy Young - Ubaldo Jiminez - Can't be surprised here. He already has 1o wins, a sub 1 ERA (0.78 in fact) and a 0.90 WHIP.

Rookie of the Year (so far): Jason Heyward - I think he's been better than the hype so far. I think it's his consistency that has really impressed me the most. He has the ability to adjust to Pitchers and what they're trying to do to him. You just don't see that in a player so young.