Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
So who are some of the best kept secrets so far this season? Well, in standard 5x5 leagues, there's plenty of candidates in the pitching categories of wins, saves, strikeouts, ERA and WHIP. We all know in the fantasy world, some of these guys are flukes like Zack Duke -- or is he? -- and some might turn out to be very serviceable pitchers to help you challenge for a fantasy title.
But you'll never know if you don't take a chance and try to land some of these guys if they're still available in your league.
I'll break down each category with some early-season surprises. And who doesn't like surprises?
WINS
We all know about Roy Halladay, but what about Joel Pineiro? What team is he on now, you ask? The St. Louis Cardinals righty is at the top of the list with 4 wins, but he only has six strikeouts and a so-so 1.37 WHIP. Call him a lucky dog right now.
Zack Greinke isn't a superstar yet, but the former first-rounder is still a surprise with a league-high five wins with 44 Ks, 0.50 ERA and 0.89 WHIP. Yes, he's helping in every category. Hold on to him, he has the makings of a Cy Young candidate. Remember, Cliff Lee also put it all together last year, why not Greinke this season?
As far a relievers, a vulture in wins is Toronto's Jason Frasor with 3 in only 9.1 innings. Not a bad guy to have in a deep AL only league. The wins are a nice bonus.
SAVES
A couple first-year closers are headlining the list with San Diego's Heath Bell (8 saves, 0.00 ERA) and Texas' Frank Francisco (6 saves, 0.00 ERA). The best part of that production is these two guys weren't even hot commodities on draft day, so if you landed them in the mid to late rounds, you're smiling still. A free agent pickup named Ryan Franklin (7 saves, 0.00 ERA) of St. Louis is also paying off like a great night at the slots or tables in Vegas. Can you say money? You're so money and you don't even know it.
STRIKEOUTS
As far as starters, Javier Vazquez 42), Justin Verlander (34) and Yovani Gallardo (34) are all fanning guys at a steady clip, while closers Atlanta's Mike Gonzalez (16), Dodgers' Jonathan Broxton (16) and Toronto's Scott Downs (14) are also getting the Ks. Fantasy advice: Pick up Downs now, B.J. Ryan looks like he's toast (at least his shoulder is) and Downs is only owned in 60 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
ERA
The Kansas City Connection of Zack Greinke and Brian Bannister (he won't be sent down to Triple-A right now will he? He's owned in 9 percent of leagues) are sporting great ERAs at 0.50 and 0.69, respectively, while you can't go wrong with a 0.00 ERA with Bell, Franklin and Francisco.
WHIP
We all know how deadly Johan Santana is. He's the same old ace this season with a 0.95 ERA. So think about this: Gallardo and Greinke has been so great they have better WHIPs than Johan. Gallardo is at 0.87 and Greinke at 0.89. Yes, impressive. Tim Wakefield has been Boston's most dependable starter and he's got a 0.97 WHIP, as does one of my favorite early-season starters -- Kevin Millwood. Many of the same closers I've already mentioned also have team-friendly WHIPs -- Frasor (0.43), Downs (0.47), Broxton (0.50), Francisco (0.56), Franklin (0.58) and Bell (0.69).
PICK THEM UP
This week I'll endorse Boston's Tim Wakefield (2 wins, 17 Ks, 1.86 ERA, 0.97 WHIP). Wake is hot right now, so ride that knuckler before it starts floating up there like a beach ball. He's still available in 60 percent of leagues ... now you know there's no love for knuckleballers.
There's love here for a youngster named Phil Hughes. Remember he was that rookie can't-miss prospect that fizzled under the Yankee spotlight last year. Well, he got the callup and dazzled against Detroit -- six scoreless innings for the win and six strikeouts. He's young and he'll have some rocky starts, but he's only owned in 36 percent of leagues and that means to me he's worth of a quick add.
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