The Best Unknown Hitting Performances Of The Week 04/18/2009

Just looking at who drew walks last week reveals those players who should continue to see plate appearances despite the possibility that there efforts did not show-up in the counting stats most fantasy players attend to.

CF Brian N. Anderson, Chicago White Sox:  With the separated shoulder of DeWayne Wise came Anderson's third chance to capture regular playing time since being a highly-regarded prospect three years ago.  While his AVG doesn't show it, he drew six walks last week and stole two bases.

This doesn't bode well for Jerry Owens or Scott Podsednick.  For their owners, one can only hope Anderson's AVG and manager Ozzie Guillen's previous dislike for Anderson is too much to overcome.

CF Coco Crisp, Kansas City Royals:  The weekly leader in walks, Crisp drew nine free passes.  At the top of the order, this can only lead to good things for the hitters who follow. 

RF Kosuke Fukodome, Chicago Cubs:  Drawing eight walks in a week should give his fantasy owners some confidence.  Tacking on four extra base hits means Fukudome could become the player everyone thought he'd have been last season.

SS Marco Scutaro, Toronto Blue Jays:  I mentioned Scutaro earlier this week.  Despite hitting under .200 for the week, he still drew seven walks and will remain at the top of the Blue Jays line-up.

OF Seth Smith, Colorado Rockies:  Despite hitting a  HR on Opening Day, Smith was a forgotten man thanks to his failure to add to those totals in the first week.  However, the injury to Brad Hawpe brough him some regular playing time, and Smith responded with six walks in 14 plate appearances.

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Following up on last week just to see whether the top unknown performances were flukes or not, here is a quick review.

3B Chone Figgins, Los Angeles Angels:  He drew seven walks in the abrreviated opening week.  He drew five in the second week.

OF Denard Span, Minnesota Twins:  After taking six walks, Span drew just one with six Ks.  With CF Carlos Gomez struggling, I doubt Span is in any danger of losing Abs.

3B Edwin Encarnacion, Cincinnati Reds:  He drew four more walks and has now received ten free passes in 2009.  That places him at 10th best this season along with the previously mentioned Marco Scutaro (tied for 4th with Chone Figgins) and Coco Crisp (8th).  I do admit to some concern that Encarnacion will have his patience tested by his anemic .172 AVG and begin to swing more freely.

SS Luis Rodriguez, San Diego Padres:  So little is expected of Rodriguez that the fact he drew four walks last week while striking out just twice bodes well for his continued appearances in the Padres' starting line-up

3B/C Brandon Inge, Detroit Tigers: Last week, he drew five walks and K'd twice.  I was curious to see if that was a first week fluke or a sudden maturation as a hitter.  This week he strukc out five times and walked just twice.  He did hit .315 but I'm not going to take the side of a sudden maturation, though.