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There were only 7 MLB games yesterday, so this Roundup will be a short one today.
Last season, Melky Cabrera was two homers shy of joining the 20-20 club, and put up an excellent triple slash line of .305-.339-.470 with 18 HRs, 87 RBI, 102 runs and 20 stolen bases in a full time role in Kansas City. He was traded to the Giants this offseason for starter Jonathan Sanchez, and the move to San Francisco and the NL West certainly impacted his ranking amongst outfielders in the preseason. But, can you believe he is better this season? Last night, he went 3-5 with 2 doubles, 3 runs, 4 RBI and a stolen base, and is now hitting .362-.409-.519 with 2 HRS, 31 runs, 24 RBI and 7 stolen bases. He is on pace to steal 25 bases and score over 100 runs.
The Tigers placed outfielder Austin Jackson on the 15 day DL yesterday with an abdominal strain, so he will be out of action till early June, as his DL stint can be back dated to May 17.
Marlins outfielder Emilio Bonifacio was placed on the DL earlier in the week due to a sprained thumb. Yesterday, we learned that he will be out from 4-6 weeks as he will undergo thumb surgery. Bonifacio was leading the major leagues in stolen bases with 20 before the injury, so fantasy owners will certainly miss his speed while he is out.
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More Roto Roundup after the jump:
Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton had a slow start to the 2012 season, as he hit just one HR in April. He is more than making up for it in May. Stanton went 3-5 with a double, HR and 3 RBI last night, and is now hitting .284-.348-.537 with 10 HR, 32 RBI and 23 runs scored for the season. Of his 28 hits in May, 16 have gone for extra bases, and he is on pace to hit 36 HRs and drive in 115. I think he can exceed the HR projection and reach 40 home runs this season.
Braves outfielder Jason Heyward probably can't wait for May to end. After going 0-3 with a walk and a strikeout last night, Heyward is hitting just .237-.329-.414 with 5 HRs, 21 runs, 22 RBI and 9 stolen bases. He hit .273 in April, but has slumped to right around .200 in May, and his triple slash line has suffered as a result. It's early, but Heyward has not fulfilled on his potential since his rookie year two seasons ago.
Twins first baseman Justin Morneau had a big night at the plate Thursday, as he went 3-5 with 2 HRs, 3 runs and 3 RBI, and is now hitting .248-.322-.543 with 8 HRs and 21 RBI on the season. He has hit in 6 of his last 10 games, going 10-37 with 4 HRs and 12 RBI. The Twins will need some semblance of the old Morneau to get their offense going.
A reader commented that White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko doesn't get enough respect, and I have to agree. All he has done this season is hit when some have called for him to slow down. Thus far in 2012, he is hitting .384-.462-.649 with 10 HRs, 26 runs and 27 RBI. He has hit in each of his last 10 games, going 19-34 with 4 HRs and 9 RBI. He is probably the top ranked fantasy first baseman through the first two months of the season.
Angels starter Dan Haren had his best outing of the season, and probably one of the top starts of the season for any pitcher last night. He threw a complete game 4-hit shutout of the Mariners where he had walked no one and struck out 14. His Game Score of 93 was the fifth highest of the season. He won just for the second time and lowered his ERA to 3.76 and his WHIP to 1.21. Haren has struggled this season as he has given up 3 runs or more in 6 of his 10 starts thus far. Fantasy owners are hoping this start will get him back to being the ace, or near ace, that we drafted on draft day.
Haren's teammate Albert Pujols might be getting into a groove as he went 3-4 with a HR, 2 runs and 2 RBI last night, and is now hitting .225-.268-.357 with 5 HRs and 22 RBI. King Albert has hit in 9 of his last 10 games with 4 HRs and 10 RBI. He must be feeling bad for his fantasy owners as he has also stolen 2 bases in those 10 games. I saw highlights of the game last night and he looks like an old man running the bases.