The fantasy season is well underway, and while some managers have struck gold in Albert Pujols and Bronson Arroyo and others are looking to compensate for the slow starts of Bobby Abreu and Jason Bay. Whether or not your team has started slowly, this fantasy review from the first 6 weeks of the season will surely help your team move up. I will analyze many players, and give you the fantasy scoop on all of them. I will reveal my studs, duds, and sleepers. STUDS: Here are some players that are on top of the fantasy world. - Albert Pujols: If you got this guy with the 2nd pick, you are thanking the fantasy gods. This guy can hit 80 without the ?roids. - David Wright: This youngster is showing us why most fantasy owners draft him in the first or second rounds. He is putting up very nice numbers with a .316 BA, 25 RBI?S, and 7 SB's. The scary part?? He's getting better every day. - Alfonso Soriano: If you got Soriano from the third round on, you are ecstatic with his production. Though Friday, Alfonso has 14 HR?s, 27 RBI?s, and 8 SB's. In a year where the 2b position is extremely thin, Alfonso is a stud. - Andruw Jones: Jones was one of the most efficient hitters in baseball for the first two weeks of the season. However, he has been plagued by a minor back problem that has caused a drop in his production. But Andruw is still towards the top of most offensive categories, and should have great stats by season's end. While 50 HR?s is a reach this year, 45 jacks are well within reach for a man with his power. - Lance Berkman: Although his ballpark is smaller than my dining room, he is a monster. ?Nuff said. - Carlos Lee: Watching this guy at the plate is scary. Carlos can cover the plate like no other, and is efficient taking it to left and right field. His plate- presence is similar to Big Papi. Lee has had a great start to the season, and is surrounded by great young talent. I expect the numbers to remain high, while keeping the Milwaukee Brewers in the Wild Card Race. - Felipe Lopez: If you told your friends that Lopez would be batting .309 with 16 SB's at this point, you are a liar. Where did this speed come from? It's truly a mystery to me. However, from what I've noticed, managers with Lopez are usually towards the top of their leagues. Coincidence? - Tom Gordon: One of the most consistent closers is getting it done day after day. - Pedro Martinez: He is getting his older. His arm is getting weaker. His pitches are traveling slower. His stats are.... just as good? Pedro is an animal. He has learned to mix up the speeds more, and can still intimidate hitters. If the Mets make it to the playoffs, Pedro will need to be in prime form in order for the Mets to make any sort of a run. - Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux: Both are qualified to be my grandfather. Yet, they have re-invented themselves as pitchers who can change speeds, and hit their spots like no one else. They both have 5 wins, and lead their teams. - Bronson Arroyo: OK, let?s pretend like we all had Bronson slotted for 20 Wins in his first season in the National League?.. Let?s also pretend I hit a home run off Roy Oswalt. As well as he is pitching, I don't think there is any possibility he continues pitching (and hitting) this well. As National League hitters begin to figure out his late-breaking slider, his stats will drop. But, right now, if he were on any of my teams, I would be looking to ship him out. He is at such a high point right now, he makes for great trade bait. - Brandon Webb: This sinker-baller is plain nasty. He has gone 6+ IP in every start, and has only given up 3+ runs once (Monday). He looks like he has finally developed into the top-flight pitcher that the D-Backs expected when they brought him up a few years ago. I believe he has the ability to make a run at 20 Wins. As powerful as the NL West is (completely kidding), he has the stuff to pitch through any of those lineups. - Chris Capuano: He could be the most underrated pitcher in Fantasy Baseball. Last year, he put up 18 Wins and a 3.90 ERA while dominating opposing batters in the second half of the season. Capuano has continued his mean streak to this year, and has improved his ERA by more than 1 point. I wouldn't trade him for many people right now, unless the guy is Pujols. - HONORABLE MENTION: Miguel Cabrera, Jose Reyes, Chase Utley, Carlos Delgado, Morgan Ensberg, Carlos Beltran, Matt Holliday, Pat Burrell, Chris Carpenter, Jake Peavy, Roy Oswalt, Brett Myers. DUDS: A few guys that aren?t meeting expectations. - Bob Abreu: Raise your hand if Bob Abreu is killing you. Oh, wow, that?s a lot of hands?.. He has been extremely inconsistent, and not putting up typical Abreu-like numbers. However, if you don't have him, it is a great time to trade for him. Like myself, many owners are frustrated with his production, and some will even jump on a trade that they would never consider before the season. Buy low, sell high, my friends. - Jason Bay: This guy is on a bad team, in a bad lineup, and is having a bad year. But, PNC Park is a sweet stadium, and that's all that matters. I'm not particularly worried about Jason Bay because he seems to be turning it around. However, if he continues hitting poorly, he could be inquired about in a few different trades. - Jimmy Rollins: 6 SB's, Jimmy? C'mon man, that's weak. - Juan Pierre: He has been the least effective leadoff hitter in the majors, and hasn't been getting on base like someone with his speed should. The only reason he isn't a free agent in every league is because he sort of remembers how to steal bases. - Marcus Giles: The A in Marcus is for OverrAted. - Cliff Floyd: A guy who hit 30 homers and nearly 100 RBI?s last year is hovering around the Mendoza Line. What's the problem with Cliff? Honestly, I have no idea. Before the season, Cliff had a minor kidney problem, but I don't see how this is affecting his swing, as he is supposed to be healthy now. Maybe a call to the minors could get him back into shape. - Aramis Ramirez: The Cubs just stink. I think they are a better fit for the Independent League. The Padres swept the season series against them (7-0) and Dusty is drawing a lot of criticism (See, www.FireDustyBaker.com). Aramis has dropped a lot of weight, and while he has looked much smoother in the field, his batting has really taken a hit. If you have this guy, it would be about the time to trade him. With D-Lee out for a couple months, and Prior STILL injured, Aramis will not put up fantastic numbers this season. - Dontrelle Willis: This was one dud that I cautiously avoided during my fantasy drafts. After losing an abundance of surrounding talent, it is hard to put together a fantastic season. Dontrelle is a good pitcher, but someone has to figure out what's wrong with him, and quickly. Otherwise Dontrelle will get lost in the black hole that half of the Marlins youngsters are already in. If someone in your league still values him as a top round draft pick, then it's time to get rid of him. I don't think Dontrelle will put together a nice season, and if you could get a consistent pitcher in return, it's well worth it. - Barry Bonds: If you want information on Barry?s terrible season, just check in to ESPN every 4 minutes for an in-depth analysis from Pedro Gomes. Trust me, it will be there. - Chad Cordero: The first problem here is that the Nationals aren't very good. A limited amount of wins equals a limited amount of save opportunities for Mr. Cordero. Yet, in the few chances he has received, he hasn't looked sharp; most recently, giving up a grand slam to the Braves in the bottom of the ninth, blowing the game for his club. However, this leaves a lot of room for improvement. If you have Cordero, it is best to hold on to him for now. The Nationals will win more games, and Cordero will get his saves. - Eric Gagne: Shame on you for drafting Gagne. From my perspective, Gagne is a man with a glass arm, and is way too fragile to return to prime form. He has had numerous obstacles in his recovery, making it seemingly impossible for him to return to his old self. He is coming back soon, but don't expect good ol' Gagne. A few blown saves here and there surely won't surprise me. The key to his success is his backup pitch- the curveball. If he can get this pitch back into quality form, he could be very effective. ON THE RISE: Look out! These guys are hot! - Cole Hamels: This San Diego product (Rancho Bernardo High School) has been tearing up the minor league levels with high strike out totals. By now, he is probably no longer a free agent in your league. Although he had a very nice performance in his first major league start (5IP, 0ER), I don't expect his numbers to remain so nice. Rookie pitchers who thrive in the majors right away are very rare. People will figure out how to hit this guy after a few starts, and when they do, he will have to adjust. Whether or not he adjusts accordingly, we'll just have to wait and see. - Ryan Howard: Howard was a guy that I reached for in a few of my fantasy leagues. Many people saw his potential last year, but through the first month of the season, he seemed as if he wasn't identifying pitches that well, putting up very low numbers. However, over the past two weeks, I've seen the Ryan Howard that I have come to love. This guy has found his home run stroke, and when he finds his stroke there's no saying what he can do. Right now, 40 HR's and 120 RBI's is not out of the question. - Jeff Kent: After a horrific start to the season, Jeff Kent has returned to his San Fran power days with a handful of home runs this past week. While he surely won't keep this pace up, he could very well end up as the best offensive second basemen. - Hanley Ramirez: This guy has game. Acquired from the Red Sox, he has been projected as a top prospect. But, already, as a member of the Baby Marlins, Ramirez has flourished. He is hitting .331 with 11 SB's. He is still a free agent in a few leagues, although he is being quietly snatched out of more every day. It won't be long before he is no longer on the FA market. - Nick Johnson: This former Yankee is finding his stroke, and it's a good time to get a hold of him-whether it's through free agency, or through the trading block. I expect him to get better and better as the season goes on, and if Soriano hits in front of him or behind him, it will just boost his statistics. - Dave Roberts: Dave is anchoring the Padres during their latest winning streak (14 out of last 15 games). All this guy does is get on base, steal bases, and set up runs. Pick him up if you need the steals. - Nomar Garciaparra: Nomar is having a rebirth in Los Angeles this season. He is hitting .351 and already has numerous walk-off hits for the Dodgers. The way he's playing right now, I see a lot of room for Nomar to move up the charts. - Khalil Greene: Without looking at his batting average, can someone please tell me why this guy is still a free agent in a large amount of the fantasy leagues. His production is Top 4 at his position, and he is getting better and better. If this guy is still available, you need to grab him right now. I wouldn't be surprised to see Khalil Greene lead the league in SS production. - Chris Young: He seems to have a strange release point that many hitters can't figure out. He has been solid lately, and hasn't had a bad outing this season. If he is still on your waiver wire, I'd recommend picking this guy up soon. - Justin Morneau: This young prospect from Canada is still a free agent in many leagues. Morneau has lurked around the "player with potential" category for a while now, and is starting to heat up. When this guy gets his confidence, and is backed by a decent supporting cast in Minnesota, he can put up some fat numbers. This past week, he went 9/23 while putting up 9 RBI's. Don't be surprised to see Morneau end up with 25-30 homers, and 90 RBI'S. - Johnny Estrada: This guy is rare. How often do you find a switch-hitting catcher? Estrada, who was acquired from the Braves in the off-season, is finding a groove in Arizona, and is sparking an impressive run of Wins for the D-Backs. His RBI numbers now put him up there with some of the better producing catchers. If you are in need of a catcher, Estrada is worth the waiver. - Pedro Feliz: In the frequent absence of Barry Bonds, Feliz has picked up the slack, going deep a lot in the past few weeks. Feliz is very valuable because of his position eligibility (1B, 2B, OF). If he is still an FA, go out and get him. SLEEPERS: - Mike Jacobs: For those of you who don't know, Mike Jacobs hit 11 home runs in 100 AB's last year as a Met. This HR/AB ratio can only be compared to sluggers like Pujols and Jones. It is obvious that he has power, but it is questionable whether or not he will put up proficient numbers in the young Marlins lineup. I believe he will put up solid numbers, though, because he is surrounded by guys like Miggy, Uggla, Willingham, and Ramirez, who all get on base. Although he started the season in a terrible slump, he has picked up the pace of late, and is starting to pick up the RBI?s. If you are in a deep league, with very few FA candidates, look to Jacobs, while his numbers are still low. - Lance Niekro: This powerful youngster on the Giants is quietly becoming a nasty power-hitter. Last season, Niekro hit 12 homers in about 278 AB's. Now, he is hitting in a lineup full of guys who can get on base (Winn, Vizquel, Feliz), and is starting to put up big numbers. In deep leagues, this guy is money. In a month, I believe he will be owned in most fantasy leagues, as owners will slowly realize his value. While more and more owners catch on to him, his numbers will keep crawling. Don?t worry about him drawing too much attention, there is this guy named Barry on his team. - Clay Hensley: Here is another Padre that has been a large factor in boosting this team above .500. Although he worked as a relief pitcher last year, he was called in as a starter because of Dewon Brazelton?s inconsistency. In his last start, Clay pitched a complete game shutout (2 hits), using less than 90 pitches. He is probably owned in less than 20% of fantasy leagues, since so few people even know this guy is starting. For now, he is worth keeping an eye on. If he tacks on another one or two solid starts, it's time to pick this Pad up. - Tim Coffey: Since David Weathers has proven to be so excruciatingly terrible at the closer position, it is a wonder that Coffey has not yet taken over as the permanent closer. Coffey just picked up his first save, so signs indicate that the balance is shifting in the Cincinnati bullpen. Keep an eye on the situation if you are in desperate need of a closer. Whether you struck gold in Pujols, or are struggling to stay alive with Rollins and Abreu, there are about 5 months left to turn the fantasy season around. Always be a step ahead of other managers, in the case of an injury, or a certain call-up. It could make the difference between the Championship and the Consolation game. Following this article, I will write a similar article about the American League Fantasy players. For any fantasy advice, feel free to e-mail me at [email protected]