MLB Inside Edge: 5 players to watch in Week 3
Follow theScore's fantasy feed on Twitter (@theScoreFantasy) for the latest news, features and more. And download Squad Up, theScore's free-to-win-money sports game.
Two weeks of MLB action are in the books and a few notable hot and cold streaks are extending into what could be categorized as "unsustainable" territory. Along with a recent return from injury and a positional battle in Philadelphia, here are five players worth monitoring in Week 3:
2B/SS Trea Turner, Washington Nationals
A pre-season darling for many, Turner opened the season going 3-for-19 in his first five games. It was a disappointing start but nothing to worry about. The real concern came when Turner suffered a hamstring injury and found himself on the 10-day disabled list. For the young speedster, the first month of the season was quickly shaping up to be a lost one.
In just his first full slate of at-bats, Turner went 2-for-5 with an RBI double and run scored. With the Nationals sitting fifth in runs, first in batting average, first in OBP, and first in OPS, Turner couldn't be in a better spot for an immediate return to the dominant form he flashed last season.
Last year, Turner slashed .342/.370/.567 with 53 runs, 40 RBIs, and 33 steals in just 73 games. Though it will be immensely difficult to match the level of production over a full season, there's no better place to start than Washington's upcoming series in Colorado.
RP Hector Neris, Philadelphia Phillies
It has been only 17 games, but the Phillies have already tried out three different closers. RHP Jeanmar Gomez opened as the number one but was quickly pulled in favor of RHP Joaquin Benoit. Benoit then proceeded to blow a save on April 16, thus opening the door for Neris. Since his ascension, Neris has gone 2-for-2 in save opportunities.
From a statistical standpoint, many had actually pegged Neris as Philadelphia's best option at the start of the season. The 27-year-old registered a 11.43 K/9 and 2.58 ERA in 80 1/3 innings last year. Neris has backed it up this year by walking just one batter while striking out 10 over nine appearances. Despite the success, however, Philadelphia manager Pete Mackanin is planning to split closing duties between Neris and Benoit.
With Benoit and Neris in a two-man battle, each save opportunity becomes all the more important. A blown save could cost either their job security, while a couple of shutdown outings could cement their roles.
OF Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays
It's been a horrid start for both the Blue Jays and Bautista. The 36-year-old outfielder is slashing an awful .123/.247/.200 through 17 games. The lone bright spot was a Friday night performance in which Bautista went 2-for-6 with a home run, three RBIs, and a walk. It was an immediate reminder of what many expect from the veteran slugger.
Bautista isn't out of the woods, and now he has even less help around him. With 3B Josh Donaldson already sidelined (calf), the recent news of SS Troy Tulowitzki (hamstring) joining Donaldson on the 10-day DL removes even more protection from Toronto's lineup.
Despite the poor statistical output, there remains reason for optimism. Bautista is registering one of the lowest ground-ball rates and one of the better fly-ball rates of his career. Those fly balls, though, have turned into outs thanks to meager 26.8 hard-hit percentage. Once it moves closer to his career rate of 34.7, those fly-ball outs will fly out of the park.
OF Michael Brantley, Cleveland Indians
Brantley was a dominant force from 2013-15, hitting at least .280 with 10 homers, 60 runs scored, 70 RBIs, and 15 steals in each of those three seasons. His production came to a crashing halt in 2016, as Brantley played in just 11 games due to a serious shoulder injury. Lingering shoulder concerns then led to plenty of skepticism for Brantley's 2017 production.
It seems to have taken just 15 games for Brantley to put those concerns to rest. So far, he's slashing .310/.385/.517 with 11 RBIs and three steals. But despite the success, it isn't all roses. One sign of impending regression looks to be propping up Brantley's hot start.
For his career, Brantley's hard-hit percentage sits at 28.3 percent. This year, the figure is at 52.3 percent - good for sixth in the league. The inevitable drop could start this week with Brantley set to take on the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners. The pitching staffs of Houston and Seattle rank first and fourth in hard-hit percentage allowed.
LHP Jason Vargas, Kansas City Royals
Vargas has a league leading 0.44 ERA, a double-digit K/9 rate, and his current ground-ball rate would have ranked eighth among starters last season. Those factors are drastically out of wack with Vargas' career numbers, but they are also why he has been one the league's best pitchers to start the season.
With a two-start week on tap and relatively easy opponents in the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins, Vargas could cement the legitimacy of his hot start with two strong outings. On the other hand, failing to navigate either lineup could expose what is a highly unsustainable pace.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)