AFTER the first month of the season, the baseball leader board in theory is what we expected it to be. But a closer look shows us that this is an unusual start of the season. We may have the right thoughts, but not the right players.
When the season began, everyone expected a Cardinal cornerman to lead the National League in home runs. So far, that has happened. But it is not Mark McGwire. Fernando Tatis has been the surprise story this year. Finally fulfilling the potential the Rangers saw but couldn’t get out of him, Tatis entered the weekend with 11 homers, tied with Matt Williams for the NL lead, to go along with a league-best 32 RBIs and a .295 batting average. He also had six steals. After 27 games, Tatis was on the same pace McGwire was on during his record-breaking season. Don’t expect McGwire’s record to be threatened by Tatis. But with McGwire, Ray Lankford and J.D. Drew ahead of him in the lineup, Tatis could have an awesome, breakout year in terms of offensive production.
Teams in the NL West made huge plunges into the free-agent market this winter. Pitchers were signed to record-setting contracts in hopes of finding the missing piece for a division crown. So it wouldn’t be surprising to see a free-agent pickup lead the NL in wins. But it’s not $10+ million pitchers Randy Johnson or Kevin Brown, but $3 million pitcher Brian Bohanon of the Rockies. At 5-0 and a 3.27 ERA, Bohanon might be the steal of the free-agent pitching corps. Being left handed is always an advantage, but pitching for Colorado, you’d think he would struggle like the rest of the Rockie pitchers. But he has served up just one homer this season. Do we expect him to continue pitching this well? Of course not. But ride the wave as long as you can. Plus, if you can move him now, his trade value will never be better.
In the AL, we all expected a Mariner middle infielder to be among the league leaders in homers. But we never expected it to be a player who could be a late pick who could be had for $1. David Bell has certainly picked up the slack when Alex Rodriguez went down with his knee injury. After a slow start, Bell has picked up the pace, especially in power, having hit nine homers this season. With Carlos Guillen out for the season as well, Bell is assured to play every day at second base.
The Rangers had a couple pitchers last year have breakout seasons. So it wouldn’t be surprising to see a Ranger pitcher among the league leaders in wins. But Mike Morgan? Yes, the same Mike Morgan who has pitched for 11 different major league teams. Beginning the season as the No. 5 starter, Morgan has taken advantage of the situation to go 4-2 with a 4.05 ERA. Morgan also has only allowed 38 hits and three walks in 331/3 innings. The stigma is there and we think he can’t keep this up. But as long has Morgan shows control and doesn’t walk anyone, why can’t he continue this run? *WHEN the Blue Jays traded Robert Person to the Phillies for Paul Spoljaric, the closer roles on both teams were changed drastically. Everyone probably tried to pick up Wayne Gomes once Jeff Brantley went on the DL. But with Person, Gomes becomes a setup man once again. But Person is not established yet and if he struggles, Gomes could still win the job during the season. In Toronto, the bullpen is finding its identity. Spoljaric becomes the third lefty along with Graeme Lloyd and Dan Plesac. Also, former No. 1 draft pick and local product Billy Koch was brought up from Syracuse to fortify the pen. Koch is a hard thrower and saved his first game Friday. It will probably be bullpen-by-committee to start, but if Koch can continue to impress, the job could eventually become his.
