April Review: Eddie, 24-12-4 (1st)

Perka's MVP: MLB Home Run Leader Nelson Cruz

Eddie has started hot this season and it’s very well deserved. With 13 draft picks in the first 7 rounds, you could argue it’s hard not to put together a great team. However, most of Perk’s April production came from guys he didn’t need to draft this year. His keepers have been on fire all month and its showing up in the matchups. All four of his keepers are offensive assets, and even with one of them limited due to injury (Carlos Gomez, 12 games played so far, but coming back soon), Perk has been able to post a 15-4 record in offensive categories, tops in the league. Nelson Cruz is leading the majors in homers, Miguel Cabrera is off to a stellar start, and Ian Kinsler is producing at an above average rate. Outside of his core 4, Todd Frazier has looked great this season, and Evan Gattis is finally starting to heat up. With Gomez coming back soon, this is an elite offense with no real holes in it.

Perk’s pitching has been middle of the road for the most part. First round pick Adam Wainwright is out for the season and that seems to have knocked his staff out of whack. His closers have been the most consistent source of wins for him, as Chapman has looked excellent and Rodney/Boxburger have looked solid. Thanks to chapman and another reliever, Betances, who hasn’t registered a net save this season, Perk’s K/9 is second in the Franchise. Outside of the bullpen, this team has a real lack of talent, with Ubaldo Jimenez serving as the current staff ace. He has been surprisingly good this year, but I don’t know if that will last. Starting Pitching will remain a need for this team unless Perk feels he can rely on saves and ratios to float him while he continues to destroy the ball on offense, and it’s working so far.