April Review: Eric, 22-17-1 (3rd)

Johnny Cueto has Been Lights Out for one of April's best Pitching Staffs in The Franchise

Look no further to find the league’s best executed balance of batting and pitching for the month of April. Despite a 9-10 record in offensive categories, this was a well above average offense during the first month of the season. Keeper Jose Altuve has been a top 10 fantasy talent, delivering strong performances in 4 categories, while Justin Upton has been the high impact, 5 category performer Eric was hoping for when he drafted him with the number 2 pick. Although not quite playing to last year’s levels, Michael Brantley has been a solid contributor, and Charlie Blackmon has proven to be one of the steals of the draft thus far. Adeiny Hechavarria (WHO?) has been a phenomenal pick-up and leads shortstops in several big categories. However, this offense isn’t without a few holes, as studs Buster Posey and Edwin Encarnacion are seriously underperforming, and 51^st overall pick Marcell Ozuna has not lived up to the hype. This offense ranks no lower than 7^th in any category, and has room to improve if a couple of Eric’s stars pick up the slack.

The pitching is the real story of April for Eric’s crew. The way his guys are going this is a top 3 staff in the league. The 3 headed monster of Johnny Cueto, Sonny Gray, and Shelby Miller have a combined 13 QS and miniscule ERA and WHIP. Eric (13-7 in pitching categories), ranks in the top 3 of QS and ERA, and leads all teams in WHIP. Cueto is a keeper, but considering that Gray went 20^th (after keepers) and Miller went 155^th (after keepers), these starters are exceeding the expectations of everyone (this writer/poor-predictor included). Net saves has been the only consistent problem for Eric through the first 4 weeks, but his closers are delivering great ratios to make up for it. Eric’s start has been almost as impressive as his finish last season, and if he can keep this pitching going (maybe shore up saves?), and get some production from his April draft busts, he’ll have a shot at some unfinished business in September.