Correspondent Report

Team Report: After stumbling out of the block to start the season it appears that the Diamondbacks have recovered and are once again playing quality baseball. The Diamondbacks started the season very slowly losing games to the Dodgers and Rockies. But recovered over their last road trip winning 2 games in ST. Louis, 1 In Montreal, and 2 in NYC, then then came home and won a big game on Monday. Keep in mind that Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling only started once on the road. Over the past 10 games they have won 7 and have looked like world champs in the process. I still expect this team to win the Division and the World Series.

Starting Rotation

Randy Johnson: Randy spent some time on the D.L. this past week but pitched on Sunday going 6 Innings, striking out 12 and getting the win.

Curt Schilling: Schilling is on the D.L because of a non-baseball related injury and is expected to pitch on Saturday. He struggled early on in the season but was impressive in his last start.

Elmer Dessens: His ERA of 3.03 was among the league leaders. And I think that with run support that he was unable to get with the Reds last year he could be a 15 game winner. It should also be mentioned that Monday against the Marlins Dessens went seven innings giving up 1 run on 5 hits when striking out 5. Fantasy Spin: If you are hurting for pitching I would have a look Dessens

Miguel Batista: Batista was supended for 10 game for the incident with Tino Martinez in STL. I don't understand it because Martinez started the fight. Oh well.

Byung-Hyung Kim: BK should have at least 3 runs this year. The reason he doesn’t is because of the lack of run support. You would think that a pitcher with an ERA of 3.19 over 5 games would have more then 1 win. Lately however the Diamondbacks have been hitting and I think we can still expect 10-15 wins from Kim

Matt Mantei: Since Kim has been named a starter this year Mantei has stepped into the closer role. So far he looks like he has fully recovered from Tommy john surgery, and is pitching quite well.

Lyle Overbay: So far Overbay has been very impressive. He is batting .309 with 2 Home Runs and 5 RBI’s.

Mark Grace: The main reason the Diamondbacks resigned Mark Grace was so that he could ease Lyle Overbay into the majors. Some have gone so far to say that he is a Player/Coach. I wouldn't quite take it that far but he is doing a fair amount of mentoring of Lyle Overbay.

Junior Spivey: Spivey was by far the slowest starter on the Diamondbacks but has started to look a lot better. Early in the season he looked like he was trying to hit every pitch out of the park, Now he looks much more relaxed at the plate and is getting walks, getting hits and he even hit a Home Run on Monday.

Tony Womack: The only reason to draft Womack would be his speed. He had 29 stolen bases last year. I would expect that number to go up some but don't expect more then 40.

Matt Williams: Williams will be fighting for playing time and although he is determined I can't believe he will go through the season injury free.

Craig Counsell: Craig is a fan favorite for no reason. He doesn’t play that much and when he does play he doesn't get great stats. But because people like him, his fantasy value is higher then it should be.

Chad Moeller: Since Damian Miller has been traded Moeller will see most of the playing time at least until Rod Barjas recovers from his hamstring pull.. In the past he has been Randy Johnson's personal catcher and it will be interesting to see how he adapts to a full time role. Fantasy Spin: I would only draft Moeller in an NL only league.

Rod Barajas: Rod just got off the D.L and had a good game first game back with 2 hits and 2 RBIs.

Luis Gonzalez: Gonzo really carried the Diamondbacks through the hitting slump he currently has 7 HR’s 14 RBI’s when batting .333

Steve Finley: Possibly the best move the Diamondbacks made this Off-season was resigning Steve Finley. Look for stats around .285 with 25 HRs and 85 RBIs. Fantasy Spin: Great late round sleeper.

Danny Bautista: Danny is my sleeper of the year. Before he got hurt last year he had a .325 Avg with 6 HRs and 23 RBIs in only 40 games. I would expect stats of .300 Avg 20 HRs and 80 RBIs

Quinton McCracken: Mr. Clutch. I don't think I could count how many 8th inning game-winning hits he had last year. However he will only get playing time as a pinch hitter or when an Outfielder is injured. If that happens and you are hurting with Avg he might be a good fit for your team. Last year he had an Avg of .309 in 123 games

Down On the Farm: Alex Cintron, Tucson Sidewinders: Cintron has been a Utility player for the Diamondbacks for the last few years, but this year was sent down to AAA Tucson to make room for Carlos Baerga. Alex however is doing his best to get back to the majors. Cintron is currently hitting .419 with 2 HR’s and 18 RBI’s in only 21 games. Keep an eye on Cintron if he gets called up or traded.