Each week I will throw out some random rants on five players at a particular position…

Trevor Cahill, OAK – After winning 18 games a year ago, many expected to see a bit a fantasy drop off for the A’s ace. I was not one of them.  He failed to get out of the fifth inning in his first start of the season, throwing 105 pitches in a no-decision against Seattle.  However, the righty was much more efficient in a stellar start Thursday against the Blue Jays as allowed just three hits and one run while striking out seven batters and waling nobody on his way to the victory. The 23-year old only averaged four strikeouts per game in 2010, but already has registered 15 K’s through two starts.

Edinson Volquez, CIN – The Reds’ Opening Day starter is 1-0, but he has been far from spectacular during his first two starts of the season. The first inning has been brutal for the hurler thus far as he has thrown a total of 74 pitches in the opening frame in a pair of outings and has given up seven runs in that span. It appears as if Volquez is overpitching right now rather than relying on the National League’s top defense to do their work behind him. The upside is there, but he needs to calm down a bit. It may be a great time to try to acquire him on the cheap.

Fausto Carmona, CLE – Carmona was lit up during his first outing of the year, yielding 10 runs in just three innings of work versus the White Sox. His second start though was much more productive as he pitched seven shutout innings against a stacked Red Sox lineup. The Indian has been as inconsistent as they come over his career, but you can’t ignore his 200 plus innings, 13 wins and his 3.77 ERA a year ago. His upside for wins is limited on a weak Cleveland team, but you can do much worse at the back end of your fantasy rotation.

Aaron Harang, SD – Over the last three years while a member of the Reds, the veteran has been awful, posting an 18-38 record and ceding over 5.5 runs per inning. Now he returns to his hometown Padres and the friendly confines of Petco Park.  His first start of the year in the pitcher-friendly yard was promising as he held the Giants six hits and just one run through six innings, struck out six and walked two. He’s worth keeping your eyes on. Another start or two like that and he’ll become a viable mixed-league option.

Kyle Drabek, TOR – It is looking like the Blue Jays got something right when they dealt Roy Halladay as youngster Kyle Drabek is looking like the real deal. Through two starts the 23-year old is 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with 12 strikeouts in 13 innings. His seven walks are a bit alarming, but Drabek appears to be just feeling his way. He’s on over 80 percent of the rosters out there, but if he’s still available in your league I recommend scooping him up.  He remains a must-start option until proven otherwise.

Fantasy Baseball fantasy 5, fantasy advice, starting pitchers, trevor cahill, edinson volquez, fausto carmona, aaron harang, kyle drabek