Top 1: Ian Desmond struck out swinging against Derek Lowe

Top 3: Desmond called out on strikes against Lowe

Top 5: Desmond reached on force out against Lowe

Top 7: Desmond struck out swinging against Cory Gearrin

Top 10: Desmond struck out swinging against Craig Kimbrel

Final Line: 0-5, 4K

Notes: Desmond’s golden sombrero on Thursday lowered his batting average to .215 and he has now fanned 37 times compared to only five walks.  Hitting second in the Nationals’ order, Desmond and three-hitter Jayson Werth both notched a sombrero.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 21

With the first month of the MLB season in the books, and some of the baseball’s best prospects now suiting up for their respective big league squads, it’s time to reflect on the performances of our Top 50 Prospects.  Today we look at 44-40, which include: Nolan Arenado, Brett Jackson, Matt Dominguez, Zach Lee and Grant Green.

44. Nolan Arenado, 3B, Colorado Rockies

High-A: .248/.280/.316, 8 2B, 12 RBI, 5 BB, 16 K, 2 SB

43. Brett Jackson, OF, Chicago Cubs

Double-A: .295/.420/.518, 7 2B, 3 3B, 4 HR, 17 RBI, 24 BB, 30 K, 13-for-15 SB

42. Matt Dominguez, 3B, Florida Marlins

N/A; Injured

41. Zach Lee, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers

Class-A: 3-0, 1.17 ERA, 30.2 IP, 11 BB, 28 K, 1.272 WHIP,

40. Grant Green, SS, Oakland Athletics

Double-A: .293/.364/.421, 9 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 24 RBI, 14 BB, 30 K, SB

Bottom 2: Rene Tosoni called out on strikes against Phil Coke

Bottom 4: Tosoni struck out swinging against Coke

Bottom 6: Tosoni struck out swinging against Al Alburquerque

Bottom 8: Tosoni struck out swinging against Joaquin Benoit

Final Line: 0-4, 4 K

Notes: Tosoni’s golden sombrero on Wednesday was the first by a rookie in 2011, and also the second sombrero issued by the Detroit Tigers.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 20

Robinson Cano, Evan Longoria, Joe Mauer, Josh Hamilton, Miguel Cabrera, etc.  There are a lot of talented hitters in the AL right now.  I would take Bautista over any of them, at least if the only criteria was offensive production.  Obviously what a guy like Longoria can bring to the defensive side of the game probably trumps the difference between he and any other AL stud, so I still think he’s the most valuable player in that league, but personally I would greatly prefer Jose Bautista to any other hitter.  Here’s why.

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Wow, what a week.  We had two no-hitters and a few pitchers come up just short of a no-hitter.  We also saw a couple streaks come to an end.  Unfortunately, Andre Ethier was not able to record a hit for a 31^st consecutive game, and Joey Votto’s streak of reaching base safely ended at 33 games.  Thankfully, both of these guys are on my team and helping me hold strong amongst the leaders in the Denslow Cup.  These guys are obviously finding themselves at the top of the charts in fantasy leagues across the globe.  Let’s take a look today at some names that were expected to be big producers, but are nowhere to be found.  Right now is a great time to turn one owner’s regrets into your own small fortune.

Again, I have no new trades to report in the Denslow Cup.  One owner is searching for saves and looking to deal SP to get them.  However, he did this via the Samurai Board (our message board).  He has rejected every trade thrown his way and at least in dealing with me has never even tried to negotiate anything.  This brings me to a point I want to make about trading: don’t just throw up your trade wants on the league message board.  Just looking at the standings and scoring will give owners an idea of what you need or don’t need.  Also, if you do not like a trade, reply with an email about what specifically you don’t like about the proposal.  It is never helpful to just say, “Nope.  This trade sucks.”  It really makes it easier for you and other owners to find out just where you stand on different pieces in different trades.  Now, on to guys I’m getting and getting rid of.

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