5 Traditional Slow Starters

Some guys just don't enjoy the month of April. That's my only explanation for this phenomenon. It's pretty impressive, if you look at the career numbers for these players, how they consistently start off the season so poorly, and yet always finish the season with very strong numbers. So whether you drafted these guys or are looking for names to target a few weeks into the season, here are five traditional slow starters who you might look to add:

Alfonso Soriano: I'd be remiss to not add this name for Zach. In the early going, historically, the average has been there, but Soriano's HR, RBI, and SB numbers are lower in April than any month the rest of the year. That .045 average is a little worrisome, but it's way too early to try to sell this guy. He's still got very real 30/30 potential. I think he will warm as the Chicago weather does, and he'll mash the ball at some point to make up for this awful start. No reason not to try to get him if he's available from a panicky owner.

Ichiro: His career average is .333 - talk about consistency, he's getting a hit exactly one out of every three at-bats. How does he get to this average on a yearly basis? Career average in April: .299. Career average in May: .370. Career steals in April: 35. Career steals in May: 65. For whatever reason, the guy uses April as his warm-up for the season, then simply tears up major-league pitching in May. If the owners in your league aren't aware of his career numbers, start telling them he's getting old (age 34) and this is the year he loses his speed. Then pick him up and reap the rewards.

David Ortiz: It's a little tough for me to call him a slow starter because he doesn't have bad numbers all the way through June, but if you drafted Ortiz for the power, you should be uncomfortable with his lack of it in the early season. He only has 20 career May home runs, as opposed to 56, 58, and 53 in July, August, and September. He does have more games played in the last three months of the season, but not nearly enough to make up the difference. Ortiz is 32 this season, and if you can convince an owner he's heading into the downside of his career, he's an absolutely fantastic first baseman.

Juan Pierre: I like him better than most people do. He traditionally plays like crap all the way until June, but something changes then (perhaps the warm weather) and he starts playing really well (.328 in July, .295 in August, .331 in September). Granted, he isn't a starter now, but keep in mind that an injury to any of the three could get him playing time, as well as an injury that results in him getting traded. Three months is a long time for things to change, and I doubt he will be on the bench then. I say, if you don't have a Chone Figgins or Brian Roberts and could use the steals, stash Pierre on your bench. He could end the season as a valuable commodity, and will probably spend some time in your league's free agency this year.

Rafael Furcal: Here's a Dodger you might feel a little more comfortable targeting. He has a .249 average in April, .294 average in May, with 6 HR in April and 15 in May to boot. Like Pierre, I see him as a speed guy whose performance will only get better as the weather warms (although in Southern California, the weather is always warm, so maybe this is only relevant for road games). He's a great source of steals from a middle infield position, and definitely an underrated guy if you miss on the top three.

These are five slow starters I say you ought to target in your fantasy leagues. Unless you're looking to get Ichiro, wait until early May and see if the owner is getting antsy. There's no reason any of these guys should be collapsing this year (yes, even Pierre, I strongly believe he'll be a starter somewhere by season's end. He won't steal 60 but could grab 25-30 in the second half). Buy low, sell high - these are the guys you need to look to grab if you're trying to win that elusive championship.