The Stat Rat

"It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop." -- Confucius

On April 11, Aubrey Huff lived down to expectation. Flashing a grit determination that has made him a productive power bat for the rising Devil Rays over the last three seasons, Huff drifted back to run down a Melvin Mora popup in foul territory. As he focused on the play and avoided verbal communication with teammate Nick Green, a cataclysmic collision of bone and tendon occurred, forcing the Tampa third baseman's knee to land awkwardly on the bullpen plate. Huff owners everywhere shook their heads in disgust. The diminutive Tropicana Field crowd of 12,600 held its collective breath. Still in shock over injuries to Julio Lugo and Jorge Cantu, manager Joe Maddon, staring through his trendy Vietnam-era spectacles, surmised: "Can this really be happeningagain?"

Grimacing but able to walk off on his own power, Huff' initially looked to be superficially injured. But MRI results revealed a different outcome. Out a minimum of four weeks, with a sprained left knee, the former All-Star reminded his owners that April is always bitter-tasting -- injuries aside. Scattering just four hits in his first 22 at bats with seven RBIs, Huff again exemplified why he is one of the slowest starters in the majors. On a positive note, this year, fantasy owners won't have to stomach his career .254 batting average in April and May.

History reveals several marquee big leaguers whoare abysmal in baseball's 100-meter dash. For those whoadhere to the fantasy adage that April sours bring May value power, here are the top slothful sluggers you can acquire now at bargain basement rates:

Adrian Beltre, 3B, SEA 2006 Stats: .150 BA, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 7 R, 5 SB, 15 K: 7 BB April/May '05: .236 BA, 5 HR, 26 RBI, 26 R, 1 SB, 35 K: 3 BB Why acquire? What is more surprising? The fact that Beltre has more stolen bases than perennial speed demons Carl Crawford, Chone Figgins and Scott Podsednik, or that he is hitting seventy points lower than Ichiro's weight, sopping wet? Dropped to the seventh spot by Mike Hargrove, Beltre is in a major drought after an impressive .300 BA, 4 HR, 9 RBI in the World Baseball Classic. Pressing in '05 trying to live up to his lofty contract, the Mariners' corner man totaled a miserable 108:38 strikeout-to-walk ratio, but this year his walk totals have improved slightly. Don't be shocked to see a significant increase in overall production in the second half, making the former All-Star a superb buy low candidate. In his nine-year career, Beltre has notched a batting average 24 points higher, a 17 percent increase in homers and a 12 percent boost in RBI totals after the All-Star break. Seek his services. His value will never be lower.

Shawn Green, OF/1B, ARZ 2006 Stats: .208 BA, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 6 R, 9 K: 1 BB April/May '05: .263 BA, 4 HR, 20 RBI, 26 R, 1 SB, 37 K: 18 BB Why acquire? Green is off to his usual arid-hitting April. Laboring greatly at the dish, he's served up more whiffs than '80s punch-out master Rob Deer in his first 50 at-bats, striking out nine times to one walk. Held in first-round esteem just five years ago, Green's game has resonated like a falling redwood in an empty forest in recent days. Losing at-bats to Damion Easley because of his inability to hit lefties, Green has just two RBIs in his first 12 games. Despite his downtrodden play, he has totaled seven hits in his last five contests and is beginning to show signs of life. Averaging a noteworthy .287 batting average, 14.3 home runs, and 43.5 RBI from June-August in his 12-year career, Green's game historically rises with the temperature. At 33, he is far from removed from his glory days, but is still a strong OF3 in NL-only formats and an excellent source of power. This snake still has venom left in his fangs. Make an offer.

Rafael Furcal, SS, LAD 2006 Stats: .230 BA, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 12 R, 4 SB, 7 K: 11 BB April/May '05: .228 BA, 3 HR, 21 RBI, 27 R, 20 SB, 28 K: 16 BB Why acquire? Suffering from an annular strain of disc fibers in his back, a bruised shin and a thumb injury, Furcal has logged more spa time than injury-prone teammate J.D. Drew since late March. Only a career .183-hitter in 104 Dodger Stadium at-bats, Furcal has had difficulty adjusting to the cavernous specs. Although many of his owners are alarmed by his languorous .230 BA, it should come as no shock as Furcal is just a .254 hitter in his career before the All-Star break. Last year, the speedy shortstop's numbers improved drastically in the second half, largely due to a sharp increase in walks. From mid-July on, Furcal tallied a stately .322 BA, 5 HR, 27 RBI, 17 SB line and a patient 33:33 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Obviously his value is spurred by his ability to swipe bases, and as long as his track record remains consistent, he will easily reach the 30-steal mark. Now is the time to buy on one of the game's elite middle infielders.

Remember, due to the Stat Rat's equal weighing of total results and averages, small sample sizes can cause irregularities. Cody Ross, David Newhan, Kaz Matsui and Corey Patterson have inflated values right now because of a few good games. In a manic depressive state over the loss of Derrek Lee, here is the Top 50 Stat Rat 5x5 mixed league hitters through April 20:

Here are the hitting stars of Week 3:

Ryan Church, OF, WAS 2006 Stats: .286 BA, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 5 R, 1 SB, 7 K: 5 BB Stat Rat Rank: 18 Market Value: Moderate Sell Lowdown: Church has been a late-April messiah for NL-only owners desperate for a fruitful outfielder. Vowing never to return to Class AAA New Orleans, Church has been searing since being recalled on April 14, smacking four homers -- including a grand slam against Philadelphia on April 18 -- and driving in nine runs. Do you think he was bitter playing second fiddle to buster Brandon Watson? Equipped with 20-home run power, Church could move into the more desirable fifth spot with Ryan Zimmerman flirting with the Mendoza Line. Pick him up in all NL-only and mixed formats, but consider selling high to an owner whobelieves he can keep up the torrid power pace. He's not nearly this good. With 450 or more at-bats, expect finishing totals around .280, 15 HR, 70 RBI.