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Alcides Escobar entered June hitting a mere .216. His struggles continued into June as he went hitless in eleven at bats in three games to start the month. Escobar would then go on a tear the rest of the month picking up 29 hits in 84 at bats (.345) to give him a .305 average for the month. He added 15 runs, a home run, eight RBI, and seven stolen bases.
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His play has spilled over into July as he has started the month 11 for 38 (.289) with seven runs, six RBI, and a pair of stolen bases. Perhaps it just took him some time to get comfortable playing in the American League. Perhaps the Royals’ youth movement has boded well. Whatever it is, it’s working.
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As you might have expected, Escobar’s turnaround has coincided with improved luck at the plate. After posting a BABIP of .250 in April and .240 in May his BABIP ballooned to .337 in June. Much more fitting of a number for a player with Alcides’ speed. His BABIP for July has been equally solid at .314. Escobar had a mark of .343 for Triple-A Nashville, followed by a .346 mark in his cup of coffee with the Brewers in 2009. He had high expectations in 2010, but struggled mightily. The speedsters’ .264 BABIP did not help matters.
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His overall numbers are now .251-42-1-27-14. They aren’t tremendous numbers, but they are adequate numbers for your middle infield (MI) slot to satisfy your runs and stolen bases categories.
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One of the most interesting storylines so far this year has been the resurrection of Alex Gordon. As of April 23rd, he is hitting .361 with 14 RBI and is entrenched in the number three hole for the Royals.
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The second overall pick in the 2005 draft hit the majors in 2007, with people calling him the next George Brett. Injuries and prolonged slumps have had Gordon back and forth between Triple-A and the majors. In 2010, Gordon made the switch from third base to the outfield.
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In spring training Gordon led the majors in RBI with 23, and he has carried the momentum into the regular season. Those who think this is a fluke point to 2008, where he also had a hot April only to have it fall apart and hit .235 from May 1st on. The optimistic ones point to the fact that for all the ups and downs Gordon has now hit the magical 27 year old hitter’s prime and he may be blossoming late a la Jose Bautista last year.
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While Gordon has only hit one  HR, he has ten doubles and a triple. He mashed 35 HRs in his only full season in the minor’s, so the potential is there for the doubles to start going over the fence. At some point Gordon will cool off, but the talent has always been there and it seems his confidence is at an all-time high. He should put together a productive season if he remains healthy.
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Also check out:

• Today’s Streaming Pitcher Option
• Yesterday’s Box Score Breakouts

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Evan Longoria, Josh Hamilton, Chase Utley, Rafael Furcal. There have been a number of ailing fantasy baseball stars.What looked like an offense that only featured Billy Butler as a fantasy option has produced several players with hot starts.
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Wilson Betemit leads the team with a .379 batting average. The third baseman has scored eight runs, drove in five more, and swiped two bases. He’s not Evan Longoria, but he has been productive.
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Alex Gordon and Josh Hamilton were both early draft picks picks. Until this year the comparison ended there. Gordon though is hitting .346 with ten runs, one HR, and seven RBI. Obviously he can’t carry your fantasy team like Hamilton, but he can help soften the blow and fill your outfield void. Jeff Francoeur (.292-8-1-8-2) and Melky Cabrera (.286-7-1-6-1) are also decent outfield options.
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Chris Getz won’t confuse anyone for Chase Utley, but the second baseman is hitting .342 with six runs, five RBI, and two stolen bases. You’re not going to get any pop from him (two career HRs), but he should help you in the stolen base category.
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Alcides Escobar is struggling (.229 batting average), but the shortstop has the speed to give you some of the stolen bases you’re missing with Rafael Furcal out. Escobar has five runs, five RBI, and two stolen bases.
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These aren’t George Brett’s Royals, but they are scoring some runs. They are also winning. They are currently tied for the fourth best record in the American League and the seventh best in all of baseball. It may not last into the summer, but I can’t think of any fans more deserving of their early success.

LestersLegends.com is teaming up with EE Sports World.com to break down all the divisions in baseball. My assignment was the AL Central. I’ll review the teams in the order I expect them to finish.
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First Place:  Minnesota Twins
The key to the Twins success is the health of Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan. Minnesota did an excellent job piecing things together last year with Jim Thome, Michael Cuddyer and company, but if they want to repeat as American League Central Champions, they’ll need Morneau’s bat. The Twins always seem to get by at closer so this isn’t nearly as primary a concern. Even if he falters, they have Matt Capps as an insurance policy.
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The Twins added Tsuyoshi Nishioka in the offseason to bolster their middle infield. The rest of their moves were just securing their free agents, namely Carl Pavano and Jim Thome. Delmon Young and Danny Valencia were pleasant surprises for the Twins last year while Michael Cuddyer once again showed his versatility. Denard Span struggled at times, but should bounce back.
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Francisco Liriano shined in the rotation, which will be the key to the Twins success. If they can get strong efforts from Liriano, Pavano, Scott Baker, and company there is a good chance that Ron Gardenhire pulls the right strings again to maintain A.L. Central dominance.
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Second Place:  Chicago White Sox
The White Sox added some firepower in the offseason by bringing in Adam Dunn to join the likes of Alex Rios, Paul Konerko, Alexei Ramirez, and Carlos Quentin. Juan Pierre will once again set the table, and Gordon Beckham looks to break out.
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The White Sox have a solid rotation, and should get a nice boost when Jake Peavy returns from shoulder surgery around the All-Star Break. Until then, it will be up to John Danks, Mark Buehrle, Gavin Floyd, and Edwin Jackson to carry the load. The White Sox lost Bobby Jenks in the bullpen, but Matt Thornton and Chris Sale should be up to the task.
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Ozzie Guillen will be entertaining, or annoying depending on your point of view, once again. You cannot accuse him of not speaking his mind. The White Sox seem to have a mental block that keeps them from getting past the Twins. If they can overcome it, the division is theirs for the taking.
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Third Place:  Detroit Tigers
Miguel Cabrera is the most talented player in the division, but he may also be the most troubled. Good news for Tigers fans and his fantasy owners that his arrest happened before the season started. He’s dealing with a serious issue though that is bigger than baseball. Fortunately the structure of the season could be what he needs to keep his life in order.
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On a less serious note, the addition of Victor Martinez gives the team a little more firepower. With Austin Jackson, Ryan Raburn, Carlos Guillen, and Jhonny Peralta, the Tigers could have a potent offense in 2011. Justin Verlander anchors the pitching staff with Max Scherzer living up to his promise. There are question marks in the back end of their rotation, which makes it hard for me to imagine they can surpass the Twins or the White Sox.
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Fourth Place:  Cleveland Indians
The Indians could actually surprise some people this year. Shin-Soo Choo is one of the most underrated players in the American League. Grady Sizemore is trying to recover from knee surgery. He was one of the most exciting players in baseball, and could really help their offense. Carlos Santana looks like one of the best young catchers in the league while Orlando Cabrera will provide veteran leadership. If players like Michael Brantley and Matt LaPorta can take the next step, the Tribe have an outside shot of taking third place.
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That is, if they get the pitching they need. Fausto Carmona had a strong year, but if he loses his mechanics on his sinker, he can go south fast. Justin Masterson has the goods, he just needs to work on his control issues. Too many free passes lead to big innings. Chris Perez is a solid closer, but the rest of the pitching staff is loaded with question marks.
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Fifth Place:  Kansas City Royals
Zack Greinke is gone. Jeff Francis, Luke Hochevar, Kyle Davies, and Vin Mazzaro do not intimidate opposing batters. Joakim Soria is one of the best closers in the American League, but how many leads will he be able to protect? Speaking of protecting, who is going to protect Billy Butler in the Royals’ lineup? Mike Aviles had a strong finish to last year and Kila Ka’aihue has a cool name and some pop, but this is a team that is going to struggle to avoid 100 losses.
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Also check out:

• 2011 Fantasy Baseball Profiles
• 2011 Fantasy First Basemen Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy A.L. Only First Basemen Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy N.L. Only First Basemen Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Second Basemen Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Third Basemen Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Shortstop Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Catcher Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Outfielder Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Starting Pitcher Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Closer Rankings

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It would be easy to overlook Mike Aviles. After all, he plays in Kansas City, who are down to two fantasy mainstays (Billy Butler and Joakim Soria) now the Zack Greinke is with the Brewers. I urge you to show some love for Mike Aviles, and not just because it’s Valentine’s Day.
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After having just one April at bat, Aviles hit .305 or better in four of the next five months en route to a .304 final average. His overall numbers weren’t overly impressive as he posted a .304-63-8-32-14 line in 424 ABs, but they are adequate for a backup second basemen or middle infield position.
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The most encouraging aspect is how strong he finished. Aviles came alive in September scoring 20 of his 63 runs and slugging six of his eight homers. He also combined for 11 stolen bases in August and September.
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His first-half and second-half splits illustrate how consistent he truly was last year.

Pre-All-Star:  55 games, 210 ABs, .305, 29 runs, two HRs, 14 RBI, two SBs, .718 OPS
Post-All-Star:  55 games, 214 ABs, .304, 34 runs, six HRs, 18 RBIs, 12 SBs, .777 OPS
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While I don’t expect Aviles to continue his September slugging and smash 20 HRs this year, he does have a history of moderate power. He had ten HRs in 419 ABs for the Royals in 2008 and a combined 27 in 752 ABs for Triple-A Ohama in 2007 and 2008.
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Aviles is going on average, according to Mock Draft Central, with the 157th pick, which puts him in the 14th round. He has second base eligibility, could possibly have SS eligibility in your league, and potentially 3B eligibility as he’s the likely starter at the hot corner for the Royals in 2011. That positional flexibility makes him more attractive.
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If you’re looking to round out your bench or add a middle infielder, don’t forget about Mike Aviles.
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What are your thoughts on Aviles for 2011?
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Also check out:

• 2011 Fantasy Baseball Profiles
• 2011 Fantasy First Basemen Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Second Basemen Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Third Basemen Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Shortstop Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Catcher Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Outfielder Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Starting Pitcher Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Closer Rankings