With great attention paid last week to Big Brown’s attempt, and subsequent failure, to win the Triple Crown, I thought it would be appropriate to look at another potential Triple Crown candidate this week. With so many first baseman around the league who had a rough start to the season (Mark Teixeira, Prince Fielder), or have been injured (Travis Hafner, David Ortiz), the fantasy owners who went with Berkman during the draft, likely somewhere near the beginning of the third round, have been treated to an MVP-caliber season thus far. I was fortunate enough to draft him for two of my teams, and have been reaping the benefits ever since.

Currently, Berkman is batting .360, has 19 homers, and 57 RBIs, which ranks 2^nd, 2^nd, and 4^th in the NL. Projected to a full season, he is on pace for .360/45/134, which is closer to his 2006 stats than last year’s “disappointing” .278/34/102. What’s most impressive is his eleven stolen bases, already a career high, that would give him 26 if he maintains that pace. Those kinds of numbers might make him a first round selection next year.

While I don’t think he will continue at that pace, let alone win a triple crown award, I’ve always held him in high regard when I construct my fantasy teams. His first and second half splits aren’t extreme, and you know exactly what you’re getting out of him. He plays for a club that, while not in a position to compete for a championship, has a strong offensive core, with solid middle-of-the-lineup protection in Miguel Tejada and Carlos Lee. He also is eligible at first base and outfield, which give his owners added roster flexibility.

As the first half of the 2008 season starts coming to an end, will Berkman continue his excellent production in the second half? Yes. I expect his numbers to come down to earth a little, especially in the stolen base department. But his power numbers will still be there throughout the rest of the season, and hitting in the middle of the Houston lineup is a great place to be. While Josh Hamilton has always had a ton of potential, we haven’t seen it manifest until this year, so it’s hard to predict if he can continue his tremendous production. Berkman is a proven veteran who remains a valuable fantasy performer, and more of the same should be expected of him entering the second half, as we’ve seen him carry the Astros offense before.

On a separate note, Pat Venditte was drafted in the 20^th round of this year’s MLB draft by the New York Yankees. Though still a few years away from being major league ready, his progress through professional ball will be closely monitored, as he is quite a rarity at any level of baseball: a “switch pitcher.” A natural righty, he was raised to throw left-handed as well, and has evolved into an effective pitcher from either side. He is still looking to increase his velocity from the left side, and wants to add another pitch from the right, and he has a long way to go before he’s ready for the majors. If he progresses as the Yankees hope, he will be the ultimate weapon on the mound, matching up against hitters from either side, while taking less wear during starts, as his pitch count will be divided between two arms.