Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Pat Burrell and Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Ben Sheets are two players who, throughout the years, have become a bit overrated. Burrell’s bat has previously gone silent in key situations, and the injury bug has bitten Sheets on-and-off in recent season. It had been a long wait for the two to fulfill their massive potential, but early signs are good in 2008: Burrell is on a tear, batting .354 and Sheets’ ERA is under 1.00.

Burrell has saved the Phillies with clutch hits multiple times this season. With Ryan Howard struggling, Burrell and Chase Utley have kept the Phillies afloat in the National League East standings. Burrell, who is leading the majors with 25 runs batted in, has been relaxed at the plate this season, and willing to go with the pitch to the opposite field, instead of trying to pull everything like he has in the past.

Burrell is tied for second in the majors with eight home runs, but surprisingly has only hit three of them at Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia. He has five extra-base hits at home and three of them are to the opposite way. If Burrell continues to go with pitches, his average will remain well above his lifetime average of .260.

While Burrell has had production problems, Sheets’ stints on the disabled list have cost him in the past. In the last three seasons, Sheets has collected 28 wins, but hasn’t pitched over 160 innings any of those seasons. When he isn’t hurt, Sheets can bring it with the best of them, but finger problems last year, shoulder problems in 2006 and a torn latissimus muscle (back) in 2005 have made more news than his stats.

Sheets has only missed one start this season because of stiffness in his triceps, but recently threw a bullpen session and said things were fine, according to Yahoo! Sports. This season, Sheets is 3-0 in four starts with a 0.96 ERA. He has struck out 24, while only walking four batters.

Of his four starts, Sheets has pitched into the seventh inning three times. His complete game shutout of the San Francisco Giants on April 6 was followed by a dominating performance against the New York Mets on April 12 when he retired 18 batters in a row at one point.

Sheets obviously doesn’t want to be mentioned in the same breath has Mark Prior and Kerry Wood when it comes to what might have been. If he can continue to take care of himself, he has the tools to be an ace for the Brewers.

In other news, one player who will never be mentioned in the overrated discussion is Arizona pitcher Brandon Webb. If a pitcher is ever going to win 30 games again, Webb could be the guy to do it. He has won all five of his starts this season and posted a 2.31 ERA in 35 innings pitched.

The Diamondbacks are six games up on the second place Dodgers in the N.L. West and while they have been getting lots of production from their offense, starting pitching has been a major reason for their 17-7 record. Webb is the leader of the staff and is proving to everyone in the National League that the Cy Young award he won in 2006 won’t be his last.

More thoughts …

The 700 Level points out where Burrell and Utley rank among the game’s top hitters.

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel says that Sheets is working to put his most recent injury woes behind him.

Sports Yenta compares and contrasts the merits of two former Cy Young winners, Webb and San Francisco lefty Barry Zito.