Hot Hitter Rundown
The cliché that the standard fantasy baseball season is a marathon and not a sprint is certainly true, but keeping an eye on the hottest players in the game is still extremely important when making start/bench decisions, making pickups and getting fair value in trades. It has become even more important recently with the popularity of daily games such as FanDuel growing.
It should be noted that short-term production in MLB involves a limited sample size, and should be analyzed and scrutinized for its level of significance, or lack thereof, very closely. With these factors in mind, the following is a rundown of the hottest hitters over the last seven days according to Rotoworld’s Player Rater.
Mention of players on these lists is a statement of fact that they are playing well for fantasy owners recently, but not necessarily a long-term endorsement of ownership in fantasy leagues, unless otherwise noted.
Player Rater numbers cover games for the week of 9/1 - 9/7.
Catcher
Week Rank | Season Rank | Player | Tm | Pos | HR | RBI | SB | AVG | R | VAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | Buster Posey | SF | C | 1.80 | 2.88 | -0.40 | 3.78 | 3.48 | 11.54 |
2 | 15 | Travis d'Arnaud | NYM | C | 0.62 | 1.45 | -0.40 | 3.13 | 1.74 | 6.54 |
3 | 30 | Michael McKenry | COL | C | 1.80 | 0.49 | -0.40 | 1.82 | 1.74 | 5.46 |
4 | 3 | Devin Mesoraco | CIN | C | 1.80 | 1.45 | -0.40 | 0.91 | 1.16 | 4.92 |
5 | 32 | Nick Hundley | BAL | C | 1.80 | 1.92 | -0.40 | 0.65 | 0.59 | 4.56 |
6 | 7 | Dioner Navarro | TOR | C | 1.80 | 1.92 | -0.40 | 1.17 | 0.01 | 4.51 |
7 | 22 | Carlos Ruiz | PHI | C | 1.80 | 0.97 | -0.40 | 0.25 | 1.16 | 3.79 |
8 | 9 | Brian McCann | NYY | C | 1.80 | 0.97 | -0.40 | 0.64 | 0.59 | 3.61 |
9 | 25 | Welington Castillo | CHC | C | 0.62 | 1.45 | -0.40 | 1.30 | 0.59 | 3.55 |
10 | 18 | Tyler Flowers | CWS | C | 1.80 | 0.97 | -0.40 | 0.65 | 0.01 | 3.03 |
Buster Posey continues to carry the Giants and fantasy owners down the stretch, hitting .565-2-8 with eight runs scored last week. That’s after hitting .336-6-17 in August … Travis d’Arnaud continues to increase his stock, playing like a No. 1 catcher over the last month. He hit .550-1-5 with five runs last week, and is hitting a very solid .283-7-19 in the second half … Michael McKenry has increased his stock with Wilin Rosario sidelined, hitting .500-2-4 last week. Rosario’s return pushes McKenry back to the bench, but he’s proven more than capable as an option in two-catcher NL-only leagues … Carlos Ruiz has had another semi-disappointing season for fantasy owners, but he hit two homers last week and continues to find his way on base. He’s hitting .278-4-13 in limited at-bats since the break … Tyler Flowers has been feast or famine for much of this season. He’s been an all-or-nothing hitter with a 25/146 BB/K ratio, and it shows in his .243 batting average. However, Flowers hit .364-2-4 last week.
First Base
Week Rank | Season Rank | Player | Tm | Pos | HR | RBI | SB | AVG | R | VAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | Miguel Cabrera | DET | 1B | 5.36 | 3.35 | -0.40 | 3.91 | 3.48 | 15.70 |
2 | 10 | Adam LaRoche | WAS | 1B | 4.18 | 3.83 | -0.40 | 0.65 | 1.74 | 10.00 |
3 | 5 | Adrian Gonzalez | LA | 1B | 2.99 | 3.35 | -0.40 | 0.51 | 1.16 | 7.62 |
4 | 12 | Carlos Santana | CLE | 1B | 2.99 | 2.88 | -0.40 | -0.53 | 1.16 | 6.10 |
5 | 17 | Mike Napoli | BOS | 1B | 0.62 | 0.97 | 0.98 | 1.17 | 1.16 | 4.90 |
6 | 16 | Chris Davis | BAL | 1B | 1.80 | 0.97 | -0.40 | 0.12 | 1.16 | 3.66 |
7 | 3 | Albert Pujols | ANA | 1B | 0.62 | 1.45 | -0.40 | 0.25 | 1.74 | 3.66 |
8 | NR | Chris Valaika | CHC | 1B | 0.62 | 0.49 | 0.98 | 1.43 | -0.57 | 2.95 |
9 | 8 | Edwin Encarnacion | TOR | 1B | 1.80 | 0.97 | -0.40 | -0.27 | 0.59 | 2.69 |
10 | 20 | Joe Mauer | MIN | 1B | -0.57 | 1.45 | -0.40 | 1.03 | 1.16 | 2.68 |
Miguel Cabrera finally hit like the hitter we’ve grown accustomed to seeing last week, with six multi-hit games and a mammoth .500-5-9 line. He’s still at only 22 homers, but perhaps Miggy can make a late push to 30 … Chris Davis makes the list for the third straight week, adding two more homers last week. He’s still not hitting for much average, but Davis is inching closer to the 30 home run mark, currently at 26 … Chris Valaika is taking advantage of some starts at the hot corner, hitting .412-1-3 with one steal last week. Formerly a prospect in the Reds farm system, Valaika has reached minor league veteran status but is making the most of his time for now … Victor Martinez, David Ortiz and Chris Carter are listed under DH in the Player Rater, but each had a huge week and is in the midst of a huge year for fantasy owners. Carter continues to be particularly impressive in the second half, with 17 homers in the second half after hitting three more last week.
Second Base
Week Rank | Season Rank | Player | Tm | Pos | HR | RBI | SB | AVG | R | VAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 15 | D.J. LeMahieu | COL | 2B | 0.62 | 1.45 | 2.36 | 2.34 | 1.74 | 8.51 |
2 | 1 | Jose Altuve | HOU | 2B | 0.62 | 0.97 | 2.36 | 1.95 | 1.74 | 7.64 |
3 | 7 | Howie Kendrick | ANA | 2B | 0.62 | 2.88 | -0.40 | 2.47 | 1.74 | 7.31 |
4 | 9 | Neil Walker | PIT | 2B | 0.62 | 0.97 | -0.40 | 1.69 | 1.74 | 4.62 |
5 | 13 | Kolten Wong | STL | 2B | 0.62 | 0.97 | 0.98 | 0.77 | 1.16 | 4.51 |
6 | 18 | Jonathan Schoop | BAL | 2B | 2.99 | 1.45 | -0.40 | -0.40 | 0.59 | 4.22 |
7 | NR | Dilson Herrera | NYM | 2B | 1.80 | 1.92 | -0.40 | 0.38 | 0.01 | 3.72 |
8 | 31 | Donovan Solano | FLA | 2B | -0.57 | 0.49 | -0.40 | 1.17 | 2.90 | 3.59 |
9 | 29 | Joe Panik | SF | 2B | -0.57 | -0.46 | -0.40 | 1.03 | 1.74 | 1.35 |
10 | 21 | Rougned Odor | TEX | 2B | 0.62 | 0.02 | -0.40 | 1.04 | 0.01 | 1.28 |
A full week at Coors Field helped D.J. LeMahieu lead the second base position, hitting .455-1-5 with five runs and two steals. His overall fantasy numbers are not particularly impressive, but LeMahieu is hitting .325 with seven of his 10 steals at home … The season of Jose Altuve continues, with the Houston speedster hitting .429-1-4 with five runs and two steals last week. He continues to lead the league in batting average, and trails only Dee Gordon and Billy Hamilton in stolen bases … Jonathan Schoop has some ugly overall numbers due to his lack of plate discipline, but he hit three home runs last week and has been a solid fantasy value with 15 this season … Dilson Herrera is making the most of his major league time with Daniel Murphy on the DL, posting a .777 OPS since his call-up and hitting .280-2-6 last week. He’s a fine option at second base down the stretch … Joe Panik’s fantasy value continues to emulate former Giants starting second baseman Marco Scutaro, as Panik hit .321 with five runs scored last week and is hitting .309 in 55 games for the year.
Third Base
Week Rank | Season Rank | Player | Tm | Pos | HR | RBI | SB | AVG | R | VAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 4 | Kyle Seager | SEA | 3B | 2.99 | 1.92 | -0.40 | 1.82 | 2.32 | 8.65 |
2 | 13 | David Wright | NYM | 3B | -0.57 | 1.92 | 2.36 | 1.03 | 1.16 | 5.91 |
3 | NR | Cory Spangenberg | SD | 3B | 1.80 | 1.45 | 0.98 | 0.91 | 0.01 | 5.15 |
4 | 7 | Evan Longoria | TB | 3B | 1.80 | 2.40 | -0.40 | 0.12 | 1.16 | 5.09 |
5 | 10 | Nolan Arenado | COL | 3B | 2.99 | 1.92 | -0.40 | -0.40 | 0.59 | 4.70 |
6 | 1 | Anthony Rendon | WAS | 3B | -0.57 | 0.97 | 2.36 | 0.51 | 1.16 | 4.44 |
7 | 34 | Eduardo Nunez | MIN | 3B | 0.62 | 1.45 | -0.40 | 1.30 | 0.59 | 3.55 |
8 | 18 | Luis Valbuena | CHC | 3B | 0.62 | 0.02 | -0.40 | 0.78 | 2.32 | 3.33 |
9 | 2 | Todd Frazier | CIN | 3B | 1.80 | 0.49 | -0.40 | 0.38 | 0.01 | 2.29 |
10 | 22 | Justin Turner | LA | 3B | 0.62 | 0.02 | 0.98 | 0.52 | 0.01 | 2.14 |
Kyle Seager is establishing himself among the third base elite this season, hitting .385-3-6 with six runs last week. He has now officially set career bests in homers and RBI, and he’s also 20 batting average points ahead of his previous career high of .260 … David Wright has been an extreme disappointment for fantasy owners all season, with only eight homers and eight stolen bases this season. He hit .321-0-6 last week with two steals, if it is any consolation … Cory Spangenberg’s career is off to a fine start with his September call-up, as he hit .353-2-5 in his first week. He has a great opportunity to start at either second base or third base going into next season after hitting .331 at Double-A this season, though he did only hit two homers in the minors this season. Still, the batting average and potential eligibility at two positions should be helpful … Eduardo Nunez got a few starts last week and went 4-for-6 on Wednesday. His value continues to be limited to AL-only leagues with his lack of playing time.
Shortstop
Week Rank | Season Rank | Player | Tm | Pos | HR | RBI | SB | AVG | R | VAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 11 | Asdrubal Cabrera | WAS | SS | 1.80 | 0.49 | 2.36 | 0.64 | 1.16 | 6.46 |
2 | 14 | Jordy Mercer | PIT | SS | 2.99 | 1.45 | 0.98 | -0.01 | 0.59 | 5.99 |
3 | 28 | Josh Rutledge | COL | SS | -0.57 | 1.92 | -0.40 | 2.08 | 2.90 | 5.94 |
4 | 24 | Brad Miller | SEA | SS | 1.80 | 0.49 | 0.98 | 1.04 | 0.59 | 4.90 |
5 | 3 | Jose Reyes | TOR | SS | 0.62 | 0.49 | 2.36 | -0.27 | 1.16 | 4.36 |
6 | 34 | Jose Ramirez | CLE | SS | -0.57 | 0.02 | 3.74 | -0.41 | 0.59 | 3.37 |
7 | 9 | Jhonny Peralta | STL | SS | 1.80 | 0.49 | -0.40 | -0.41 | 1.74 | 3.24 |
8 | 22 | Xander Bogaerts | BOS | SS | 0.62 | 1.45 | -0.40 | 1.56 | 0.01 | 3.23 |
9 | 21 | Eduardo Escobar | MIN | SS | 0.62 | 0.97 | -0.40 | 0.77 | 1.16 | 3.13 |
10 | 37 | Andrew Romine | DET | SS | -0.57 | 0.02 | 2.36 | 0.78 | 0.01 | 2.60 |
The Nats continue to get their money’s worth with Asdrubal Cabrera. He hit .259-2-3 with two steals last week, and has a .784 OPS since joining Washington … Josh Rutledge rebounded from a slump with a full week of Coors Field games, hitting .500-0-6 with seven runs scored. Rutledge could be fighting for consideration as Colorado’s starting second baseman next season, but his performance has been inconsistent since battling an illness last month … Brad Miller’s disappointing season continues, but he has at least reached double-digit home runs after smacking two over the fence last week … Xander Bogaerts is at least making some progress with what has been a season-long slump, hitting .357-1-5 last week.
Outfield
Week Rank | Season Rank | Player | Tm | Pos | HR | RBI | SB | AVG | R | VAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 15 | Ben Revere | PHI | OF | 0.62 | 2.88 | 3.74 | 2.74 | 1.16 | 11.13 |
2 | 57 | Juan Lagares | NYM | OF | -0.57 | 0.02 | 7.87 | 1.69 | 1.74 | 10.75 |
3 | 14 | Corey Dickerson | COL | OF | 1.80 | 1.45 | -0.40 | 2.60 | 2.90 | 8.35 |
4 | 38 | Danny Santana | MIN | OF | -0.57 | -0.46 | 3.74 | 2.08 | 2.90 | 7.69 |
5 | 17 | Denard Span | WAS | OF | 1.80 | 0.97 | 2.36 | 1.30 | 1.16 | 7.59 |
6 | NR | Mookie Betts | BOS | OF | 0.62 | 0.49 | 0.98 | 1.82 | 3.48 | 7.38 |
7 | 2 | Giancarlo Stanton | FLA | OF | 2.99 | 1.92 | 0.98 | 0.25 | 1.16 | 7.31 |
8 | 5 | Jose Bautista | TOR | OF | 1.80 | 1.92 | -0.40 | 1.69 | 1.74 | 6.76 |
9 | 3 | Michael Brantley | CLE | OF | -0.57 | 0.97 | 2.36 | 2.73 | 1.16 | 6.66 |
10 | 7 | Hunter Pence | SF | OF | 0.62 | 0.97 | 2.36 | 0.51 | 1.74 | 6.20 |
11 | 30 | J.D. Martinez | DET | OF | 1.80 | 0.97 | 0.98 | 1.16 | 1.16 | 6.08 |
12 | 25 | Matt Kemp | LA | OF | 2.99 | 0.97 | -0.40 | 1.04 | 1.16 | 5.76 |
13 | 21 | Christian Yelich | FLA | OF | -0.57 | 0.49 | 0.98 | 1.95 | 2.90 | 5.75 |
14 | 36 | Leonys Martin | TEX | OF | -0.57 | -0.94 | 5.12 | 1.69 | 0.01 | 5.31 |
15 | 10 | Charlie Blackmon | COL | OF | -0.57 | 0.97 | 5.12 | -0.14 | -0.57 | 4.81 |
16 | 6 | Andrew McCutchen | PIT | OF | 1.80 | 0.49 | -0.40 | 1.03 | 1.74 | 4.67 |
17 | 51 | Curtis Granderson | NYM | OF | 1.80 | 1.92 | -0.40 | -0.14 | 1.16 | 4.35 |
18 | 1 | Mike Trout | ANA | OF | 0.62 | 1.45 | 0.98 | -0.67 | 1.74 | 4.12 |
19 | 70 | Gregor Blanco | SF | OF | -0.57 | 0.49 | -0.40 | 1.69 | 2.90 | 4.11 |
20 | 56 | Gerardo Parra | MLW | OF | 0.62 | -0.46 | -0.40 | 2.47 | 1.74 | 3.97 |
Ben Revere had a huge week for fantasy owners, hitting .478-1-8 with three steals and four runs scored. Revere has far more fantasy value than real value, with only 12 walks this season and a .706 OPS … Juan Lagares is more lauded for his defense than his offense, but he continues to hold his own offensively with a .282 batting average and 12 steals, eight of which have come since August 29 … Danny Santana makes the list this time by hitting .417 with three steals and seven runs scored. He’s now hitting .320 for the season … Corey Dickerson and Charlie Blackmon reaped the benefits of Coors Field last week. Dickerson’s .944 OPS shows elite potential heading into next season, while Blackmon is just three homers from 20/20 status but less deserving of a regular role with the Rox heading into next season with a .767 OPS, just .649 since the break … Curtis Granderson’s second half has been a nightmare, hitting just .173-4-12 in 173 at-bats. He hit two of those homers last week, and has a sub-.700 OPS for the season … Nelson Cruz is listed at DH in the Player Rater, but is well worth a mention after a huge week. He hit .407-4-12 with six runs, and is just one home run shy of the 40 mark.
