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 9/15 - 9/21. Note that this is the final week of the Hot Hitter Rundown. I hope I’ve helped in some small way to your finish in the money!
Catcher
Week Rank | Season Rank | Player | Tm | Pos | HR | RBI | SB | AVG | R | VAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 10 | Wilin Rosario | COL | C | 2.44 | 3.54 | -0.40 | 4.47 | 3.27 | 13.34 |
2 | 4 | Yan Gomes | CLE | C | 2.44 | 3.54 | -0.40 | 0.29 | 0.59 | 6.47 |
3 | 44 | A.J. Ellis | LA | C | 2.44 | 1.57 | -0.40 | 0.28 | 1.12 | 5.02 |
4 | 5 | Russell Martin | PIT | C | 2.44 | 2.06 | -0.40 | 0.28 | 0.05 | 4.44 |
5 | 14 | Mike Zunino | SEA | C | 0.95 | 1.57 | -0.40 | 0.53 | 0.59 | 3.24 |
6 | 7 | Brian McCann | NYY | C | 2.44 | 1.57 | -0.40 | -0.82 | 0.05 | 2.84 |
7 | 18 | Wilson Ramos | WAS | C | 0.95 | 0.09 | -0.40 | 0.16 | 1.66 | 2.47 |
8 | 3 | Devin Mesoraco | CIN | C | 0.95 | 0.58 | -0.40 | -0.22 | 0.59 | 1.51 |
9 | NR | Tony Cruz | STL | C | 0.95 | 1.08 | -0.40 | 0.26 | -0.49 | 1.41 |
10 | 22 | Yasmani Grandal | SD | C | -0.53 | 0.58 | -0.40 | 0.28 | 1.12 | 1.06 |
Wilin Rosario is digging out from what has been a disappointing season, hitting only 12 homers and 53 RBI in 101 games after averaging 24.5 homers and 75 RBI over the last two seasons. His incredible week is still more than notable, as he went 14-for-20 with two homers, nine RBI and eight runs scored. The Rockies will certainly give him another shot next season, but their patience could be wearing thin given his sub-par defense … The Dodgers seem likely to look elsewhere at catcher this offseason after the season A.J. Ellis has had, with a .586 OPS in 89 games. He hit two of his three homers last week … Russell Martin is a pending free agent and has done well for himself this season, with a .409 OBP and .850 OPS. He hit two more homers last week in an important time for the playoff-hungry Pirates … Yasmani Grandal has played better recently, but is just capping off another disappointing year. His OPS is now above .700, but he’s hitting just .218.
First Base
Week Rank | Season Rank | Player | Tm | Pos | HR | RBI | SB | AVG | R | VAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 10 | Justin Morneau | COL | 1B | 0.95 | 2.56 | -0.40 | 1.64 | 4.35 | 9.11 |
2 | 4 | Adrian Gonzalez | LA | 1B | 2.44 | 3.54 | -0.40 | 1.28 | 2.20 | 9.08 |
3 | 15 | Steve Pearce | BAL | 1B | 3.93 | 2.56 | -0.40 | 1.38 | 0.59 | 8.06 |
4 | 26 | Logan Morrison | SEA | 1B | 0.95 | 0.58 | 1.37 | 1.39 | 2.20 | 6.50 |
5 | 9 | Lucas Duda | NYM | 1B | 0.95 | 1.57 | -0.40 | 1.39 | 1.66 | 5.18 |
6 | 2 | Miguel Cabrera | DET | 1B | 0.95 | 0.58 | -0.40 | 1.40 | 1.66 | 4.20 |
7 | 6 | Edwin Encarnacion | TOR | 1B | 0.95 | 2.06 | -0.40 | 1.53 | 0.05 | 4.20 |
8 | 5 | Anthony Rizzo | CHC | 1B | 0.95 | 0.58 | -0.40 | 0.52 | 1.66 | 3.32 |
9 | 3 | Albert Pujols | ANA | 1B | 0.95 | 2.56 | -0.40 | 0.65 | -0.49 | 3.28 |
10 | 25 | Ike Davis | PIT | 1B | 0.95 | 1.57 | -0.40 | 0.27 | 0.59 | 2.99 |
Justin Morneau’s rebound following concussion issues has been one of the positives of 2014, and he bettered his overall stats by hitting .391-1-7 with 10 runs in a home week for the Rockies … Logan Morrison continues to hit well at the right time for the Mariners, hitting .381 with one homer and one steal last week. He has pedestrian overall numbers, but has hit above .300 since the beginning of August … Lucas Duda is finishing his breakout year well, hitting .381-1-5 last week. He is just two homers shy of the 30 home run high mark, and has consistently been the Mets’ best slugger this season.
Second Base
Week Rank | Season Rank | Player | Tm | Pos | HR | RBI | SB | AVG | R | VAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | Jose Altuve | HOU | 2B | -0.53 | 1.08 | 3.13 | 3.26 | 1.66 | 8.59 |
2 | 2 | Dee Gordon | LA | 2B | -0.53 | 0.09 | 4.89 | 1.16 | 2.20 | 7.81 |
3 | 5 | Brian Dozier | MIN | 2B | 0.95 | 0.58 | 1.37 | 0.78 | 2.20 | 5.88 |
4 | NR | Nick Franklin | TB | 2B | 0.95 | 0.58 | 1.37 | 1.38 | 0.59 | 4.87 |
5 | 19 | Rougned Odor | TEX | 2B | -0.53 | 0.58 | 1.37 | 0.91 | 2.20 | 4.52 |
6 | 3 | Ian Kinsler | DET | 2B | 2.44 | 1.08 | -0.40 | -0.82 | 0.59 | 2.90 |
7 | 13 | Kolten Wong | STL | 2B | 0.95 | 0.09 | -0.40 | 0.76 | 0.59 | 1.99 |
8 | 28 | Logan Forsythe | TB | 2B | 0.95 | 0.58 | -0.40 | 0.51 | 0.05 | 1.71 |
9 | NR | Luis Sardinas | TEX | 2B | -0.53 | -0.90 | 3.13 | 0.01 | -0.49 | 1.23 |
10 | NR | Dilson Herrera | NYM | 2B | 0.95 | 0.58 | -0.40 | 0.26 | -0.49 | 0.92 |
Jose Altuve overtook Mike Trout as the top hitter in fantasy baseball with his big week, going 14-for-30 with four RBI, five runs and two steals. He could have a tough time holding off Trout this week, but Altuve has certainly earned status as a first round pick going into next year with clearly elite ability in batting average, steals and runs … Dee Gordon’s coming of age has been just as pleasant a sight, as he ranks 10th overall among hitters after hitting .323 and swiping three bases last week. He should easily finish atop the league in steals, and currently ranks 14th in runs scored … Nick Franklin is gaining some momentum as he looks to enter next season as a regular for the Rays. Acquired for David Price, Franklin is 6-for-16 with one homer and one steal since joining Tampa Bay … Rougned Odor is hitting .305 in September and .320 last week. The Rangers have put up with the youngster’s growing pains with Jurickson Profar struggling through shoulder problems, and Profar’s further issues could pencil Odor into the Opening Day lineup for 2015 … Fellow 20-year-old Dilson Herrera has also seen his growing pains, hitting just .220 in 18 games since his call-up. It remains to be seen if the Mets will plan around him going into next season, but the future still seems bright.
Third Base
Week Rank | Season Rank | Player | Tm | Pos | HR | RBI | SB | AVG | R | VAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 24 | David Freese | ANA | 3B | 2.44 | 1.57 | -0.40 | 0.16 | 0.59 | 4.36 |
2 | NR | Rafael Ynoa | COL | 3B | -0.53 | 2.56 | -0.40 | 2.63 | -0.49 | 3.77 |
3 | 23 | Juan Uribe | LA | 3B | -0.53 | 1.08 | -0.40 | 1.76 | 1.66 | 3.57 |
4 | NR | Jimmy Paredes | BAL | 3B | 0.95 | 0.09 | 1.37 | 0.02 | 0.59 | 3.02 |
5 | 4 | Adrian Beltre | TEX | 3B | -0.53 | 1.08 | -0.40 | 1.64 | 1.12 | 2.91 |
6 | 17 | Luis Valbuena | CHC | 3B | -0.53 | 0.58 | -0.40 | 1.39 | 1.66 | 2.71 |
7 | 34 | Marcus Semien | CWS | 3B | 0.95 | 1.08 | -0.40 | 0.27 | 0.59 | 2.49 |
8 | 5 | Kyle Seager | SEA | 3B | 0.95 | 1.08 | -0.40 | 0.17 | 0.05 | 1.86 |
9 | 3 | Josh Donaldson | OAK | 3B | 0.95 | 0.09 | -0.40 | 0.41 | 0.59 | 1.65 |
10 | 21 | Justin Turner | LA | 3B | -0.53 | 1.57 | -0.40 | 1.25 | -0.49 | 1.40 |
It was another poor week for the hot corner, but that shouldn’t diminish the fact that playoff-hero David Freese is coming alive at the right time. Mr. Freese is hitting .328-4-14 in September, and hit a pair of homers last week … Marcus Semien at least showed some production last week in what has been a highly disappointing season. He entered this year as one of the White Sox’ top prospects, but struggled with regular playing time early in the year before his demotion. He did post an .881 OPS in 83 games at Triple-A Charlotte, so it’s much too early to give up on the now 24-year-old.
Shortstop
Week Rank | Season Rank | Player | Tm | Pos | HR | RBI | SB | AVG | R | VAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | Jose Reyes | TOR | SS | -0.53 | 0.09 | 6.65 | 2.64 | 2.20 | 11.05 |
2 | 34 | Wilmer Flores | NYM | SS | 2.44 | 3.05 | -0.40 | 0.91 | 1.12 | 7.13 |
3 | 20 | Alexi Amarista | SD | SS | 2.44 | 3.05 | -0.40 | 0.66 | 1.12 | 6.88 |
4 | NR | Freddy Galvis | PHI | SS | 2.44 | 2.56 | -0.40 | 0.53 | 1.66 | 6.80 |
5 | 6 | Alcides Escobar | KC | SS | 0.95 | 0.58 | 1.37 | 1.89 | 1.12 | 5.92 |
6 | 17 | Derek Jeter | NYY | SS | 0.95 | 0.58 | 1.37 | 1.64 | 1.12 | 5.67 |
7 | 24 | Josh Rutledge | COL | SS | 0.95 | 0.58 | -0.40 | 1.41 | 2.74 | 5.28 |
8 | 1 | Ian Desmond | WAS | SS | 0.95 | 0.58 | 1.37 | 0.65 | 1.66 | 5.22 |
9 | 3 | Alexei Ramirez | CWS | SS | -0.53 | 1.57 | 1.37 | 1.28 | 1.12 | 4.81 |
10 | 7 | Hanley Ramirez | LA | SS | -0.53 | 0.58 | -0.40 | 2.13 | 1.66 | 3.44 |
Jose Reyes has quietly worked his way up to No. 2 at shortstop this season, showing great efficiency on the basepaths with success on 30-of-32 steal attempts and adding 92 runs in 138 games. It’s a refreshing rebound after he played only 93 games last season … Wilmer Flores is showing some improvement at the plate late in the year, hitting .320-2-8 last week and hitting four homers this month. His performance is still a long way from satisfactory for a regular hitter, but Flores did show strong hitting ability in the minors and is an offensive upgrade over Ruben Tejada in any case … Derek Jeter is finishing his career on a high note, hitting .391-1-3 with one steal last week.
Outfield
Week Rank | Season Rank | Player | Tm | Pos | HR | RBI | SB | AVG | R | VAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 17 | Yasiel Puig | LA | OF | 2.44 | 2.06 | 3.13 | 2.64 | 5.42 | 15.70 |
2 | 82 | Michael Cuddyer | COL | OF | 3.93 | 4.04 | -0.40 | 1.89 | 3.81 | 13.27 |
3 | 15 | Matt Kemp | LA | OF | 3.93 | 4.04 | -0.40 | 1.28 | 2.74 | 11.59 |
4 | 115 | Jake Marisnick | HOU | OF | 2.44 | 3.05 | 3.13 | 1.15 | 1.12 | 10.90 |
5 | 36 | Danny Santana | MIN | OF | -0.53 | 0.58 | 6.65 | 1.28 | 2.20 | 10.18 |
6 | 64 | Chris Coghlan | CHC | OF | 2.44 | 2.56 | -0.40 | 2.76 | 1.66 | 9.02 |
7 | 86 | Mark Trumbo | ARZ | OF | 3.93 | 3.54 | -0.40 | 0.53 | 0.59 | 8.20 |
8 | 12 | Corey Dickerson | COL | OF | 2.44 | 2.56 | -0.40 | 1.28 | 2.20 | 8.08 |
9 | 8 | Charlie Blackmon | COL | OF | 0.95 | 0.58 | 1.37 | 1.51 | 3.27 | 7.69 |
10 | 20 | J.D. Martinez | DET | OF | 0.95 | 1.57 | -0.40 | 3.62 | 1.66 | 7.41 |
11 | 2 | Michael Brantley | CLE | OF | 0.95 | 0.58 | 1.37 | 2.64 | 1.12 | 6.67 |
12 | 30 | Torii Hunter | DET | OF | 2.44 | 1.08 | -0.40 | 2.14 | 1.12 | 6.39 |
13 | 50 | Norichika Aoki | KC | OF | -0.53 | 0.58 | 1.37 | 4.23 | 0.59 | 6.23 |
14 | NR | Jake Smolinski | TEX | OF | 2.44 | 2.06 | -0.40 | 0.78 | 1.12 | 6.02 |
15 | 4 | Jose Bautista | TOR | OF | 2.44 | 1.08 | -0.40 | 0.03 | 2.74 | 5.89 |
16 | 114 | Avisail Garcia | CWS | OF | 2.44 | 1.57 | -0.40 | 1.40 | 0.59 | 5.61 |
17 | 96 | Brandon Barnes | COL | OF | 0.95 | 1.08 | 1.37 | 1.01 | 1.12 | 5.53 |
18 | 23 | Starling Marte | PIT | OF | 2.44 | 0.58 | -0.40 | 1.15 | 1.66 | 5.44 |
19 | 117 | Alex Presley | HOU | OF | 0.95 | 1.57 | 1.37 | 0.89 | 0.59 | 5.37 |
20 | 47 | Curtis Granderson | NYM | OF | 0.95 | 1.08 | -0.40 | 1.39 | 2.20 | 5.23 |
Yasiel Puig’s huge week isn’t much of a consolation for fantasy owners that have sat through a terrible second half, but it’s still good news for the Dodgers heading into the playoffs. He hit .419-2-6 with two steals and a whopping 12 runs scored last week. However, since the All-Star break Puig has only three homers and 14 RBI … Michael Cuddyer is headed toward an interesting offseason as a pending free agent, missing most of this season to injury but raking when he did play. His numbers over the last two seasons are certainly aided by Coors Field, but the veteran hit a combined .332-30-114 in 174 games … Jake Marisnick is turning some heads in the Astros organization heading into next season, hitting .333-2-8 with one steal last week. The former top prospect has already shown the speed to help fantasy owners … Colorado has three outfield eligibles, in addition to Cuddyer, that made the outfield top 20 last week. Corey Dickerson and Charlie Blackmon have been mainstays during Colorado homestands, but platoon-player Brandon Barnes also made the list. Regardless of what the Rockies do with Carlos Gonzalez this season, Blackmon and Dickerson should head into next season as regulars and highly-touted fantasy rankers … Avisail Garcia is building up his stock nicely after returning from a shoulder injury, hitting .308-3-11 in September. With seven homers in 41 games, he’s showing the pop that many had envisioned heading into this season.
