Hot
Ronald Acuña Jr. , Atlanta
Not sure there's an applicable word for the torrid stretch of baseball at the onset of the season by the young superstar. He's scored at least two runs in five straight contests and recorded 14 extra-base hits in his first 13 games of 2021. Entering games on Friday, Acuña Jr. leads the National League in home runs (7), runs (17), slugging percentage (1.000), tied for first in RBI (14) along with doubles (6), second in batting average (.442), tied for second in stolen bases (3) and third in on-base percentage (.492). As imposing at the numbers appear, he's also cut his strikeout rate by over 14 percentage points in 2021's small sample size but his swinging strike percent drop by five percent and a surge in contact (up 14 points) to 85.9 percent support the improved discipline. If this continues over the course of a full season, the 40-40 club may get a fifth member.
Justin Turner , Los Angeles Dodgers
During 42 games in 2020, Turner hit four home runs. This season, he launched his fourth home run through 44 at-bats. Currently tied with Acuña Jr. for the league lead in doubles (6) and RBI (14), Turner constantly gets overlooked in fantasy despite his production along with a high batting average on a yearly basis. He's slashing a robust .432/.480/.841 and went 10-for-18 in the Dodgers homestand with three home runs.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. , Toronto
Perhaps his 456 foot home run from Thursday night skewed his making this list, but beneath the surface statistics, there's some intriguing things happening with Guerrero Jr. He's registered 36 batted ball events in 2021 with four barrels (11.1 percent) with an average exit velocity of 94 MPH along with a max velocity of 116.1 MPH. Noting exit velocity gains can be attributed, at least partially, to the new "bouncier” baseballs, it's the 11.6 launch angle fantasy owners should focus on. It's never been about his power or ability to hit, rather elevating his batted ball events enough to leave the ballpark. He's hitting .413 through 46 at-bats with three home runs, 10 RBI, a stolen base and a 1.200 on-base plus slugging percentage. If the launch angle gains remain all season long, 35-plus, dare we say, 40 home runs could ensue.
Not
Michael Conforto , New York Mets
A late start to the season due to COVID concerns with the Nationals, it's been a rough go for Conforto. He's slashing .120/.313/.160 through his first eight games with a double, a run and three RBI. Playing through a wrist issue, this may be a matter of health but pay close attention to his weekend in Coors Field, otherwise known as batting average on balls in play (BABIP) haven. There's plenty of time to right the ship but he's been dropped in the batting order and hopefully just needs a bloop and a bomb in Colorado to enact a hot streak.
Joc Pederson , Chicago Cubs
Spring training surger Pederson crushed eight home runs in the desert sun of Arizona with a 1.431 OPS. Fast forward to the regular season, his OPS sits below .400 with one home run in 37 at-bats. Cold weather and a cold streak could be a factor. He's not alone in this Cubs lineup desperately in need of their slumbering bats waking up. It's too early to abandon ship on him so heed his upcoming games this weekend versus Atlanta and hope he cracks a couple out of Wrigley by Sunday night.
Dylan Moore , Seattle
Buoyed by a strong finish to 2020 with power and speed upside, Moore shot up draft boards in the preseason. However, overlooking his discipline metrics and expected numbers may be a mistake. Again, there's time for him to turn things around but he may be this season's Danny Santana . Moore enters weekend play with a 34.1 strikeout percentage but hit his first home run in Game 2 of a doubleheader with Baltimore on Thursday.
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Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.
José Soriano allowed three runs over five innings while not factoring in the decision Thursday against the Blue Jays.
Soriano left with a 4-3 lead, but it was erased quickly after his departure. The 26-year-old was not exactly dominant in his outing with eight hits allowed and four free passes, but he did strike out six to help balance things out a smidgen. Soriano takes an even ERA of 4.00 into a scheduled start against the Padres in San Diego on Tuesday. There should be better options for that one.