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Since it’s very early on in the 2013 baseball campaign, many of the bigger name players haven’t been starting off so hot. This causes fantasy baseball owners to panic a tad bit, although it is usually unnecessary. As you may or may not know, fantasy baseball is a lot like the stock market, with players’ value rising and falling throughout the year. Well, let’s take a look at some of the risers in fantasy land, who have been playing well as of late.
Trending Upward
Jason Kipnis, Cleveland Indians: Kipnis is a guy that many have been excited about for a while now, but hasn’t exactly put it all together quite yet. He is a guy who is pretty streaky, but may be on the verge of one of those hot streaks right now. Over the past five contests, the Indians’ second baseman eight hits, seven RBI, two home runs and two steals. Wow, talk about some serious production. After a very rough start, Kipnis’ batting average is now above the Mendoza line (.200) and the Indian’s offense is looking like one of the most dominant in all of baseball, ranking fifth in runs and third in batting average as a unit. Kipnis is a legitimate threat to slug upwards to 20 home runs and very capable of stealing 30 or more bases, but until he improves a weak K:B ratio (23/8), the average will remain a liability. A buy-low candidate from a few weeks ago, Kipnis seems to have found his stride.
Domonic Brown, Philadelphia Phillies: Brown was one of the players I was most high on coming into this season. He started the season off quite slow, but I wasn’t worried. Once a top 50 overall prospect, Brown has some serious pop and good enough speed to reach 10 or so steals. Brown now has five home runs and 14 RBI, with six hits, two homers and three RBI over his past three contests. Potential and upside are two words that match Brown perfectly, and Phillies’ fans have been waiting for him to breakout and become a force in this league. Personally, I believe this is the year he breaks out into an awesome outfielder. His speed and strong glove will keep him in the starting lineup, and despite the Phillies offense struggling to produce runs right now, they have too much talent and will eventually get it going, ultimately helping Brown’s fantasy value.
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Edward Mujica, St. Louis Cardinals: Mujica’s stock is quickly rising. Ever since being named the official closer, Mujica has flourished, posting his eighth straight save on Saturday night (5th in NL). The 28-year old closer has yet to blow a save this season and his strikeout-to-walk ratio is at an impressive 13/1. You can tell Mujica is the real deal, as numerous times this season he has completely blanked the heart of opposing lineups during closing situations, such as Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce. With former closer Mitchell Boggs optioned to Triple-A, there is no doubt that this is Mujica’s job to lose.
Nate McLouth, Baltimore Orioles: Perhaps someone should tell McLouth that this isn’t 2008. It appears the move to Baltimore has rejuvenated the 31-year old, as he is batting .315 with three home runs, 10 RBI and eight steals through 25 games. The veteran hitter is looking quite disciplined at the plate, walking 14.6 percent of the time compared to his 8.7 percent strikeout rate. Batting in a very strong lineup where he will get the playing time against the right handers, McLouth could very well continue to play well, but his red hot play right now makes for some regression in the very near future. But, since he batted a ridiculous .346 with eight steals, two home runs, 15 walks and an on base percentage of .452, owners may want to look to sell high on the outfielder while his value is trending upward.
Adam Pfeifer is a featured fantasy sports columnist for Rant Sports.
You can follow him on Twitter @aPfeiferRS.
