The Fantasy Daily

Hitters: Hot, Hotter and Hottest vs. Not, Notter and Nottest
by Shawn Caswell

HOT: (Scarlett Johansson level)
John Buck, C  NYM
With catching prospect Travis "lower-case" d'Arnaud waiting in the wings the Metropolitans' loyal may have been wondering just what they were going to get from the catcher spot early this season. Buck, a career .236 hitter with 121 bombs over an 11 year journey in the bigs, has stepped up with a torrid start to 2013. The 33 year old backstop now has 3 dingers to go along with 12 RBI and a .375 BA through his first 24 ABs. Buck wont wow you with this type of production all year but he is only 2 years removed from a 20 homer campaign and hit 12 long balls in the cavernous Marlins stadium in 2012.
Suggestion: Roll with Buck until he cools off, which could be sooner rather than later. Prospect Travis d'Arnaud may push his way into the Show by May or June.

HOTTER: (like...Mila Kunis)
Jed Lowrie, SS OAK
When the A's brought Lowrie in from Boston they hoped to solidify a week middle infield with under achievers like Jemile Weeks, Eric Sogard and Scott Sizemore juggling time at second last year. Cliff Pennington had been a mediocre player at best. Lowrie once a heralded prospect has been oft injured over his career but put together a 16 homer season for Houston in 2012. Now A's property he has lit up the box score "like errrry-single-day." Starting off with a cool .500 BA thru 7 games and 26 ABs with 3 taters, 6 ribs and 4 BBs his OBP is a whopping .566. I am sure he will cool off, but Lowrie could potentially put up 20+ homers in 2013. He's an everyday starter who needs to be moved up in the lineup to 2 or 3 ahead of Cespedes.

HOTTEST: (Megan Fox in the first Transformers Movie)
Justin Upton, OF ATL
The Diamondbacks have to be kicking themselves on a daily basis. Daily? Yeah, because that's about the rate the now Atlanta Braves' Justin Upton is homering. Only seven games in the books and already "J-Up" has blasted 6 moonshots, including a pair in one game where he and older brother BJ played hero in the bottom of the ninth. Upton was no slouch in 2012 after a slow start he still hit over .270, hit 17 HRs and scored over 100 runs. None the less, Arizona gave him up cheap basically getting Randall Delgado in return. Upton has been united with his brother and the fresh scenery of Atlanta has served him well. Look for Upton to return to Elite status in 2013 where he may produce MVP type numbers.

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NOT: 
B.J. Upton, OF ATL 
Unlike younger sibling and teammate Justin, new Braves Center Fielder B.J. Upton has not flourished early on in 2012. Other than his game tying homer in the ninth against Cubs' former-closer Carlos Marmol on Saturday, the elder Upton has been a disappointment thus far and has failed to get on base often as shown by his .241 OBP. Being utilized as a lead-off man while Simmons was out for a few days did not suit him well. He belongs in the six spot in the order. He should provide decent power and speed numbers this year, just be patient. This Atlanta team will be a force in 2013. 


NOTTER: (Encino Man) 
Matt Kemp, OF LAD
The MVP snub from 2011, the shoulder injury and resulting surgery, the lack of Hanley in the lineup? Matt Kemp got off to a ridiculous start last year but 2013 is the polar opposite. Through 20 at bats Kemp has 2 hits, 2 RBI and zero steals to go along with 6 strikeouts. Kemp may be weary of his shoulder, or maybe just isnt locked in yet after a lengthy rehab. Either way, it has to be a worrisome beginning for those who took him early in drafts.


NOTTEST: (Ice Age Continental Drift)
The Houston Astros, HOU
Want some eye opening stats? The Houston Astros are on pace to set a new record for strikeouts. They are on pace for 1,999 K's collectively. Once they face Texas again it could get worse. Ankiel, Carter and Wallace have combined for 38 strikeouts thru 57 collective at bats. That's a staggering 66.6%. Jose Altuve and Justin Maxwell look like the only Major Leaguers on the team aside from Bud Norris (who probably can hit better than 80% of the offense at this point.) Its going to be a long and painful season for the Houston hopeful. But hey, at least you get a great draft pick.


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