Pitchers:
Chris Heston – Giants – SP – Y! 26% – ESPN 30%
Matt Cain and now Jake Peavy are now sidelined on the DL, Chris Heston has filled in nicely, and he will not be out of the rotation any time soon. He has allowed two earned runs in three starts this season, and is averaging close to six strikeouts a game. People are starting to catch on, he has jumped up about 15% in each league.
Jeff Locke – Pirates – SP – Y! 9% – ESPN 6%
Any pitcher who gets to pitch in Pittsburgh jumps on my radar, and Locke is off to a great start. He has won both starts so far this season, allowing three earned runs. Before the season he was off the grid for being in a deep Pittsburgh rotation, but he has some fantasy value with the rest of them.
Jimmy Nelson – Brewers – SP – Y! 33% – ESPN 32%
Right now, Jimmy Nelson has been the Brewers best pitcher to start the season. He was talked about last year as being one of the better pitchers they had in their system, and he is showing it here early. He has allowed two earned runs in two starts, while striking out twelve in two games.
Position Players:
Nick Markakis – Braves – OF – Y! 40% – ESPN 70%
Many thrashed the Braves fantasy production after the unloading that took place this off-season. He is hitting .375 with eight runs, and five RBI to start the season. Nick Markakis would be 100% owned if he was in Baltimore, but the change of scenery has scared off fantasy owners. He is not a bad pickup for those replacing injured outfielders, or need a new face.
Denard Span – Nationals – OF – Y! 51% – ESPN 45%
Denard Span is back and many sites had him as a top 40 outfielder this season. He stole 30 bases last season, and scored 94 runs. This guy should be owned everywhere, go scoop him up since he is available in half of these leagues.
Wilson Ramos – Nationals – C – Y! 69% – ESPN 62%
I have found myself rummaging for catchers, especially with Jonathan Lucroy and Yan Gomes going down. Wilson Ramos jumps to my eye, hitting .270 with eight RBI. He does not hit in a bad spot in this Washington lineup, and they are getting healthy.
Addison Russell – Cubs – 2B – Y! 54% – ESPN 23%
Russell is the number four rated prospect in baseball, and he is on his way up. Scouts said he was ready to play in the big leagues offensively this season. He has a high ceiling, and also could make great trade bait later on in the year with so many of these fans loving the young guys this year.
Will Middlebrooks – Padres – 3B – Y! 11% – ESPN 6%
Will Middlebrooks has more RBI than a lot of premier players right now, like Miguel Cabrera or Andrew McCutchen. It won’t stay that way, but he is in a prime spot to keep delivering RBI. He has clocked three home runs this season, and back in Boston was a guy many had primed to be in the 25 range a few times. He will keep a fairly low average, but the RBI and home runs should keep him valuable in the fantasy world.
