Hitter Profiles: Early Season Steals Or Stumbles

With the first few weeks of the season in the books, some hitters are off to surprising starts. But early stat lines can be deceiving. A hot streak in April doesn’t always translate to a breakout year, just as a cold start doesn’t guarantee a lost season. At times, a 4-for-5 Opening Day can lead to a player being hailed as the next Ted Williams but slow down, cowboy. That’s a hot dog at a buffet, not the whole meal. We must dig in and figure out which performances are worth our attention. At this point in the season, some player’s results are either too good for a seller to move at a price a buyer is willing to pay or vice versa. The real fantasy gurus are the ones who can sift through the smoke and mirrors to identify sneaky values and make a play before it’s too late. Today, in our Hitter Profiles, we’re going rapid fire on a handful of intriguing players to decide whether their performance is a steal worth riding or a stumble suggesting regression is looming.

• Spencer Torkelson – After early-season expectations around Colt Keith taking over first base in Detroit, Torkelson has looked like a new man at the plate. Across 14 games, he’s tallied four homers, 10 RBI, and a .314 average. There’s been some luck with a .400 BABIP, and his 29% strikeout rate is a bit concerning. Still, his overall profile is trending back toward his 2023 form and a 30-homer campaign. Some regression is likely, especially in the average, but a 25-homer season with a .240 mark is well within reach. A big turnaround for Tork and fantasy managers alike. Verdict: Hold
• Ben Rice – There was a lot of buzz in fantasy circles about Ben Rice when he debuted in 2024, but inconsistent playing time led to an uneven adjustment period. That’s changed in 2025, with Giancarlo Stanton on the shelf and Rice seeing regular reps. So far, he’s posted a 215 wRC+ with four longballs. The real story is in the peripherals with an 18% walk rate and 26% strikeout rate that mirror his minor league trends. He’s boasting a .301 xBA and ranks among the league leaders in hard-hit rate. A 30-homer, .280 season with strong counting stats atop the Yankees lineup isn’t just plausible, it’s in motion. With his plate discipline and a swing tailor-made for Yankee Stadium, this breakout has legs. Verdict: Buy
• Jung-Hoo Lee – In his second MLB season, Jung Hoo Lee is off to a hot start in San Francisco, putting up a 179 wRC+, a .340 average, and three steals alongside 21 combined runs and RBI. His xBA of .358 supports the strong contact skills, and his approach has sharpened. But the power metrics remain underwhelming due to low swing speed, below-average fly ball rates, and a pitcher-friendly home park cap his upside. Lee will provide value through average and counting stats, but his ceiling is limited in power and speed. A decent fourth or fifth outfielder, with a bit more value in OBP leagues, but a guy that might bring more value in trade than he delivers the rest of the season. Verdict: Sell
• Anthony Volpe – Whether it’s torpedo bats or genuine growth, it’s been exciting to watch Volpe hit the ground running in 2025. Through 13 games, he’s launched four homers and racked up 22 combined runs and RBI. The speed hasn’t shown up yet, but we know it’s there. The biggest change: Volpe’s fly ball rate has spiked to 52%, up from 29% in 2024. His 22% HR/FB rate is fueling some early power. There’s definitely a mix of luck and approach shift, but he hasn’t morphed into a five-tool star. Still, a 20/20 season feels like a realistic and valuable outcome. Verdict: Hold
• Tyler Soderstrom – The A’s seem to have a thing for developing power hitters with strikeout questions. Last year it was Brent Rooker; this year, it might be Tyler Soderstrom’s turn. He’s off to a blistering start in 2025, hitting six homers with a .327 average and a 220 wRC+. His spring hinted at this breakout, with an absurdly low 9% strikeout rate that’s now settled at a still-impressive 17% in-season. That number has improved every season, giving him more chances to unleash his top-10% power metrics. Add in a hitter-friendly environment in Sacramento early on, and there’s a lot to like. This one looks very sustainable. Verdict: Buy
• George Springer – I almost didn’t include George Springer, but the former All-Star has been added in many leagues thanks to a scorching .429 average, a couple homers and steals, and 10 RBI which is good for a 232 wRC+. This is what Toronto has been hoping for, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. His xBA, barrel rate, and exit velocities are elite so far, but his strikeout rate is the highest of his career, and his BABIP is a ludicrous .552. Regression is coming hard. Don’t let two hot weeks erase a rough spring and a three-year trend of decline. Now’s the time to sell high if you happen to find a buyer. Verdict: Sell

As the early-season dust starts to settle, April is for planting seeds and some will bloom, others will wither. Not every breakout is built to last, and not every slow start spells doom. The trick is identifying which trends are fleeting and which ones have staying power. Whether you’re buying into a true breakout like Ben Rice or selling high on a sugar-rush start like George Springer, the key is staying ahead of the curve.