I decided to take a look at the top players, based on points, over the last 7, 14, 21 and 28 days to see if there were any trends worth taking a closer look at. This is typically a good way to identify players on a hot streak, but it’s also useful in tracking consistency. Let’s see who’s been doing what over the last month. I’ve limited each list to about the top 15 or 16 hitters.
Last 7 Days:
Kyle Schwarber – 43
Yordan Alvarez – 36
Jake Cronenworth – 35
Carlos Correa – 35
Kolten Wong – 31
Adolis Garcia – 31
Nolan Arenado – 30
Bo Bichette – 29
Nick Castellanos – 28
Joey Gallo – 28
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 28
Fernando Tatis Jr. – 28
Adam Frazier – 27
DJ LeMahieu – 27
Jonathan Schoop – 27
Wilmer Flores – 26
Last 14 Days:
Kyle Schwarber – 80
Carlos Correa – 66
Fernando Tatis Jr. – 66
Bo Bichette – 63
Jake Cronenworth – 60
Yordan Alvarez – 60
Manny Machado – 60
Jose Altuve – 59
Trevor Story – 58
Jonathan Schoop – 57
Michael Brantley – 55
Vladimir Guerrrero Jr. – 55
Matt Olson – 54
Steven Duggar – 54
Mike Yastrzemski – 48
Raimel Tapia – 48
Last 21 Days:
Kyle Schwarber – 84
Yordan Alvarez – 81
Jose Altuve – 79
Bo Bichette – 79
Carlos Correa – 78
Shohei Ohtani – 77
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 77
Manny Machado – 74
Starling Marte – 73
Michael Brantley – 72
Matt Olson – 72
Jonthan Schoop – 70
Jake Cronenworth – 68
Jesse Winker – 68
Gary Sanchez – 65
Fernando Tatis Jr. – 65
Yuli Gurriel – 65
Last 28 Days:
Jose Altuve – 111
Jonathan Schoop – 109
Matt Olson – 109
Carlos Correa – 108
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 106
Cedric Mullins – 99
Bryan Reynolds – 88
Kyle Schwarber – 88
Bo Bichette – 88
Yordan Alvarez – 87
Andrew McCutchen – 87
Ronald Acuna Jr. – 87
Raimel Tapia – 86
Fernando Tatis Jr. – 85
Starling Marte – 84
Ozzie Albies – 84
The following players appear on each of the lists: Kyle Schwarber, Yordan Alvarez, Carlos Correa, Bo Bichette, Jonathan Schoop, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Fernando Tatis Jr.
Let’s start with Schwarber. Anyone playing fantasy baseball is aware that Schwarber is on fire. In his last seven games he has hit nine home runs. That might explain the 43 points in the last seven days. Aside from weeks 4, 9 and 10 he has been a consistent producer and as long as he continues hitting homers, he needs to be in your lineup. With two seasons of at least 30 home runs already under his belt, he is no stranger to the four baser.
Now let’s discuss a lesser known name. Jake Cronenworth. You will find his name on the 7, 14 and 21 day lists. Right now he is a top ten 2B. If you own Cronenworth he is worth every Norwegian Krone you paid. Aren’t you glad you drafted DJ LeMahieu!
From one 2B to another. Jonathan Schoop is currently a top 12 2B. That means that in 12-team leagues he should be in someone’s lineup. He’s also a top ten 1B. In the last 28 days only Jose Altuve has more points. Over the last five weeks he’s averaged 26 points per week. Given all of that, I’m not really sure why he’s only started in 77% of CBS leagues.
In my preseason Razzball Staff picks I chose Raimel Tapia as my sleeper. Obviously there were much better choices, but right now he is a top 15 OF sandwiched between Austin Meadows and Alex Verdugo. Since I tend to take my own advice I own him everywhere. He’s on pace for 11 HR, 22 SB and a .299 batting average. He’s a career .288 hitter so the average feels good. And I think as the weather heats up he’s going to hit a few extra homers in his home ballpark in Denver.
Jose Altuve is on pace for 36 home runs. That would be a career best. He did hit 31 and bat .298 in 2019, so finishing with 36 and .295 wouldn’t be outrageous. There’s a chance this power surge has come with a price as Altuve is also on pace to break 100 strikeouts in a season for the first time in his career. If he hits the extra homers, it won’t matter. The only thing missing from making him vintage Altuve is the stolen bases. But I think his running game disappeared back in 2018.
Bryan Reynolds batted .314 over 134 games back in 2019. In 2020 he saw quite a step back, but I’m very willing to discount/ignore 2020 numbers because it was, well… 2020.
On an unrelated (yet related) note, Vlad Jr. has 312 points and the next best is Acuña Jr. with 261.
Follow malamoney on Twitter at @malamoney
