Top 100 Hitters: The Early Days

Just two weeks or so into the regular season and it is time to start jostling those rankings.  We have some big moves in the early going with some big names.  While it certainly is early and not the time to overreact to small sample sizes, there are a few guys that are moving up due to delivering on early promise such as Seiya Suzuki.  However, the biggest surprise in our rankings this week might be a year-over-year first rounder that seems to be trending in the wrong direction.  Will fortune favor the bold or will you and I regret moving on from Mookie Betts.  In this week’s article, we run down the Top 100 Hitters for the rest of the 2022 fantasy baseball season and see who is moving up, who is moving down, and where we need to keep a watchful eye over the coming weeks.

Rising

• Jesus Sanchez – The powerful 24-year-old has hit the ground running or more accurately swinging in the early going. For a bat that shows 30+ homer power and what appears to be a solid everyday job in the middle of the Marlins lineup, there are big things coming this season.  Strong hard hit rates were expected, but an early reduction in strikeouts will be the key to carrying success.
• Francisco Lindor – After a strong spring, Lindor has carried his momentum right into the regular season. In the first few weeks, we are seeing the speed and power combo that we have been waiting for in this Mets uniform.  Maybe there is another 30/20 season in the bat and a big return for those with faith this preseason.
• Seiya Suzuki – Everybody has written much of what needs to be said about Suzuki in the early going. With a litany of statistics showing in the top 10% of the league ranging from power to patience to speed he is going to be plenty of fun to watch.  There will certainly be ups and downs, but he should keep moving up if the early going is anything to believe.

Falling

• Mookie Betts – Maybe it is time to look at the writing on the wall and realize that Mookie is not the Mookie we once knew. Five years of declining exit velocities nicely matched by another five of rising strikeout rates are just the beginning.  There will be warnings about overreacting to another slow start.  However, the spoils often reward the bold.  If you are getting $0.90 on the dollar, I would take it right now.
• Joey Votto – Is father time catching up to Mr. Red?  Well, time will certainly tell, but a 40% strikeout rate is doing plenty of damage as it is.  Maybe he is lost and will figure things out, but a slight drop in the rankings is on tap while we find out.
• Robbie Grossman – Grossman has started the year ice cold. He has an intriguing mix of power and speed with a decent penalty in the batting average category.  However, if you are not hitting enough to get on base then little else matters when you lose your job.  He still has time, but there is risk here.

Watching

• Jesse Winker – Winker is certainly in watch mode for Seattle, but it is not time to overreact. A BABIP well under .200 will bring anybody down in a small sample size. Pair some bad luck with a league leading walk rate and strong strikeout improvements, there is still plenty to like.  The results will come.
• Byron Buxton – Listen, there is no question about the talent here. That is why Buxton signed a $100 million deal with the Twins.  However, the health concerns just keep lingering.  The recent knee injury did not keep him out long this time around, but we are simply holding our breath until the next IL visit.
• Gavin Lux – Sitting outside of the Top 100 now, Lux is hitting. Maybe it is time that he delivers on his prospect promise.  Walking more than he strikes out and a scary good Statcast profile, this might just be his time.  Hopefully, he gets a chance to move up the lineup to drive some of those counting stats we want to see.  However, with the early signs, I would buy a few speculative shares if there is an opportunity.