Fantasy Baseball Fast Starters - Hitters

Here's a look at some players who got out of the gate early last year. It may be wise to target these players late in the draft and move them if they start hot again.

José López - Lopez's three best career months for average are April, June, and May. His average is 29 points higher before the All-Star break for his career, and despite playing in 30 less games he has 20 more Runs, 20 more Hits, 8 more Doubles, 7 more triples, 1 less HR, and 39 more RBI. Additionally, his OBP is 26 points higher, slugging percentage 51 points higher, and OPS is 75 points higher before the break.

Derrek Lee - Lee tore it up last April hitting .371 with 24 R, 8 HRs & 23 RBI in 26 games. In
the other 129 games he hit .274 with 69 R, 12 HR, and 67 RBI. If he starts out that hot, with his name recognition, you might be able to turn him into a nice upgrade.

Justin Upton - Upton tore it up to a tune of .340, 14 R, 33 H, 6 Doubles, 5 HRs, and 15 RBI in 26 April games. In the remaining 82 games he hit a miserable .216 with 38 R, 45 H, 13 Doubles, 10 HRs, and 27 RBI. He hit just .221 in August and December in his 2007 debut.

Casey Kotchman - Kotchan came out sizzling hitting .321 with 6 HR, and 30 RBI in 53 games through May. In the next 90 games he hit just .243 with 8 HR and 44 RBI.

Jeff Keppinger - Jeff is a career .287 hitter, but has hit .329 in April and May, including hitting .333 last year during those months. He had 21 of his 43 RBI (49%) in 38 of his 121 games (31%). He should be available late in drafts. You can use him to provide depth, or as trade bait if he gets off to another great start.