Hot
Ronald Acuña Jr. , Atlanta
Not sure there's an applicable word for the torrid stretch of baseball at the onset of the season by the young superstar. He's scored at least two runs in five straight contests and recorded 14 extra-base hits in his first 13 games of 2021. Entering games on Friday, Acuña Jr. leads the National League in home runs (7), runs (17), slugging percentage (1.000), tied for first in RBI (14) along with doubles (6), second in batting average (.442), tied for second in stolen bases (3) and third in on-base percentage (.492). As imposing at the numbers appear, he's also cut his strikeout rate by over 14 percentage points in 2021's small sample size but his swinging strike percent drop by five percent and a surge in contact (up 14 points) to 85.9 percent support the improved discipline. If this continues over the course of a full season, the 40-40 club may get a fifth member.
Justin Turner , Los Angeles Dodgers
During 42 games in 2020, Turner hit four home runs. This season, he launched his fourth home run through 44 at-bats. Currently tied with Acuña Jr. for the league lead in doubles (6) and RBI (14), Turner constantly gets overlooked in fantasy despite his production along with a high batting average on a yearly basis. He's slashing a robust .432/.480/.841 and went 10-for-18 in the Dodgers homestand with three home runs.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. , Toronto
Perhaps his 456 foot home run from Thursday night skewed his making this list, but beneath the surface statistics, there's some intriguing things happening with Guerrero Jr. He's registered 36 batted ball events in 2021 with four barrels (11.1 percent) with an average exit velocity of 94 MPH along with a max velocity of 116.1 MPH. Noting exit velocity gains can be attributed, at least partially, to the new "bouncier” baseballs, it's the 11.6 launch angle fantasy owners should focus on. It's never been about his power or ability to hit, rather elevating his batted ball events enough to leave the ballpark. He's hitting .413 through 46 at-bats with three home runs, 10 RBI, a stolen base and a 1.200 on-base plus slugging percentage. If the launch angle gains remain all season long, 35-plus, dare we say, 40 home runs could ensue.
Not
Michael Conforto , New York Mets
A late start to the season due to COVID concerns with the Nationals, it's been a rough go for Conforto. He's slashing .120/.313/.160 through his first eight games with a double, a run and three RBI. Playing through a wrist issue, this may be a matter of health but pay close attention to his weekend in Coors Field, otherwise known as batting average on balls in play (BABIP) haven. There's plenty of time to right the ship but he's been dropped in the batting order and hopefully just needs a bloop and a bomb in Colorado to enact a hot streak.
Joc Pederson , Chicago Cubs
Spring training surger Pederson crushed eight home runs in the desert sun of Arizona with a 1.431 OPS. Fast forward to the regular season, his OPS sits below .400 with one home run in 37 at-bats. Cold weather and a cold streak could be a factor. He's not alone in this Cubs lineup desperately in need of their slumbering bats waking up. It's too early to abandon ship on him so heed his upcoming games this weekend versus Atlanta and hope he cracks a couple out of Wrigley by Sunday night.
Dylan Moore , Seattle
Buoyed by a strong finish to 2020 with power and speed upside, Moore shot up draft boards in the preseason. However, overlooking his discipline metrics and expected numbers may be a mistake. Again, there's time for him to turn things around but he may be this season's Danny Santana . Moore enters weekend play with a 34.1 strikeout percentage but hit his first home run in Game 2 of a doubleheader with Baltimore on Thursday.