The MLB 2013 Season is just barely over a week old, but there are plenty of guys with surprising performances at the start of the year. For hitters, pitchers haven't figured out their weak spots, for pitchers, the league has yet developed an adequate scouting report allowing hitters to accommodate. here are three hitters and two pitchers you might want to consider scooping up as they have started the year red hot.
Coco Crisp Owned in 76% of Yahoo! Leagues, 100% ESPN
I had Crisp in one of my teams. It was a mistake pick, so I went to the free agent pool and stacked up on a more reliable hitter. Boy was that a mistake. Look at Crisps numbers through the first nine Oakland Athletics games this year:
.333 avg. 4 HR 6 RBI .409 OBP 13 Runs 2 SB and 3 SOs.
Those numbers are super efficient and though, of course, I regret not giving him a chance, I can't be upset. Last season he hit 11 home runs and though he stole 39 bases, base pad thefts are not really one of my interests in fantasy games even though it is a stat measured in the league.
Paul Maholm Owned in 68% of Yahoo! Leagues, 94% ESPN
The Atlanta Braves have received amazing pitching from this left-handed veteran. It was unexpected that Maholm would provide such solid outings after posting a 4-5 record with a 3.54 ERA. So far in 2013, Maholm and his sneaky 60 MPH lollipop curve are 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA over 12.2 IP. Maholm is one of the reasons why the Braves have the lowest ERA in baseball at 1.89.
Barry Zito Owned in 47% of Yahoo! Leagues, 51% ESPN
14 innings pitched, four walks, eight strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA for two wins in his first two starts of the season. All of a sudden, Zito is looking like the Barry of old. What many thought was a World Series fluke, Zito has solidified his spot on the San Francisco Giants' roster.
Evan Gattis Owned in 16% of Yahoo! Leagues, 11% ESPN
He's hitting .391 with a .440 OBP while blasting three home runs and picking up six RBI as Gattis aka El Oso Blanco, has worked his way to the starting lineup and cleanup spot of the Braves lineup. He's 27 years old and is a Rookie of the Year candidate if these numbers keep up.
Matt Adams Owned in 7% of Yahoo! Leagues, 2% ESPN
This is a very small sample size, but Adams is playing first base and in four games, he's ripped the cover off the baseball hitting .643 with two home runs and seven RBI. He's hit safely in every game played so far this season and though he's yet an everyday player, if he continues at this pace, they might want to start making space for him in their lineup.
