Fantasy Baseball 2012: Hitters Watch List for April 23-29

Here's a listing of eight premium hitters (and two slumping wild cards) who should fare extremely well for the week of April 23-29:

National League

1. OF Matt Kemp, Dodgers 

Skinny: How hot is Kemp (nine HR, 22 RBI, 17 runs, one steal, .450 batting) these days? If he wore a blindfold at the plate and only had access to the home crowd telling him when to swing, he'd still be a consideration here.

2. SS/3B Hanley Ramirez, Marlins

Skinny: Yes, Han-Ram has some tough matchups against the Mets (Jon Niese/Johan Santana) and Diamondbacks, but his numbers since April 8 (three HR, nine RBI, 10 runs, three steals, .304 batting) are ideal for any opposition that lies ahead.

3. OF Michael Bourn, Braves

Skinny: Jason Heyward also deserves mention for this space, but if I had to choose one Atlanta stud for the week, it'd be Bourn (.338 batting, four RBI, 12 runs, seven steals) against the Dodgers and Pirates.

4. OF Ryan Braun, Brewers

Skinny: The reigning NL MVP's production might be front-loaded this week against the Astros, then Cardinals. But he's simply too good to be hitting .255 with two homers. A run of dominance is nigh.

5. 1B Brandon Belt, Giants

Skinny: Belt (.238 batting) has lost nearly all of his fantasy cachet from spring training, which is exactly why GMs should grab him off waivers in 12- and 14-team leagues. The kid's track record of production portends a sooner-than-later breakout. 

American League

1. OF Josh Hamilton, Rangers

Skinny: Just like Matt Kemp, there's no point in over-thinking Hamilton's place in the fantasy universe. No matter the opponent, no matter the weather, Hamilton (seven HR, 15 RBI, 17 runs, one steal, .418 batting) is a top-five play every week.

2. 3B/OF Jose Bautista, Blue Jays

Skinny: Bautista hasn't been a juggernaut this season. But for this week, it's hard to look past his seven games against the Royals, Orioles and Mariners. Even better, there will be no encounter with Felix Hernandez.

3. 1B Albert Pujols, Angels

Skinny: If Pujols was playing the Rays and Indians in Anaheim, he wouldn't have garnered mention in the countdown. But on the road, where he can relax and forget about the longest homer-less drought of his career, it just makes sense for a turnaround to occur indoors (Tampa Bay) and/or in a place where the ball travels extremely well to left field (Cleveland).

4. OF Curtis Granderson, Yankees

Skinny: Through 15 games, Granderson (six HR, 10 RBI, 14 runs, .279 BA, 1.003 OPS) is on pace to surpass last year's incredible marks in homers (41) and runs (136). Bottom line: Granderson's a top-four asset in AL-only leagues. He's also a good bet for solid numbers against the Rangers and Tigers this week.

5. OF Nick Markakis, Orioles

Skinny: Markakis has averaged 186 hits and 17.4 homers the last five seasons. Surely, he can convert a doable slate of the Blue Jays and A's into a week of solid, confidence-building numbers.

Jay Clemons can be reached on Twitter, day or night, at @ATL_JayClemons.