Fantasy Baseball Rankings 2012: Early Risers Who Can't Be Trusted Moving Forward

It's early in the 2012 MLB season, but some players are already garnering buzz in fantasy baseball leagues over their performance. 

But longtime fantasy fanatics know better than to crown a player right out of the gate. Many of us have been taught a lesson by picking up a hot player and dropping a consistent one in the early going.

Here's a look at five red-hot players who you can expect to drop off down the line.

5. Derek Jeter, SS, New York Yankees

Sorry, Yankees fans, but Derek Jeter may have been a perennial .300 hitter throughout his career, but he hit .270 in 2010 and hit just six home runs in 2011, showing age is indeed catching up to him. He's hitting a remarkable .400 so far, but I'd be surprised if he finished the season at .300 and with more than 10 home runs. His bat speed isn't what it once was and that will hurt him in the long run. 

4. Edwin Encarnacion, 3B, Toronto Blue Jays

Edwin Encarnacion is currently ranked third in all of baseball in Yahoo! Sports fantasy leagues. He's gotten off to a tremendous start, hitting .323 with eight home runs, 21 RBI, 15 runs and four stolen bases.

However, Encarnacion has never hit over .289 in his career, and has popped over 20 home runs just twice. He's also hit .266 with runners in scoring position during his career and never recorded more than 76 RBI or eight stolen bases in a season. Trade him while he's hot.

3. Cody Ross, OF, Boston Red Sox

Cody Ross is a streaky player. He showed that with the San Francisco Giants in 2010, but he also showed with the Giants in 2011 that he's not a consistent player. He hit .240 for the season.

Ross is in one of his patented hot streaks right now in Boston. He's hitting .282 with five home runs, 18 RBI and 14 runs. Expect him to regress down the line.

2. Jordan Schafer, OF, Houston Astros

There is nothing to indicate Jordan Schafer will continue his good start. He was drafted in 2005, and he's played two season before this year. His career average is .236. He still has time to turn it around, but I'm not optimistic.

Plus, he wears his hat sideways, and that bothers me (just kidding...or am I?).

1. Jose Altuve, 2B, Houston Astros

Jose A-what-e? Never heard of him. He went undrafted, hit. 276 with two home runs last season and he's listed at 5'7", 168 pounds.

He's currently hitting .367 with 10 RBI, 16 runs and four stolen bases, and he already has half the home runs he had last season (one). I do believe in miracles, but if Altuve continues like this, I would be shocked.

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