Fantasy Baseball: Top 5 Hitters on the Fantasy Wire

It is that time of year when hitters are starting to get into their comfort zone and start looking like their usual selves. Albert Pujols started the year pretty slow but is now getting into a rhythm fans are accustomed to. Here is a list of players that should help your fantasy team in the upcoming weeks.

5. Alcides Escobar, Shortstop, Kansas City Royals

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ANAHEIM, CA - JUNE 10: Alcides Escobar #2 of the Kansas City Royals bats against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 10, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

He started the year off really slow, but the Royals’ shortstop is showing some signs that he could be a good player. Over the last seven games he is second in the major leagues in batting average (.500). He can provide speed as well, with a total of nine stolen bases this year and two in the last seven games.

4. Mike Moustakas, Third Base, Kansas City Royals

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ANAHEIM, CA - JUNE 10: Mike Moustakas #8 of the Kansas City Royals breaks his bat after hitting a single against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the sixth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 10, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Gr

The No. 9 rated prospect at the start of the season is showing why he was so touted. In the minor leagues, the third baseman hit .287 with an on-base percentage of .347. In addition, he had 10 home runs and 44 RBI in just 55 games. In the majors this year, he has played just four games, but he is already showing why he belongs. He is batting .385, has an OBP of .529 and hit one home run with one RBI. Pick him up before it’s too late.

3. Dustin Ackley, Second Base, Seatlle Mariners

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PEORIA, AZ - MARCH 01: Dustin Ackley #13 of the Seattle Mariners plays second base against the Texas Rangers during spring training at Peoria Stadium on March 1, 2011 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Ackley has been overshadowed by prospects Anthony Rizzo and Mike Moustakas this past week, but Ackley has the potential to be a better buy. In the minors, the second baseman is batting .300 with a .418 OBP. He has also hit three home runs and has nine RBI. Ackley is scheduled to be in the majors next Monday. The Mariners are starting to look like they might be contenders with a lot of young talent including Ackley, Justin Smoak and Michael Pineda.

2. J.J. Hardy, Shortstop, Baltimore Orioles

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BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 07: shortstop J.J. Hardy #2 of the Baltimore Orioles in action against the Oakland Athletics at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 7, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Drafting a shortstop is always hard in fantasy because there isn’t too much talent at the position anymore. Of course, Starlin Castro, Jimmy Rollins, Jose Reyes and Asdrubal Cabrera are good players, but the rest of the shortstops available are slim pickens. Hardy has had a couple of good years with the Brewers. In 2007, he batted .277 with 26 home runs and 80 runs batted in, and Hardy batted .283 with 24 home runs and 74 RBI in 2008. This year, he’s having a pretty decent season batting .296 with six homers and 20 RBI. Over his last 10 games, Hardy has had three home runs and seven RBI.

1. Justin Smoak, First Base, Seattle Mariners

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DETROIT, MI - JUNE 10: First Baseman Justin Smoak #17 of the Seattle Mariners hits a solo home run in the first inning during a MLB game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on June 10, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. Seattle defeated Detroit 3-2. (P

One of the most underrated players in baseball this year. If you don’t already have him, now would be a good time to pick him up. Smoak has 12 home runs and 38 RBI. His average is not too good, but his power makes up for it. Over his last seven games, Smoak has had two home runs and four RBI. Smoak is just breaking through, so don’t hesitate.