Tag: Mike Moustakas

Mike Moustakas is finally mashing this year after months of disappointing play.

Analysis: Over his last seven games Moustakas has 3 home runs, 11 hits, 8 runs batted in and 4 runs. He’s been the 11th best fantasy third baseman over the last month and the 3rd best over the last week. He is batting just .234 this year but do not let that stat be a deterrent. His BABIP this year is .237 which is the third lowest in baseball. Keep in mind that Moustakas posted a .274 BABIP last year and a .296 BABIP in 2011. His batting average will continue to pick up the rest of the season.

Moustakas is available in 40-70% of fantasy leagues. He is a talented hitter who projects as a second tier fantasy third baseman in the future but as for this season he remains a solid waiver wire power bat. Although his fantasy stats are not pretty this year he is doing some positive things at the plate. His strikeouts are down 6% from last year and his walk rate is up just a bit. It’s August now and the stock of both the Kansas City Royals and Mike Moustakas is finally on the rise.

Kansas City third baseman Mike Moustakas played his first major league game Friday and it’s last call on this hot commodity.

Analysis: Moustakas is already owned in nearly fifty percent of fantasy leagues nationwide and there is a reason why. This kid is as talented as they come. Moustakas hit 36 bombs in just 118 AA/AAA games last year and for a power hitter his strike out rates are low. He still is a bit impatient at the plate but the guy just mashes regardless. Within a month Moustakas should be a top eighteen fantasy third baseman with potential for much more. Moustakas’ batting average is a plus as well. Over the last two years in AA/AAA ball Moustakas has yet to hit under .285 while maintaining a manageable BABIP. We may see quite a few doubles from Moustakas starting out but do not be discouraged if the homers don’t come right away. He was hitting sixth Friday behind Billy Butler but it shouldn’t be long before he finds himself cleaning up or in the five spot.

Projection: A .280 batting average with about thirteen homers seems reasonable for the slugger.