For now, it’s safe to assume that hot starts are translating into consistent play across breakout campaigns in MLB.
Already well into June, most of the players on this list haven’t been streaky as much as they’ve been steady and productive on a day-to-day basis.
By the end of April, fans were raving about Milwaukee’s Eric Thames‘ hot start to 2017. And rightfully so. He hit .345-11-19 in 24 games for the Brew Crew that month.
After spending 2013-16 in the Korean Baseball Organization with the NC Dinos (and becoming a superstar over there, might I add, having hit .348 with 124 HRs and 382 RBI across three seasons), Thames returned to MLB this year upon signing a three-year, $16 million deal with the Brewers in the offseason.
The first baseman has since come back down to earth. From May 1 to present, his average has dipped to .267 and he’s hit only five home runs. His scorching first month still keeps him in the top 10 among MLB players at his position in HRs, OPS and wRC+, but not much else. You have to take the good with the bad, too, as Thames is 7th worst amongst first basemen in MLB with a 24.6 K%. He’s also a power bat with only 11 RBI since May 1 and home runs account for more than half (57%) of his extra base hits.
The 30-year-old’s $4 million salary this year will likely still be a bargain come September, but there’s bigger value to be had at first base right now.