Though fantasy owners hope their biggest stars will produce like the studs they are from the start of the season to the end, that’s not always the case. Even the biggest studs can, and will, find themselves in ruts. 

It’s dealing with those ebbs and flows that will determine your fantasy fate, and finding hot bats is key. They’re not always studs or top prospects — in fact, they’re often names you’re not familiar with coming out of nowhere to save the day. 

The most added player in ESPN leagues this week was the Cubs’ Frank Schwindel, who is not only a New Jersey native, but also was a solid player for St. John’s from 2011-13. 

(Fun fact: In St. John’s baseball history, Schwindel ranks 11th in at-bats (253) in a season, and is tied for fifth in doubles (22). He was also named to the All Big East Second Team in 2013.) 

Schwindel was selected by the Royals in the 18th round (534th overall) of the 2013 Amateur Draft. Though he performed well over eight seasons in the minors (.286, 135 HRs, 548 RBIs, 425 runs, .799 OPS), he never made much noise in the majors in the few chances he had. In six games with the Royals in 2019, Schwindel hit .067 with a .133 OPS. He also appeared in eight games for Oakland earlier this season (.150, one HR, three RBIs, .500 OPS) before being selected off waivers by the Cubs on July 18. 

That is where things get interesting for the 29-year-old Oakland castoff. 

Entering Friday, Schwindel was 46-for-129 (.357) with 10 homers, 30 RBIs, 23 runs and a 1.074 OPS in his previous 34 games. He hit .344 in August, the 10th-best mark in the league, and his .394 on-base percentage ranked 17th. His .635 slugging percentage was the ninth-best mark in the majors for the last month of summer. (FYI: He was named NL Rookie of the Month in August.)

Schwindel continued to swing a hot bat over his first eight games this month. He entered Friday ranked eighth in average (.394), fifth in homers (four), third in RBIs (12) and ninth in OPS (1.202). (FYI: He was named the NL Player of the Week on Tuesday.)

At this stage of the season, fantasy owners should only be concerned with one thing: production. It doesn’t matter what Schwindel did or didn’t do in his past, or what he may do in the future, it only matters what he is doing now. 

Schwindel is available in 45 percent of ESPN leagues, and he is getting plenty of playing time, producing at a high level and doesn’t appear to be slowing down. While other first-base eligible players like Max Muncy, Matt Olson, Cody Bellinger, Ryan McMahon and J.T. Realmuto struggle, let Schwindel’s hot bat pick up the slack en route to a fantasy title. 

Schwindel is not the only player swinging a hot bat ready to assist your push for the crown. 

Despite striking out 42 times in his previous 35 games, the Cubs’ Ian Happ was 39-for-129 (.302) with 11 homers, 24 RBIs, 21 runs, two stolen bases and a .963 OPS in that span. Happ, available in 40 percent or more of ESPN leagues, entered Friday with a nine-game hit streak, hitting .410 with five homers, nine RBIs, seven runs, a stolen base and a 1.256 OPS. 

Baltimore’s Austin Hays, owned in fewer than 50 percent of ESPN leagues, entered Friday on a 15-game hit streak. He was 20-for-56 (.357) with three homers, 13 RBIs, 11 runs and a 1.033 OPS in that stretch. 

Though Roto Rage still isn’t sold on the hype surrounding the Angels’ Jo Adell for the long term (as in keeper/dynasty value), he did raise his average from .194 on Aug. 21 to .250 after going 17-for-53 (.321) with three homers, 14 RBIs, eight runs, one stolen base and a .916 OPS in his past 15 games. He is available in more than 85 percent of ESPN leagues. 

The Mets’ Jonathan Villar had at least one RBI in five of his past nine games, and was 51-for-173 (.295) with eight homers, 21 RBIs, 23 runs, four stolen bases and a .841 OPS in his first 52 second-half games. He is striking out in 24.2 percent of his at-bats, but the switch-hitter will provide your roster with speed, power and versatility.

Drove in at least one run in six of his first eight games this month, going 10-for-29 (.345) with two homers, 14 RBIs and a 1.153 OPS. 

Has made two straight quality starts while maintaining a 0.75 ERA, a 12-2 strikeout-walk rate and a .190 opponents average. 

Entered Friday with an eight-game hit streak, batting .290 with five homers, 11 RBIs and a 1.183 OPS. Homered in four straight games this past week. 

Has not allowed more than two earned runs in any of his past seven starts (four of which were quality starts), going 3-1 with a 1.63 ERA, 31-11 strikeout-walk rate and .238 opponents average in that span. 

In 13 games before Friday, he was 7-for-52 (.135) with one RBI, eight strikeouts and a .321 OPS. He did manage to steal four bases, though. 

No wins since July 31, going 0-4 with a 4.78 ERA, eight home runs allowed and a .272 opponents average over his past seven starts. 

Entered Friday with 10 hits in his previous 83 at-bats (.121) while striking out 42 times. Struck out 64 times in his first 37 games in The Bronx. 

Lasted just 10 innings over his past three starts, going 0-2 with an 11.70 ERA, 4-4 K-BB rate, five homers allowed and a .440 opponents average. 

– After going 0-7 with a 7.57 ERA and .282 opponents average over nine starts from July 3-Sept. 1 (despite striking out 52 and walking just nine in that span), Padres ace Yu Darvish picked up his first win since June 21 on Wednesday. 

– In his first seven games off his latest stint on the injured list, the Royals’ Adalberto Mondesi went 4-for-25 (.160) with a homer, three RBIs, four runs scored, 11 strikeouts and no walks. He had a .160 on-base percentage and .440 OPS, but still managed to steal six bases. 

– Even after a brief IL stint, the Indians’ Triston McKenzie continues to roll. Over his past six starts, he is 3-2 with a 1.80 ERA, 41-4 K-BB rate and .125 opponents average. After walking 18.9 percent of the batters he faced in the first half, he has walked 4.4 percent over his first nine second-half starts. 

Old Buddy, Old Chapman