This has been a good week for those in the market for free agent hitters. An influx of young talent has provided a much-needed dose of excitement in an otherwise stale season for rookies and prospects in fantasy.

Andrew McCutchen and Gordon Beckham are the freshest faces to make their Major League debuts, joining Matt Wieters, Gerardo Parra, Chris Coghlan and Colby Rasmus, among others, in a select group of rookies worthy of fantasy consideration.

McCutchen graces our list below after getting off to a hot start as the new Pirates’ leadoff hitter. Colorado Rockies teammates Ian Stewart and Clint Barmes are swinging hot bats to gain serious consideration as additions to fantasy owners’ middle infields.

These are hitters available in a majority of mixed rotisserie leagues. We use ESPN.com as a baseline, only listing players available in at least 50 percent of standard leagues.

Ian Stewart, 2B/3B, Colarado Rockies
Status: Creating an everyday job for himself?
Key Stats: Has 5 multi-hit games in his last 6
What to Watch For: Where playing time comes from
Other Notes: Had just 2 multi-hit games before reeling off 5 straight … raised his average from .177 to .230 in the last 6 days … power is not a problem; 11 of his 32 hits have been home runs … new manager Jim Tracy can only help get him more playing time … Tracy is showing a commitment to give Stewart at-bats at the expense of struggling 3B Garrett Atkins
Verdict: Pick him up now and get explosive returns in HRs and RBIs

Andrew McCutchen, OF, PIttsburgh Pirates
Status: Hitting leadoff for the Pirates
Key Stats: Has .333 average, 4 RBIs in first 4 games
What to Watch For: Power contributions
Other Notes: Was ready for his June 4 callup … Pirates knew it and traded away All-Star CF Nate McLouth to make room for him … is mature enough to make immediate contributions in fantasy, it’s just a matter of determining his upside … not likely to hit for much power, but can be a fantasy force if he can reach 15 HR/30 SB range
Verdict: Given talent and lineup position, is worth an add in all formats

Carlos Ruiz, C, Philadelphia Phillies
Status: Red-hot since returning from the DL
Key Stats: Hitting .381 (24-for-63) in his last 20 games
What to Watch For: His batting average; is a career .250 hitter
Other Notes: Low career average is puzzling, given his 110:106 walk-to-strikeout rate … really struggled in 2008, hitting .219 with 6 home runs in 320 at-bats, but is emerging as a solid major league hitter … is also a decent athlete who could offer a nice bonus with a half dozen steals
Verdict: A capable injury fill-in for owners in mixed leagues

Clint Barmes, 2B/SS, Colorado Rockies
Status: Tearing the cover off the ball
Key Stats: Hitting .455 with 10 RBIs in last 10 games
What to Watch For: Continued commitment from manager Jim Tracy
Other Notes: Is on a run of six straight multi-hit games, all of which have come on the road … should stay hot at home, where he is hitting 27 points higher (.290 to .263) and slugging 141 points higher (.565 to .424) … quietly hit .290 with 11 HRs and 13 SBs in 393 at-bats last season … is currently on pace for a .290 average, 17 HRs and 15 SBs
Verdict: Pool of middle infielders is shallow; go get him now

Nolan Reimold, OF, Baltimore Orioles
Status: Swinging for the fences
Key Stats: Has 6 HRs in first 75 MLB at-bats
What to Watch For: Playing time with Felix Pie in picture
Other Notes: Couldn’t have gotten off to a much better start … hot bat has forced Orioles to re-think plans of using him off the bench … even when Pie returns to health, should see majority of ABs in left field and get some time as the team’s DH … has picked up right where he left off at Triple-A Norfolk, where he was hitting .394 with 9 home runs and a .743 slugging percentage
Verdict: Add in all AL-only and deep mixed leagues; only question is consistency in playing time