theScore's Ultimate Fantasy Hitter Bracket: Primer

Looking for 2016's top fantasy hitter? Look no further.

theScore proudly presents its first annual Ultimate Fantasy Hitter Bracket, in which the majors' top batters go head-to-head every month until only one remains. It's a decidedly different take on the debate about which player is the top fantasy option of the season - and this is the only place you'll find it.

We've taken the top 64 hitters ranked by their industry-wide average draft position as of April 3 (ADP averages courtesy FantasyPros) and matched them up in a classic single-elimination bracket. Each month, those players will go toe-to-toe in each of the five standard rotisserie categories - batting average, runs, homers, RBIs and stolen bases.

The winner goes on, while the loser goes home.

In the interest of fairness, we've eliminated any players who will open the season on the disabled list; unfortunately, that means Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder A.J. Pollock and Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Brantley missed the cut. But rest assured, they'll almost certainly be back next year.

We've instituted a few other rules you should know about:

• Batters must record a minimum of 3.1 plate appearances multiplied by the number of games their respective teams played that month in order to be eligible in the batting average category.

• In the event of a tie, the winner will be determined using FantasyPros' Value Based Ranking tool, which slots players based on their overall value in 5x5 formats.

• If neither player is healthy enough to take the field at any point in the month of their matchup, the player with the better stats from the previous month will advance.

And so, without further pomp, here are the first-round matchups that will be decided using statistics compiled from April 3-30:

Babe Ruth Division

CF Mike Trout, Angels (1) vs. C Brian McCann, Yankees (64)

This matchup shouldn't be particularly close; McCann hasn't batted higher than .260 since 2011 and hasn't stolen a base since 2012. And don't expect him to keep pace in runs or homers, either. Trout should waltz into Round 2, where the sledding could get a whole lot tougher. Prediction: Trout.

LF Justin Upton, Tigers (32) vs. CF Adam Jones, Orioles (33)

This has the makings of a classic, with both players expected to do plenty in the primary power stats. Jones has a slight edge in batting average, while Upton should steal enough bases to win that category with ease. Bank on Upton doing just enough to prevail here. Prediction: Upton.

CF/RF Mookie Betts, Red Sox (17) vs. 1B Eric Hosmer, Royals (48)

Good luck handicapping this one. Despite being drafted four rounds later, Hosmer compares favorably to Betts in every category but steals - and if he gets run-happy in the early going, he may even be able to compete there. Look for Hosmer to pull off the first-round upset. Prediction: Hosmer.

2B Dee Gordon, Marlins (16) vs. 3B Adrian Beltre, Rangers (49)

With Gordon likely locking up batting average and steals and Beltre cruising to wins in home runs and RBIs, this one should come down to runs scored. And every fantasy owner knows that leadoff men are the best run scorers in baseball. Gordon should win, but it'll be close. Prediction: Gordon.

CF Andrew McCutchen, Pirates (9) vs. 2B Jason Kipnis, Indians (56)

McCutchen is somewhat underappreciated in fantasy; he won't hit .330 with 30 home runs or 25 steals, but his consistency is a major positive factor. And it should carry him to an easy victory over Kipnis, who benefited greatly from positional scarcity at draft time. Prediction: McCutchen.

RF J.D. Martinez (24) vs. 1B Adrian Gonzalez, Dodgers (41)

Gonzalez might prevail in batting average, but he's at a disadvantage in every other category (though steals might be a wash). Martinez became one of the game's premier home-run hitters in 2015, and shouldn't have any trouble outslugging his Dodgers counterpart. Prediction: Martinez.

CF/LF Charlie Blackmon, Rockies (25) vs. RF Ryan Braun, Brewers (40)

This should end up being one of the most closely-contested matchups of the opening round. Neither player has a significant edge in any of the five categories, though Blackmon should see a greater number of stolen base chances than Braun. Take the Rockies' leadoff man. Prediction: Blackmon.

3B Manny Machado, Orioles (8) vs. DH David Ortiz, Red Sox (57)

Old school vs. new school will likely come down to batting average, which is anyone's guess in the case of a one-month sample. Machado's advantages in steals and runs scored leave him needing only one other category win to upend Ortiz. Here's guessing he gets it. Prediction: Machado.

Hank Aaron Division

3B Josh Donaldson, Blue Jays (4) vs. CF Jacoby Ellsbury, Yankees (61)

This shouldn't be close. Donaldson is vastly superior in every category but stolen bases; even with skills comparable to his outlier 2011 season, Ellsbury couldn't hope to keep pace with the defending American League MVP. Pencil in Donaldson for a decisive victory. Prediction: Donaldson.

CF Carlos Gomez, Astros (36) def. C Kyle Schwarber, Cubs (29)

Schwarber is the first post-Opening Day casualty of the season, suffering a season-ending knee injury after just four at-bats. By virtue of having scored two runs to Schwarber's zero, Gomez moves to Round 2. WINNER: Gomez.

1B/RF Chris Davis, Orioles (20) vs. 1B Prince Fielder, Rangers (45)

Fielder fans and owners can only dream about what could have been. This would have been a doozy of a matchup with both players in their primes - but Fielder most certainly is not, and will have a rather difficult time matching Davis in the three non-steals counting categories. Prediction: Davis.

3B Kris Bryant, Cubs (13) vs. RF Matt Kemp, Padres (52)

Bryant may be the hotter fantasy name, but Kemp has the skill set to make things interesting. That said, the Padres' offense has opened the season with a historic thud - and even a three- or four-day head start should be enough for Bryant to sneak out a victory. Prediction: Bryant.

1B Anthony Rizzo, Cubs (12) vs. 2B Ian Kinsler, Tigers (53)

Expect batting average and runs scored to be competitive here. That leaves homers, RBIs and steals - and while Kinsler was a 30-30 threat as recently as three years ago, those days are now gone. Rizzo is on the upswing here, and should comfortably out-contribute Kinsler. Prediction: Rizzo.

RF George Springer, Astros (21) vs. CF/RF Jason Heyward, Cubs (44)

This is a terrific matchup between two five-tool hitters benefiting from stacked lineups. Heyward is an all-world talent, but Springer showed enough in his injury-plagued 2015 season to flash 25-25 potential with a decent average and plenty of runs scored. He gets the slight edge. Prediction: Springer.

LF Yoenis Cespedes, Mets (28) vs. 2B/3B Matt Carpenter, Cardinals (37)

Carpenter gets credit for being in position to keep this close, but Cespedes is just too good to pass over here. While the argument could be made that last year's Mets stint was as good as he gets, Carpenter also overachieved in 2015. Expect dual regression - and a Cespedes win. Prediction: Cespedes.

SS Carlos Correa, Astros (5) vs. RF Hunter Pence, Giants (60)

For all the great things you can say about Pence's fantasy value, this is a hopeless matchup for him. Correa is one of the top players in all of fantasy baseball, and his sizzling start should only raise his stock further. Sorry, Hunter, but it's Carlos's time to shine. Prediction: Correa.

Ted Williams Division

1B Paul Goldschmidt, D'Backs (2) vs. RF Gregory Polanco, Pirates (63)

While anything can happen over the course of a month, there's little chance Polanco can do enough to oust our worthy No. 2 seed. Goldschmidt hits everything hard, and his all-around game makes him a threat to sweep all five categories against just about anyone. Prediction: Goldschmidt.

SS Troy Tulowitzki, Blue Jays (31) vs. CF Lorenzo Cain, Royals (34)

Name value certainly played a factor in Tulowitzki's aggressive ADP, but that won't help him here. Cain is a better pure hitter and should run away with the steals category; he also hits higher in the order, giving him plenty more run-scoring opportunities. Take the Royals outfielder here. Prediction: Cain.

1B Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays (18) vs. 3B Kyle Seager, Mariners (47)

This showdown of talented corner infielders may come down to health. Encarnacion has been dealing with an oblique injury that wasn't serious enough to put him on the DL, but still needs to be monitored. If healthy, he should generate enough offense to prevail. Prediction: Encarnacion.

1B Jose Abreu, White Sox (15) vs. 1B Freddie Freeman, Braves (50)

Sometimes, it's all about the guys hitting around you. While Freeman is a talented player, he has zero lineup support - and that will have a significant impact on his numbers. Conversely, Abreu is surrounded by better hitters than he was in 2015 - and that will make the difference here. Prediction: Abreu.

1B Miguel Cabrera, Tigers (10) vs. 1B Albert Pujols, Angels (55)

Two future Hall-of-Fame first basemen do battle here - and the magic number in this matchup, fittingly, is three. As in, the number of years between Cabrera and Pujols, with the younger Cabrera at a decided advantage in terms of bat speed retention and health history. He should win. Prediction: Cabrera.

LF/CF Starling Marte, Pirates (23) vs. 2B Brian Dozier, Twins (42)

This one could legitimately go either way; Marte has the edge in batting average and steals, while Dozier shouldn't have much trouble winning runs scored and homers. If it comes down to RBIs as the deciding category, go with the guy in a better position to knock 'em in. Prediction: Marte.

RF Nelson Cruz, Mariners (26) vs. 3B Miguel Sano, Twins (39)

This matchup features two of the game's big boppers. And while Sano might one day threaten for the major-league home-run title, Cruz already has experience there. That, along with an advantageous early-season schedule for the Mariners, puts Cruz in the driver's seat. Prediction: Cruz.

3B Nolan Arenado, Rockies (7) vs. 3B Maikel Franco, Phillies (58)

Poor Franco. It's not that he's a bad hitter - far from it, in fact. But while his offensive support comes from the likes of Ryan Howard, Cedric Hunter and Carlos Ruiz, Arenado has boppers like Carlos Gonzalez and Charlie Blackmon hitting around him. This one shouldn't be close. Prediction: Arenado.

Lou Gehrig Division

CF Bryce Harper, Nationals (3) vs. C Jonathan Lucroy, Brewers (62)

Welp. Prediction: Harper.

2B Robinson Cano, Mariners (30) vs. RF Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies (35)

Prior to the start of the season, this matchup would have been skewed toward Gonzalez by virtue of his edge in runs scored, home runs and RBIs. But with Cano hitting four home runs in three games to open the season, things are suddenly wide open. It'll be close, but ... Prediction: Gonzalez.

C Buster Posey, Giants (19) vs. SS Francisco Lindor, Indians (46)

This matchup will come down to just how much further Lindor has come at the plate. He should hit enough to put up a fight in batting average, and the steals edge makes things interesting. But Posey is a sure thing, and his consistency makes him the odds-on favorite. Prediction: Posey.

RF Jose Bautista, Blue Jays (14) vs. RF Yasiel Puig, Dodgers (51)

This could be a fantastic matchup between two players who have similar skill sets - albeit at vastly different stages of their respective careers. The Puig bandwagon is considerably larger than it was a season ago, but he'll need to earn his draft spot. Bautista has already done that. Prediction: Bautista.

2B Jose Altuve, Astros (11) vs. 2B Rougned Odor, Rangers (54)

Odor is one of the most talented young second basemen in baseball. Problem is, he's paired with the most talented young second baseman in baseball. Altuve's dominance in batting average, runs scored and steals should lead him to a comfortable victory. Prediction: Altuve.

1B Joey Votto, Reds (22) vs. SS Corey Seager, Dodgers (43)

Votto's track record would normally be enough to earn him the nod against a player like Seager. But with the Reds expected to struggle on the offensive end, Votto's counting numbers will take a hit. If Seager sees the majority of the action at SS for the Dodgers, he should win. Prediction: Seager.

3B Todd Frazier, White Sox (27) vs. SS Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox (38)

This one should be fun. Each player has one category to himself: Bogaerts should cruise to victory in batting average, while Frazier is well-positioned to win home runs. The other three categories appear to be toss-ups. Bet on Bogaerts to beat Frazier in steals and runs - barely. Prediction: Bogaerts.

RF Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins (6) vs. 3B Anthony Rendon, Nationals (59)

This one appears to be Stanton's for the taking, but Rendon should make it interesting. He hits second, giving him better run-scoring potential, and should be competitive in batting average. That said, Stanton is just too dominant in homers and RBIs; he should claim one other category. Prediction: Stanton.