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Fantasy baseball: Who’s hot and who’s not

Atlanta Braves outfielder B.J. Upton has struggled mightily at the plate since joining the team.
(John Amis / Associated Press)
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The only thing more frustrating than having your fantasy team ravaged by injuries is to have your team stocked with high-priced players having career-worst years while on your watch. Staff writer Tim Hubbard looks at a few of this season’s most disappointing players, who can’t blame poor health for their woes.

B.J. Upton

OF | Atlanta

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Braves fans had to be thrilled when the team landed the Upton brothers during the off-season. The move has worked out pretty well for Justin, but not so much for B.J., who has looked lost at the plate all season. His numbers are shockingly bad: .186 average, nine homers, 26 RBIs, 30 runs scored — for a player with such a variety of skills.

Starlin Castro

SS | Chicago Cubs

After three impressive seasons, Castro seemed to have his career arc headed in the right direction. He was a .300-hitting shortstop with speed, power and, at 23 years old, time on his side. But 2013 hasn’t been good to the wunderkind, as his average has fallen to .241and his power numbers are down (10 homers). Castro has really lost his mojo on the basepaths, stealing only nine bases after swiping 25 in 2012.

John Axford

RP | St. Louis

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The former Milwaukee Brewers closer had a combined 81 saves in 2011 and 2012 but blew his first six save opportunities this season and was stripped of his ninth-inning duties. Axford, who is 7-7 with a 4.14 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP, was shipped to St. Louis in late August and failed to convert in his lone save situation with his new club.

tim.hubbard@latimes.com

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