Off day helps Cozart fix swing: Reds shortstop Zack Cozart has produced a four-game hitting streak since being held out of the starting lineup Saturday against the Yankees. Cozart is batting .400 (6 for 15) with two solo homers during his hitting streak. “The day off helped big time,” Cozart told the Cincinnati Enquirer. “It helped more mentally than physically. That day, Dusty (Baker) saw something on video. I was getting started too late. That made me speed up my swing and pop up more than I usually do. The good thing was it’s an easy fix.” (Updated 05/24/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/24/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Cozart was mired in a 1-for-26 slump before his four-game hitting streak. “He wasn’t starting soon enough,” Baker said. “You see certain things. You hope whatever you saw can be the thing that gets the young man back on his way. It’s very discouraging to make outs, especially when you’re getting pitches to hit and you’re not hitting them. I could see the frustration on his face.” Fantasy owners should continue to track Cozart's progress through Fantasy Week 8 (May 21-27). If he stays hot, then you should consider activating him for Fantasy Week 9 (May 28-June 3) since it seems he is ready to get back on track offensively. (Updated 05/24/2012).
05/22/2012 21:50 Phillips HRs twice as Reds beat Braves
Brandon Phillips drove in three runs with a pair of homers off Brandon Beachy on Tuesday night, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 4-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves in another game of all-or-nothing.
05/22/2012 14:32 Video: Reds homer back-to-back-to-back as fan catches two of them
Monday night, the Reds beat the Braves on the strength of back-to-back-to-back homers from pitcher Mike Leake, shortstop Zack Cozart and center fielder Drew Stubbs in the fourth inning. One fan caught the Leake and Cozart homer balls.
05/21/2012 21:58 Reds' Leake earns win, first career HR
Right-hander Mike Leake hit his first career homer - part of three solo shots in a row by the Cincinnati Reds - and allowed only two hits over eight innings Monday night for a 4-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves.
05/20/2012 19:47 Hit Parade for Week 8
Some catchers have been bitten by the injury bug in recent days, leaving some owners scrambling. Our Scott White shares some recommendations and helps set your lineups for Week 8 in his Hit Parade.
05/20/2012 16:40 Yankees suffer fifth loss in six games
Johnny Cueto pitched effectively into the eighth inning, Ryan Ludwick delivered two big hits and the Cincinnati Reds closed out their extended visit to New York by beating the Yankees 5-2 Sunday.
Zack Cozart isn't a flashy player, but he does everything just well enough to be an asset in Fantasy. He certainly didn't look overmatched during his brief stint in the majors last season, serving as the Reds' starting shortstop for two weeks before needing Tommy John surgery on his non-throwing elbow in late July. Given manager Dusty Baker's history of shying away from rookies, the Reds' willingness to make Cozart the everyday player at the most important infield position with a division title still on the line tells you everything you need to know about the 26-year-old's major-league readiness, as does his performance in the role. He'll enter 2012 with the inside track on a starting job and should be recovered (from both the elbow surgery and a later ankle surgery) in time for spring training. Though his lack of plate discipline and relatively limited ceiling will likely make him no more than a late-rounder in mixed leagues, his modest power and speed could make him a bargain at that price. (Updated 1/25/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
