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Baseball is back, and fantasy managers in daily leagues no doubt already have holes to fill with streamers. Fortunately, RotoBaller has you covered with daily streaming picks.
Each day, RotoBaller will provide you with some of the best streaming options to consider in fantasy baseball daily leagues. Additionally, these recommendations can be useful for fantasy managers setting DFS lineups.
We have a 10-game slate Thursday, starting earlier than usual. Fortunately, there are quite a few streamable players with 20 teams taking the field. This article will use rostered percentages and position eligibility from Yahoo! leagues.
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Hitter Streamers for 5/13 - Shallow Leagues
Tucker Barnhart (C, CIN) - 32% rostered
Matchup: @ RHP Chi Chi Gonzalez
Two words. Coors Field. If we need a catcher to stream, nabbing the backstop in one of the most hitter-friendly environments is nearly all we need. On top of the ballpark, Barnhart does tout a 41% hard-hit rate and .421 xwOBAcon. Another bonus is that Barnhart is a lefty, and hits RHP pretty decent. Since 2020, Tucker has a wRC+ well over 100 and an ISO just north of .200; again, not too shabby for a catcher.
Jeimer Candelario (1B/3B, MIN) - 29% rostered
Matchup: vs. LHP Daniel Lynch
If targeting a struggling SP isn't part of your streaming process, well, you're just doing it wrong. Today is no exception, and we will be picking on the Royals' prospect. Lynch has been putrid through his first two starts by giving up 11 earned runs and allowing more BBs than Ks. The stuff is electric, but he doesn't look ready for MLB action yet.
On the flip side, Candelario is a surprisingly effective hitter against southpaws. He touts a 122 wRC+ and .160 ISO over the course of 324 at-bats. Although I wouldn't necessarily count on HRs since he only has nine in that timeframe. A better stat line for the day would look something like 2-for-4 with a few runs and RBI sprinkled in.
Nick Senzel (2B/OF, CIN) - 31% rostered
Matchup: @ RHP Chi Chi Gonzalez
Let's repeat those two magical words for streaming. Coors Field. For the same reasons that we love Tucker Barnhart, we also love Nick Senzel. Only, I would suggest we love Senzel a little more. First, we can slot him into an OF spot and at the sinkhole of a position known as second base.
Senzel has been getting the full run at the leadoff role for the Reds. And why not? He has the 96th percentile sprint speed and the 91st percentile xBA. Now, he may be a little bit of a light swinger, as shown by the 4.7% barrel rate, but anything can happen in Coors Field. Starting a talent like Senzel opens the pathways for many categories: runs, RBI, SB, and AVG. So let's put him in the "must stream" category.
Niko Goodrum (1B/2B/SS/OF, DET) - 24% rostered
Matchup: @ LHP Daniel Lynch
Picking on Lynch again? You betcha! No more shade will be thrown at Lynch; I'll shift focus to Goodrum. Niko has some beneficial Statcast metrics that jump out. His 89th percentile hard-hit rate, 68th percentile barrel%, and 74th percentile sprint speed are an outstanding mixture of talent. On top of that, he is elevating the ball more than ever(2019 FB%-23.7%, 2020 FB%-27.2%, 2021 FB%-38.9%). Streaming option with loads of tools? Yes, please!
Hitter Streamers for 5/13 - Deep Leagues
Adam Duvall (OF, MIA) - 18% rostered
Matchup: @ RHP Merrill Kelly
Duvall is a massive power streaming option. The Marlins OF has a career ISO over .230 and 87 career HRs vs. RHP. So it's safe to say he can take one deep if he makes contact. In 2021, the power remains. Duvall carries a 14.5% barrel rate and a staggering 52.6% hard-hit rate. The main hindrance in Duvall's game is the strikeouts; he swings and misses a ton. Luckily, today's matchup is against Merrill Kelly, whose season is supported by a weak 17.6 K% that allows for plenty of balls in play.
Seth Brown (OF, OAK) - 2% rostered
Matchup: @ RHP Garrett Richards
Seth Brown is an outfielder that the Statcast metrics really like. Barrels. Albeit small samples, Brown puts up a 12.8% barrel rate, 40% hard-hit rate, and .455 xwOBAcon. Those are terrific metrics to stack up against Garrett Richards this afternoon. If we are seeking a longball this afternoon, Seth Brown might be our guy. He has already parked four HRs into the stands vs. RHP.
Mike Tauchman (OF, SFG) - 3% rostered
Matchup: @ RHP Wil Crowe
This is not the first time I've dropped Tauchman's name in the streamer article. Sadly, the roster% hasn't climbed up as much as expected. Keep in mind that against RHP since receiving full-time plate appearances from his new team, he is slashing .286/.375/.457 with a .832 OPS. The Giants love to stick him in the leadoff spot when they match up against RHP. Today will be no different! Overall, let's take a shot on a low-rostered OF with decent speed(56th percentile) and a little pop against one of the weaker SPs starting today.
Pitcher Streamers for 5/13 - Shallow Leagues
Logan Gilbert (SP, SEA) - 30% rostered
Matchup: @ CLE Zach Plesac
If Gilbert is still available in your league, pick him up ASAP! The main reason for this is the massive strikeout potential. The Mariners prospect harnesses a blistering fastball and electric breaking balls with terrific command. In his first MiLB outing, Gilbert tossed five innings pitched with five strikeouts and only allowing four walks. This could be a very sneaky way to pick up a win and several strikeouts against a Cleveland team with a 93 wRC+.
Pitcher Streamers for 5/13 - Deep Leagues
Garrett Richards (SP, BOS) - 18% rostered
Matchup: vs. OAK Sean Manaea
Richards has been a solid streaming option for a couple of games during the year. One of the reasons he has struggled through his career is the major HR problem. In his first seven starts this season, you can see a concerted effort to keep the ball on the ground. His GB% is slightly over 50% while maintaining a solid strikeout rate. Now, the fastball velocity is down nearly two ticks. It is a concern, but not entirely, as it has made Richards increase his usage in the curveball. This could explain the increase in the ground ball rate. On top of the improvement in pitch mix, Richards has been slightly unlucky. The LOB% is under 70%, and the batting average on balls in play is .320, again, slightly above his career marks. Deep league streaming calls are tough, but this one could be interesting.
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