RADIO
It's a little too early to dig too deep into the matchup data this week, but we can certainly take a look at which hitters are heading to hitter-friendly parks and have the potential to either keep their hot starts going or bounce back after a rocky opening weekend.
Our hitter streamers fantasy baseball waiver-wire pickups column will identify hitters with good matchups who can be considered waiver-wire streamers ahead of the Sunday night waiver-wire runs for leagues with weekly transactions. Players that appear in this article will always be rostered in 40% or fewer leagues on Yahoo!
In this piece, every week, I'll look to find hitters playing in the most games and who have the most favorable matchups to help you plug those gaps and fill those holes in your roster. You can also check out the rest of our fantasy baseball streamer content here at RotoBaller.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:- Fantasy baseball trade analyzer
- BvP matchups data (Batter vs. Pitcher)
- PvB matchups data (Pitcher vs. Batter)
- Who should I start? Fantasy baseball comparisons
- Daily MLB starting lineups
- Fantasy baseball closer depth charts
- Fantasy Baseball live scoreboard
- Fantasy baseball injury reports
What Teams Offer The Most Streaming Value?
Most teams are playing six games this week.
However, the Brewers and Reds both play all seven days.
Ballpark Upgrades: ATH (3 games at Coors), TEX (3 games in CIN)
Week 1 Fantasy Baseball Hitter Streamers
I'll recommend only players who are 40% rostered or lower, and all roster percentages are from Yahoo!
TJ Friedl, OF - CIN (38%)
The Reds play seven games this week, including three at home against the Rangers. Friedl is back in the leadoff spot and has both power and speed. He was hurt one and off last season and is looking to get back on track this season. I have him in a few leagues, and I think he should be rostered in more leagues simply based on his 20/20 potential and the fact that he's hitting leadoff for what should be a potent Reds lineup.
Ivan Herrera, C - STL (34%)
Herrera will get a day off here and there, but the Cardinals will try to get his bat in the lineup as often as possible, which is why they moved Wilson Contreras to first base.
He's off to a nice start at the plate, going 4-7 with two RBI and a run scored in his first two games. He should be rostered in more leagues, and I predict that we won't see him in this article next week or for the rest of the season - this kid can hit.
Tyler Soderstrom, 1B - ATH (33%)
Soderstrom was a popular sleeper pick late in drafts, and it's pretty clear why, as he's come out hot in this first series against the Mariners, slugging two home runs on opening day and collecting five hits in his first three games.
Tyler Soderstrom is going to be one of the biggest draft day steals at his ADP.
Two HR tonight!pic.twitter.com/d4aJypvuKL
— Kirk Snyder (@dynastyinfo411) March 28, 2025
With three games in Coors this week, the Athletics' hitters are high on my list. And Soderstrom can potentially be your everyday first baseman for the entire season - he could be much more than just a streamer this week, too.
Victor Scott II, OF - CIN (30%)
Scott is getting another opportunity this season to see if he can stick in the major leagues. His speed is off the charts, and he's already swiped two bags, however, he is going to have to make more contact this year to be worth rostering in fantasy leagues. If you need steals, it makes sense to snag him now and see if he pans out as he has legit 50-STL upside if he can get on base regularly this season.
JJ Bleday, OF - ATH (29%)
Bleday is hitting just .182 over his first three games, but is batting in the three-hole for what looks like a much-improved Athletics lineup. I mentioned the trip to Coors already as one of the reasons to love the Athletics hitters. Take a shot on Bleday this week, as he has the type of power swing that could propel him to a multi-HR week.
Kyle Manzardo, 1B - CLE (28%)
Manzardo is a guy that I loved coming into this season as a post-hype hitter, but I wasn't sure how Cleveland was going to utilize him. So far the results are encouraging as he started against a LHP on opening day and went 3-4, nearly hitting for the cycle.
Kyle Manzardo just went 3-for-4, hit a home run, and came within a single of hitting for the cycle. All of this came against LHP. Very impressive showing from him👀 pic.twitter.com/XWxCP8HxKh
— Eric Treuden (@ETreuden) March 27, 2025
He was moved into the three-hole yesterday for Cleveland, and Jose Ramirez just went down with an injury, too. So we could see Manzardo in the middle of this lineup for the time being. If he's going to play every day and not just platoon against righties, he could be a guy who has a chance to stick on fantasy rosters for longer than a week or two at a time.
Spencer Torkelson, 1B - DET (28%)
Torkelson had a red-hot spring training and has continued that success through his first three games, smashing a home run on opening day and collecting five hits in his first nine at-bats. Cleanup hitters with 30 HR potential don't grow on trees, so a speculative add here makes sense until we see if Torkelson can do it consistently this year.
Lars Nootbaar, OF - STL (21%)
Nootbaar struggled through injuries the last few seasons but looks healthy this year and is leading off for a new-look Cardinals lineup. He's 4-7 though his first two games with four RBI and three runs scored.
Lars Nootbaar golfs one out 🏌 #OpeningDay pic.twitter.com/V8BKf23cXR
— MLB (@MLB) March 27, 2025
When healthy in the past, Nootbar has been a solid fantasy player who can contribute across the board. I'm snagging him in any leagues where I need more outfield options.
Keibert Ruiz, C - WAS (19%)
You won't find multiple catchers on this list on most weeks, but Ruiz was a guy who was featured in this column a lot last season, and he was on and off fantasy rosters throughout the season. He is off to quite a start this year, smashing a home run in each of his first two games.
He's an above-average hitter with power from both sides of the plate. I like adding him in two-catcher leagues or as a backup if you have a shaky option as your top option at the catcher position.
Otto Lopez, 2B/SS - MIA (14%)
Lopez came on strong at the end of the 2024 season and has picked up where he left off so far. He has a hit in each of his first three games, including a home run. He's also stolen a base already. He moved up to the two-spot in the batting order against a lefty yesterday, which could be a great sign for his value this season.
Week 1 Deep League Hitter Streamers to Consider
Some widely available hitters (under 10% rostered) could be worth a look this week.
- Jeimer Candelario, 1B/3B - CIN (9%)
- Jorge Polanco, 2B - SEA (8%)
- Brandon Marsh, OF - PHI (7%)
- Geraldo Perdomo, SS - ARI (4%)
- Max Muncy, 2B/SS - ATH (2%)
Good luck this week, and choose those streaming options wisely!
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