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The trade deadline is approaching - both in fantasy leagues and in Major League Baseball. And while making trades is a good way to sure up your roster for the stretch run, streaming the best available players off waivers is still a great way to stay one step ahead of your fellow league mates.
Our hitter streamers fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups column will identify hitters with good matchups that can be considered waiver wire streamers ahead of the Sunday night waiver wire runs for leagues with weekly transactions.
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.
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What Teams Offer The Most Streaming Value?
Only five teams play seven games - the Braves, Orioles, Cubs, Royals, and Cardinals.
Five teams play only five games this week - the Dodgers, Athletics, Padres, Giants, and Rays.
Park Factors and Matchups: Upgrades and Downgrades:
The Rockies play all six games on the road -- DOWNGRADE
The Cubs play in Cincinnati and at home vs. St. Louis -- UPGRADE
The Reds play all six games at home -- UPGRADE
Week 19 Fantasy Baseball Hitter Streamers
I'll recommend only players who are 40% rostered or lower, and all roster percentages are from Yahoo!
Colton Cowser, OF - BAL (41%)
Cowser's rostership crept up over 40% overnight, but I still want to highlight him here as Baltimore has a seven-game week. He's got a nine-game hitting streak intact with two home runs over the past two weeks and is starting to raise his average, as he's up to .238 currently. He's also swiped seven bases now on the year. He's been one of the most productive Oriole hitters in the month of July.
TJ Friedl, OF - CIN (38%)
Friedl has returned for the Reds after a lengthy stint on the IL, and what's most notable to me is that he's hit cleanup in both of his first two starts.
TJ Friedl is back tonight for the Reds, and batting cleanup!
Friedl says he feels good and he's ready to go tonight against the Rays. @TjFriedl1 | @Reds pic.twitter.com/fZrZ0YDBid
— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) July 26, 2024
The Reds have a very sexy six-game week with all of those games taking place in the homer-friendly confines of Great American Ballpark. I'd add TJ before he reminds everyone how good he can be as a speed-power dual-threat in the outfield.
Juan Yepez, 1B/OF - WAS (37%)
The hits just keep coming for Yepez, as he's been locked in for the Nats and is now hitting a lofty .377 through his first 18 games with Washington. He's not going to hit for a lot of power, but the run production has been excellent. We may as well go along for the ride for as long as it lasts.
Eugenio Suarez, 3B - ARI (34%)
I'm not sure if Deyvison De Los Santos hitting everything he saw at Triple-A did something to motivate Suarez recently, but after slumping for much of the first half, the veteran has been hitting much better in July.
Eugenio Suárez hit his 12th homer of the year. Six of them have come in the past three weeks. pic.twitter.com/NW3erz7YKJ
— Jesse Friedman (@JesseNFriedman) July 25, 2024
Arizona just traded De Los Santos to Miami for A.J. Puk, which means they are comfortable rolling with Suarez the rest of the way. He's been a streaky hitter during his career and is worth rostering when he's on a good one.
Josh Bell, 1B - MIA (28%)
Bell is making a great case to get himself traded to a contender right now. The switch-hitting first baseman is on fire, clubbing a home run in five of his last six games. He's been hitting for average, too, with multiple hits in five straight, and has seen his average climb to .239.
Spencer Horwitz, 1B/2B - TOR (20%)
Another week, another endorsement of Horwitz from me. He cooled off a bit lately, dropping his average to "just" .298. But this guy should continue to play every day for Toronto and hit near the top of the lineup, sandwiched between two really good hitters in George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. He's an on-base machine, and he's never going to hurt you in any one category other than being no help in steals.
Max Kepler, OF - MIN (16%)
Kepler has been heating up lately, collecting hits in six straight games and scoring six runs over the last week. His power is still missing, but it's a good sign that he's making quality contact again and he just needs to stay healthy for the Twins down the stretch.
Connor Norby, 2B - BAL (13%)
Another Oriole I am eyeing this week is Norby, who stepped in at second base since Jorge Mateo went down. He hit a home run in his first start but went 0-7 over his last two games. Baltimore could be active in the trade market this week, so we could see this roster shaken up again, but for the time being, it looks like Norby is the guy who is going to get the at-bats at second. He had a solid year at Triple-A and is a really good young hitter.
Jake Fraley, OF - CIN (12%)
Fraley does sit out against lefties, but again I want to highlight the six-game week for the Reds at home. If Fraley draws at least four starts, he could be worth it this week, as he has enough power to contribute some home runs and the speed you're looking for with steals (he has 13 already this season). He's best used in leagues with daily rosters as you can swap him out when he gets benched against a lefty.
Victor Robles, OF - SEA (12%)
The Mariners made a splash last week by acquiring Randy Arozarena, but let's not forget about Robles, who has been very productive in July for Seattle. He's hitting over .300 and is now up to 12 steals on the season.
Fantasy Baseball Deep League Hitter Streamers to Consider
Some widely available hitters (under 10% rostered) could be worth a look this week.
Andrew McCutchen, OF - PIT (8%)
Austin Wells, C - NYY (8%)
Nolan Schanuel, 1B - LAA (7%)
Justyn-Henry Malloy, 3B/OF - DET (4%)
Richie Palacios, 2B/OF - TBR (3%)
Seth Brown, 1B/OF - OAK (2%)
Good luck this week, and choose those streaming options wisely!
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