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Is your fantasy baseball team in need of a boost in a specific category? Maybe it's a shot in the arm in runs scored or an influx of RBI? Monitoring how well you are performing in each offensive category and addressing those categories in need throughout the season is a great way to keep your 5x5 roto team near the top of the standings!
There are dozens of waiver-wire articles across the industry each week, but how many of them break down the available hitters by which categories they are most capable of contributing? I aim to give you the top options this week for each of the five offensive categories. All hitters will be under 50% rostered on Yahoo and listed in order of my preference.
You may bristle at some of the picks, but several entries on this list come from the worst team in baseball, my beloved Chicago White Sox. Take heed: even terrible teams have useful fantasy players on them, so dig deep and find those bargains. Let's take a look.
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Runs Scored (R) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters
Jarred Kelenic, Atlanta Braves (rostered in 34% of leagues)
Kelenic was recently moved to the leadoff spot in a stacked Atlanta lineup due to injuries to star outfielders Michael Harris II and Ronald Acuna Jr. If he stays there, I like this pickup even more. He has been in a platoon, but that has changed now due to injury concerns of the superstar outfielders.
The Braves are currently playing Ramon Laureano, a castoff from the Cleveland Guardians, daily as outfield help. That's how dire this situation is in Atlanta. Jarred Kelenic was a super prospect a few years ago who struggled mightily in two separate MLB stints with the Seattle Mariners. He is hitting .265 with six home runs, two stolen bases, and 21 runs scored. Four of those six runs scored have come in his last six games. With the opportunity in front of him, Kelenic represents an opportunity to roster a useful player who could potentially help you across several categories.
Brandon Lowe, Tampa Bay Rays (rostered in 25% of leagues)
I will admit I find it irritating sometimes when a player I like is available this often, such as Brandon Lowe. The power is real and he scores runs when he plays. He is healthy now and scored five runs in the last week while also swatting two home runs. In 45 at-bats this month, he has 11 RBI and seven runs scored. A small investment gets you a productive player at second base and middle-infield positions.
Carlos Santana, Minnesota Twins (rostered in 17% of leagues)
Nobody ever thinks of Carlos Santana until they have an injured first baseman, and then they turn to the veteran and he helps them stay afloat in the standings. Santana is hitting .238 with 11 home runs, 37 RBI, and 26 runs scored, six of those in the last week. He's hitting .326 in June and should be rostered far more than he is. Take a look at this helpful player this week.
Also consider: Andrew McCutchen (PIT), Alec Burleson (STL), Miguel Vargas (LAD)
Home Runs (HR) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters
Tyler Soderstrom, Oakland Athletics (rostered in 40% of leagues)
Soderstrom flies under the radar quite a bit, and that's understandable due to playing in Oakland and also the spotlight Shea Langeliers gets. But he has four home runs in 50 June plate appearances. Keep in mind that Soderstrom has the pedigree of a first-round pick in the 2020 draft. The K rate is a tad high at 32%, but his walk rate is over 11% and he's hitting for power. The metrics show that should continue. Take a look below.
Zach Neto, Los Angeles Angels (rostered in 26% of leagues)
Fantasy players in deep leagues have known about Neto, but he is finally starting to get some play in shallower leagues. Maybe some are scared off by him batting ninth, but he's producing meaningful statistics: 10 home runs, nine stolen bases, a .253 batting average, and 28 runs scored. Three of his home runs have been hit in his last seven games, and he's hitting a robust .318 during that same time span. This is a sneaky play at a premium position, shortstop, or middle-infielder spot. Grab Neto and enjoy the power and speed combo. Playing time seems assured right now as well.
Paul DeJong, Chicago White Sox (rostered in 22% of leagues)
DeJong continues to hit home runs for the last-place Chicago White Sox. He has 14 overall, with six coming in 66 June plate appearances. That's good for second most in MLB at the shortstop position, behind only Gunnar Henderson. While DeJong usually has a poor batting average, he's hitting a usable .237 right now while getting daily starts at shortstop. The Sox have no one else to play the position until prospect Colson Montgomery is ready. DeJong is a strong possible trade chip, especially for a team looking for shortstop depth and a power bat off the bench with good defense. Bank the home runs for now. DeJong has 25 and 30 home-run marks in his career.
Also consider: Mark Vientos (NYM), Hunter Goodman (COL)
Runs Batted In (RBI) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters
Andrew Vaughn, Chicago White Sox (rostered in 47% of leagues)
I wrote about Vaughn last week, and this may be your last chance to get him. Forgotten are his early-season struggles; he's hitting .356 in June with five home runs, 14 RBI, and 12 runs scored in 61 plate appearances this month. Ten of those RBI have happened in the last calendar week. Manager Pedro Grifol is playing Vaughn every night and batting him second. See his last week and June totals below, and grab him off your waiver wire.
Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins (rostered in 38% of leagues)
How far the fall from grace for Buxton, who just seemingly cannot stay healthy. Yet when he is active and available, this is a productive bat. Buxton has knocked in seven runs in his last six games for the Twins and chipped in with a homer and three stolen bases. He should not be on the waiver wire in 62% of leagues. Change that and add him this week, especially if he has OF and UT eligibility in your league.
Joc Pederson, Arizona Diamondbacks (rostered in 26% of leagues)
I love Pederson. He's been a bit of a baseball nomad, but everywhere he goes, he brings good vibes and professional-art bats. I like that blood-red Statcast data, don't you? Joc has 13 RBI in 53 June plate appearances and is also scoring runs in bunches. Consider rostering him while he is on this hot streak.
Also consider: Carlos Santana (MIN), Donovan Solano (SD), Ty France (SEA)
Stolen Bases (SB) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters
Blake Perkins, Milwaukee Brewers (rostered in 9% of leagues)
Perkins gets so little respect in most fantasy leagues, and I would argue that he is a useful player in most formats. He's only hitting .244 but has chipped in five home runs and a very quiet 10 stolen bases. He's in the 95th percentile for sprint speed, so with playing time, the team will give him the green light; he has stolen four bases in the last six games. If you are looking for speed, Perkins is a cheap option that could pay off for you.
Dylan Moore, Seattle Mariners (rostered in 12% of leagues)
I feel your eye roll: come on, Mike, really? But yes, really! Moore is never going to hit for a high batting average, but he's got seven home runs and 12 stolen bases in a limited role in Seattle. He has eligibility at 2B, 3B, SS, and OF. That is a Swiss Army knife. He has three steals in the last week and is worth rostering if you can take the batting average hit and need the stolen bases, home runs, and runs.
Jorge Mateo, Baltimore Orioles (rostered in 5% of leagues)
Mateo will not help you with batting average and he has a little pop, but you will want him for his stolen bases. See Mateo's career numbers below, paying the most attention to the stolen bases. Even though the batting average is poor, Mateo has twice stolen over 30 bases in his career without an everyday job.
Also consider: Ryan Bliss (SEA), Brandon Marsh (PHI), Byron Buxton (MIN)
Batting Average (AVG) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters
Nick Gonzales, Pittsburgh Pirates (rostered in 47% of leagues)
Gonzales continues to hit. He's hitting .299 in 138 plate appearances, with five home runs, 25 RBI, two stolen bases, and 17 runs. So, he does not have a ton of pop or speed, but he can now help you with batting average.
Noelvi Marte, Cincinnati Reds (rostered in 24% of leagues)
This is a speculative pick, as many leagues still have Marte on the waiver wire. He is in his version of spring training right now as he finishes his 80-game suspension for PED usage last season. The bet here is that Marte will resume a full-time position playing third base for the Reds. Look for a good batting average and possibly double-digit home runs and steals. Last season, Marte hit .316 in 123 plate appearances with three home runs and six stolen bases. This might be the last week you can claim him off your waiver wire.
JJ Bleday, Oakland Athletics (rostered in 21% of leagues)
Savvy players knew that Bleday had power, but what had been missing up until this season was an extended opportunity to play. In the last week, Bleday is hitting a ridiculous .519 to lift his season average to .261. He's hitting second in Oakland and playing center field daily. Grab him and enjoy the 10 home runs and 32 runs scored.
Also consider: Geraldo Perdomo (ARI), Nolan Schanuel (LAA), Michael Busch (CHC)
I hope this helps you out! Good luck and happy hunting, RotoBallers! You can always message me @mdrc0508 on X to complain about picks or make other suggestions!
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