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Welcome back to our fantasy baseball waiver wire hitter category boosters for Week 21 of the 2024 MLB season -- free-agent hitters to consider adding to help boost your team in HR, SB, RBI, AVG, and runs. Today, we'll look at names like Michael Conforto, Brendan Rodgers, and more.
Each week, you should be looking at every single category and where you are concerning your competition. This is the biggest time of the year for fantasy players: where are you in the standings? What do you need to catch the player in front of you or maintain your lead in a category?
There are dozens of waiver-wire articles across the industry each week, but how many of them break down the available hitters by the categories that they are most capable of contributing to? 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. 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
Matt Vierling, Detroit Tigers (rostered in 22% of leagues) seven runs. 306
I struggle with why Vierling isn't more universally loved by fantasy players. He's a quietly productive bat in Detroit. For the season, he is hitting .258 with 14 home runs, 46 RBI, four stolen bases, and 59 runs scored in 107 games. In August, he has scored eight runs hitting atop the order, while setting career highs in both home runs and RBI. He also has eligibility at third base, which makes him useful as we roll on and suffer injuries to high-performing players all over the diamond. Take a look at Vierling if you need some depth. He can help in multiple ways.
Joey Bart, Pittsburgh Pirates (rostered in 20% of leagues)
The former top prospect has been a godsend for the Pirates. Bart was recalled to spot start and has become the go-to behind the plate. This is a well-rounded play right now; he's hitting .333 in August with four home runs and eight runs scored in 10 games this month. He might be especially valuable in two-catcher leagues.
Whit Merrifield, Atlanta Braves (rostered in 8% of leagues)
Signed off the waiver wire by the Braves, Merrifield has not hit much yet but has scored ten runs over the last ten days while stealing two bases as well. He's going to play with Ozzie Albies out. If you need runs, Merrifield is a cheap fix.
Home Runs (HR) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters
Kerry Carpenter, Detroit Tigers (rostered in 46% of leagues)
Carpenter quietly came off the IL on Tuesday and promptly hit two homers. On Wednesday night, he hit another. He will not be on the waiver wire for long at this rate. He has only played 52 games this season and has 11 home runs now. Add for a quality power addition to your lineup; he's also hitting .292 on the season now. Carpenter is seriously underrated. I like the trend line below.
Andrew Benintendi, Chicago White Sox (rostered in 10% of leagues)
Not known for his power, the lefty-swinging Benintendi has swatted five home runs since the calendar turned to August. He has 13 home runs on the season, with 41 RBI and only two stolen bases, with a paltry .214 batting average. But we don't care about season-long stats, only what a player is doing now. Benintendi is hitting .300 in August and will play every day on a terrible White Sox team. Grab him if you need cheap power. Signs of life from Benintendi since the All-Star break? See below.
Jhonkensy Noel, Cleveland Guardians (rostered in 8% of leagues) eligibility
We know Noel hits home runs in bunches, and he has hit three this week thus far. On the year, he has nine homers in only 33 games played. He is on the short side of a platoon with Will Brennan right now, but if he starts hitting and hitting home runs again, Noel could get more playing time. It's also slightly intriguing that he has eligibility at both corner infield spots and the outfield. He could be worth a speculative play if you need power.
Runs Batted In (RBI) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters
Brandon Lowe, Tampa Bay Rays (rostered 47% of leagues)
People are starting to catch on to Lowe and roster him, and you should be one of them. He has cooled some this week, but Lowe has nine RBI this month and is playing daily for the Rays. His only day off since July 26 came on Monday night. He is going to play and he has the ability to hit a home run every night, with 14 on the season now. Second base has been a bit of a black hole for me this year in terms of production, so adding Lowe has helped me in a number of leagues.
Michael Conforto, San Francisco Giants (rostered in 21% of leagues)
Conforto is the type of player I rarely draft but always keep an eye on once or twice a month, just keeping tabs on his health and his production. And if you looked over the last couple of weeks, you would like what you are seeing: he's hitting .300 with 10 RBI in 48 August plate appearances, which is excellent, and he's playing daily for the Giants. He now quietly has 12 home runs this month too. Grab him if you need cheap outfield power.
Jonah Bride, Miami Marlins (rostered in 4% of leagues)
What if I told you that Bride quietly has 13 RBI in August and a substantial playing opportunity in front of him? Bride is hitting .276 with five home runs, 20 RBI, and 10 runs scored since the All-Star break. An afterthought in the vast majority of leagues, he is producing right now and hitting and has eligibility at both corner infield positions. This is a sneaky play that could provide you with counting stats right now.
Stolen Bases (SB) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters
Jose Caballero, Tampa Bay Rays (rostered in 40% of leagues)
Many seem to feel the recall of Junior Caminero hurts Caballero, and it does to an extent. But with the hole at shortstop, I expect Caballero to get at-bats there, as well as second base and outfield corner spots. Quiet simply, when he plays, he runs; Caballero has 32 steals on the season, with five of them this month. He also has a little pop in that bat, with eight home runs this season. Take a look at him and that eligibility all over the field, and you might find a very useful player for your team.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Pittsburgh Pirates (rostered in 22% of leagues)
Since being traded to Pittsburgh, IKF isn't hitting much yet but is playing daily. He has doubled his stolen base output this month, with three steals over the last week. Add in his positional eligibility all over the field, and the veteran may be able to help you.
Victor Robles, Seattle Mariners (rostered in 15% of leagues)
He has cooled some, but the Mariners showed everyone he is in their plans with a contract extension signed this week. Castaway by the Washington Nationals, Robles has found a home in Seattle. And with the lingering injuries to Julio Rodriguez, more playing time could be in the cards for Robles. The speedy Robles has three steals this month and is a threat to go every time he is on base. Roster him now before more players lock on to him, with the potential of Rodriguez missing more time in the coming days.
Batting Average (AVG) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters
Geraldo Perdomo, Arizona Diamondbacks (rostered in 28% of leagues)
Perdomo is an interesting player. He doesn't have much pop in his bat yet he gets consistent playing time based on his great glove at shortstop. He's hitting .350 this month and has scored nine runs while also chipping in with a couple of steals. If you need help with batting averages and some runs scored, Perdomo could be an add for you. He also has eligibility at second base and third base besides shortstop on Yahoo.
Alex Call, Washington Nationals (rostered in 19% of leagues)
Raise your hand if you knew Call was hitting .413 since the start of August. Put your hand down; you sit on a throne of lies. Recalled at the trade deadline, Call has been on fire, hitting an even.400 now for the season with one home run, 12 RBI, four stolen bases, and 11 runs scored. It likely cannot last, but why not ride it while it does? Grab Call if you are looking for outfield help this week.
Brendan Rodgers, Colorado Rockies (rostered in 14% of leagues): 9 runs, .429 in August
Rodgers is perpetually under-rostered in fantasy circles and I think that is maybe because he is part of a lost organization in Colorado. Yet he is a productive player for the Rockies: .280, with nine home runs, 41 RBI, one stolen base, and 51 runs scored there. He has at least one hit in 11 of his last 12 games, including 10 games in a row. He's batting .381 in August with two homers, eight RBI, and eight runs scored over that time. If you need help at second base or middle infield, as I do, Rodgers is a great get this week.
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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