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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?
My goal is 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.
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Runs Scored (R) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters
Edmundo Sosa, Philadelphia Phillies (22% rostered)
Sosa has earned the opportunity to play shortstop in Trea Turner's absence. Sosa scored five runs in the last week and is hitting .325 with three home runs, 13 RBI, two stolen bases, and 18 runs scored in 28 games. On Yahoo, he also has third-base eligibility. Even after Turner is back in a couple of weeks, if Sosa keeps hitting the way he is, he will continue to play somewhere. Look for Sosa if you need some help in the runs category.
Tyler Freeman, Cleveland Guardians (38% rostered)
It felt like fantasy players were waiting for Freeman to cool off over the last two weeks, but he has continued to be productive despite a .222 cumulative batting average. He has scored six runs over the last week while also knocking in five runs. Freeman is batting leadoff on a surprising Cleveland Guardians team. Add to the mix that in Yahoo leagues Freeman has eligibility at both middle infield spots, third base, and outfield, and you have a useful Swiss Army knife on your team that can cover multiple positions for you. Freeman also chipped in a steal this week. Stop sleeping on this useful piece to your roster.
Tommy Pham, Chicago White Sox (22% rostered)
This isn't just a homer pick because I am a Chicago White Sox fan and they are terrible. Pham has injected some life into an awful lineup. He has been batting leadoff and manning center field without oft-injured superstar Luis Robert. Even after Robert returns from injury, Pham should have a place in the lineup. He's now played 30 games for the Sox, and has hit .294 with three home runs, 12 RBI, and three stolen bases with 17 runs scored. Remember that Pham was an unsigned free agent to start the season, so his production level has been tremendous thus far.
Also consider: Mauricio Dubon (HOU), Dylan Moore (SEA), Kevin Newman (ARI)
Home Runs (HR) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters
Jake Meyers, Houston Astros (34% rostered)
Meyers has been a hot pickup lately, and that is because he has been playing well for the Astros. Batting sixth often in an excellent lineup, Meyers has a .290 batting average, six home runs, 21 RBI, two stolen bases, and 16 runs. Three of those home runs have come in the last 10 days, and I recommend you roster him for this power output. Chas McCormick is back in the mix so that bears watching, but as we know, when players hit, they generally play.
JJ Bleday, Oakland Athletics (18% rostered)
Many fantasy players seem to have forgotten about Bleday. You may recall he went to Oakland last spring in the surprising trade for lefty reliever (I think it is okay to call him that now) A.J. Puk. Bleday's calling card that got him drafted was sheer power. Bleday is quietly hitting second in the Oakland lineup, and while the batting average is middling at .237, the power is there with eight home runs (three in the last week). Considering that the team really has no other option in center field since speedster Esteury Ruiz can't hit, look for the production and playing time to continue for Bleday. Note in the box below that he is striking out less and his walks remain high, with his xBA being .254. Bleday is worth rostering.
Adam Duvall, Atlanta Braves (9% rostered)
This is pure speculation on my part. But with the ACL injury to Ronald Acuna, Jr., someone has to play right field. In the short term, Atlanta may choose to let the slugging Duvall play right field; he has home runs in two of three games since the injury and is well-known for his streaks of power. At only 9% rostered in Yahoo, much of the fantasy world is still sleeping on Duvall. If you need power, give him a shot.
Also consider: Matt Vierling (DET), Jesse Winker (WAS), Mark Vientos (NYM)
Runs Batted In (RBI) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters
Ceddanne Rafaela, Boston Red Sox (27% rostered)
Rafaela was a player I was throwing darts on in winter drafts, as I saw a path to playing time due to his ability to play both outfield and shortstop. With the season-ending injury to Trevor Story, this now looks like a prescient move. Rafaela quietly leads the Red Sox with 28 RBI despite a batting average hovering in the low .200s. The five home runs and seven stolen bases have helped teams as well. Rafaela looks to be getting more comfortable with the bat, hitting an improved .241 this month with three homers and 11 RBI. Grab him while you can and enjoy a productive player with two-position eligibility.
Nick Gonzales, Pittsburgh Pirates (18% rostered)
Gonzales has played well this month for the Pirates and is an afterthought in most leagues. However, he's been productive. In 65 plate appearances this month, Gonzales has hit. 286 with two home runs, 14 RBI, two stolen bases, and eight runs scored. He has been hitting sixth in a decent Pirates lineup, giving him ample opportunity to knock runs in right now. Ride this while it lasts, and realize Gonzales has both second base and shortstop eligibility on Yahoo.
Davis Schneider, Toronto Blue Jays (22% rostered)
Schneider continues to surprise people with his production, but this isn't new for him. He's batting leadoff atop a good Blue Jays lineup, no matter what the statistics say about them underachieving. Schneider has 27 RBI on the season and is among the league leaders in doubles with 13. Ten of those runs batted in have come in the last week. He also has eligibility at second base and outfield, and daily at-bats are his for the taking. Schneider should be rostered in far more leagues. Check out his month of May below:
Also consider: Jake Bauers (MIL), Jose Miranda (MIN), Yasmani Grandal (PIT)
Stolen Bases (SB) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters
Ryan Bliss, Seattle Mariners (1% rostered)
Bliss was just recalled from AAA due to the injury to Jorge Polanco. One thing Bliss can do if he plays: steal bases. He has 28 of them already in AAA. With no one seemingly pressing on him for playing time at the keystone, look for Bliss to be running if he gets the playing time. This is a speculative pick at its finest.
Jorge Mateo, Baltimore Orioles (7% rostered)
Playing time is not always a friend to Mateo, but when he plays, he runs and steals bases. He's on pace for 30 stolen bases despite the downturn in playing time. Mateo won't help in most places because he struggles with the bat, but could get you a handful of steals each week even in limited playing time. He has 10 stolen bases at this point.
David Hamilton, Boston Red Sox (rostered in 1% of leagues)
It might seem odd to include a guy in a short-sided platoon, but when Hamilton plays in Boston, he runs. He has seven stolen bases this season, five in the month of May in only 46 plate appearances. The .310 batting average this month helps, although he will not help much in other counting categories. But if you are desperate for speed, Hamilton could help.
Also consider: Tommy Pham (CWS), Isiah Kiner-Falefa (TOR), Dylan Moore (SEA)
Batting Average (AVG) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters
Patrick Bailey, San Francisco Giants (17% rostered)
Bailey was a recommended addition in two-catcher leagues, but he's making a valid argument that he should be rostered in single-catcher leagues. Bailey is hitting .299 right now despite two stays on the concussion IL. His xBA is actually .312. Note the defensive prowess means he's going to be in the lineup most days behind the plate and the Statcast is that deep red we love to see. There might not be a lot of power here, but he's not a total zero in the category with four home runs already. Take a look for yourself below. This is a skill set worth rostering.
Masyn Winn, St. Louis Cardinals (20% rostered)
Winn has been a solid player up the middle for a struggling Cardinals team. Winn is hitting .297 on the season and playing daily for the Cardinals. His strength defensively and speed on the bases virtually assures him of playing time. He should be rostered in far more leagues.
Wilyer Abreu, Boston Red Sox (46% rostered)
Abreu has been seeing regular playing time in Boston and has quietly put up good numbers. Abreu hits the ball hard and despite the lack of xBA love, he's hitting a robust .284. His defense is strong, which means he will continue to get at-bats in Boston. He's 24 and worth rostering to see what he can be.
Also consider: Brett Wisely (SF), Colt Keith (DET), Alex Kirilloff (MIN)
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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