X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Join the Best Live Fantasy Chat Community!

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Top 5 Hitter Streamers For Week 19: Waiver Wire Targets

 

The trade deadline has officially passed, and I for one must say it was a week to remember, to be sure. Lester is now an Oakland Athletic, David Price is now a Tiger, and somehow the former MVP candidate Allen Craig has found his way onto the Red Sox. Most importantly for fantasy owners, the trade deadline has opened up playing time for many of the prospects we covet as fantasy owners (hint: one such prospect will show up big among this week's streamers).

Trade deadline season or not, though, my fantasy column remains the same. As always, I'll be breaking down the top free agent sleepers that I think could make an impact in next week's games. All these sleeper hitters are owned in fewer than 50% of fantasy leagues, and I've tried to highlight a variety of positions so as to help as many fantasy owners as possible. If you're looking to make a push as we approach the tail end of the season, these are sleepers who I think you should definitely give a long, hard look at.

 

1) Josh Reddick - (OF), Athletics

By Keith Allison on Flickr (Original version) UCinternational (Crop) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons2014 Stats: .243 BA, 28 Runs, 6 HR, 28 RBI, 1 SB

Ownership: 24.4% (ESPN)

Schedule: Rays, Twins

Games Scheduled: 7

Ever since Reddick came of the DL, he's been tearing the cover off the ball, hitting an impressive .320 with two home runs, four runs scored, and four RBI over the past seven days. It's been a rough year and a half for Reddick, but if he's finally 100% healthy, I think he's still capable of being the same guy who hit 32 home runs for the A's back in 2012. Toss in the fact that he plays for one of the few teams with a full seven games next week, and you have a very attractive option. If you're looking for a cheap source of power after the trade deadline, I'd say Reddick is your guy.

 

2) Josh Rutledge - (2B/ SS), Rockies

2014 Stats: .305 BA, 24 Runs, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 0 SB

Ownership: 23.8% (ESPN)

Schedule: Cubs, (at) Dbacks 

Games Scheduled: 6

Rutledge proved to be a bad call last week, but not because of reasons I could have foreseen. He ended up missing several games with an upper respiratory infection, but now that he's fully healthy, I'm more than comfortable suggesting him for a pickup once again. He still has that power/speed combo that initially sparked my interest. The fact that he'll play a series against the terrible Cubs in Coors Field doesn't hurt his cause either. He's more than capable of making an impact at 2B/SS next week.

'

3) Oscar Taveras - (OF), Cardinals

fantasy-baseball-advice-oscar-taveras2014 Stats: .210 BA, 7 Runs, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 0 SB

Ownership: 12.9% (ESPN)

Schedule: Red Sox, (at) Orioles

Games Scheduled: 6

My pick of Taveras here is a clear upside play. While he may not have showed much at the major league level so far, with Allen Craig dealt to the Red Sox, Taveras has an open path to everyday at-bats with the Cardinals for the first time in his career. Frankly, from a pure talent perspective, there are few rookie hitters with more to offer than Taveras. He's risky, of course, and since he could very well hit .230 with no power next week, if you're an owner on the bubble of contention, Taveras might not be the right move. On the other hand, if you're someone with a lot of ground to make up I'd definitely take a chance on the youngster.  Since being given everyday at-bats, he's already hit one home run. I'd like to think that it's the sign of more to come.

 

4) Grady Sizemore - (OF), Phillies

2014 Stats: .244 BA, 23 Runs, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 6 SB

Ownership: 6.3% (ESPN)

Schedule: Reds, (at) Reds, (at) Yankees

Games Scheduled: 7

This latest incarnation of Grady Sizemore has proved to be an incredibly streaky player. The good news is that he's in the middle of one of his best streaks so far this season. In the 61 total at-bats he's gotten this July, he's hit .359, including .310 with a home run over his sizzling last seven days. While no one should expect this kind of a streak to last, Sizemore is a good play while his bat is still hot, especially since he'll be playing in two excellent hitters parks when he faces the Yankees and Reds next week.

 

5) Jedd Gyorko (2B), Padres

Jedd Gyorko2014 Stats: .183 BA, 16 Runs, 7 HR, 30 RBI, 2 SB

Ownership: 21.1% (ESPN)

Schedule: (at) Twins, (at) Pirates

Games Scheduled: 5

I hesitated before suggesting Gyorko on this list for two reasons. First of all, unlike many of the other players I've discussed, he'll only play five games next week, giving him far fewer at-bats with which to make a difference in than his competitors. Second of all, Gyorko's struggles were quite pronounced earlier this year, which I'm sure his fantasy owners remember all too well.

That said, I believe there are reasons for optimism over the next week. Reports out of the Padres suggest that Gyorko is finally 100% healthy for the first time this season. For a hitter who derives so much of his power from his lower half, it is easy to see why a foot injury might have resulted in what we all witnessed in the preceding months. This is further supported by how well Gyorko has performed since coming off the DL. Since rejoining the team, Gyorko has hit .500 with two home runs, numbers any fantasy owner would love to have. Considering his skillset and the fact that he plays a premium position, I think Gyorko is worth the risk, even given his limited schedule.  He simply has too much upside to pass up right now.

 




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Adonai Mitchell18 mins ago

Colts Snag Adonai Mitchell At No. 52
Jonathon Brooks38 mins ago

Panthers Trade Up To Select Jonathon Brooks
New Orleans Saints49 mins ago

Saints Take Kool-Aid McKinstry At No. 41
Delon Wright1 hour ago

Questionable For Game 3
Daniel Gafford2 hours ago

Will Play In Game 3
Keon Coleman2 hours ago

Bills Select Keon Coleman At Pick 33
Vaughn Grissom2 hours ago

Could Be Activated On Tuesday
Kawhi Leonard2 hours ago

Available On Friday Evening
Anthony Rendon2 hours ago

Dealing With Partial Hamstring Tear
Terry Rozier2 hours ago

Out Again For Game 3
Giancarlo Stanton2 hours ago

Absent On Friday
Jackson Merrill2 hours ago

Remains Out On Friday
Manny Machado2 hours ago

Returning On Friday
Josh Lowe2 hours ago

Appears Ready To Return
Deebo Samuel3 hours ago

Bills, Patriots Unlikely To Trade For Deebo Samuel
Nicolas Hague3 hours ago

Not Ready To Return On Saturday
Justus Annunen3 hours ago

Available On Friday
Ricky Tiedemann3 hours ago

Hoping To Throw In 7-10 Days
Luis Robert Jr.3 hours ago

Could Be Back By Mid-May
Rasmus Sandin3 hours ago

A Game-Time Call Friday
Walker Buehler3 hours ago

To Make Another Rehab Start Tuesday
Nick Jensen3 hours ago

Could Be Back In Action Friday
Ivan Miroshnichenko4 hours ago

Makes Stanley Cup Playoffs Debut
Wade Miley4 hours ago

Needs Tommy John Surgery
Sonny Milano4 hours ago

Ready For Action
Khris Middleton4 hours ago

Upgraded To Active For Game 3
NYR4 hours ago

Alex Wennberg Good To Go Friday
Grayson Allen4 hours ago

Remains Questionable For Game 3
Kyle Anderson4 hours ago

Tagged As Questionable For Game 3
Tennessee Titans4 hours ago

JC Latham To Play Left Tackle For Tennessee
Giannis Antetokounmpo4 hours ago

Ruled Out For Game 3
Matthew Stafford4 hours ago

Seeking Reworked Contract
Masyn Winn5 hours ago

Getting A Breather
Triston Casas5 hours ago

Has Torn Rib Cartilage
Kodai Senga5 hours ago

To Face Hitters On Monday
J.D. Martinez5 hours ago

Hitting Fifth In Mets Debut
Jesús Luzardo5 hours ago

Marlins Put Jesus Luzardo On Injured List
Deebo Samuel6 hours ago

Bills Have Interest In Trading For Deebo Samuel
Jacoby Brissett7 hours ago

Drake Maye To Compete With Jacoby Brissett
Tommy Pham7 hours ago

Selected From Triple-A
Jonathon Brooks7 hours ago

Cowboys High On Jonathon Brooks
Ezekiel Elliott7 hours ago

Reunion With Cowboys Is Imminent
Deebo Samuel7 hours ago

Patriots Discussed Trading For Deebo Samuel Prior To Draft
Jackson Holliday7 hours ago

Sent Back To Minors
Alex Perez8 hours ago

In Dire Need Of Victory
Matheus Nicolau8 hours ago

Returns To Action At UFC Vegas 91
J.D. Martinez8 hours ago

To Be Eased Into Lineup
Ariane Lipski8 hours ago

Looks To Extend Her Win Streak
Karine Silva8 hours ago

Looks For Ninth Victory In A Row
David Onama8 hours ago

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 91
Jonathan Pearce8 hours ago

Looks To Get Back In Win Column
Yu Darvish9 hours ago

Throws Side Session
Donovan Mitchell9 hours ago

Struggles In Game 3
Jesús Luzardo9 hours ago

Jesus Luzardo Scratched With Elbow Discomfort
Ozzie Albies9 hours ago

Back From Injured List
Paolo Banchero9 hours ago

Dominates In Game 3
Anthony Davis9 hours ago

Leads All Scorers In Game 3 Loss
Nikola Jokic10 hours ago

Just One Assist Shy Of Triple-Double In Game 3
Aaron Gordon10 hours ago

Posts Big Double-Double
Tyler Myers10 hours ago

On Track To Return Friday
Jesper Fast10 hours ago

Unlikely To Feature In The Playoffs
Matthew Tkachuk10 hours ago

Bags Two Goals In Game 3 Victory
Steven Stamkos10 hours ago

Scores Third Postseason Goal
Ilya Sorokin11 hours ago

Lasts 27 Minutes In Game 3
Frederik Andersen11 hours ago

Stops 29 Pucks In Another Win
Cincinnati Bengals21 hours ago

Bengals Have No Plans To Trade Trey Hendrickson
Justin Herbert21 hours ago

Patriots, Vikings Reached Out Regarding Justin Herbert
Deebo Samuel21 hours ago

Niners "More Likely" To Deal Deebo Samuel Than Brandon Aiyuk
Xavier Legette21 hours ago

Goes To Panthers To Close Out First Round
Ricky Pearsall21 hours ago

Niners Add To Receiver Room With Ricky Pearsall
Baltimore Ravens21 hours ago

Nate Wiggins Heading To Baltimore
Dallas Cowboys21 hours ago

Cowboys Select Tyler Guyton With 29th Pick
Mitchell Robinson21 hours ago

Injured Again On Thursday
Xavier Worthy21 hours ago

Chiefs Get Speed At Receiver In Xavier Worthy
Arizona Cardinals21 hours ago

Darius Robinson Goes To Cardinals At Pick No. 27
Jalen Brunson22 hours ago

Has Another Big Game
Tyrese Maxey22 hours ago

Helps Philly Take Game 3
Joel Embiid22 hours ago

Dominates In Game 3
Olivier-Maxence Prosper1 day ago

Won't Play In Game 3
Kawhi Leonard1 day ago

Questionable For Game 3
Stephen Curry1 day ago

Named Clutch Player Of The Year
Joel Embiid1 day ago

Good To Go Thursday
Sonny Milano1 day ago

Misses Practice On Thursday
Filip Chytil1 day ago

Joins Rangers For Trip To Washington
Jesper Fast1 day ago

Remains Out On Thursday
Matt Martin1 day ago

A Game-Time Call Thursday
Anton Lundell1 day ago

Takes Over As Second-Line Center Thursday
Ryan Lomberg1 day ago

Ruled Out For Game 3
Alex Vlasic1 day ago

Inks Six-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Kyle Okposo1 day ago

To Suit Up In Game 3
Uros Medic1 day ago

A Massive Favorite At UFC Vegas 91
Tim Means1 day ago

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 91
Austen Lane1 day ago

Searching For First UFC Win
Jhonata Diniz1 day ago

Making UFC Debut
Bogdan Guskov1 day ago

Gets Ranked Opponent At UFC Vegas 91
Ryan Spann1 day ago

Looks To Snap Losing Skid At UFC Vegas 91
Tyler Reddick4 days ago

Survives At Talladega For First Win Of 2024
Brad Keselowski4 days ago

Finishes Second At Talladega After Last-Lap Wreck
Anthony Alfredo4 days ago

Gets Best Finish For Beard Motorsports Since 2022
Todd Gilliland4 days ago

One Of The Strongest At Talladega
NASCAR5 days ago

Bubba Wallace Finishes 36th At Talladega Superspeedway
Kyle Larson5 days ago

Fails To Deliver Value In DFS At Talladega
NASCAR5 days ago

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Finishes Fourth At Talladega
Noah Gragson5 days ago

Surprisingly The Most Consistent Driver At Talladega
Shane Van Gisbergen5 days ago

Shane van Gisbergen Acquits Himself Nicely In Drafting Debut
Michael McDowell5 days ago

Ends Talladega Wrecked From The Lead
Alex Bowman5 days ago

Quietly Captures Top-Five Finish At Talladega
Daniel Hemric5 days ago

Surges To Ninth-Place Result At Talladega
Harrison Burton5 days ago

Squeezes Into Top 10 At Talladega
NASCAR5 days ago

Bubba Wallace Will Start 14th For the GEICO 500
Tyler Reddick5 days ago

Avoid Rostering Tyler Reddick At Talladega?
John Hunter Nemechek5 days ago

Should DFS Players Roster John Hunter Nemechek At Talladega?
Joey Logano5 days ago

Expect Joey Logano To Compete For The Win At Talladega
Denny Hamlin5 days ago

Is Denny Hamlin Recommended For Talladega?
Justin Haley5 days ago

Is A Top DFS Value At Talladega
William Byron5 days ago

Is One Of The Top Favorites To Win Talladega
Christopher Bell5 days ago

Is Best Suited As A Tournament Play At Talladega
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF