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Coming off wildly successful week 7 of hitter streaming options, below are my top MLB hitter streamer options for Week 8 of the fantasy baseball season. All players listed here are under 50% owned in fantasy leagues, and play seven or eight games this week.
Streaming hitters is a great way to increase production and fantasy stats off the waiver wire for your head-to-head matchups, or if you're dealing with some underperformers on your roster. Check back weekly for my favorite hitter streamers for the upcoming week.
Editor’s Note: RotoBaller’s fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups list is updated every single day. Our awesome writers bring you analysis on hot or emerging starting pitchers, and also all other fantasy positions. You can also download our waiver wire iPhone app for free, and easily stay updated.
1. Mike Napoli, 1B, Red Sox
(3 @ Minnesota, 4 @ Texas) - 44% owned
Napoli is a streaky hitter, and after an ice cold start, he swatted four homers last week. Despite normally missing a chunk of games, Napoli has averaged 31 homers per 162 games for his career. While he has struggled this year, he has the second lowest strikeout rate of his career, and has been plagued by a .204 BABIP - .100 points below his career average. I am betting on luck finally starting to return to his side, as he returns to his old stomping grounds in Texas for four games.
2. Billy Burns, OF, Athletics
(3 vs Detroit, 4 vs NYY) - 3% owned
Billy Burns is a pure speed play. He swiped five bases this past week. Over the past two years in the minors, he stole 128 bags. While there are questions about how well he'll be able to get on base, he has not yet shown problems (.341). With his elite speed, he could win you the steals category almost by himself.
3. Jung-ho Kang, SS/3B, Pirates
(3 vs. Miami, 4 @ San Deigo) - 19% owned
When Kang signed, there were questions about how his numbers in the KBO - league-leading 40 homers and 1.198 OPS last year - would translate to the majors. After a slow start to spring training, and sparse playing time to start the year, Kang has started to see the field regularly. And he has responded, hitting over .300, with two homers and three steals. In 62 May at bats, he has hit .323, with both homers and two of his stolen bases. Despite average pitching matchups and less than ideal park factors, Kang is an add to start this week and hold as part of your roster.
4. Delino Deshields Jr., OF, Rangers
(3 @ Cleveland, 4 vs Boston) - 27% owned
Deshields is another speed play. In 2012, he swiped 109 bases in the minors. He stole over 50 in both 2013 and 2014. In May, he has already stolen 9 bases, which is assisted by him drawing walks at over a 17% clip. Deshields can also hit the occasional long ball, with 28 from 2012-2014 in the minors. If Burns is gone and you need stolen bases, Deshields is your next best bet.
5. Steve Pearce, 1B/2B/OF, Orioles
(3 vs. HOU, 2 vs CHW, 3 vs. TB) - 30% owned
Off the bat, I'll admit this is part wishful thinking and part based on my love for the Orioles. But there is some reasoning behind it too. The Orioles will play eight games this week, all at home. Pearce should play most of those games - whether it be at first base, second base or in the outfield - after sitting over the weekend so that Jimmy Paredes' bat could remain in the lineup with no DH. Pearce's strikeout rates are in line with his career numbers, but he has suffered from a poor BABIP. After a strong first week, Pearce slumped until showing signs of life recently. This is a bet on him breaking out a bit this week, despite poor pitching matchups.
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