Whether it’s because of an injury or poor performance, there are always opportunities to stream players off the waiver wire. The best players to stream are those who are under-owned and face appealing match-ups for the upcoming week.

Here are five players who are readily available in Fleaflicker leagues and have attractive match-ups during the ninth week of the season.

Editor’s Note: to read about even more waiver wire options, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list which is a running list that is updated daily. Prefer using your phone? Our free waiver wire app is available for download in the Apple & Android Stores.

 

Top Hitter Streamers for Week 9

Jorge Soler (CHC, OF) - 50% Fleaflicker

Soler had a rough go of it in his first full year in 2015, and was expected to take on a platoon role, at best, heading into 2016. However, an ACL injury to Kyle Schwarber provided Soler with another opportunity to grow. Still just 24, the Cuban outfielder began the year with a .174 AVG over his first 86 AB, but has shown great strides over his last nine games, going 9-for-26 with three home runs, eight runs scored and six RBI. Soler now holds a .214/.308/.384 slash line on the year.

In the ninth week of the season, the Cubs host the Dodgers and Giants, drawing at least three lefties— Alex Wood, Scott Kazmir and Patrick Corbin, all of whom have good stuff but are vulnerable to the longball at the bats of right-handers. Soler should have a good opportunity to continue his hot streak, and fantasy owners shouldn’t miss out on a potential power surge.

Wilson Ramos (WAS, C) - 33% Fleaflicker

In a season where Yasmani Grandal, Derek Norris, Yan Gomes and Russell Martin are hitting below .200 and Buster Posey is having the worst season of his career, Ramos has enjoyed a terrific first couple of months. The Nationals’ backstop is hitting .333/.376/.515 with five home runs and 21 RBI in 132 AB. He is hitting over .300 against both righties and lefties, and has been particularly hot in May— .347/.410/.533 with three homers and 13 RBI.

The Nationals have two favorable match-ups this week, against the Phillies and the Reds. Scheduled to pitch for those teams are Jeremy Hellickson, Aaron Nola, Adam Morgan, Brandon Finnegan, Jon Moscot and Dan Straily. Of that group, only Hellickson and Straily have logged at least 150 career innings. Morgan and Finnegan are young lefties, so a professional hitter like Ramos should have no problem teeing off against them. Considering how weak the catcher pool has been this year, it is hard to understand why Ramos is available in so many leagues, but even if you don’t stick with him long-term, he is worth an add for the upcoming week.

Stephen Vogt (OAK, C/1B) - 29% Fleaflicker

Vogt hasn’t quite broken out the way many fantasy owners had hoped, but he has still shown flashes. He has hit just .252/.291/.388 through 147 AB, but that line shows .267/.302/.417 against right-handers (.268/.353/.479 vs. RHP in 2015). Vogt still has 20-HR potential, and he can explode for a big power stretch at any time.

The A’s will see Ervin Santana, Tyler Duffey, Pat Dean, Doug Fister, Collin McHugh and Lance McCullers this week. Dean, who has 14 career innings under his belt, is the only lefty of the group, and of the five righties, only Duffey (3.93) has a sub-4.00 ERA. A string of very hittable right-handed pitchers could be good for a struggling lefty. Fantasy owners without a solid, reliable catcher should look at Vogt for some production this week.

Logan Morrison (TB, 1B) - 5% Fleaflicker

Morrison was arguably the worst hitter in baseball over the first month of the season, but has been one of the hottest over the last two weeks. Over his last 10 games played, Morrison is 16-for-31 with three home runs, two stolen bases, eight runs scored and 10 RBI. While his .226/.321/.322 slash line is still pretty repulsive, it is miles better than it was earlier in May. All of his power has come against righties throughout his career — 26.2 AB/HR vs. RHP, 50.3 AB/HR vs. LHP — and as he heats up, the home runs will continue to accumulate.

With six mediocre right-handed pitchers — Ian Kennedy, Dillon Gee, Phil Hughes, Ricky Nolasco, Ervin Santana and Tyler Duffey — on the schedule for this upcoming week, that power boost could come sooner rather than later for Morrison. He is not the most appealing long-term option, especially at a deep first base position, but in AL-Only leagues or mixed leagues with a corner infield spot, he needs to be rostered during this hot streak.

Hyun Soo Kim (BAL, OF) - 2% Fleaflicker

Kim was expected to be one of the Orioles’ everyday outfielders, but a poor showing in spring training cost him a major role. He started in left field on both Wednesday and Thursday, with Joey Rickard and Nolan Reimold each taking one start in right. Going forward, the three of them are likely to rotate, with Kim — the only left-hander of the bunch —  playing a good number of games against right-handers. The 28-year-old rookie from Korea is hitting .444/.512/.528 with four runs scored and two RBI in 36 AB, all of which have come against righties.

This week, the Orioles face six righties — Steven Wright, Clay Buchholz, Joe Kelly, Rick Porcello, Nathan Eovaldi and Ivan Nova —  before finishing against lefty CC Sabathia. While four of the six righties have an ERA below 4.00, none of them are dominant strikeout pitchers.

It’s hard to judge Kim based on such a small sample size, but the O’s could give him a shot in a platoon role. For a week in which he could finally see consistent playing time, fantasy owners in deep leagues should take a shot on a hitter as highly-touted as Kim.

 

Live Expert Q&A Chats - Every Weekday @ 1 PM and 6 PM EST (DFS)

Fantasy Baseball Chat Room

 

Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!