X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

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
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

5 Undervalued Hitters and Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds (Week 16) - Players Who Are Underowned

Otto Lopez - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

Five fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups, sleepers, and trade targets for Week 16 -- undervalued hitters outperforming their rostership and should be more widely owned.

Looking to gain an edge in your fantasy baseball league without burning through trade capital? Sometimes, the most valuable moves come from under-the-radar waiver wire additions.

We've identified five hitters who are quietly producing and deserve a closer look. Kyle Stowers is flashing legit power upside, Jurickson Profar continues to be a versatile contributor, Otto Lopez is heating up with everyday at-bats, Chandler Simpson brings game-changing speed, and Colt Keith is starting to show signs of a breakout.

Here’s why each of these undervalued bats could help give your lineup a boost.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Kyle Stowers, OF, Miami Marlins

58% rostered

Stowers ended his great first half with a bang, as he launched three home runs against his former team, the Baltimore Orioles, in an 11-1 rout on July 13. His trio of homers brought his total on the year to 19, along with 13 doubles, three triples, 54 RBI, and a .911 OPS across 91 games this season. He's accrued 2.9 fWAR en route to his first All-Star selection.

Although Stowers endured a 31-game homer drought, slashing a meager .228/.291/.297 with only five RBI, the 27-year-old has been mostly consistent for the Marlins. He has easily been their best hitter, producing a 149 OPS+, 151 wRC+, and .389 wOBA. His 91.7 average exit velocity ranks in the 83rd percentile, with his hard hit percentage and barrel rate placing in the 94th and 98th percentiles, respectively.

His underlying numbers support his breakout campaign. He boasts an expected batting average of .284 and an expected slugging percentage of .567. However, Stowers flounders with strikeouts, fanning 97 times in 346 plate appearances, with a 33.3% whiff rate and 28% K rate. He balances this out with a decent walk percentage (9.8%) and by limiting his chase rate (29.3%).

 

Jurickson Profar, OF, Atlanta Braves

51% rostered

In his last game before the All-Star break, Profar went 3-for-5 with a run and an RBI in a 5-4 loss against the St. Louis Cardinals. This brought his season average to .270, albeit from a small sample size, as he was reinstated from an 80-game PED-related suspension on July 2. Overall, he has three homers, eight RBI, and a .757 OPS across 64 plate appearances.

At this point, the Braves will take anything they can get, as they enter the second half in fourth place in the National League East at 42-53. Atlanta's .243 average ranks 21st in the league, its .703 OPS is 20th, and its 105 home runs are tied for 14th. It's a far cry from two seasons ago when they led the league in each of those categories. Now, Matt Olson's 17 home runs lead the team at the half.

With a playoff spot likely out of the picture, the Braves' focus in the second half should be to salvage their season the best they can, i.e., avoid finishing in last place (yes, that is an actual possibility!) or perhaps reach a .500 record. If that is to happen, Profar must have a second half similar to his All-Star season in 2024, when the switch-hitter hit a career-high 24 home runs and 85 RBI, and earned a Silver Slugger Award.

 

Otto Lopez, 2B/SS, Miami Marlins

39% rostered

Over his last seven games, Lopez has slashed .259/.310/.481 with a pair of home runs, four RBI, two walks, and a stolen base. His 11 homers, 48 RBI, and 29 walks have already eclipsed his 2024 totals in a little over 30 fewer games and plate appearances. Lopez is halfway to overtaking his stolen base total as well, with 10 at the All-Star break. Through 79 games this year, Lopez is batting .250 with a .712 OPS.

Despite making his MLB debut in August 2021, the 26-year-old didn't exceed rookie limits until last season, when he appeared in 117 games. He was initially signed by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2016 and was designated by the club in February 2024. Lopez was then briefly with the San Francisco Giants before being picked up by the Marlins on waivers, where he's been since April 2024.

It's been a long journey for Lopez, but he's still under 30 and only has 205 MLB games under his belt. He possesses the tools necessary for success in this league, including speed, power, and plate discipline. Lopez's 13.7% strikeout rate is in the 90th percentile, while his whiff percentage is in the 81st. While he isn't hitting the ball too hard, he has an xBA of .291 as well as an xwOBA of .361, which places in the 91st and 80th percentiles in MLB, respectively. Now that Lopez has stuck with a ball club for an extended time, he's been able to utilize those abilities fully.

 

Chandler Simpson, OF, Tampa Bay Rays

36% rostered

Simpson, a 2022 second-round draft pick of the Rays, has lived up to expectations since making his debut on April 19. The Georgia Tech product has quickly carved out a role for himself with his elite speed and disruptive presence on the basepaths. True to his scouting report, Simpson consistently finds his way on base and is a constant threat to steal. So far in the 2025 season, the rookie is batting an impressive .308 with a solid on-base percentage of .340. Even more notable is his performance on the bases -- he’s successfully stolen 26 bags in 32 attempts.

What makes Simpson especially valuable is how his speed not only impacts stolen base totals but also alters the rhythm and confidence of opposing defenses. Infielders often feel the pressure when he is at the plate, frequently rushing their throws on even routine grounders, which has resulted in a surprising number of infield singles for the young outfielder. His ability to beat out plays that most runners wouldn’t even challenge makes him a unique offensive weapon and a headache for pitchers and defenders.

While Simpson provides plenty of excitement with his legs and contact skills, he isn’t likely to offer much power. The 24-year-old has just one professional home run across more than 1,300 plate appearances spanning the minors and majors. Still, with his speed, on-base ability, and baseball IQ, Simpson is proving to be a valuable piece of the Rays’ lineup -- and someone who can impact the game in ways that don’t always show up in traditional statistics.

 

Colt Keith, 1B/2B/3B, Detroit Tigers

32% rostered

The Tigers demonstrated their confidence in Keith heading into the 2024 season, signing him to a six-year contract extension worth just over $28 million before he had even played a single game at the major league level. Ranked as Detroit’s No. 2 overall prospect at the time, Keith was immediately thrust into a key role, serving as the Tigers’ primary second baseman for most of his rookie campaign. Despite an uneven start at the plate, he managed to find his rhythm as the season progressed.

Now in his sophomore season, Keith has become a key contributor on a first-place Tigers squad that exceeded expectations. Through the All-Star break, he’s slashing .264/.346/.434, a clear sign of his continued development and growing confidence at the plate. Notably, he has already surpassed his total number of doubles from last season, recording 16 through mid-July, compared to 15 for the entire year last year.

Although Keith endured a sluggish April, he’s turned things around in dramatic fashion. July has been the best month of his young career, batting .359 with an OPS of 1.047, showcasing his ability to drive the ball with authority while maintaining solid plate discipline. His hot streak has played a crucial role in keeping the Tigers at the top of the standings.

More Fantasy Baseball Advice



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!






POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

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

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Dameon Pierce

Ahead of Schedule, Ready for Season
Jordan Love

May Wear Thumb Brace During Season
Chicago Bears

Bears HC Admits Offense Could Face Learning Curve
Matt Chapman

Leaves Early on Sunday, Expects to Play Monday
A.J. Brown

Says He'll Be Active For Season Opener
Luis Garcia

to Make Season Debut on Monday
Max Scherzer

Exits Due to Back Tightness
Taylor Ward

Exits Early After Collison
Braelon Allen

Says He Has a Lot Left to Prove
Sal Stewart

Reds Promoting Sal Stewart to Majors
Daniel Suarez

is A DFS Risk for Darlington Lineups?
Randy Rodríguez

Randy Rodriguez to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Noah Gragson

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Noah Gragson for Darlington?
Ty Dillon

is an Excellent Punt Option for Darlington DFS Lineups
Bogdan Bogdanović

Bogdan Bogdanovic to Miss the Rest of EuroBasket
Denny Hamlin

Picking Up Where He Left Off At Darlington
Kyle Larson

The Sky Is The Limit for Kyle Larson at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

a Strong DFS Play at Darlington This Weekend
Tyler Reddick

Shouldn't Be Overlooked at Darlington This Weekend
Alex Bowman

An Easy Place-Differential Play in DFS This Weekend
Ty Gibbs

Could Be Strong at Darlington This Weekend
Erik Jones

Has Best Darlington Qualifying Effort Since Last Win
Zane Smith

Hopeful For Another Solid Run At Darlington
AJ Allmendinger

Still Seeking First Top-10 Finish at Darlington
Chase Elliott

Likely Won't Factor for the Win at Darlington
Joey Logano

Might Focus More on Playoff Races
Chris Buescher

Missing Playoffs Allows Chris Buescher to Potentially Go All Out at Darlington
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Qualifies Too Well for DFS Consideration
Austin Dillon

Earns Best Qualifying Result at Darlington
Kyle Busch

Downturn in Speed This Year Makes Him a Worse DFS Option
Carson Hocevar

Should Run Better at Darlington Than the Numbers Predict
Ryan Preece

a Low-key Strong DFS Option at Darlington After His Speed in the Spring
Michael McDowell

Don't Expect Much From Michael McDowell
Aroldis Chapman

Agrees to Contract Extension
Juan Soto

Homers Twice in Loss
Nick Kurtz

Avoids Serious Injury
MacKenzie Gore

Placed on 15-Day Injured List
Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Reaches 25-Homer, 25-Steal Milestone
Chris Sale

Activated on Saturday
Dansby Swanson

Homers Twice, Drives in Six in Win
Nick Kurtz

Leaves Game With Oblique Soreness
Joe Burrow

Bengals Feel Joe Burrow Just had "the Best Training Camp of his Career"
Randy Rodríguez

Tommy John Surgery Recommended for Randy Rodriguez
Corey Seager

Placed on Injured List
Jackson Chourio

to Return From Injured List on Saturday
Jordan Lawlar

Diamondbacks Set to Promote Jordan Lawlar
Dallas Mavericks

Olivier-Maxence Prosper Waived by the Mavs
Lauri Markkanen

Dominant in Win Over Great Britain
Xander Bogaerts

Suffers Foot Fracture, Set to Hit Injured List
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Leads Serbia to a Win
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Shines Versus Portugal
De'Von Achane

Should be Ready for Week 1
Jose Alvarado

"Good" After Recent Fall
Alec Burleson

Lands on Injured List With Wrist Inflammation
Emmanuel Clase

Luis L. Ortiz to Remain On Leave for Rest of Season
Green Bay Packers

Packers Acquire Micah Parsons, Sign him to Four-Year Extension
Jauan Jennings

Remains Sidelined at Practice
Chris Godwin

to Miss First Month of Season, Possibly More
Quinshon Judkins

Not Considering Return to College
A.J. Brown

Returns to Practice, Expected to Play in Week 1
Jaylen Wright

Undergoes Surgery, Could be Back "Septemberish"
Tyreek Hill

on Track to Play in Week 1
Kyren Williams

to See Reduced Workload?
Jayden Reed

Dealing with Jones Fracture in Left Foot
Lauri Markkanen

Torches Sweden
Neemias Queta

Dominates in EuroBasket Opener
Kawhi Leonard

Clippers Not Allowing Kawhi Leonard to Play Back-to-Backs
Dallas Mavericks

Mavericks Looking to Trade Olivier-Maxence Prosper
Tyrese Haliburton

Expects to Return in 15 Months
Malik Nabers

Expected to be Full-Go for Week 1
Travis Hunter

Back at Practice, Will be Ready for Week 1
De'Von Achane

Not Practicing on Wednesday
Rashee Rice

Accepting Six-Game Suspension to Begin the Year
Kyle Hamilton

Ravens, Kyle Hamilton Finalizing Four-Year Extension
Terance Mann

Confident About Having a Big Year in Brooklyn
Zaccharie Risacher

Aims to Improve Ball-Handling Skills
NBA

Pistons And Timberwolves Join Race for Malik Beasley
John Tonje

Signs Two-Way Deal With Jazz
Max Strus

to Miss 3-4 Months After Surgery
Nikola Jović

Heat Have High Hopes for Nikola Jovic
Golden State Warriors

Cody Martin Drawing Interest From Warriors
Minnesota Timberwolves

Timberwolves Interested in Reunion With Bones Hyland
Kylor Kelley

Joins Lakers
Colin Castleton

Links Up With Magic

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP