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

2014 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.

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3) Oscar Taveras - (OF), Cardinals

2014 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

2014 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.