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Below are my top MLB hitter streamer options for Week 16 of fantasy baseball after taking off the short three game week. All players listed here are 50% owned or less in Yahoo leagues and play seven 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. It can also help to mitigate the damage done by underperformers. 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.
Top Hitter Streamers
1. Randal Grichuk, OF, Cardinals
(3 vs CIN, 4 vs COL) – 40% owned
Grichuk returns to the list as a top option this week, after continuing to flash the power that his minor league numbers suggested. As previously noted in this space, Grichuk's home run total rose each year in the minors from 2012-14 (20, 22, 25), despite playing fewer games and moving up a level each year (150 in R/A+, 128 in AA, 108 in AAA). He has taken a ball out of the yard once in every six contests, which is a 27-homer pace over a whole season, while hitting .283. While his average is likely to decline, he is the number one option this week due to talent and favorable matchups.
(3 @ CLEt, 4 @ TOR) 48% owned
After a slow start to the year, including a lengthy stint on the DL, Rios has finally put it together. In 19 July games, he is hitting .348 with four steals and a homer. While the power isn't likely to return to the days of 20+ home runs, playing four games in Toronto with favorable pitching matchups offers Rios a reasonable opportunity to leave the yard. Even if he doesn't knock any dingers, he'll probably hit for average. Always a threat to steal a base score some runs, Rios comes in as a solid number two option for Week 17.
3. Jean Segura, SS, Brewers
(3 @ SF, 4 vs CHC) – 48% owned
If you need a shortstop or simply a middle infielder this week, Segura could fill that hole. In Segura's first full season in the majors (2013), he caught the baseball world a bit by surprise with 12 homers, 44 steals, and a .293 average. After struggling a bit last year (.246, 5 homers, 20 steals), he has bounced back a bit with a .275 average, 4 homers, and 14 steals in 80 games. With four games at home in a hitters' park, Segura presents a nice middle infield streaming option this week.
4. Carlos Beltran, OF, Yankees
(4 @ TEX, 3 @ CHW) – 24% owned
Before a stint on the disabled list, Beltran had regained his stroke. In May and June, he posted OPS marks of .816 and .865, respectively. While he has struggled since coming back, I am gambling on Beltran's talent in a couple of solid hitters' parks to lead to a good week.
5. Marlon Byrd, OF, Reds
(4 vs PITT, 3 @ STL) – 42% owned
After two consecutive weeks atop the streaming options, Byrd falls to fifth in this week's rankings. After a horrid April, Byrd's OPS for the following three months has been .934, .879, .844. He will face some tough pitchers this week, but his numbers are too good not to consider as a streaming option.
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