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Below are my top MLB hitter streamer options for Week 19 of fantasy baseball. All players listed here are 50% owned or less in Yahoo leagues and play seven games this week. There is a shallow crop of streamers this week as only seven teams play seven games.
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 for Week 19
1. Ben Paulsen, 1B, Rockies
(4 @ NYM, 3 vs SD) – 11% owned
Paulsen is a risky play, but this is a shallow crop of streams. Let's start with the bad news. Paulsen has to face the Mets' three young studs - Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, and Noah Syndergaard. Now onto the good news. The Rockies face six righties this week, and Paulsen has a .893 OPS vs RHP. The Rockies get to play a home series against the relatively softer pitching matchups, and Paulsen has a .981 OPS in Coors. Overall, in a shallow week, we have a young lefty slugger who has a .846 OPS and gets to face six righties and play a series at Coors. For these reasons, he is the number one option this despite facing some tough pitchers.
2. Wilmer Flores, 2B/SS, Mets
(4 vs COL, 3 vs PIT) 12% owned
Flores is still on the Mets, despite the infamous Carlos Gomez scare. While he hasn't quite lived up to the hype this year, he's still had his uses for fantasy owners. The Mets were able to beef up their lineup at the deadline, adding Yoenis Cespedes, Juan Uribe, and Kelly Johnson. Michael Cuddyer is on his way back. The lineup is looking strong, and the pitching they face this week is extremely weak relative to the pitching matchups the other seven-game teams are facing. The only downside is that the Mets face five righties. Flores has an .877 OPS vs LHP (as opposed to .623 vs RHP). Flores' significant splits, the pitching matchups he will face, the strengthened lineup, and him playing at a position where good hitters are scarce all combine to make him the number two option this week.
(3 vs DET, 4 vs LAA) – 41% owned
In contrast to the unproven hitters on the rise, Rios is a proven hitter on the decline. He has not had a good year, posting a .600 OPS and being limited to 64 games due to injury. But he is coming off a solid July, where he hit .297 with 4 steals. He will play seven games at home, where his OPS is 170 points higher. And he has a good track record. In a shallow week, where he is facing decent pitching matchups, he is worth a shot if you need average, stolen bases, and runs. Do not expect anything in the HR or RBI department.
4. Travis d'Arnaud, C, Mets
(4 vs COL, 3 vs PIT) – 32% owned
d'Arnaud is a 26-year-old catcher who has shown signs of breaking out over the past two years. This season, he has been limited to 25 games due to injury. He is healthy now and sporting a .788 OPS. As with Flores, he is facing weak pitching matchups in a strengthened lineup. After dominating the minors recently, posting a .718 OPS last year and a .788 OPS so far this year, d'Arnaud is the best catching option this week.
5. Marlon Byrd, OF, Reds
(3 @ SD, 4 @ LAD) – 42% owned
Byrd is on the list purely due to his hitting ability. His matchups do not favor him this week. He faces five righties, and he has a .716 OPS vs RHP as opposed to .900 OPS vs LHP this year. He also will play all seven games on the road, where he has a .693 OPS as opposed to his .809 home OPS. His pitching matchups are so-so talentwise. Overall, Byrd is hitting .244 on the season despite a BABIP 50 points below his career norm. And he has 18 homers despite only playing 86 games to date. For these reasons, he is still worth a stream if the other options are unavailable.
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