RADIO
Welcome back to my hitting streamers column for Week 13, taking a look at hitters to add or stream off the waiver wire for this week's scheduled games.
To keep things simple, I pick from players who are 50% owned or less and who play at least seven games in the week. If someone jumps off the page at me as a less than seven game player, I may make an exception, but otherwise the advantage in number of games dictates my choices.
Streaming can be a valuable tool, by allowing you to feast on favorable pitching matchups and simply have your hitters play more games than your opponents' hitters. If you have the roster space, streaming a hitter can be useful not only to fill a vacant lineup spot, but also to fill in for someone who has five games that week or faces tough matchups. In 5x5 leagues, four of the five hitting categories are counting stats, making the value of extra games significant. Streaming also can allow you to target a specific category of need. This week has a better than average pool of streamers, so even if you're scared of the pool, I'd recommending diving in this week.
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Bats to Stream and Start in Week 13
Ryon Healy (1B/3B, SEA) - 42% owned
In 280 games, or less than two full seasons' worth, Healy has a career line of .277/50/132/149/0. This year, he's still striking out a decent amount and not walking much, but he is hitting the ball harder and more of his fly balls are leaving the yard. In just 59 games, he has a line of .259/14/30/34/0. And that is about what I would expect from him - lots of power, decent run production, no steals, and not a great average. This week, he faces great pitching matchups making him the week's top streaming option. Do not expect any steals, but given his matchups, he should keep you afloat in batting average while propelling you in the other three categories.
Mark Trumbo (OF, BAL) - 20% owned
Trumbo posted a career year in 2016, followed by what could best be described as a "disappointing" 2017. I was not sure what to expect in 2018, and I imagine most fantasy owners were in the same boat. And when he went down early with a quad injury, his 2018 did not look promising. However, he actually has been serviceable despite his "supporting" cast. In 41 games, he has a .261/6/18/16/0 line. Facing decent pitching matchups this week, he is a good option for power. Give him a shot.
Justin Bour (1B, MIA) - 47% owned
Bour continues this week's trend of power options. He looked like a potential fantasy breakout candidate this offseason, despite the Marlins' fire-sale, but he has not lived up to those expectations. Nevertheless, he has a .233/12/27/33/0 line on the year. Bour has always hit better at home, and he has seven home games this week. Combine his power with decent pitching matchups and a park where he historically hits well, and you have a good chance for a productive week.
Albert Pujols (1B, LAA) - 44% owned
In additional to his 626 career homers, Pujols has more career walks (1,264) than strikeouts (1,191). While those stats are not relevant to the player he is today, consider them an added bonus in today's piece. These days, Pujols hits around .250 and rarely walks. However, he does have some guy named Mike Trout in his lineup, and that may be related to his 220 RBIs over the past two years. This year, he is hitting .254/12/29/42/0. He is a good source of RBIs and a decent source of power. Facing good pitching matchups this week, he can also provide a serviceable average. While he will not often appear on this list, this week is a good chance to start him.
Leonys Martin (OF, DET) - 26% owned
When the Tigers signed Martin this offseason for $1.75 million, many viewed the signing as merely a speedy defensive option who would be a liability at the plate. That has not been the case. He has a 112 wRC+, is making more contact than he ever has, and is walking at a career-high rate. For our purposes, those trends have also led to 5x5 success. In 63 games, he has a .257/9/28/42/6 line. He is the first option on the list who can actually steal you a base, but he should not hurt you in the other categories. He faces just average pitching matchups this week, but if you want a player who can steal a base while producing elsewhere, he is a good bet.
Yulieski Gurriel (1B, HOU) - 40% owned
Gurriel is the first player on the list who hits for a good average. After hitting .299 last year, he is hitting .296 in 60 games this year. He is also in MLB's third-highest-scoring offense. And his pitching matchups are average this week. So why isn't he higher on the list? The reason is that his power just has not been there this year. He has only two homers. He does also have two stolen bases, so that is also a possibility. However, with Gurriel you are buying the batting average and decent run production. Any homer or steal you receive is not unheard of, but it would be an unexpected bonus.
Jeimer Candelario (3B, DET) - 26% owned
Jeimer has really struggled in June, batting just .179. He has struck out at a higher rate this month, but he also has been a victim of poor BABIP that is not supported by his batted ball profile. Thus, I'm not abandoning ship. In 63 games in 2018 he is batting .248/11/37/31/1. He is not the most exciting option, but he can provide some run production and power without killing you in the batting average department. He faces just average pitching matchups this week.
Others to Consider
Starlin Castro (2B, MIA) - 48% owned - Castro is an unexciting, but serviceable, option. He has a line of .272/3/42/27/3 line on the year and faces decent matchups this week.
John Hicks (1B/C, DET) - 45% owned - If you need a fantasy catcher, Hicks qualifies there and should get you more at bats than your standard catcher. He has some power and can give you some run production too.
Chris Davis (1B, BAL) - 22% owned - Davis returned yesterday from an 11-day hiatus where he was working in the batting cages in an attempt to fix his historically poor season. He walked in his first plate appearance and homered in the next. He put together some other decent at bats, even though he had no other hits. While considering the player on pace for the worst season ever is certainly bold, keep an eye on him as Monday approaches. If he keeps making solid contact, consider streaming him this week.
