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Top Hitter Streamers and Starts - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 1 (March 31 - April 6)

Tyler Soderstrom - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, MLB Injury News

Dan's top hitter streamers and starts as fantasy baseball waiver wire adds for Week 1 of 2025 (March 31 - April 6). He analyzes streamers with favorable matchups, schedules.

It's a little too early to dig too deep into the matchup data this week, but we can certainly take a look at which hitters are heading to hitter-friendly parks and have the potential to either keep their hot starts going or bounce back after a rocky opening weekend.

Our hitter streamers fantasy baseball waiver-wire pickups column will identify hitters with good matchups who can be considered waiver-wire streamers ahead of the Sunday night waiver-wire runs for leagues with weekly transactions. Players that appear in this article will always be rostered in 40% or fewer leagues on Yahoo!

In this piece, every week, I'll look to find hitters playing in the most games and who have the most favorable matchups to help you plug those gaps and fill those holes in your roster. You can also check out the rest of our fantasy baseball streamer content here at RotoBaller.

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

 

What Teams Offer The Most Streaming Value?

Most teams are playing six games this week.

However, the Brewers and Reds both play all seven days.

Ballpark Upgrades: ATH (3 games at Coors), TEX (3 games in CIN)

 

Week 1 Fantasy Baseball Hitter Streamers

I'll recommend only players who are 40% rostered or lower, and all roster percentages are from Yahoo!

TJ Friedl, OF - CIN (38%)

The Reds play seven games this week, including three at home against the Rangers. Friedl is back in the leadoff spot and has both power and speed. He was hurt one and off last season and is looking to get back on track this season. I have him in a few leagues, and I think he should be rostered in more leagues simply based on his 20/20 potential and the fact that he's hitting leadoff for what should be a potent Reds lineup.

Ivan Herrera, C - STL (34%)

Herrera will get a day off here and there, but the Cardinals will try to get his bat in the lineup as often as possible, which is why they moved Wilson Contreras to first base.

He's off to a nice start at the plate, going 4-7 with two RBI and a run scored in his first two games. He should be rostered in more leagues, and I predict that we won't see him in this article next week or for the rest of the season - this kid can hit.

Tyler Soderstrom, 1B - ATH (33%)

Soderstrom was a popular sleeper pick late in drafts, and it's pretty clear why, as he's come out hot in this first series against the Mariners, slugging two home runs on opening day and collecting five hits in his first three games.

With three games in Coors this week, the Athletics' hitters are high on my list. And Soderstrom can potentially be your everyday first baseman for the entire season - he could be much more than just a streamer this week, too.

Victor Scott II, OF - CIN (30%)

Scott is getting another opportunity this season to see if he can stick in the major leagues. His speed is off the charts, and he's already swiped two bags, however, he is going to have to make more contact this year to be worth rostering in fantasy leagues. If you need steals, it makes sense to snag him now and see if he pans out as he has legit 50-STL upside if he can get on base regularly this season.

JJ Bleday, OF - ATH (29%)

Bleday is hitting just .182 over his first three games, but is batting in the three-hole for what looks like a much-improved Athletics lineup. I mentioned the trip to Coors already as one of the reasons to love the Athletics hitters. Take a shot on Bleday this week, as he has the type of power swing that could propel him to a multi-HR week.

Kyle Manzardo, 1B - CLE (28%)

Manzardo is a guy that I loved coming into this season as a post-hype hitter, but I wasn't sure how Cleveland was going to utilize him. So far the results are encouraging as he started against a LHP on opening day and went 3-4, nearly hitting for the cycle.

He was moved into the three-hole yesterday for Cleveland, and Jose Ramirez just went down with an injury, too. So we could see Manzardo in the middle of this lineup for the time being. If he's going to play every day and not just platoon against righties, he could be a guy who has a chance to stick on fantasy rosters for longer than a week or two at a time.

Spencer Torkelson, 1B - DET (28%)

Torkelson had a red-hot spring training and has continued that success through his first three games, smashing a home run on opening day and collecting five hits in his first nine at-bats. Cleanup hitters with 30 HR potential don't grow on trees, so a speculative add here makes sense until we see if Torkelson can do it consistently this year.

Lars Nootbaar, OF - STL (21%)

Nootbaar struggled through injuries the last few seasons but looks healthy this year and is leading off for a new-look Cardinals lineup. He's 4-7 though his first two games with four RBI and three runs scored.

When healthy in the past, Nootbar has been a solid fantasy player who can contribute across the board. I'm snagging him in any leagues where I need more outfield options.

Keibert Ruiz, C - WAS (19%)

You won't find multiple catchers on this list on most weeks, but Ruiz was a guy who was featured in this column a lot last season, and he was on and off fantasy rosters throughout the season. He is off to quite a start this year, smashing a home run in each of his first two games.

He's an above-average hitter with power from both sides of the plate. I like adding him in two-catcher leagues or as a backup if you have a shaky option as your top option at the catcher position.

Otto Lopez, 2B/SS - MIA (14%)

Lopez came on strong at the end of the 2024 season and has picked up where he left off so far. He has a hit in each of his first three games, including a home run. He's also stolen a base already. He moved up to the two-spot in the batting order against a lefty yesterday, which could be a great sign for his value this season.

 

Week 1 Deep League Hitter Streamers to Consider

Some widely available hitters (under 10% rostered) could be worth a look this week.

Good luck this week, and choose those streaming options wisely!



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POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
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Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
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Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
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on Track to Start Thursday
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Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
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Joins Knicks
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Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
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Returns to Spurs
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Exits With Ankle Sprain
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Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
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Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
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Fine for Training Camp
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Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
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Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
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Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

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Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
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Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
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Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
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John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
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Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
Bryan Woo

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Max Muncy

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CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Salvador Perez

Reaches 300 Home Runs, 1,000 RBI
Jose Altuve

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Trey Yesavage

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Will Smith

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Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
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Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

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Mackenzie Blackwood

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