Hitter Fantasy Baseball Breakouts - Risers to Watch and Waiver Wire Outlooks (Week 26)

September 20, 2025

Jarod's hitter fantasy baseball breakouts, sleepers, and risers to watch for Week 26 of 2025. His list includes waiver wire outlooks and underachieving hitters so far.

Welcome back to my Fantasy Baseball Breakout Hitters article for Week 26, as we wind down the 2025 MLB regular season. The focus of this article is to highlight players who could be on the verge of a breakout, citing current active hitting streaks along with recent leaders in batting average, stolen bases, and isolated power (ISO).

This week, we'll check in on some hot names like Nico Hoerner, Sal Stewart, and Andy Pages. We'll also take a look at a pair of teammates who are unlikely names to be found atop a stolen base leaderboard.

Who should fantasy managers look to grab off the waiver wire for the final stretch or even plug into their DFS lineup this week? Let's check it out below!

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Hit Streak Leaders

Data through 9/17

Chase Meidroth (13 games)

Chase Meidroth was highlighted for his recent hot hitting in last week's article, and here he is a week later with the longest hit streak in the majors. Now, the streak hasn't been filled with a bunch of multi-hit games, but he's hitting for average while scoring some runs.

Chase Meidroth extends his hit streak to 13 GAMES 👏 pic.twitter.com/PeK5l9EBqT

— White Sox on CHSN (@CHSN_WhiteSox) September 17, 2025

During the 13-game hit streak, the 24-year-old is 19-for-45 (.422) with seven runs scored. Furthermore, he's hit leadoff the last two games, and if that continues, the right-handed slugger could be more appealing in DFS. For managers in desperation mode in season-long formats, he's eligible at 2B, 3B, and SS.

Nico Hoerner (12 games)

Unlike Meidroth, Nico Hoerner's 12-game hit streak is loaded with multi-hit efforts. The 28-year-old is 22-for-48 (.458) during the streak, which includes seven extra-base hits, five RBI, 13 runs scored, and five steals.

With a 90.0 percent contact rate, 4.8 percent swinging-strike rate, and a super-low 7.0 percent strikeout rate, you know he's going to put the bat on the ball a ton. He's moved up to the second spot in the order in each of the last four games, and the Cubs will play a four-game set at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati to finish out the week.

Highest Batting Average Last Seven Days

Data through 9/17, minimum 13 at-bats

Mickey Moniak (.476 BA)

Mickey Moniak is having the best season of his career to date by far, hitting .271 with 23 home runs, a .350 wOBA, and 111 wRC+ in 128 games. He still doesn't get much play against left-handed pitchers, and unfortunately, the Angels will face lefty starters in two of their next four games, which are all in the thin air of Colorado.

Mickey to the moon 🌙 pic.twitter.com/MvyVkpyKcY

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) September 18, 2025

Still, that makes him usable in season-long leagues and DFS in the other two contests. The 27-year-old has four home runs in his last three games, along with nine RBI and two steals. At just 24 percent rostered, he's available in a lot of fantasy leagues for managers looking for a hot bat. just make sure he's going against a righty.

Chandler Simpson (.462 BA)

Chandler Simpson is not going to slow down -- on the bases or at the plate. Over the last seven games, the speedy 24-year-old is 12-for-26 (.462) with six runs scored and three steals.

For the season, he's hitting .296 with 42 steals in 102 games. He won't help with home runs or RBI, but if you can use help with batting average, stolen bases, and runs, Simpson can help. The left-handed hitter is still available in 65 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Sal Stewart (.444 BA)

After hitting .309 with 20 home runs and a .907 OPS in 118 games before his call-up, Sal Stewart has not disappointed at the major league level. The Reds' top-ranked prospect is hitting .286 with four home runs and a .929 OPS in 13 games with the big league club.

That's a beautiful first homer swing @stewart_sal pic.twitter.com/zjibz2HiuJ

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) September 6, 2025

The 21-year-old hasn't struck out in five straight games and is posting a better-than-average 17.8 percent strikeout rate thus far, seemingly settling into his new role and hitting in the middle of the order.

The right-handed hitter's next seven games come at home at Great American Ball Park, he's available in almost 70 percent of leagues, and he is eligible at 1B, 2B, and 3B, ready to help managers win fantasy leagues.

Highest ISO Last Seven Days

Data through 9/17, minimum 13 at-bats

My first reaction was to cover Kody Clemens, but all of his production came in one game this past week, in which he hit a double and three home runs. That's great, but he's more of a DFS tournament dart throw than a player to pick off the waiver wire.

Matt Olson (.645 ISO)

Matt Olson took a little while to get going this season, but since May 16, he's hitting .305 with a .925 OPS. Over his last six games, though, he's knocking the cover off the ball, going 14-for-28 with three doubles, a triple, and five home runs, not to mention 11 RBI and 10 runs scored.

Matt Olson has our full attention 🔥#BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/I8P4JUmrQb

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 17, 2025

The 31-year-old won't be found on the waiver wire, but go ahead and fire him up in DFS lineups against all comers. The left-handed slugger has a .295 batting average against left-handed pitchers (.274 vs. RHP), along with a .186 ISO (.230 vs. RHP), and an .831 OPS (.886 vs. RHP).

Most Steals Last Seven Days

Data through 9/17

Royce Lewis (four SBs)

Royce Lewis recorded one stolen base in his first 72 games. Since then, he's swiped 10 bags in his last 24 contests, including four in the last week alone.

As someone who is very susceptible to injury, perhaps he was just being cautious before, but with the season winding down, the 26-year-old appears to be taking the training wheels off.

Royce Lewis singles to shallow left field to bring in a run for Minnesota. ☝️

📺: Yankees 🆚 Twins LIVE on SN1
📲: Stream on Sportsnet+ pic.twitter.com/UfyBhakf9P

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 17, 2025

His bat hasn't fully come around, but he is 6-for-22 (.273) over his last five games, and if he's running this much, then he's probably feeling healthy, which could mean the bat could get hot to finish out the season. For managers willing to gamble, the former No. 1 overall draft pick is just 57 percent rostered.

Austin Martin (three SBs)

Austin Martin was highlighted in Week 23's article, and I mentioned that if he earned more playing time, then more steals could follow. Well, he's been getting regular starts in left field, and lately, he's been stealing bases.

Not only that, the former fifth-overall draft pick is riding a six-game hit streak and has hit safely in 11 of the last 12 games in which he's logged an at-bat, slashing .354/.446/.458 during that time.

The 26-year-old is eligible at both 2B and OF on Yahoo! for managers in redraft leagues, and has ascended to the second spot in the order in the last eight games for those playing DFS.

wRC+ Leaders Sept. 7 - Sept. 18

Andy Pages (212 wRC+)

Andy Pages hit .294 with a .355 wOBA and 129 wRC+ through July 1, but then hit just .226 with a .287 wOBA and 82 wRC+ over his next 44 contests. Since then, the 24-year-old is hitting .324 with a .373 wOBA and 141 wRC+ in 20 games.

Andy Pages TIES IT in the 9th inning!

Chaos at Chavez Ravine! pic.twitter.com/ko60r4XX0J

— MLB (@MLB) September 16, 2025

The 6-foot-1 Dominican has been even hotter lately, as evidenced by the names above him in the graphic above, including Aaron Judge, Matt Olson, Shohei Ohtani, and Cal Raleigh.

Pages is another hitter who can be deployed against either left-handers or right-handers, with a .308 batting average against LHP, along with a .483 SLG and .215 ISO versus RHP.

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