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Welcome back, RotoBallers! As a reminder, in this piece we're looking for weekly streamers in head-to-head leagues, which means players who are 50% owned or less in Yahoo! leagues and who have seven games in the week. These players could provide great value off the waiver wire, particularly in head-to-head leagues, for week 22 of the 2017 baseball season.
To catch my streamers column each and every week, add me on Twitter @rotonails and always check the RotoBaller MLB page.
With that said, let’s dive into the stream(ers).
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Bats to Stream and Start in Week 22
Steve Pearce (1B/2B/OF, TOR) – 10% owned
If you’ve read my pieces, you know I’m fond of Pearce. He worked his way up the ranks from minor leaguer to journeyman to platoon bat to masher. In 2014, he broke out as arguably the Orioles’ best hitter en route to an AL East crown. But more relevant to your interests, he has consistently hit when healthy the past few years. Healthy again, he is up to his old tricks. In 36 games since the break, he has a .295/7/21/18/0 line. Over the past four years, he has hit .293 with 21 homers (102 games), .218 with 15 homers (92 games), .288 with 13 homers (85 games), and .277 with 13 homers (80 games). He is no flash in the pan. Play him while he’s healthy, despite the merely average pitching matchups this week, and the results should follow.
Howie Kendrick (1B/2B/3B/OF, WAS) - 36% owned
Speaking of injuries, Kendrick hasn’t played much this year due to injury. However, in just 61 games, he has a spectacular .335/7/26/32/10 line. He won’t maintain his .399 BABIP, but he has a career .340 BABIP so he shouldn’t fall off the map. Kendrick is a career .291 hitter who has largely been very consistent, often putting up double digit steals and homers. Against favorable pitching matchups this week, he is a good bet to provide solid production. Given his injury history this year, however, keep an eye on his health as the week approaches.
Trey Mancini (1B/OF, BAL) - 49% owned
“Boom Boom” Mancini finally makes his return to the list. Even though the shine has worn off his star a bit, he is still showing power and has maintained his everyday role. However, his average his taken a slide. In 38 games since the break, he already has eight homers but is hitting just .236. On the year, he is batting .285 with 22 homers. He faces good pitching matchups in Camden this week, and thus he is worth a play.
Nick Markakis (OF, ATL) - 15% owned
Markakis is old Mr. Reliable. He is boring from a fantasy perspective, but he can provide you a decent average and run production with a little in the way of power. He faces decent pitching matchups this week, bringing him in as a streaming option. On the year, he has a .281/8/62/65/0 line. He has been steady month-to-month and regardless of pitcher handedness. If you want a high floor, low ceiling, option, he is a good choice.
Michael A. Taylor (OF, WAS) - 14% owned
Taylor was finally emerging as a fantasy star this year before his injury. He has speed and power. In just under two full seasons worth of games (314), he has 34 homers and 40 steals. This year, he had raised his average and is posting a .263/12/41/36/10 line in 83 games. He has struggled mightily since his return, which always raises the possibility that an injury is still impacting him. However, the upside is too high to ignore. Facing favorable pitching matchups, he is a good high risk, high reward, dual speed and power threat.
Ozzie Albies (2B/SS, ATL) - 8% owned
In his first 21 MLB games, Albies has posted a respectable K-rate (17.1%) but been marred by a low BABIP (.250). He has two homers and a steal, but due to the limitied sample size, his prospect pedigree and minors numbers may be more telling. In the minors, he consistently stole 20 to 30 bases and posted averages over .300 at many levels (except AAA). While his power has not fully developed as he is only 20 years old, Albies is a decent bet for respectable average and speed, with the possibility of producing in other categories.
Cesar Hernandez (2B, PHI) - 29% owned
Hernandez started hot, catching the attention of many fantasy players. However, he cooled off significantly in May and June, removing him from the radar of many. He has quietly bounced back the last two months. In 36 games since the break, he has posted a line of .299/3/23/9/7. He faces good matchups this week, and thus he is worth a play.
Also worth monitoring
Ian Happ (2B/OF, CHC) – The rookie has a .249/19/43/46/7 line in just 83 games on the year, but he is a streaky player who will get days off.
Nick Williams (OF, PHI) – Williams is also a rookie, and he has posted a .293/7/28/28 line in just 43 games. Facing good matchups, he is worth a look.
Maikel Franco (3B, PHI) – Franco has struggled on the year, and he has been even colder as of late. Yet, he is extremely talented, and if you need to gamble on someone to have a big week, he is worth a shot.
Jason Heyward (OF, CHC) – Heyward has also underperformed, but he’s a streaky player. He is another lotto ticket if you want to gamble on a breakout week.
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