Top 5 Hitter Streamers: Waiver Wire Targets For Week 24

It's hard to believe that baseball season is almost over. Between the start of the NFL season and the home stretch of the MLB season, I know that we've all got a lot on our plates right now, so I'll keep this introduction short and sweet. Just like always, I've presented five sleepers of varying positions who I think could make an impact for fantasy owners next week. If you're looking to fill spots in your lineup down the stretch, I must recommend that you check these guys out.

1) Arismendy Alcantara, Chicago Cubs, (2B, SS, OF)

2014 Stats: .216 BA, 24 Runs, 8 HR, 21 RBI, 7 SB

Ownership: 48.4% (ESPN)

Schedule: (at) Jays, (at) Pirates

Games Scheduled: 6

The batting average may make you want to grit your teeth, but it's hard to not like the kind of power Arismendy Alcantara has displayed over the past several weeks. Since August 24^th, he's hit 5 home runs with 8 RBI, 7 Runs scored, and he has even stolen a base. Those are rare numbers to find at shortstop this late into the season and with the Cubs traveling into the power-happy Rodgers Center next week, Alcantara is in a good situation to put up excellent numbers for fantasy owners. If you're in a position where you can afford to take a big risk on batting average, he's definitely worth a look for next week's matchup.

2) Joe Panik, San Francisco Giants, (2B)

2014 Stats: .318 BA, 23 Runs, 1 HR, 15 RBI, 0 SB

Ownership: 20.8% (ESPN)

Schedule: Dbacks , Dodgers

Games Scheduled: 6

As you've probably surmised by now, I'm a big believer in playing the hot-hand when it comes to weekly streamers. That of course leads me next to Joe Panik, a white hot hitter in the middle of a white hot offense. Throughout August, the San Francisco Giants have scored the third most runs in all of baseball, with Joe Panik and his .321 batting average leading the charge from the number two spot in the lineup. While the Dodgers' pitchers could pose a tough matchup for the Giants, I'm confident Panik will be able to make easy work of the Diamondbacks rotation, which has featured the seventh worst ERA in all of baseball this season (4.11 team ERA).

The knock on Panik is that he lacks any impact speed or power tools, but if you're looking for batting average and runs scored help and have a hole at second base, he's certainly a player to add.

3) Chase Headley, New York Yankees (3B)

2014 Stats: .238 BA, 42 Runs, 11 HR, 44 RBI, 6 SB

Ownership: 45.9% (ESPN)

Schedule: Rays, (at) Orioles

Games Scheduled: 7

Yankee Stadium has been good to this former West Coast third baseman. Since donning pinstripes, Headley has hit .256/.353/.391 with 4 home runs in only 133 at-bats. Over the last week he's been even better, hitting .292 with a home run during an impressive hot streak. He'll play in two excellent hitters parks next week between Yankee Stadium and Camden Yards and when you combine that with the current state of the third base market, which is particularly week due to injuries and under performances, Headley comfortably makes my streamer list this week.

4) Eric Hosmer, Kansas City Royals (1B)

2014 Stats: .264 BA, 45 Runs, 6 HR, 46 RBI, 4 SB

Attendance: 49.5% (ESPN)

Schedule: (at) Tigers, Red Sox

Games Scheduled: 7

We now arrive to the upside portion of this list. I wouldn't recommend either of these final two players for a team looking to hold onto a narrow lead, but if you're desperate to make a push in the final weeks of your season, these two players might be your best shot at catching lighting in a bottle off free agency.

We all know what Eric Hosmer's upside is. Last season, he was a fantasy star, hitting .302/.353/.448 with 17 home runs, 79 RBI, 86 Runs scored, and 11 stolen bases. While he hasn't shown much of it this season, I do believe the talent that once made him so explosive is still there. Simply put, Hosmer is the rare first baseman that at his best is a true five category contributor. Toss that in with a four game series against the Boston Red Sox who had the sixth worst ERA in all of baseball in August after trading away 4/5^th of their starting rotation at the deadline, and you can probably see why I like Hosmer quite a bit next week.

Like I said he's a risky move, but if you need to make big waves next week to save your season, he's about as good as you could hope for.

5) Wil Myers, Tampa Rays (OF)

2014 Stats: .223 BA, 32 Runs, 6 HR, 28 RBI, 4 SB

Ownership: 44.9% (ESPN)

Schedule: (at) Yankees, (at) Jays

Games Scheduled: 6

Wil Myers is another player where it's helpful to take a step back and remember what he was just a year ago. As a rookie he hit .293/.354/.478 with 13 home runs, 53 RBI, 50 runs scored, and 5 stolen bases in only 335 at-bats. This season injuries and a poor first half have so far derailed what was once a promising sophomore campaign, but there's no reason to think that the Myers' talent has left him behind so early in his career.

Both the Yankees (3.80 team ERA) and the Jays (4.12 team ERA) have ranked in the bottom half of team pitching staffs over the course of this season, and both play in hitters parks that a power hitter like Myers should be able to take advantage of. He's also put together some good at-bats over the last week, hitting .320 over the previous 7 days.

Like Hosmer, Myers is of course an upside play with plenty of risk. But again if you're trying to make a big move this next week, he's certainly got the talent to do it.