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Below are my top MLB hitter streamer options for Week 9 of fantasy baseball. All eight players listed here are 50% owned or less in Yahoo leagues and play seven or eight games this week.
Streaming hitters is a great way to increase production and fantasy stats off the waiver wire for your head-to-head matchups, or if you're dealing with some underperformers on your roster. Check back weekly for my favorite hitter streamers for the upcoming week.
Editor’s Note: RotoBaller’s fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups list is updated every single day. Our awesome writers bring you analysis on hot or emerging starting pitchers, and also all other fantasy positions. You can also download our waiver wire iPhone app for free, and easily stay updated.
1. Andre Ethier, OF, Dodgers
(4 @ Colorado, 4 vs St. Louis) - 31% owned
Ethier has always hit righties well, and he will face either six or seven of them this week. After struggling last year, his walk rate is up, his strikeouts are down, and he has refound his power stroke with six homers so far. Four games at Coors will do nothing but help, and even if he doesn't play every game, he has eight this week. He is an ideal streaming option.
2. Steven Souza, OF, Rays
(3 @ LAA, 4 @ Seattle) - 47% owned
If you can stand the hit to average, Souza is the ideal play - and worth holding onto. He is striking out in nearly 40% of his plate appearances, so his average will not be high. But, he has already hit nine home runs. Despite the low average, he walks in twelve percent of his plate appearances. Being on first base is great for steals, and he has already stolen seven bases. He will be a four category producer for weeks to come. Despite the poor ballparks this week, and the less than best pitching matchups, he is too good to pass up as a streaming option.
3. Yasmani Grandal, C/1B, Dodgers
(4 @ Colorado, 4 vs St. Louis) - 50% owned
I was a bit befuddled this year when Grandal was included in the deal for Kemp (others and money obviously were involved in the deal), as I believed Grandal may have been the best player in the deal. A catcher who walked almost as much as he struck out, and was able to hit 15 homers in 128 games in 2014 despite playing his home games at Petco. And that's not to mention his stellar defense. He will be coming off a concussion, which is a concern, and as a catcher he won't play every day. But, he has amassed an .869 OPS in 33 games so far. Grandal is well worth a stream if you need a catcher, especially with 8 games this week including 4 at Coors, and likely worth a hold in all but the shallowest leagues.
4. Justin Turner, 2B/SS/3B, Dodgers
(4 @ Colorado, 4 vs St. Louis) - 16% owned
If you need a middle infielder, Turner is a great stream for this week. Somewhat of a late bloomer, Turner has amassed a .904 OPS in 39 games this year after an .897 OPS in 109 games last year. With Uribe out the door, Turner is the primary third baseman and should see plenty playing time in a good lineup. He should provide good average with decent run production and a little pop.
5. Alex Guerrero, 3B/OF, Dodgers
(4 @ Colorado, 4 vs St. Louis) - 44% owned
Rounding out the Dodgers could arguably be the best hitter of the bunch. The problem - the defense is not very good, which usually isn't a problem for fantasy. However, here, it limits his playing time. Despite the limited playing time, Guerrero is still a good streaming option due to his pure power and hitting ability. Guerrero has an astounding nine homers in 96 plate appearances. While that pace won't continue, he will be fun to watch at Coors. If you need power, he is a good option.
6. Addison Russell, 2B/SS, Cubs
(3 @ Miami, 4 @ Washington) - 49% owned
Addison Russell is incredible, but he just turned 21. So our expectations have to be tempered. And he is not in the best parks or facing easy pitching matchups. And he is hitting 9th in the lineup. So why do I recommend him? First, he has 16 extra base hits in 33 games - 12 doubles and four homers. It's very possible those doubles could start becoming homers. Second, he stole 26 bases in 2013 in the minors, and the Cubs have let him run three times already, despite not being on first too often. Third, I like the Cubs' lineup. You could certainly do worse than Russell as a streaming option this week.
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