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Below are my top MLB hitter streamer options for Week 20 of fantasy baseball. All players listed here are 50% owned or less in Yahoo leagues and play seven 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. It can also help to mitigate the damage done by underperformers. 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.
Top Hitter Streamers for Week 20
1. Miguel Sano, SS/3B, Twins
(3 @ NYY, 4 @ BAL) – 49% owned
Sano strikes out often, but has enormous power. In 36 major league games, he has 7 homers. He has a .533 slugging percentage and a .925 OPS. He is only 22. Despite most of his minor league stats being from ages 17-20 (he missed last year due to surgery), he had a .564 slugging percentage there. Sano should be owned in all leagues, rather than being a mere stream. Nonetheless, this week he faces favorable pitching matchups. And while he has hit better at home in his 36 games, he will be in more favorable hitters' parks this week with 7 road games.
2. Jung-ho Kang, SS/3B, Pirates
(3 vs ARIZ, 4 vs SF) 50% owned
Kang, pronounced "Gahng", was the best player in the Korean league last year, smashed 40 homers in 117 games with a 1.198 OPS. There were questions about how his game would translate to the majors, but since becoming an everyday player, he has hit .348/.419/.600 in 129 plate appearances. On the year, he has 9 homers and 5 steals. While those homer and steal numbers are not eye-popping, his success in his everyday role, combined with being in the middle of a good Pirates' lineup make him worthy of a stream.
3. Carlos Beltran, OF, Yankees
(3 vs MIN, 4 vs CLE) – 26% owned
Beltran does not face the easiest pitchers this week. However, he faces seven righties in Yankee Stadium, meaning that he will have seven games to take aim at that short right field target. Since joining the Yankees, 17 of his 26 homers have come at home, and 21 of his 26 have come versus righties. While he started the year slowly, he has heated up recently, with a .964 OPS in the second half. Despite being past his prime, Beltran is worthy of a stream this week.
4. Delino Deshields Jr., OF, Rangers
(3 vs SEA 4 @ DET) – 17% owned
Deshields serves a limited purpose: he can get you steals and runs. Walking in 12% of his plate appearances is a great attribute for a basestealer, as it is easiest to steal second base. He is sporting a .360 OBP with 20 steals in 79 games. He also has 53 runs. Over a whole season, he would be on pace for over 40 steals and over 100 runs. If you need these categories and can sacrifice homers and RBIs, he is a great option.
5. Trevor Plouffe, 1B/3B, Twins
(3 @ NYY, 4 @ BAL) – 38% owned
Plouffe is a middle of the road player. He will hit about .250 on the year and average around 20 homers over a 162-game span. He has shown that consistently. This year, he is doing slightly better in the power department, with 16 homers already to go with 62 RBIs and 53 runs. In the middle of the lineup, he will give you run production. Facing decent pitching matchups, he could be a good source of run production and a possible source of power this week.
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