It's about time to load up for the stretch run, fantasy baseball managers! September call-ups are sure to shake things up a bit when that time comes, but let's focus mostly on some young players that are already daily contributors who can assist rosters for this article.
Top prospects could aid fantasy playoff rosters in mid-to-late September, but who are some of the guys that can help drive us to the postseason first? With the trade deadline having come and gone in many formats, the waiver wire is about all we have left to rely on to make league-winning moves.
Today, we'll be looking at hitters regarded for their speed and baserunning prowess who could be falling under the radar, some even in shallow leagues. Speed merchants like Jon Berti and Jorge Mateo have been omitted since their playing time is so scarce. Let's see what some other options can offer besides sheer stolen bases.
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Fantasy Baseball Hitters To Add For Stolen Bases
Royce Lewis - 3B, SS, Minnesota Twins
Former number one overall pick Royce Lewis has proven to be quite an elusive fantasy asset over the past two seasons due to various setbacks. The oft-injured 24-year-old aims to finish the year strong after recently returning from over a six-week absence with a left oblique strain. He has already swiped a bag in his second game back on Wednesday. Remember what we said about avoiding the one-trick ponies for this list? Well, Lewis has also proven to be clutch with the bat thus far, too.
In addition to the timely hitting, Wednesday's stolen base was a great sign for a player who needed ACL surgery in both 2021 and 2022, limiting Lewis to 40 games over the past two seasons. Time is running out to add the exciting infielder, who remains available in nearly two-thirds of Yahoo leagues. Lewis features the rare ability to hit for both contact and power and still has a chance to reach double figures in SBs if he can stay healthy (a big "if').
Anthony Volpe - SS, New York Yankees
Anthony Volpe has experienced his fair share of rookie growing pains in putting together an up-and-down campaign. The top Yankees prospect for '22 ran wild for 13 stolen bases in the season’s first quarter from March 30 to May 13 (41 games). That pace has slowed down significantly, however, for just seven thefts during the subsequent 80 games. Even so, New York has to be pleased with Volpe’s power/speed combination while on the verge of a 20-20 year in home runs (16) and steals (20).
The 22-year-old isn’t checking a ton of boxes conducive to fantasy success otherwise, but his solid defense should keep him in the lineup each day. Expect the scuffling Yankees offense to give Volpe a continued green light to run in an attempt to set up the top of the order with RBI opportunities. While the former first-round pick is hitting a meager .213, Volpe has flashed enough on-base skills (9.4% walk rate) to keep himself in the running as a possible leadoff hitter in the Bronx.
Ezequiel Tovar - SS, Colorado Rockies
Highly touted for his speed, Ezequiel Tovar is yet to fully unlock that facet of his game with just seven stolen bases this year. However, the 22-year-old has demonstrated hitting-machine tendencies with a 15-game hit streak from June 13 to July 2. In another lost year for the Rockies, Tovar has recently moved up to the top of the lineup amidst another hot streak. He is hitting .350 (14-for-40) with three home runs, three doubles, four RBI, and two pilfers in 10 games since Aug. 7.
It's remarkable to see Tovar ranks third in RBI among NL shortstops despite sitting near the bottom of the Rockies order most of the year. The speedy shortstop has been cooking for quite a while, also batting .277 (18-for-65) with five doubles and six RBI in 17 outings since July 30. Tovar still has plenty of time to tap into his SB upside and register a 15-steal campaign. Besides a slight July cool-off following his aforementioned hit streak, Colorado’s top ‘22 prospect has improved with the bat in each month of play.
Sal Frelick - OF, Milwaukee Brewers
Sal Frelick’s meteoric rise saw him bash three long balls with 15 RBI in his first 16 contests since being called on July 22. But the 23-year-old's hype train has since slowed down with a quiet 5-for-26 stretch in eight showings since Aug. 8. Frelick then went bonkers for three swipes on Thursday to reacquire the attention of fantasy managers.
Managers still have a great chance to add Milwaukee’s number two prospect (88th-percentile sprint speed), who's still floating around two-thirds of Yahoo waivers. Frelick’s major-league roster spot is probably his at this point with Garrett Mitchell (shoulder) likely out for the remainder of the season.
Harrison Bader - OF, New York Yankees
After a sizzling start to the year for Harrison Bader (three HR, two triples, and 11 RBI in his first 28 at-bats), hopes for a 20-HR and 20-SB compilation have swiftly unraveled into a distant memory. However, the Gold Glove centerfielder still has a shot at a 20-steal season with 14 on the campaign. While mired in a 34-game homerless drought, Bader can still contribute with his speed while also striking out a career-best 16.7% rate.
The 29-year-old's 86th-percentile sprint speed and elite defense should keep him entrenched as an everyday player on New York’s thin outfield depth chart. It's worth noting that after struggling at times earlier in his career as a baserunner, Bader's 88% stolen base rate and 42% run-scoring clip in 2023 both signify his highest lifetime marks.