There is always a lot that goes into setting your lineup on a weekly basis and this week is no different. Pennant races across the MLB and fantasy leagues are heating up, and there is a lot to think about. Each week there are matchups and situations to exploit from the hitting perspective, so with that being said, let us take a look at 5 hitters to stream for the current week of fantasy baseball.
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Five Hitters to Stream This Week
Bo Naylor, C, Cleveland Guardians
I’m not sure that there is ever a time when you aren’t looking for help at catching position. Especially at the end of the season, that tends to amplify. This week, the Cleveland Guardians take the field for a full slate of seven games, and that means Bo Naylor should be busy.
Naylor is in the midst of a solid season, and that makes him a hitter to stream. In 11 games so far in September, Naylor is hitting .314 with five RBI and six runs scored. In 59 games, Naylor has eight home runs and has shown some power to his game. With a 20.7 degree average launch angle, Naylor does put the ball in the air. At this point, he just needs to smooth out the power. With a .333 average in the last seven games, there is more upside here than other options.
Jurickson Profar, OF, San Diego Padres
Jurickson Profar is back with San Diego and hitting at the top of the order. For all of their struggles this season, the Padres still have a strong batting order to can provide fantasy value. This week, the Padres have great matchups against the Rockies and Cardinals and that makes Profar one of my hitters to stream.
While Profar is batting .243 on the season, this could be the week that he finds his groove. At this point in the season, we are not looking for much, but the opportunity is there for Profar. These are situations the San Diego offense can exploit, and with Profar batting leadoff, there is value.
Michael Massey, 2B, Kansas City Royals
Michael Massey has found success this season in spurts with the Royals. The infielder is currently in the midst of one of those stretches as the Royals look to set themselves up for next year. With Massey hitting three home runs over the last seven days, he is setting himself up to make an impact next year as well.
After batting .353 over that stretch, Massey got his batting average up to .227 overall. While riding the hot streak though, it’s really the counting stats we are after. Over 427 plate appearances, Massey has 14 home runs and 52 RBI. As he continues to get regular playing time down the stretch, he is someone to watch as of my hitters to stream.
Brent Rooker, OF, Oakland A’s
Brent Rooker gets a full seven-game slate this week which is certainly valuable. The outfielder has proven to be a nice power threat in the middle of Oakland’s lineup, and the extra game could help this week.
Over the past seven days, Rooker has gone deep three times while hitting .267. On the season, Rooker is hitting .241, but that is not what we are after. Rooker has been a pleasant source of power this year with 26 home runs and 60 RBI, and that production could make a difference as we get to the end of the season. At this point, the batting average begins to matter less, and it’s the counting stats that could drive the impact.
With a 15.3% barrel rate and a 50% hard-hit rate, there is a lot to like about the quality of contact we get. Of course, that is when he actually makes contact.
Johan Rojas, OF, Philadelphia Phillies
As we chase those hard-to-find counting stats, stolen bases are right up there on the list. With the season drawing to a close, Johan Rojas is getting enough playing time to make things interesting. After all, the Phillies didn’t promote Rojas not to see what he can do at the major league level.
Over the past seven days, Rojas had three stolen bases while hitting .438. In 138 plate appearances this year, Rojas is hitting .302 with 12 stolen bases. There isn’t much power here, but those stolen bases could make a difference.