7 Hitters Rostered in Fewer Than 15% of Leagues – Week 13

Each week we identify seven hitters who are rostered in fewer than 15% of fantasy baseball leagues who should be on your radar. For the most part, the players included in this article are best suited for inclusion in deeper leagues (12 teams or more). However, with the multitude of injuries creating holes in fantasy baseball rosters, you may need to eventually rely on some of the players referenced in this article in order to field a complete and competitive fantasy lineup. We reference Fantasy Pros’ roster percentages (as of Sunday afternoon) in this article.

 

Wilmer Flores, 1B/2B/3B, SF, (13%)

 

Entering Sunday’s action, Wilmer Flores had compiled a .342/.388/.616 slash line. He’s also smacked five HR, driven in 13 runs, and scored 14 of his own during that period. While there have been several instances in which Flores hasn’t played complete games, he has been seeing regular playing time. He’s a contact hitter (12.1% K-rate) with occasional power and he’s multi-position eligible (1B/2B/3B in Yahoo leagues).

 

Abraham Toro, 3B, HOU, (12%)

 

With Alex Bregman (strained left quad) expected to be out a few more weeks, Abraham Toro should continue to get regular at-bats while playing the hot corner for the Astros. Toro swings a power bat but has displayed good discipline throughout his minor league career. That plate discipline has transferred to his time with the Astros this season. In 15 big league games this season, Toro has posted an impressive 15.4% K-rate for the Astros. In his last nine games, Toro has compiled a .294 BA, hit two home runs, and driven in 10.

 

Nicky Lopez, KC, SS, (7%)

 

With Adalberto Mondesi hitting the IL for the third time this season due to a left oblique strain, it appears that Nicky Lopez will be in the Royals’ everyday lineup for the a while. As a reference point, Mondesi strained his right oblique and missed a month and a half of the season. Lopez has done a good job filling in for Mondesi, batting .263 with a .352 OBP and an impressive 11.6% BB rate and 12.9% K rate in his first 69 games of the season. He’s also stolen seven bases on the season and is likely on his way to a double-digit end-of-season total.

 

Daz Cameron, DET, OF, (7%)

 

Daz Cameron has been seeing increased playing time recently and depending on the size of your league can either be a player you put on your watchlist, bench, or, in five outfielder leagues with 15 teams or more, you might even consider starting him. Cameron—who has stolen as many as 32 bases in a minor league season—is batting .364 with two stolen bases in his last seven games. He’s a bit of a free swinger and that could limit his overall batting average, but he does have a little pop in his bat and has a total of three home runs in his first 12 games with the Tigers.

 

Garrett Cooper, MIA, 1B/OF, (5%)

 

In his last 18 games before being placed on the IL due to a lumbar strain Garrett Cooper had been swinging a hot bat, hitting .339 with a .996 OPS. He has four hits (including a home run) in seven at-bats since his return. Cooper has been batting in the heart of the Marlins batting order since his return (third on Friday and clean-up on Sunday). As a hitter with a 20-HR 162-game average, Cooper should help add some much-needed life to a struggling Marlins offense.

 

Reese McGuire, TOR, C, (2%)

 

We fantasy managers (especially those of us who play in two catcher leagues) are always looking for a hot bat at the backstop position. There aren’t too many free-agent catchers available on league waiver wires who are swinging as hot a bat as Reese McGuire is right now. With two hits in three at-bats on Sunday McGuire is batting .321/.374/.440 in his first 32 games of the season. If possible, avoid starting him against left-handed pitching (.154 BAA). Also, note that fellow Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk (hip) has begun a rehab assignment and is eligible to come off the IL on July 1st.

 

Eli White, TEX, OF, (1%)

 

Eli White has been in the Rangers’ everyday lineup since being recalled from the minor leagues in early June, and he has shown steady improvement at the plate. He’s batting .278 with three HR over his last 15 games and with Willie Calhoun on the IL due to a fractured forearm, White will continue to get regular at-bats. He has a good pedigree as evidenced by his career .280/.359/.418 career minor league slash line.

 

Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter and @justinparadisdesigns on Instagram)