Each week, we’ll look at a handful of different hitters who fantasy managers should consider picking up in deeper fantasy baseball leagues. Many of these players will have the most value in larger leagues where waiver wire options aren’t as plentiful. Still, they could also occasionally be useful additions in other, more standard-sized leagues, depending on your options at their position.
All roster percentages mentioned in this column are via FantasyPros as of Wednesday afternoon.
Angel Martínez – 4%
The Cleveland Guardians have struggled mightily from a run-scoring standpoint.
As of the end of the first half, the American League Central club ranked above just four other clubs from a collective wRC+ standpoint with an 85 number.
Cleveland had also scored the fifth-fewest runs in the sport and rank in the bottom third in home runs. Among the 13 Guardians batters with at least 100 plate appearances this season, just three (Steven Kwan, José Ramírez and Kyle Manzardo) have a wRC+ north of league average.
In short, there’s plenty of opportunity here for hitters to potentially step into extended roles if they heat up at the plate.
And while Martinez is one of the 10 batters with a wRC+ below 100 (it was 78 after play concluded on Sunday), he’s stepped up his production as of late.
From June 29 through the end of the first half, the 23-year-old hit .250 with a .283 on-base percentage, three home runs, eight total extra base hits, a stolen base and a 121 wRC+ in his last 53 plate appearances.
Martinez has mostly hit in the bottom half of Cleveland’s lineup during that span, but he’s worth a look in the short term as a versatile streaming option with eligibility at both second base and in the outfield.
Furthermore, once the second half starts, the Guardians will open play with 13 straight against the Athletics (three games at home), Orioles (four games at home), Royals (three on the road) and Rockies (three at home).
As of the end of the first half, three of those teams, the ones not named the Royals, ranked in the bottom 10 in the league in FIP.
Evan Carter – 12%
Evan Carter has yet to replicate the quality of contact numbers he logged in 75 plate appearances in 2023.
During that stretch, which was his first extended look in the Majors, the outfielder logged a 10.3% barrel rate and a .341 xwOBA in those aforementioned 75 regular-season plate appearances.
It was a decidedly small sample size, and while Carter struggled a bit in 2024 (logging a 5.9% barrel rate and a .281 xwOBA in 162 plate appearances), he’s bounced back this season.
The 22-year-old’s 18.5% strikeout rate is on track to be a career low, and he’s hitting .269 with a .351 on-base percentage, four home runs, a 119 wRC+ and 12 stolen bases.
And while he’s sporting just a .313 xwOBA and a .376 xSLG on the season, Carter’s ability to not only get on base at an above-average rate, but also regularly contribute stolen bases, gives him the fantasy ceiling of a player who should have a much higher rostered rate than just 12%.
Carter hasn’t hit much against left-handed pitching so far, seeing just 15 of his 151 plate appearances against left-handers, but if Texas ends up trading some veterans at the deadline, notably Adolis García or Joc Pederson, Carter could see even more playing time down the stretch, helping his fantasy ceiling even more so.
Jorge Soler – 12%
Due in part to a 30.3% strikeout rate in the first half, Jorge Soler is batting just .211 with a .288 on-base percentage, an 82 wRC+ and a .292 xwOBA so far.
The numbers are a far cry from the numbers logged by the slugger in the better part of the past decade. Just once in the last seven years (prior to 2025) has Soler finished the year with an xwOBA lower than .346.
And while his quality of contact numbers have gone down considerably in places, including posting a .373 xwOBAcon so far this season, Soler is still connecting on more than enough barrels to provide solid fantasy production for fantasy managers in deeper leagues.
Of course, what with his elevated strikeout rate and just a .206 xBA, he’s a better fit on fantasy teams that featuring strong batting average or on-base percentage production.
Still, Soler has connected on 10 home runs, and for as much as his quality of contact numbers represent a down season at the plate, the veteran is still sporting an 11.8% barrel rate that is very much in line with his career norms.
The elevated strikeout rate, and thus fewer batted ball events, might have a bit to do with that. But for fantasy managers in deeper leagues with 14 or more teams, Soler is very much worth a look as a potential power-hitting outfielder.
Graphic by Carlos Leano.
