Welcome back to another edition of the Stream Team. We’ve officially reached the pivotal point of the fantasy season where the exciting prospect pitchers and hitter are past their debuts, and we’re getting our first real look at how this year’s call-ups handle life in the big leagues. We’ve seen follow-up performances from potential mainstays, Noah Schultz and Connor Prielipp, as well as rookie debuts from Elmer Rodríguez and Travis Bazzana. A relentless string of injuries continues to thin out lineups and force managers into difficult decisions. And we’ll analyze the waiver wire to see if it still holds the potential for season-defining reinforcements for your lineup.
As always, to qualify for the Stream Team, we are looking for impactful contributors who are available.
The Criteria
- Availability: Every featured player is rostered in fewer than 45% of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.
- The Goal: Identifying high-upside plays for managers who need to replace struggling starters and injured players at specific positions.
The Stream Team
SP – Connor Prielipp, Minnesota Twins – After a long road back from multiple elbow surgeries, the southpaw is finally showcasing why scouts have long drooled over this prospect. In his first three MLB starts against the Mets, Mariners, and Blue Jays, he’s been somewhat efficient. Sporting a sparkling 0.86 WHIP and a 3.86 ERA, he is doing a good job keeping teams off balance and controlling the run damage. He hasn’t quite reached “workhorse” status yet, but he remains a steady source of ratios.
RP – Rico Garcia, Baltimore Orioles – Rico Garcia has been the most pleasant surprise in the Baltimore Bullpen this season, evolving from a waiver claim into a high-leverage weapon. With Ryan Helsley recently hitting the IL, this leaves golden opportunities for Garcia to slide into save and hold opportunities. After struggling in previous years, a shift in mindset and the development of a legitimate plus slider have allowed him to flourish. He began his 2026 campaign with an incredible nine-inning hitless streak and has maintained elite ratios well into May. His 32.6% strikeout rate and heavy ground-ball rate (59.3%) make him an ideal “ratio sponge” for fantasy managers looking to lower their ERA, lower their WHIP, and create opportunities for saves and holds. He sports an elite 0.66 ERA and sparkling 0.42 WHIP, all while having a 13.0 K/9.
He is currently rostered in 20% of Yahoo leagues and 14% of ESPN leagues.
C – Ryan Jeffers, Minnesota Twins – Our second Twin addition to the Stream Team is Ryan Jeffers. He has solidified himself as a high-impact offensive catcher. Over his last seven games, Jeffers has been scorching, posting a .375 batting average with a .500 slugging percentage and a stolen base. His elite discipline is on full display as well; over his last 15 games, he has maintained a massive .458 on-base percentage. He currently leads all American League catchers in several major offensive categories and ranks in the 89th percentile in “Batting Run Value”. He is leading catchers in hard-hit rate and barrels per plate appearance, punishing mistakes regardless of the pitcher’s handedness. While many catchers are a drain on your batting average, Jeffers’ improved contact profile and ability to draw walks make him a rare source of production in a traditionally thin position. He is a legitimate middle-of-the-order bat that fills in at the DH spot on his off days from behind the plate.
He is rostered in 24% of Yahoo leagues and 21% of ESPN leagues.
1B – Casey Schmitt, San Francisco Giants – Casey Schmitt is a vital “glue guy” for the Giants and your fantasy squads. While he was known for his elite defensive arm as a prospect, his bat has officially caught up. Speaking of his elite defensive talent, he is eligible in most leagues to play first, second, and third base. He is slotted into the fifth spot for the Giants, where he can maximize his run production. His recent form is nothing short of scorching. Over his last seven games, Schmitt is slashing .360/.429/.720 with two home runs and six RBI. He is finding multiple ways to contribute, as evidenced by a recent two-hit performance against Philadelphia that included his first triple of the season. With hard-hit and barrel rates significantly above league average. He is the ultimate roster stabilizer if you are dealing with a plethora of injuries and need a spark in the lineup.
He is currently rostered in 16% of Yahoo leagues and 9% of ESPN leagues.
2B – Cole Young, Seattle Mariners – Cole Young is rapidly emerging as a foundational piece for a Mariners team that needs it. The 22-year-old former first-round pick has successfully carried his thunderous spring training performance into the regular season, proving that his power surge, highlighted by multiple 440+ foot moonshots in March, was no fluke. He has a rare combination of a high-floor hit tool, paired with burgeoning, elite exit velocities. His recent performances have been highlighted by a six-game RBI streak that saw him deliver multiple late-inning heroics. He has joined Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez as the only players in Mariners history to record an RBI in six consecutive games at age-22 or younger. Over his last seven games, Young has been an absolute spark plug, slashing .423/.429/.615 with 11 hits and eight RBI. While he typically hits lower in the Mariner lineup and is seeing a lot of playing time with the absence of Brendan Donovan, his ability to grind out at-bats, with a walk rate hovering around 8.5%, is earning him more opportunities in high-leverage situations.
He is currently rostered in 27% of Yahoo leagues and 16% of ESPN leagues.
3B – Nick Gonzales, Pittsburgh Pirates – We came into this season somewhat questioning the playing time for Nick Gonzales. With the acquisition of Brandon Lowe at second base and the call-up of phenom Konnor Griffin at shortstop, we knew he was certainly going to have to compete for time in the middle infield. However, Nick Yorke was recently reassigned to the minors, and Jared Triolo has underperformed all season. Gonzales has found stability in the lineup at the hot corner after starting there in the last 12 consecutive games. He maintains a refined 17.9% strikeout rate while his batting average rises. This is great for a boost in your fantasy lineup; the higher strikeout rates are a drain to your points or wasted at-bats in your category leagues. Over his last seven games, Gonzales is slashing a blistering .444/.531/519 with 12 hits and four RBI. This hot streak was capitalized on by a three-hit game against the Cincinnati Reds on May 1st and a two-hit, two-RBI performance the following day. While his power numbers have been modest this year, his ability to consistently reach base makes him a dynamic spark plug in the Pirates’ lineup
He is currently rostered in 11% of Yahoo leagues and 4% in ESPN leagues.
SS – Nasim Nuñez, Washington Nationals – Nasim Nuñez is the definition of a “category stuffer”. While Nunez really isn’t a good hitter, he is certainly improving and providing sneaky value here. The category he is clearly monopolizing is stolen bases, leading the league with 14 stolen bases, which could single-handedly win that category for you weekly. He’s been hovering around a .208 batting average; he has recently shown improvement, slashing .333/.445/.333 over his last seven games. His RBI total is also growing, recently reaching 10 for the season. Nunez is typically a pinch-running specialist for your fantasy squad, but this recent surge of hitting efficiency will help in other facets, too. He is also capable of being slotted in at both middle infield positions.
He is currently rostered in 8% of Yahoo leagues and 4% of ESPN leagues.
OF – Brice Matthews, Houston Astros – As Brice Matthews quickly becomes a mainstay in a crowded Astros outfield, he’s forcing his way into the lineup by showcasing his power and speed. The strikeout is unfortunately still high, but the damage he does when he makes contact has been undeniable. His recent power surge has been a major storyline for the Astros over the last week. Over his last seven games, Matthews has been on an absolute tear, slashing .360/.385/.640 with two home runs and six RBI. This streak was capped off by a massive performance on May 2nd against Boston, where he went 2-for-3 with a three-run blast and a walk-off of lefty slinger Connelly Early. He provides a 20/20 potential and is even eligible at second base while mainly being in the outfield.
He is currently rostered in 2% of Yahoo leagues and 1% of ESPN leagues.
OF – Jorge Soler, Los Angeles Angels – Jorge Soler has officially re-entered his “Soler Power” streak again. Following his suspension, he’s transitioned back into being the catalyst for this Angels lineup. He had a thunderous two-run home run on May 1st against the Mets, where he scorched a sweeper at 107.3 MPH for a 403-foot blast to left-center off Connor Scott. His season home run totals have climbed to seven, accompanied by a robust 25 RBI through the first month and change. He is currently supplementing his power with a steady .338 OBP, ensuring he provides value on days the ball stays in the park. Hitting primarily in the leadoff or top-of-the-order spots, he is getting maximum plate appearances to capitalize on this hot streak.
