Dalton Del Don reveals the top widely available hitters worth adding to the fantasy baseball waiver list in Week 14.
Noelvi Marte, 3B, Cincinnati Reds (50% rostered)
Marte made his season debut last week after returning from an 80-game PED suspension. He struggled during his rehab assignment, but has stolen two bags in four games since returning to Cincinnati. Marte should be the Reds’ regular third baseman in the future, and there will be an opportunity for him to eventually move into the middle of the team’s lineup. The 22-year-old offers power/speed advantages with solid plate discipline and can play in one of the most favorable hitter parks in baseball.
Marte remains available in 50% of Yahoo leagues, but should be added to all formats.
Jhonkensy Noel, 1B/3B/OF, Cleveland Guardians (16%)
Noel has started three of the five games since being called up by Cleveland last week, so playing time is no guarantee. But he has “80” grade raw power, and the 22-year-old has hit 45 home runs at Triple-A since the start of last season. Noel has added two more home runs in 13 ABs since joining the Guardians, including the hardest hit HR in the history of the franchise. The “Great Christmas” had reduced his persecution rate in the minors last month, when he was in shambles over the dish that included 28 balls hit at over 105+ mph. Eliminations will be a problem, but Noel can hitting baseballs too hard.
Additionally, some quiet off-season changes have dramatically affected Cleveland’s home park; Progressive Field decreased homers for right-handed hitters by an AL-high 36% last season, but it is increased them by 6% in 2024 (Progressive Field increased HR for left-handed hitters by 47% in MLB this season!). Noel’s playing time isn’t certain, but DH David Fry didn’t have any homers with a .669 OPS in June.
Noel is eligible for three positions and possesses prodigious power, making him an intriguing fantasy addition.
Joseph Siri, OF, Tampa Bay Rays (24%)
Siri returned to being a regular after missing a few hits in May, and responded by hitting six homers with an .854 OPS in June. He’s just 4-for-10 on SB attempts this season and as a result has been rushing less recently, but Siri is capable of contributing steals as well as home runs in the future (although his stated goal of reaching 30 SBs by 2024 seems unlikely now). Siri’s Barrel% is in the 94th percentile, and its Sprint speed is at 99th. He’s also an elite defensive player, which should help keep his bat in Tampa Bay’s lineup.
Siri has 36 home runs and 19 steals in 559 at-bats since the start of last season, but is available in more than 75% of Yahoo leagues.
Brendan Rodgers, 2B, Colorado Rockies (8%)
Rodgers has hit two home runs in seven games since returning from the IL but remains widely available in fantasy leagues. The third overall pick is batting .319 with four home runs and a steal in 30 home games this season, and he is a career .300 hitter at Coors Field. The Rockies play seven games at Coors this week (facing three lefties) and then get a four-game series at Great American Ballpark, so Rodgers could soon become a popular waiver wire addition. Coors Field increased run scoring an MLB record 25% over the last three seasons.
Rodgers is worth adding in deeper fantasy leagues given his highly favorable schedule.
Brandon Marsh, OF, Philadelphia Phillies (23%)
Marsh is on pace to finish with 14 home runs and 18 steals despite missing 20 games this season. He’s hitting cleanup and batting .304 with an .889 OPS against right-handed pitchers, so Marsh becomes even more valuable in fantasy leagues where you can make daily lineup changes. Citizens Bank Park has increased home runs for left-handed hitters in 20% in the last three seasonswith only the Great American Ballpark helping leftist power more during this period.
Marsh’s average exit velocity is at top 8% in the leagueso it is an option for those looking for external help.
