My fantasy bat recommendations were a mixed bag of results last week. Austin Meadows and Jesus Aguilar each made major impacts, while Brandon Crawford and Christian Villanueva were commendable. Juan Soto dazzled in his first big league start, but fizzled the remainder of the week. Travis Jankowski cooled off dramatically. Regardless, here’s another six bats to add to your roster by way of trading with league mates or off the waiver wire in Week 9.
OF Michael Conforto (New York Mets) – Conforto’s ownership levels have started to creep back up since he launched home runs in back-to-back games over the weekend. When 100 percent healthy, this kid is a flat out fantasy stud! He single handedly drove my championship team in the first half of last season. His late-season injury saddened me terribly. However, he looks to almost be 100 percent right now. With it finally getting hotter outside, I can see this kid once again turning into a force. Try and pry him away from his owner before you’d have to do it from their cold dead hands in a month from now.
#Mets Michael Conforto is quietly batting .340/.407/.585 over his last 14 games played. He was batting just .191/.330/.303 after the game on May 9th this year, but is now up to .241/.355/.400 on the season.
— Ryan M. Spaeder (@theaceofspaeder) May 29, 2018
OF Mac Williamson (San Francisco Giants) – Mac’s boasted power for days in his cups of coffee at the big league level in years past. That’s something the Giants possess very little of. Bruce Bochy has installed him into the starting outfield, and he’ll remain there so long as he hits and stays healthy. In just 34 at-bats to date, Williamson has gone yard three times and plated 8 RBI. He hits in the meat of the order versus lefties which makes him one to stream and start for both DFS and season-long fantasy purposes the rest of the year.
Giants notes: Mac Williamson returns with the promise of everyday playing time: @extrabaggs https://t.co/sMqe0iWt4w
— The Athletic Bay Area (@TheAthleticSF) May 25, 2018
1B Greg Bird (New York Yankees) – Finally, the Bronx Bombers’ big first base bat is healthy, and he’s only going to add to what’s been a fearsome Yankees lineup. Since getting called up to the big league club on Saturday, he’s already gone yard once, raked three hits and knocked in a couple RBI. He’s taken his hacks in the No. 4, No. 6 and No. 7 holes, and will no doubt have some fun this summer reaching the short porch in right. If in need of power, you might be able to get some for pennies on the dollar with Bird currently residing on the waiver wire in 58 percent of ESPN leagues.
Greg Bird quickly shows why Yankees missed him so much https://t.co/TI9aWGnOg0 pic.twitter.com/7hZadyEubT
— New York Post (@nypost) May 28, 2018
1B Mark Reynolds (Washington Nationals) – Though Mark Reynolds will go down in history as one of the easier hitters to strikeout, he’s still worth adding to your fantasy baseball roster – especially if you own shares of Matt Adams. Dave Martinez has been going with Adams against righties, but Reynolds has gotten the call when a southpaw takes the bump. Sometimes the duo each takes to the playing field. If and when that occurs, you’ve got 17 home runs and 38 RBIs between them installed into your starting roster. If you own one or the other, do your roster a solid and try to trade for the other guy.
What do you think of this Mark Reynolds bat drop, and why does it belong in a museum? pic.twitter.com/UjGnvzo9GS
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) May 26, 2018
3B/2B/OF Hernan Perez (Milwaukee Brewers) – The Brew Crew’s infield has been nothing short of a carousel with players moving in and out of the lineup. Due to injury (Nick Franklin) and ineffectiveness (Eric Sogard, Orlando Arcia & Jonathan Villar), Perez is getting more at-bats and is making the most of them. Perez represents a cheap power bat that also has a bit of speed. He stole 30 bases two season’s back! His multi-position eligibility is the cherry on top of what could be one of the better waiver wire pickups of the season. He’s currently owned in less than two percent of ESPN leagues.
Hernan Perez delivers and we're all tied up!
Watch the @Brewers on #FOXSportsGO: https://t.co/gJ2zhyFRhe pic.twitter.com/Kx5xqWc9or
— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) May 26, 2018
2B Gleyber Torres (New York Yankees) – I told you to pick Gleyber up in the middle of April. If you didn’t listen to me then and missed out on his coming out party, relax, there’s still plenty of time to get on board. Only this time it will cost you to get arguably the Rookie of the Year onto your fantasy roster. The rookie is batting a cool .320 and has already gone yard nine times. He just became the youngest player in MLB history to homer in four straight games, and is slowly but surely moving up the Yankees potent batting order. He’s currently less than 90 percent owned, and if he’s on your league’s waiver wire right now, please send me an invite next season. Thanks. I’d be willing to trade Trea Turner for him no questions asked.
Gleyber Torres is the youngest player in AL history to homer in four straight games! #GleyberGood#YANKSonYES live stream: https://t.co/OovilZNxgY pic.twitter.com/Qm09i96yNq
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) May 26, 2018
Add To Watch List: Brandon Nimmo, Max Muncy, Miguel Rojas, Daniel Palka, Hanley Ramirez
