We’re nearing the halfway mark of the 2024 MLB and fantasy baseball seasons, believe it or not. Meaning, fantasy baseball players who’ve yet to turn things around may want to look into reinforcements. For those in need of a bat or two, here’s a look at five fantasy baseball hitters to consider targeting as we enter Week 13 of 2024.
Wilyer Abreu
We’ll start our Week 13 fantasy baseball hitters waiver target list with Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu. Abreu returned from a two-week stint on the IL on June 22, as he went 1-3 with a double and run scored against the Reds. On the season, Abreu is batting .273 with six home runs, seven stolen bases, and 22 RBI.
A source for home runs and stolen bases, Abreu’s established himself as a good left-handed hitter and one worth a look in fantasy leagues.
Noelvi Marte
Back in March, Major League Baseball suspended infielder Noelvi Marte for 80 games this season after the Reds rookie tested positive for Boldenone, a banned substance. The suspension crashed the stock of Marte, a borderline top-100 player before the suspension, in drafts. However, Marte’s on the way back, as he’s eligible to return on June 27.
Marte batted .316 with three home runs and six stolen bases late last year after his initial promotion to the Reds. And with injuries to Matt McLain and Christian Encarnacion-Strand, the Reds could use the 22-year-old.
M.J. Melendez
Royals catcher/outfielder MJ Melendez looked like a very promising sleeper before the start of 2024. Melendez posted an above-average 49.6% Hard Hit% last season and 16 home runs last season and he was scorching hot to begin 2024. Melendez carried a .325 average and three home runs after April 11 but his numbers have plummeted since. And over 231 plate appearances this season, Melendez hit just .178/.242/.362 with eight home runs.
Melendez’s numbers, though, have jumped over the last week and a half. He had hits in six of eight games between June 14-22 and while Melendez has a hole to climb out of, it’s a step in the right direction.
Jorge Polanco
Mariners second baseman Jorge Polanco is on the way back from a right hamstring strain, as he’s in the midst of a rehab assignment. On June 21, Polanco cracked two home runs with Tacoma (AAA) against Las Vegas in his fifth game of that current assignment.
Polanco hasn’t been productive this season, or at least compared to what he’s done in the past. The 30-year-old is hitting just .195 with five home runs in 2024. Keep in mind, though, that Polanco is among the best at second base in terms of power in the Majors.
Andrew Vaughn
We’ll finish our Week 13 fantasy baseball hitters waiver target list with Andrew Vaughn. Vaughn didn’t enter the year as a top-tier first baseman but the 26-year-old’s played like one in June. Vaughn picked up two hits on June 22, raising his batting average for the month to .360. Not to mention, the 26-year-old has five home runs and 16 RBI on the month.
The hot stretch has raised his OPS to .681, an indication of how things were going before June. However, Vaughn’s been someone pegged for a breakout for years thanks to his prospect pedigree and power. While it remains to be seen whether he can break his career-high of 21 home runs, this hot stretch changes the perspective on the former top-three pick by the White Sox.