We’re nearly done with the first two months of the 2024 MLB and fantasy baseball seasons and several stars, including Bryce Harper and Aaron Judge, have begun to heat up. However, other players, like Paul Goldschmidt and Alex Bregman, have yet to do so. For those in need of a jolt, here’s a look at five hitters to target on the waiver wire for Week 7 of the 2024 fantasy baseball season.
Jo Adell
We’ll start our fantasy baseball hitter target list with Jo Adell, who’s been one of the better stories to come out of the 2024 Angels. Adell, a former first-round pick who struggled with adjusting to MLB pitching, had a great month of April when he hit .316 with four home runs and five stolen bases. His numbers (.167 AVG, 2 HR in 35 PA in May as of May 10) have stabilized since the start of the month but he did record five hits, including two home runs from May 7-10.
With injuries to Mike Trout and Taylor Ward, Adell is virtually assured a regular role in the Halos’ outfield until further notice. He’s always had incredible power and his 15.4% Barrel% is proof it’s still there. But with him laying off on bad breaking balls more in 2024, Adell’s developed into a regular.
Orlando Arcia
Last season, Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia went from utilityman to starter to valuable fantasy asset. Arcia’s not having as loud a start as compared to 2023 but he’s been productive in a deep Atlanta lineup with few holes. Arcia has a solid .263 average and the 29-year-old blasted his fourth home run — second in a week — on May 11 against the Mets.
If Arcia can stay healthy, he’ll likely be able to get 10-15 home runs with a serviceable batting average. And while Arcia’s only eligible at short — unlike in 2023, when he could play at multiple positions — there’s some viability in mixed leagues for adding him.
Elias Diaz
Rockies catcher Elias Diaz had a career year in his age-32 season in 2023. So far, one could argue Diaz is doing better in 2024. The Colorado catcher, as of May 10, owned the eighth-best batting average (.317) in the National League and second-best among NL catchers, behind Will Smith. Diaz also has three home runs and 10 extra-base hits over his first 34 games.
It’s rather interesting to see that Diaz is owned in just 44% of Yahoo! leagues. Sure, the Colorado isn’t a prolific power hitter. But, his good eye at the plate and solid bat, coupled with hitter-friendly confines at Coors Field, makes Diaz a good catching option in mixed leagues.
Abraham Toro
From May 1-10, Rangers star Marcus Semien led all of MLB in total hits (16). Know who was second? Athletics infielder Abraham Toro, a contributor for an Oakland team defying expectations in 2024. Through 37 games, Toro batted .289 on the season and posted a .375 average in May through May 10.
A former top prospect in the Astros system, Toro’s never been able to take advantage of finding regular playing time during his six-year MLB career, much to his own doing. But on an A’s team that’s seen strong production from Brent Rooker and Shea Langeliers, Toro has also been a key piece.
Eugenio Suarez
We end our Week 7 hitters list with Eugenio Suarez, It’s been a strange year thus far for Suarez who owns a .634 OPS as of May 11, which would be the lowest for him in a season since 2014. Suarez has continued to be a patient hitter and whiffed less in 2024. However, Suarez’s batting just .222 with three home runs this season. The 32-year-old struggled with sinkers, as his .167 average off the two-seamer is significantly lower than his 2023 (.350) average.
Suarez did have an off year last season, and there’s no guarantee that his production will return to pre-2023 levels. However, his chase numbers are fine and he’s still able to pull the baseball efficiently at points. The D-Backs third baseman is a good bounceback candidate.