We’re into the ninth week of the 2024 fantasy baseball season, one filled with turbulence, injuries, and breakout performers. With Week 9 on the horizon, which fantasy baseball hitters are worth targeting on the waiver wire? Here are our five picks, starting with a Tigers infielder on a tear this month.
Colt Keith
Our Week 9 fantasy hitters target list in fantasy baseball begins with Tigers infielder Colt Keith. Keith got off to a sluggish start to his MLB career, as he ended April with a .154/.222/.165 slash line and one extra-base hit. In May, Detroit and baseball fans saw the Keith who shined in Double and Triple-A last season. The 22-year-old cracked 17 hits over the last two weeks and came into play on May 25 with a .355 average during the month.
After a 27-home run campaign in 2023, Keith only has one in 2024. He likely won’t be as prolific a power hitter in the Majors, as he deploys a swing that’s shorter than the MLB average but doesn’t generate a ton of bat speed. Still, he’s in a better position to get a hold of more pitches now that the early-season funk has been broken.
Connor Joe
It’s smart not to neglect the runs scored category in fantasy baseball. One hitter who’s been very useful in that category in recent weeks is Connor Joe. Joe, who had a .344 OBP as of May 25, scored 10 runs over the last two weeks, good for a top-15 finish in that category.
Joe’s been a fixture in the top half of the Pirates lineup in recent weeks, as he’s primarily batted in either the third or fourth slot for all of May. And at this pace, Joe — who entered play on May 25 with 22 RBI over 45 games — could break his previous career-high of 42 runs driven in this season.
Otto Lopez
This spot would have likely gone to Zach Neto or Michael Massey, two hot infielders. However, both are nicked up, with the latter dealing with back tightness. Thus, we’ll go with former Blue Jays farmhand Otto Lopez, who’s been a beneficiary in the wake of the Luis Arraez trade. Lopez batted .317 with 12 RBI from May 11-24, the latter of which was tied for sixth in the Majors during that period.
Lopez is a smaller infielder with below-average power. But to this point, the 25-year-old’s barreled up baseballs at an above-average clip (9.1%) and likely will continue to see steady playing time with a rebuilding Marlins team.
Jake Meyers
Much of the attention towards the Astros outfield — and deservedly so — has gone towards Kyle Tucker. Center fielder Jake Meyers, though, has snuck himself in as a fantasy asset in recent weeks. Meyers entered play on the 25th with a .300 average and six home runs, three of which came over the last two weeks. The 27-year-old also drove in 12 from May 11-24.
Meyers has shown flashes at times throughout his four-year MLB career but 2024 has been the first in which he’s established himself as a strong all-around player.
Tommy Pham
We’ll end our Week 9 fantasy hitters target list with one of the game’s hottest hitters, Tommy Pham. Pham didn’t begin the 2024 campaign with an MLB team but has quickly found a home in Chicago with the White Sox. Pham recorded 18 hits over the last two weeks, which put him in a tie for fourth in that period along with the likes of Aaron Judge, Bryan Reynolds, Bo Bichette, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. He also added three stolen bases and seven stolen bases.
Much like last season, Pham’s setting himself up to be a midseason pickup for a contender. But in the interim, Pham’s a name to watch with the Sox — especially if he can keep up his torrid pace (.361 AVG) against fastballs.