The 2026 All-Star Game break will officially conclude on July 16, meaning fantasy baseball will get going once more. For those who need some help during what will be a long week and a half for many, here are five hitters to target on the waiver wire for Week 16.

Best Week 16 hitters to target

• 1B/2B/3B/SS/OF Ezequiel Duran (Rangers)
• C Ryan Jeffers (Twins)
• 3B Kyle Karros (Rockies)
• OF Jake Mangum (Pirates)
• 1B/2B/3B Curtis Mead (Nationals)

We don’t know who will get off to a hot or cold start once MLB action resumes on the 17th for most teams. But what we do know is who was hot before the break.

Ezequiel Duran and Kyle Karros each had four home runs and nine RBI between July 1 and the break. Duran has been a name to watch in fantasy circles for some time thanks to his position versatility. But it is the first time that Kyle Karros, who hit .289 over his last 12 contests, has turned into a viable fantasy option.

Karros has got the pop, and he showed that over the past few weeks, including in his father’s old haunt when he hit a home run at Dodger Stadium. Not to mention, an 11.5% BB% in that span, something to note for those in points leagues.

Curtis Mead was white-hot before the break, as he picked up 14 hits (.400 AVG), three of which were home runs, over his last nine games. It’s been a career year for Mead, who found home in Washington after he didn’t stick in either Chicago (AL) or Tampa Bay.

Jake Mangum is also an option in mixed leagues. Four stolen bases and a home run over his last 11 games, although don’t expect the home runs to come in bunches. Mangum, in that span, slashed .375/.468/.550.

Ryan Jeffers, who was on our second-half IL stash list from earlier this month, re-joined the Twins this past weekend after he was activated from the injured list. Jeffers, who hit very well before he suffered a broken hamate bone, picked up a hit in his first two contests back.

Overview of Week 15

For those who didn’t listen and picked up Esmerlyn Valdez in Week 15…I’m really sorry.

Valdez ripped off our four home runs last week, three of which came during a doubleheader last weekend against the Brewers. Needless to say, Valdez is going to stick around for a while.

Mickey Moniak had a pair of multi-hit contests over the final week before the break and remains a strong option in mixed leagues. Josh Bell also had two multi-hit games in that same stretch for the Twins.

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