With the 2026 fantasy baseball playoffs in high gear, it’s time to talk (or write, in this instance) about reinforcements. For Week 23, our hitter target list includes two rookies in the groove, plus a scorching hot infielder from the Cardinals.

Best Week 23 hitters to target

• C Yainer Díaz (Astros)
• 1B Bryce Eldridge (Giants)
• 2B/3B/OF Tommy Edman (Dodgers)
• OF Hector Rodriguez (Reds)
• 2B/3B/SS/OF Thomas Saggese (Cardinals)

Unless Shohei Ohtani goes on the IL between now and the end of the year, don’t expect Tommy Edman to stick in the leadoff spot for Los Angeles. However, that doesn’t mean Edman’s fantasy value should take too much of a hit.

Edman scored three runs over his first three games in the one-hole, as of September 6. And from August 27 through September 5, Edman punched 11 hits and drove in five runs, becoming one of the more consistent readily available players in mixed formats.

Utilityman Thomas Saggese was one of baseball’s hottest hitters during that same span. Saggese slashed .550/.577/1.100 with three home runs, eight RBI, and 11 hits over seven games. And on September 6, Saggese made it 13 hits over eight games with two hits against the Rockies.

Ride the hot wave while you can.

Bryce Eldridge drove in 10 runs over his last 11 contests. In his last seven games, Eldridge had a hit in six of them. With a 15-home-run season in the books and quality production over the last few weeks, Eldridge will be someone to watch in 2027. But for the last few weeks, he’s worth a grab.

Another rookie who’s been hitting well over the past few weeks is Hector Rodriguez. It took a little bit for Rodriguez to find his groove after he was promoted to the Reds in August. Rodriguez added three more hits on the 6th, giving him 12 over his last nine games. He also had a pair of home runs in that stretch.

Lastly, Yainer Diaz is hitting, with eight hits over his last nine.

Overview of Week 22

Alejandro Kirk, on our Week 22 list, didn’t play in two games this week, not a shock given he sat on days games after night contests. But Kirk picked up a hit in all three games he played in, scored two runs, and drove in two.

Brooks Lee homered on the 6th, giving him 23 home runs on the season. He also had two multi-hit games this past week.

Trevor Story, meanwhile, drove in four and picked up a hit in every game he played in this past week.

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