Dalton Del Don reveals the top overall available hitters worth adding to the fantasy baseball waiver wire in Week 14.
Noelvi Marte, 3B, Cincinnati Reds (50% selected)
Marte made his season debut last week after returning from an 80-match suspension for PED. He’s struggled in his rehab, but he’s already stolen two bags in four games since returning to Cincinnati. Marte should be the Reds’ regular third baseman, and there will be an opportunity for him to eventually move to the middle of the team’s lineup. The 22-year-old offers power/speed upside with solid plate discipline, and he gets to play in one of baseball’s most favorable hitter parks.
Marte remains available in 50% of Yahoo leagues, but he should be added in all formats.
Jhonkensy Noel, 1B/3B/OF, Cleveland Guardians (16%)
Noel has started three of the five games since being called up by Cleveland last week, so playing time is not a guarantee. But he possesses raw power of “80” and the 22-year-old has hit 45 homers in Triple-A since the start of last season. Noel has added two homers on 13 ABs since joining the Guardians, including the hardest-hit HR in franchise history. “Big Christmas” had his chase rate down in the minors last month, when he was on an absolute tear at the plate with 28 batted balls over 105+ mph. Strikeouts will be an issue, but Noel can hit very hard.
Additionally, some quiet offseason changes have had a dramatic impact on Cleveland’s home park; Progressive Field lowered the home run rate for right-handed hitters last season by an AL-high 36%, but it’s they increased by 6% in 2024 (Progressive Field has raised the HR for left-handed batters this season by 47% to an MLB high!) Noel’s playing time is uncertain, but DH David Fry had zero homers with a .669 OPS in June.
Noel is a three-position player with tremendous power, making him an interesting addition for fantasy players.
Jose Siri, OR, Tampa Bay Rays (24%)
Siri has become a fixture again after losing some at-bats in May, and he responded by hitting six homers with an .854 OPS in June. He’s just 4-for-10 on SB attempts on the season, which has slowed his running lately, but Siri could contribute to steals and homers in the future (though his stated goal of reaching 30 SBs by 2024 is now unlikely seems). Siri’s Barrel% is in the 94th percentile, and his Sprint Speed is in the 99th. He’s also an elite defensive player, which should help keep his bat in Tampa Bay’s lineup.
Siri has 36 home runs and 19 steals in 559 plate appearances since the start of last season, yet he is available in more than 75% of Yahoo’s leagues.
Brendan Rodgers, 2B, Colorado Rockies (8%)
Rodgers has hit two home runs in seven games since returning from the IL, yet he remains widely available in fantasy leagues. The former third overall pick is hitting .319 with four home runs and a steal in 30 home games this season, and he is a career .300 hitter at Coors Field. The Rockies play seven games this week at Coors (versus three left-handers) and then get a four-game series at Great American Ballpark, so Rodgers could soon become a hot waiver wire. Coors Field has achieved an MLB-high 25% pass rate over the past three seasons.
Rodgers is worth adding to deeper fantasy leagues given his very favorable upcoming schedule.
Brandon Marsh, Outfielder, Philadelphia Phillies (23%)
Marsh is on pace to finish with 14 homers and 18 steals despite missing 20 games this season. He’s hitting cleanup and is hitting .304 with an .889 OPS against right-handed pitching, making Marsh even more valuable in fantasy leagues where lineups can change daily. Citizens Bank Park has increased home runs by left-handed batters by 20 percent over the last three seasons, with only Great American Ballpark helping its lefty hit more in that span.
Marsh’s average exit velocity is in the top 8% of the league, so he’s an option for those looking for infield help.
