One Fantasy Baseball Player to Target at Each Position for the Stretch Run: Nico Hoerner, Zach Neto and More

The MLB All-Star break is a time for players to relax for a bit, and for fantasy baseball owners to assess their teams before the stretch run.

I looked at some player projections for the rest of the season yesterday, and now want to point out a player from each position who could shine in the second half of the season. Some of these guys are going to be widely available on the waiver wire, while others are cheaper trade targets.

Explore the best in-season tool to manage lineup/start decisions including waiver pickups, projections, trade suggestions, trade value charts, rest of season rankings, power rankings, and tons more with Fantasy Assistant.

Catcher

I really like Miami's Agustin Ramirez for the rest of the fantasy baseball season. He is third at the position on the Rest of the Season Rankings.

In his first 71 games and 301 plate appearances, the primary catcher has a .242 average and .289 on-base percentage. Those aren't great numbers, but he's also in the lineup daily (starting as the designated hitter if he's not catching), so that gives him a nice fantasy boost.

He has 68 total hits in the big leagues. Ramirez's fantasy value is higher because he has 14 homers, 20 doubles and a triple among his hits. He also has 41 RBIs, 40 runs scored, a stolen base, 19 walks and 57 strikeouts so far.

Ramirez is rostered in 85% of leagues synced here at FantasySP, so some of you can add him for free today. Others might have to trade for him, but he's not going to cost a ton, and he can be a top-end fantasy catcher the rest of the way - he's already a top-10 performer, and that's notable because he started the year in the minor leagues.

First Baseman

Los Angeles Angels' Nolan Schanuel is my target at first base. He's owned in just 34% of leagues and ranks ninth on the Rest of the Season Rankings.

He's a top-10 fantasy performer at first base already, so he's highly underrated looking at his own percentage. I've been harping on fantasy owners to add him, but he's mostly hung around this own percentage for the past month.

The first baseman has a .275 average and .364 OBP over 92 games and 396 plate appearances this season. He has 17 doubles, eight home runs and a triple among his 94 total hits, along with having 40 RBIs, 45 runs scored, four stolen bases, 43 walks and just 47 strikeouts.

Add him and you'll soon see why he's an underrated fantasy asset.

Second Baseman

Chicago Cubs' Nico Hoerner is the second baseman I'd be targeting at the break. He's owned in nearly every league already, so you'll likely need to trade for him. Hoerner is the top-projected second baseman for the remainder of the season, and he ranks fourth overall this season.

The primary second baseman (who might also be eligible at shortstop) has a .283 average and .331 OBP over 92 games and 378 plate appearances this season. He has 18 doubles and three home runs and triples among his 99 total knocks, along with 39 RBIs, 52 runs scored, 16 stolen bases, 21 walks and only 28 strikeouts.

There's not many negatives to his fantasy game, and he's capable of at least continuing his numbers from before the break. He shouldn't cost a ton in a trade, but he could solidify the second base position and help you in the long run.

Third Baseman

Philadelphia's Alec Bohm is my third base target. He's owned in 85% of leagues and ranks ninth at the position for the rest of the season.

He's played in 91 games and logged 379 plate appearances this season. Bohm has 12 doubles, two triples and eight homers among his 98 total hits, along with 42 RBIs, 39 runs scored, two stolen bases, 22 walks and 62 strikeouts. Bohm has a .281 average and .327 OBP.

Bohm started the season poorly, but now is around his career averages. He's not driving in as many runs, but he's producing enough at the plate to be a top-10 fantasy option at the position - he should be eligible at first base too, which adds more fantasy value to his name.

Shortstop

Los Angeles Angels' Zach Neto is my choice at shortstop. He's rostered in 82% of leagues and ranks eighth at the position for the rest of the season.

He got a late start to his season, but has hit .279 and got on base at a .326 clip over his 77 games and 328 plate appearances. Neto has 33 RBIs, 61 runs scored, 17 stolen bases, 16 walks and 87 strikeouts. He has 15 homers, 18 doubles and a triple among his 85 hits.

Neto strikes out too much, but a strong average and OBP, mixed with some speed and pop, makes him a good all-around fantasy hitter. The fantasy shortstop position is stacked, but he's a top-10 option the rest of the way in my eyes.

Outfield

I'd go with Jackson Chourio as a fantasy outfielder to target at the break. He's owned in all leagues, ranks fifth for the rest of the season and is the No. 9 fantasy outfielder in points leagues so far.

He is going to cost a bit more, but I think his outlook for the remainder of the season is really strong. Chourio has underperformed a bit compared to last season, so a stronger finish to the season is definitely possible - even if he sticks near his current marks, you have a top-end fantasy outfielder, so what's the harm?

Across 95 games and 424 plate appearances this season, Chourio has a .264 average and .297 OBP. He has 25 doubles, 16 home runs and three triples among his 106 total hits. Chourio also has 62 RBIs, 65 runs scored, 16 stolen bases, 18 walks and 87 strikeouts.

Starting Pitcher

Give me Joe Ryan as the starting pitcher to target. He's owned in all leagues, ranks seventh for the remainder of the season and is No. 12 overall in points leagues right now at the position.

His name has come up in trade talks, and a trade to a contender could really boost his fantasy outlook. Even if Ryan isn't traded, I think he's in store for a big finish to the season, and he's already delivered great numbers this season. He'll cost a bit in a trade, but I think he's a good investment and will be worth more in the end than what you'd pay for him now.

Despite being on a so-so team, Ryan has a 9-4 record over 18 starts and 19 appearances. He has a 2.72 earned run average over 109 1 1/3 innings - he's allowed 34 runs (33 earned) on 77 hits and 23 walks, while striking out 121 batters.

Relief Pitcher

I'm not a big fan of trading for relief pitchers, but I'd want to target a closer from a contending team. Honestly, I'd just say to swing for the fences and get Josh Hader, who has been the top fantasy reliever this season. He's obviously owned in all leagues and ranks first for the remainder of the season.

He'll cost a lot in a trade, but he's already performing well, has been there and done that in the past and is about as trustworthy a fantasy reliever as you can get. Hader scuffled a bit before the break, so he might be a touch more affordable now.

Hader has a 2.53 ERA over 42 2/3 innings so far. He's 5-2 with 25 saves and one blown save. Hader has 65 punchouts as well, showing his fantasy upside, even if he's allowing some occasional runs.