Fantasy baseball: Emerging Hunter Goodman, Otto Lopez could boost your team
The fantasy baseball season has barely started, and already the waiver wire is buzzing with intriguing options who could provide a significant boost to your roster.
Two players in particular stand out as potential game-changers: Hunter Goodman of the Rockies and Otto Lopez of the Marlins. Both bring unique value to the table, and their current situations make them prime targets for savvy fantasy managers looking to capitalize on undervalued talent.
Goodman is an a catcher-eligible player who is turning heads with more at-bats than anyone anticipated. Coming into the season, Goodman wasn’t a household name, but his early performance and playing time suggest he is ready to make an impact.
With catcher eligibility already in his pocket, Goodman offers positional flexibility — a rare and valuable asset at a spot where offensive production can be hard to come by.
What’s more, he is playing half his games at Coors Field, the hitter’s paradise known for inflating stats and turning fringe players into fantasy contributors.
Goodman’s power potential is undeniable.
He already has shown flashes of it in limited action, and with increased playing time he could easily push for 20-plus home runs over a full season.
The Rockies’ lineup isn’t exactly stacked with stars, but players such as Brenton Doyle and Ezequiel Tovar provide just enough support to give Goodman RBI opportunities.
If you’re desperate for a catcher who can deliver pop without breaking the bank, Goodman is a sneaky add who could pay dividends all year long.
Lopez is another unheralded gem off to a scorching start at second base.
While his teammate Xavier Edwards likely already has a home in most fantasy leagues thanks to his speed and batting average upside, Lopez is flying under the radar — and that’s a mistake you can exploit.
Lopez’s hot start isn’t a fluke.
He is hitting for average, chipping in some extra-base hits and even showing a bit of speed on the basepaths.
His multi-position eligibility (second base and shortstop in many formats) only adds to his appeal.
Looking at Lopez and Edwards, I can’t help but draw parallels to the mid-2000s Marlins, when Hanley Ramírez and Dan Uggla emerged as bargain-bin fantasy stars. Ramírez brought elite speed and budding power, while Uggla mashed his way to unexpected home run totals.
Lopez might not reach those heights, but his current trajectory echoes that same vibe — undervalued production from a Marlins infielder who could stick in your lineup all season.
The beauty of both Goodman and Lopez lies in their availability.
As of early April, they’re likely sitting on the waiver wire in most leagues, overlooked in favor of bigger names or shinier prospects. But fantasy baseball isn’t about who’s flashiest — it’s about who produces.
Goodman’s Coors Field advantage and catcher eligibility make him a no-brainer for shallow or deep leagues alike, and Lopez’s hot bat and positional versatility offer a plug-and-play option for managers needing infield help.
Scoop them up now before the rest of your league catches on.
Howard Bender is the head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on X @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy baseball news and advice.
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