Late-Round Hitters To Trust In Your Fantasy Lineup

• Jordan Walker (Cardinals, OF)
• Otto Lopez (Marlins, 2B/SS)
• Liam Hicks (Marlins, C/1B)
• Miguel Vargas (White Sox, 1B/3B)
• Brandon Marsh (Phillies, OF)

Jordan Walker: Cardinals OF with Elite Bat Speed

Jordan Walker has emerged as one of the most valuable undrafted options, already setting career‑best marks in several categories. A .346 BABIP is driving his elevated .294 average, and his 79.2 mph bat speed sits in the 92nd percentile, far above typical contact hitters. Walker’s stance is tighter—feet only 21.9 inches apart—helping him hit balls in the ideal attack angle (5‑20°) 54.4% of the time, three points above his career norm. His wOBA has jumped against every pitch type, with a 100‑point gain on fastballs to .391 and an 85‑point rise on breaking pitches to .334. Walker also barrels the ball at a 9.4% clip and pulls it into the air 16.8% of the time, up from 6.8% and 13.7% respectively.

His Sprint Speed is at the 92nd percentile for a 6‑foot‑6, 250‑pound linebacker, giving him a legitimate 20+ stolen‑base ceiling. With a 18% stolen‑base opportunity rate—up from his career 13%—Walker is now a true three‑threat option. The combination of higher‑quality contact, improved pitch‑type wOBA, and added speed makes him a cornerstone for second‑half fantasy lineups.

Otto Lopez: Marlins Infielder on a Stolen Base Surge

Otto Lopez has turned a modest BABIP of .370 into a career‑high .334 average, though the elevated metrics are likely to regress. His bat speed sits at 72.1 mph and his barrel rate per plate appearance (5.6%) mirrors last season, indicating no noticeable power surge. Lopez is producing 17 stolen bases in 410 plate appearances with an 18% opportunity rate, matching his career norm, but he’s now converting 85% of those chances—seven points above his career average. Projections hover around 25 steals, with a possible push toward 30 if his speed stays elite.

Even if his BABIP falls back toward the .280‑.290 range, Lopez still projects as a solid .280‑.290 hitter with above‑average speed and solid contact. The main concern is that his batting average has drifted well beyond his historical norms, making a bounce‑back likely. However, his speed and ability to stay on the bases keep him relevant, especially in leagues that reward steals and defensive value. In short, Lopez is a low‑risk, moderate‑reward option that could still exceed expectations.

Liam Hicks: Marlins Catcher‑First Base Dual Threat

Liam Hicks has surprised many as a hybrid catcher/first baseman, boasting a near‑elite 90.7% contact rate and a modest 3.9% swinging‑strike rate. He walks at a 9.6% clip while striking out only 8.8%, making him valuable in OBP‑heavy formats. Hicks is pulling the ball into the air at a 19.7% clip, up roughly five points from the previous year, though his barrel rate sits at just 3.6% with a slower 68.5 mph bat speed. All 13 of his home runs have been pulled, suggesting a profile more reliant on punishing pitches than generating power.

Hicks joins Ozzie Albies and Brooks Lee as one of the few players this season with more home runs than barrels, a red flag for sustainable power. His projections sit near an extra five home runs compared with his minor‑league ceiling of six in 2024, indicating a probable overperformance. The strong plate discipline and dual eligibility keep his floor respectable, but the lack of hard‑hit barrels means any surge may be fleeting. Moving forward, expect his power numbers to settle closer to a five‑HR ceiling rather than the current double‑digit totals.

Miguel Vargas: White Sox Power‑Speed Threat

Miguel Vargas has taken a step forward, already eclipsing his 2025 home‑run total (21) and stolen‑base tally (11). His walk rate climbed to 13.7%, a welcome improvement without a major swing‑rate shift, positioning him well in points and OBP leagues. The bat‑speed jump to 74.1 mph from 70.6 mph aligns with a career‑high 10.5% barrel rate, edging four points above his previous mark. Vargas is consistently pulling the ball, posting a 25.4% pulled‑air rate that mirrors his recent season.

His Sprint Speed lands in the 76th percentile, fueling a rise in stolen‑base opportunities to 13% from an 8% career baseline. With a stable power profile, Vargas can realistically chase 35‑40 home runs, while the speed boost adds 15‑20 stolen bases, dramatically boosting his fantasy value. Nothing in his statistical package looks flimsy, making him a reliable play for the remainder of the season.

Brandon Marsh: Phillies Batting Average Bubble

Brandon Marsh has finally secured a regular spot and is batting with a league‑leading .372 BABIP since 2021—a figure that is unlikely to hold. He’s adopted a more aggressive approach, swinging 53% of the time and chasing 37.3% of pitches, both up roughly eight points from his career averages. The aggressive attack has sparked a career‑low 5.2% walk rate, but his 76.1% contact rate and 6.3% barrel rate remain steady. Marsh’s home‑run rate sits at 16.7%—three points above his career norm—supporting a possible career‑high 25 homers.

Marsh’s stolen‑base opportunities have fluctuated, ranging from a high of 18% in 2024 to a low of 7% last year and now 12% this season, with projections around 13‑15 steals. The primary red flag is his batting average, which most analysts expect to slide toward the .260‑.270 range. Beyond the average, there’s no clear skill uplift—just more playing time that has elevated his overall fantasy value. Expect his average to normalize, but his power and occasional speed keep him a decent mid‑tier option.

What to Watch Moving Forward

When evaluating these late‑round gems, focus on whether the underlying metrics (bat speed, barrel rate, walk/strikeout balance) support the current stats or if they’re on shaky ground. Players like Walker and Vargas show genuine skill upgrades, while Lopez, Hicks, and Marsh carry more regression risk tied to BABIP, home‑run rates, and batting averages. Speed remains a trustworthy enhancer for all five, especially in shallow leagues where a 20‑steal season can swing a championship.

Finally, compare their usage patterns to past seasons: increased playing time (Marsh, Walker) often precedes sustained production, whereas platoon roles (Hicks) can be volatile. Keep an eye on stance and approach changes—Walker’s tighter foot position exemplifies how mechanics can unlock new swing qualities. By weighing these factors, you’ll be better positioned to decide which of these unexpected contributors are true assets for your second‑half roster.