This is my first season writing these waiver wire articles, and I love it. As someone who plays in multiple leagues, this helps me as much as it helps you guys. Going deep through the waiver wire a few days before the start of the next week puts me ahead of the curve, and it’s helped me spot overlooked players. Adding a guy who will be a great player is one of the keys to a fantasy baseball championship, and we hope to provide as many of those as possible throughout the season. With that in mind, let’s take a look at this week’s waiver wire options!
The stats and rankings below were updated on 5/1. All rostership percentages are at Yahoo.
Feel free to comment here or contact me on Twitter @Bartilottajoel if you have any questions!
Also, check out my Streamers article coming out tomorrow.
THE CATCHERS
10/12 Team additions
Moises Ballesteros (CHC, 31% Rostership) – Not only does this guy have one of the best names in baseball, but he has quietly been one of the Cubs’ best bats. Another variable that has a big impact on Ballesteros is that he hasn’t played much of a player, as he has been their primary DH right now. Getting a catcher to hit second almost every day is a big dream factor, and it makes him more of a waiver wire when you look at his stats. Ballesteros has a .393 OBP and .948 OPS in all 47 games since being called up last season.
Recommended FAAB %: 5%
QUICK HITS: Carter Jensen (KC, 41% Rostership), Drew Dingler (DET, 43% Rostership)
Deep League is Coming
Gary Sanchez (MIL, 5% Rostership) – I said last week that we will keep Sanchez in this category as long as he continues to falter or is taken away from other leagues. That’s why we have to recommend him as a waiver wire pickup because he’s an important piece on this Brewers roster right now. Sanchez has been hitting between the fourth and fifth over the last few weeks, posting a .390 OBP and .931 OPS so far this season. The only concern is that these injured guys are coming back, and Tyler Black has been getting a lot of work. In any case, those numbers and opportunities are hard to ignore until we see him sitting regularly.
Recommended FAAB %: 1%
QUICK HITS: Ryan Jeffers (MIN, 23% Rostership), Samuel Basallo (BAL, 24% Rostership)
THE INFIELDERS
10/12 Team additions
Andrew Vaughn (1B, MIL, 34% Rostership) – This is another concern when it comes to Sanchez’s legend value because Vaughn will take over some DH duties when he returns to the lineup. He actually started his rehab on Wednesday and could be ready to return to work sometime next week. The youngster was the sleeper pick of many fantasy experts at the start of the season, posting the best numbers of his career with the Brewers last year. Vaughn finished last season with a .375 OBP and .869 OPS over his final 64 games. We’re not sure if he can repeat that, but he could be one of the additions of the season if he does.
Recommended FAAB %: 3-5%
QUICK HITS: Isaac Paredes (3B, HOU, 46% Rostership), Matt McLain (2B, CIN, 52% Rostership), Travis Bazzana (2B, CLE, 34% Rostership)
Deep League is Coming
Caleb Meidroth (2B, CWS, 8% Rostership) – This isn’t an attractive pick, but how often do you get an everyday leadoff hitter on the waiver wire? That’s exactly what we have with Meidroth, who maintains a .393 OBP and .771 OPS over his last 14 games. That’s all you can ask of an all-around player, and we’re talking about a player who had a .425 OBP and .839 OPS during his minor league career. The plate behavior is excellent for a leadoff hitter, and he can be a tricky asset for AVG and hitters in deep leagues for the rest of the season.
Recommended FAAB %: 1%
QUICK HITS: Jake Bauers (MIL, 1B/OF, 19% Rostership), Casey Schmidt (SF, 2B/3B, 10% Rostership), Brett Baty (NYM, 3B, 6% Rostership)
OUTFIELDERS
10/12 Team additions
Daniel Schneemann (CLE, 29% Rostership) – Schneemann caused a stir when he hit a dinger earlier this week because an older man tried to steal the ball from a little girl. That storyline overshadows what has been something special for Schneemann, who is sporting a .391 OBP and .955 OPS so far this season. That’s a ridiculous opening month, but his .492 OBP and 1.192 OPS over his 16 outings are even more ridiculous. That’s why Cleveland put him at the heart of their roster, and he needs to be picked up until he’s cool. Another big variable is his positional suitability because he fits 2B, 3B, SS and OF at Yahoo.
Recommended FAAB %: 3%
QUICK HITS: Mickey Moniak (COL, 51% Rostership), Daulton Varsho (TOR, 34% Rostership), Jorge Soler (LAA, 44% Rostership)
Deep League is Coming
Carlos Cortes (ATH, 23% Rostership) – OA has been messing things up this season, but it looks like they stumbled onto something special with Cortes. The outfielder had hit three in the past two weeks, playing almost every day. It’s easy to see why because Cortes compiled a .462 OBP and 1.129 OPS in the breakout campaign. He also had a .309 AVG and .866 OPS in limited time last season, after compiling a .414 OBP and 1.017 OPS in Triple-A. The skill set is there for Cortes to be an asset on the waiver wire, and we like that he’s playing in a very AL-friendly park.
Recommended FAAB %: 3%
QUICK HITS: Brandon Marsh (PHI, 12% Rostership), Jesus Sanchez (TOR, 5% Rostership), TJ Friedl (CIN, 16% Rostership)
STARTING BEAMS
10/12 Team additions
Davis Martin (CWS, 52% Rostership) – It feels like fantasy managers are always sleeping on these pitchers for bad teams. That’s something I’ve been guilty of, but Martin needs to be picked up on all the waiver strings asap. The right-hander has a 4-1 record so far this season, thanks to his 1.95 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. He also allowed three runs or fewer in all six starts while allowing three total runs in his last three outings. A run like this is scary throughout the league, especially since he scored at least six goals without a single start. The best part about this might be his schedule, though, because Martin has two starting this week. They couldn’t have better matchups, against the Angels and Mariners in the first week of the doubleheader.
Recommended FAAB %: 3-5%
Spencer Arrighetti (BAL, 41% Rostership) – Why is Arrighetti still less than 50% of the roster? All the fantasy bosses knew he could get out, and it felt like we were there full time. He threw seven one-run innings in his most recent start against the Yankees and now averages a 2.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 10.5 K/9 this year. That’s in line with the average we saw two years ago, when Arrighetti accumulated a 2.90 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and an 11.4 K/9 average in his 12 starts. It was the last time he was fully healthy, and he shouldn’t have sat on any slack lines with things like that.
Recommended FAAB %: 5%
QUICK HITS: Ryan Weathers (NYY, 52% Rostership), Noah Schultz (CWS, 42% Rostership), Reid Detmers (LAA, 41% Rostership), Joey Cantillo (CLE, 31% Rostership)
Deep League is Coming
Noah Cameron (KC, 25% Rostership) – I’ve had Cameron in my broadcast headlines many times this season, and it’s hard to understand why he’s still sitting on the deep ropes of giving up. He has been reliable since his call-up last season, registering a 3.44 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 30 career innings. He has struggled in his last four games, but having two of those in Sacramento and Yankee Stadium makes up for it. The reason we are willing to get him out of the phone is that he has the first week. They also start at home against the Guardians and Tigers, two of the weakest teams in baseball. In three games against Cleveland, Cameron allowed three runs in 17.2 innings while striking out 19 batters.
Recommended FAAB %: 1%
Griffin Canning (SD, 3% Rostership) – In deep leagues, it’s always nice to get guys off the waiver wire who are on the verge of a comeback. That’s exactly what we have with Canning because he is expected to return to the San Diego trade sometime next week. He hasn’t ridden since tearing his Achilles tendon last year, but he has the potential to be a strong striker. He has a 3.60 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in five starts throughout his minor league rehab assignment and finished last year with a 3.77 ERA and 1.38 WHIP. Those are respectable averages from a deep-league addition, and they should benefit from the jump in open positions in San Diego. Getting off to a good start against San Fran this week could be just what the doctor ordered because the Giants are 29 or 30 in runs scored, OBP and xwOBA.
Recommended FAAB %: 1%
QUICK HITS: Janson Junk (MIA, 3% Rostership), Lucas Giolito (SD, 6% Rostership), Elmer Rodriguez (NYY, 21% Rostership), Bailey Ober (MIN, 2% Rostership)
THE LIBERATORS
10/12 Team additions
Bryan Baker (TB, 46% Rostership) – The young man is arguably the best closer in Tampa Bay, and he’s been banging as he should. Baker now has eight saves in his last 10 games, posting a 3.18 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and a 10.3 K/9 rate this season. Those are incredible averages that you expect to see up close, and he’s actually playing for a team that should give him plenty of opportunities.
Recommended FAAB %: 5-10%
QUICK HITS: Lucas Erceg (KC, 46% Rostership), Seranthony Dominguez (CWS, 46% Rostership), Louis Varland (TOR, 58% Rostership)
Deep League is Coming
Tyler Phillips (MIA, 6% Rostership) – It was sad to see Pete Fairbanks hurt again, but that was normal for the former Tampa closer. Fairbanks moved into Miami’s closer position, but it looks like Phillips’ job is now in IL. Phillips slapping himself before taking the mound shows that he’s crazy enough to get close, but he has the game to back up that mentality. Phillips has a 1.47 ERA and 9.3 K/9 average after picking up the last save for Miami. He also had a 2.78 ERA and 1.15 WHIP last season, so he should be here to stay until Fairbanks leaves the IL.
Recommended FAAB %: 1%
QUICK HITS: Victor Vodnik (COL, 8% Rostership), Kirby Yates (LAA, 13% Rostership), Jacob Latz (TEX, 6% Rostership)
