You probably don’t know this about me, but my main music favorite is old school hip-hop. My favorite album of all time is 2001 by Dr. Dre, but give me any 90’s rap. Nas is my favorite artist, but Snoop Dogg isn’t too bad either. That’s why we’re going with a classic Gin and Juice drop because I want you to think about that song while reading this. It’s one of the best beats in rap history, and I’m happy to recommend Ginn this week! With that in mind, let’s take a look at the drop rope!
The stats and rankings below were updated on 5/22. 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
Gabriel Moreno (ARI, 30% Rostership) – Whenever you find a holder that plays almost every day, you need to consider it without a stop cord. That’s what we get with Moreno, playing eight of Arizona’s 10 games. He’s been playing against this streak during his playing time, compiling a .279 AVG and .779 OPS over his last 21 outings. His .464 OBP and 1.024 OPS over the last week are even more impressive, especially since we’re talking about a guy who had a .353 OBP and .783 OPS last year. If you recently lost Ryan Jeffers, this is a great addition to the waiver wire.
Recommended FAAB %: 1-3%
QUICK HITS: Samuel Basallo (BAL, 52% Rostership), Carter Jensen (KC, 37% Rostership)
Deep League is Coming
Keibert Ruiz (WAS, 12% Rostership) – To be honest, this is my favorite section to write every week on the quit thread. Recommending any deep league catcher is like playing the lottery because all of these backfield catchers are bad. That said, Ruiz has been showing some flashes and is an interesting addition to the waiver wire this week. Despite playing only half the time, Ruiz has a .433 AVG, .933 SLG and 1.371 OPS over his last eight outings. That’s an uptick from a guy who was once one of the best catchers in baseball, and we could see Ruiz seeing a lot of playing time if this hot streak continues.
Recommended FAAB %: 1%
QUICK HITS: Carson Kelly (CHC, 13% Rostership), Kyle Teel (CWS, 9% Rostership)
THE INFIELDERS
10/12 Team additions
Spencer Steer (1B/OF, CIN, 38% Rostership) – I’ve been a fan of Steer for the past few years, and it’s nice to see him have a proper legend again. He averaged 22 homers and 20 steals between 2023 and 2024 while posting a .771 OPS. That’s why he tends to be a tricky commodity in fantasy, but we’re seeing glimpses of that lately. Steer has hit in 21 of his last 22 outings while sporting a .391 OBP and .879 OPS during that span. That’s why he’s been batting between second and fifth in this dangerous Reds lineup every day. That kind of opportunity is even more enticing as he has an .878 OPS on the road this year despite struggling at home. That won’t last as Great American Ballpark is a hitters’ place, and it’s hard to believe that Steer is still widely available.
Recommended FAAB %: 1-3%
QUICK HITS: Ezequiel Duran (1B/2B/SS/3B, TEX, 34% Rostership), Casey Schmitt (1B/2B/3B, SF, 43% Rostership), Matt McLain (2B, CIN, 52% Rostership)
Deep League is Coming
Miguel Andujar (3B/OF, SD, 7% Rostership) – A lot of people may forget this, but Andujar was once expected to be a Yankees shortstop. While that never panned out, we’re seeing Andujar grow into a post-hype sleeper. He has been one of the best hitters in San Diego this season, providing a .290 AVG and .822 OPS. He also had a .352 OBP and .822 OPS last year, so something is clearly different about Andujar. His recent form is even more ridiculous, compiling a .991 OPS over his last nine outings.
Recommended FAAB %: 1%
QUICK HITS: Sam Antonacci (CWS, 2B/OF, % Rostership), Zack Gelof (ATH, 2B, 21% Rostership), Brett Baty (NYM, 1B/2B/3B, 9% Rostership)
OUTFIELDERS
10/12 Team additions
Carson Benge (NYM, 34% Rostership) – This player completely changed the season for the Mets. They made a risky decision when they put him in the lead a few weeks ago, but it led to their best season of the year. His play at the top of the lineup is a big reason why, posting a .377 AVG and .919 OPS over his last 17 outings. The most important thing is that he steals up to eight and has a chance to be a 20-20 type of player. He also had 16 homers and 27 steals in 131 minor league games, so he needs to be added to every waiver wire yet.
Recommended FAAB %: 3-5%
QUICK HITS: Daulton Varsho (TOR, 34% Rostership), JJ Bleday (CIN, 47% Rostership), Brandon Marsh (PHI, 39% Rostership)
Deep League is Coming
Carlos Cortes (ATH, 14% Rostership) – Why is everyone sleeping in Cortes? This guy has been one of the A’s best bats since he was called up last season, and he has been at his best this past week. Cortes has a .329 AVG, .380 OBP and .921 OPS across 81 career games. That’s the equivalent of half a season, and that’s enough of a sample size to say we believe him, especially since he’s hitting one of the best hitting parks in the sport. We love that this week as Cortes plays all six games in Sacramento!
Recommended FAAB %: 1-3%
QUICK HITS: Jake Bauers (MIL, 28% Rostership), Jake McCarthy (COL, 8% Rostership), Richie Palacios (TB, 2% Rostership)
STARTING BEAMS
10/12 Team additions
Bryce Miller (SEA, 39% Rostership) – Miller has been showing an elite fastball, and he said he feels healthy for the first time in years. How long that lasts remains to be seen, but he needs to be added to every waiver wire as long as he pitches like this. Miller has a 1.64 ERA and 1.00 WHIP through two starts. Both were against two very hot offenses, but it’s no surprise since Miller has thrown 12 scoreless innings in his last three rehab games. This is the strikeout we saw back in 2024 when he was healthy, posting a 2.94 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in 31 good starts. If he gets anywhere close to that, Miller will be one of the best waiver wires of the season. Not to mention he’ll be starting twice this week!
Recommended FAAB %: 5%
Bailey Ober (MIN, 45% Rostership) – It’s funny because Miller and Ober are in similar situations. Both of these guys struggled last season, but both were players who should have been drafted earlier. Like Miller, Ober is having a Renaissance season, posting a 3.63 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 10 starts. Recent form has been even more impressive, producing a 2.65 ERA and 0.96 WHIP over his last six starts. That’s the best Ober we’ve seen in a while, with the righty amassing a 3.66 ERA and 1.03 WHIP between 2022 and 2024. We love that as it has something to do with the White Sox this week. Ober has allowed four or fewer runs in 13 straight starts against Chicago, posting a WHIP below 1.00 in those 13 starts.
Recommended FAAB %: 5%
QUICK HITSJack Flaherty (DET, 52% Rostership), Merrill Kelly (ARI, 55% Rostership), Ben Brown (CHC, 36% Rostership), Eduardo Rodriguez (ARI, 40% Rostership)
Deep League is Coming
Griffin Jax (TB, 26% Rostership) – Tampa has always been one of the best organizations when it comes to successful scouting, and it looks like they’ve found another success with Jax. They made him the first starter of his career, compiling a 2.09 ERA and 1.18 WHIP since April 1. He also completed five innings in back-to-back starts, allowing just one complete run in this extended role. That’s really encouraging this week because Jax has his first week. It’s not just any doubleheader week, when Jax is paired with the Orioles and Angels. Los Angeles has the worst K rate in baseball, while Baltimore is 19th in runs scored and 28th in K rate.
Recommended FAAB %: 1-3%
Lucas Giolito (SD, 13% Rostership) – Giolito was just signed last month, and is now in the San Diego trade. Most people who have played for a few years know how good Gio has been, the right-hander posting a 4.11 ERA and 1.17 WHIP between 2017 and 2021. That was a while ago, but Giolito still had a 3.41 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with the Red Sox last season. Most importantly, Giolito allowed just three baserunners and one run in his last start and followed up with a home run in his first start. Giolito allowed just one hit and no walks through five innings, but three walks to start the sixth forced in three runs that his bullpen couldn’t prevent. That still tells us that this guy is sharp and that kind of power is all you can hope to get out of the waiver wire.
Recommended FAAB %: 1%
QUICK HITS: Zebby Matthews (MIN, 25% Rostership), Connor Prieilpp (MIN, 18% Rostership), Jared Jones (PIT, 34% Rostership), Jack Leiter (TEX, 29% Rostership)
THE LIBERATORS
10/12 Team additions
JT Ginn (ATH, 37% Rostership) – I’ve always been impressed with Ginn’s stuff, but seeing what he did in his debut was nailed. This guy needs to be added in almost every league, with Ginn flirting with a no-hitter in his latest start. That gives Ginn a 2.98 ERA and 1.07 WHIP this season while he’s posted a 1.23 ERA and 0.82 WHIP over his last three starts. We’re talking about a guy who allowed three or fewer runs in all but five appearances last year, so the odds are on for Ginn to maintain this for the next few months.
Recommended FAAB %: 3%
QUICK HITS: Gregory Soto (PIT, 41% Rostership), Rico Garcia (BAL, 38% Rostership)
Deep League is Coming
Will Klein (LAD, 3% Rostership) – It’s a perfect punt play, but Klein picked up the Dodgers’ last save and followed it up by closing out the ninth inning with a four-run lead. That’s often a use you see up close, and LA hasn’t picked one since Edwin Diaz went down. Klein now has a 2.11 ERA and 1.18 WHIP this year while recording four hits in his last eight games. That includes the two-inning home run we talked about earlier, and finding the Dodgers able to afford 97 percent of the strikeouts is truly ridiculous.
Recommended FAAB %: 1%
QUICK HITS: Grant Taylor (CWS, 10% Rostership), Gus Varland (WAS, 14% Rostership)
