The choice of suspension thread is always in flux, but I’m happy with the results. Mickey Moniak was our standout player last week, and he may have won people their leagues by himself. Understanding the schedule is the biggest factor in the waiver wire, and this is one of the most unique weeks of the season. The St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers play eight games this week. That means the players from those teams will add tremendously because we don’t get many eight-game weeks throughout the year. With that in mind, let’s get into this week’s call for waivers!
The stats and rankings below were updated on 7/5. 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
Carter Jensen (KC, 65% Rostership) – This is probably the most difficult category to write every week because few catchers fit into this box. It’s almost like there are a dozen catchers ranked in the entire league, and then a bunch of deep-league guys. Jensen is one of the few left, but he needs to be added to all the waiver wire. He has a .260 AVG and .797 OPS since being called up last season, but has been even better of late. Jensen has a .337 AVG and a 1.000 OPS over his last 22 outings while playing almost every day as KC’s leadoff hitter.
Recommended FAAB %: 3-5%
QUICK HITS: Samuel Basallo (BAL, 49% Rostership), Gabriel Moreno (ARI, 44% Rostership)
Deep League is Coming
Endy Rodriguez (PIT, 3% Rostership) – Deep-league players are always very difficult, but Rodriguez has been a great acquisition for the Pirates. He has played in nearly 60 percent of the games this past month and may see more playing time with his swing. Rodriguez has a .355 OBP and .922 OPS since June 1, while producing a .398 OBP and .893 OPS for the season. If this guy is in your league of holding two, please pick him up immediately!
Recommended FAAB %: 1%
QUICK HITS: Kyle Teel (CWS, 19% Rostership), Joe Mack (MIA, 4% Rostership)
THE INFIELDERS
10/12 Team additions
Andrew Vaughn (1B, MIL, 30% Rostership) – I never try to do carryovers with my waiver and streamers article, but Vaughn will be in both. Sorry for the spoilers, but this is one of my favorites of the season. We’ve already discussed that Milwaukee has eight games this week, and it’s surprising that Vaughn hasn’t been included in the league. The guy flirted with an .850 OPS after being traded to Milwaukee midway through last season, but he’s been much better this season. Vaughn has a .426 OBP and .954 OPS so far this year. The only reason he won’t be listed anywhere is because of the IL stint, but Vaughn should have a big week since the Brewers play eight games, including five against the St. Louis staff.
Recommended FAAB %: 3%
QUICK HITS: Caleb Durbin (2B/3B, BOS, 40% Rostership), Brooks Lee (1B/2B/3B, MIN, 52% Rostership), Sam Antonacci (2B/3B, CWS, 51% Rostership)
Deep League is Coming
Kody Clemens (1B/2B, MIN, 23% Rostership) – This guy just went deep against Gerrit Cole as I write this article. It’s no surprise because Clemens has been one of the Twins’ best bats over the past month and has moved up into the three hole on this list. That dominant roster spot was earned behind a .252 AVG, .567 SLG and .858 OPS throughout the past month. He also has four homers and nine RBI in his last seven outings. This form makes him a good addition to spare this week, as they have six home games against the Angels and Guardian.
Recommended FAAB %: 3%
QUICK HITS: Bryce Eldridge (SF, 1B, 26% Rostership), Curtis Mead (WAS, 1B/2B/3B, 19 % Rostership), Tommy Edman (LAD, 2B/SS, 20% Rostership)
OUTFIELDERS
10/12 Team additions
Esmerlyn Valdez (PIT, 39% Rostership) – This is one of the coolest first names in baseball. It reminds me of that hot chick from Hunchback when I was a kid, but that’s a story for another day. Valdez is living up to that reputation with impressive play, posting a .316 AVG and 1.112 OPS since his call-up. The last 17 games have been even better, with Valdez compiling a .346 AVG and 1.206 OPS. That’s why the Pirates put him in a cleanup spot on their roster, but he can hold that since he had a .388 OBP and .914 OPS in Triple-A. It’s rare to see such a rapid rise in fantasy relevance, but these are the types of guys who can win your league if they stick around all season.
Recommended FAAB %: 5%
QUICK HITS: Jung Hoo Lee (SF, 50% Rostership), Luis Robert (NYM, 40% Rostership), Mickey Moniak (COL, 36% Rostership)
Deep League is Coming
Trevor Larnach (MIN, 9% Rostership) – Larnach has always been a dangerous option whenever Minnesota matches the right-hander, but he has developed into an everyday player. They actually moved him to their leadoff spot over the last 18 games, producing a .431 AVG and 1.130 OPS over his last 13 games. Those absurd averages are backed up by some incredible divisiveness, with Larnach sporting a .400 OBP and .860 OPS against righties this year. Matt Wallner was the same Twins player, and it sounds like people are paying attention to Larnach for whatever reason.
Recommended FAAB %: 1%
QUICK HITS: Sal Frelick (MIL, 8% Rostership), Noelvi Marte (CIN, 30% Rostership), Domonic Canzone (SEA, 16% Rostership)
STARTING BEAMS
10/12 Team additions
JT Ginn (ATH, 42% Rostership) – Ginn has been an option to resign all season because many fantasy managers don’t trust him. It’s hard to understand why, because he’s been a standout for the A’s this season. He has a 3.04 ERA and 1.23 WHIP through 19 appearances this year. He’s also allowed three runs or less in all but two outs, and he’s never done that on the road. In addition, Ginn has a 2.31 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 9.5 K/9 on the road this year. That’s great since he has a playoff game against the Tigers this week, who have one of the most pitcher-friendly parks and one of the weakest hitters in baseball.
Recommended FAAB %: 5%
Logan Henderson (MIL, 41% Rostership) – We actually had Henderson in this category last week, but he needs to be added to all the waiver wire now. The general public is about to learn that Henderson will be returning to this transformation in about a week, as he is expected to make his final appearance in the renovation today! He struck out seven batters in three scoreless innings in his restart start. Henderson also has a 2.23 ERA and 1.01 WHIP, while striking out 63 batters over 48.1 innings with the Brewers. It’s rare to find this kind of talent on the waiver wire, especially since the Brewers are the best team in baseball in improving pitching.
Recommended FAAB %: 5%
QUICK HITS: Brandon Young (BAL, 32% Rostership), Roki Sasaki (LAD, 43% Rostership), Taj Bradley (MIN, 56% Rostership), Landen Roupp (SD, 38% Rostership)
Deep League is Coming
Cade Cavalli (WAS, 29% Rostership) – You’d think many fantasy managers would have picked up Cavalli after his last start, but the seven-game suspension made people slow to respond to the waiver call. We’ll go ahead and swallow that short absence because Cavalli looked like an ace in that gem. He struck out 13 batters against the Red Sox and now has a 3.50 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 10.7 K/9 average since the opening month. Cavalli is one of 10 players with three games this year, joining the likes of Christopher Sanchez, Paul Skenes, Jacob Misiorowski, Dylan Cease, Kyle Harrison and Jesus Luzardo. If he can keep up with those guys for the rest of the year, Cavalli shouldn’t sit on any waiver wire.
Recommended FAAB %: 3-5%
Kumar Rocker (TEX, 9% Rostership) – This is a risky recommendation, but the Rocker is an attractive addition to the waiver. There’s a reason why he was once the best player in baseball, but it’s been a rocky road for Rocker to get to this point. Like his career, it’s been a volatile run this year. Rocker has not allowed a run in four of his last nine games, while allowing three runs or fewer in 13 of his 16 appearances this season. He also averaged a 1.64 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 11.5 K/9 over his last two starts while with the Angels this week. Los Angeles has the worst K rate against righties this year, while Rocker held them to a 1.06 WHIP in both starts against them last year.
Recommended FAAB %: 1%
QUICK HITS: Zebby Matthews (MIN, 18% Rostership), Jeffrey Springs (ATH, 14% Rostership), Eric Lauer (MIL, 16% Rostership), Reynaldo Lopez (ATL, 9% Rostership)
THE LIBERATORS
10/12 Team additions
Troy Melton (DET, 45% Rostership) – We usually try to recommend closers in this category, but Melton sits in the path of many waiver wires. The youngster has been one of the Tigers’ best starters this season, compiling a 2.05 ERA and 0.80 WHIP through seven. Even more amazing is that he allowed two complete runs in his three starts, against the Astros, Yankees and White Sox. Those are some of the most dangerous lists in baseball, and Melton has been through them.
Recommended FAAB %: 3-5%
QUICK HITS: Jacob Latz (TEX, 62% Rostership), Joey Cantillo (CLE, 50% Rostership)
Deep League is Coming
Rico Garcia (BAL, 22% Rostership) – Who knows who will shut down Baltimore, but Garcia is the best target in this pen. He picked up four saves while Ryan Helsley was out, and now has a 2.52 ERA and 0.84 WHIP on the year. It sounds like Helseley could be out for a long time, and finding iO close to the retirement rope could be a discovery.
Recommended FAAB %: 3%
QUICK HITS: Alex Lange (KC, 23% Rostership), Yoendrys Gomez (MIN, 26% Rostership)
