Welcome to the Waiver Wire Picks, our daily fantasy baseball article that reviews the best players to add to your rosters. We’ll look at players who are likely available in most leagues, as well as some deep-league options. We’ll also look at the most-added players in fantasy baseball across the major sites and tell you which players to add and which to leave on the wire.
Top Priority Players to Add
Samuel Basallo (BAL) – C (Yahoo – 36%)
Basallo started the season pretty well, hitting 16 bombs with a .755 OPS before landing on the IL with a shoulder injury on July 20th. However, he started a rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk yesterday, meaning we should see him with the O’s in a few days. With Adley Rutschman traded a couple of weeks ago, the runway is clear for Basallo to get as many at-bats as he can handle in the final five weeks. Make sure he’s not floating on your wire. It wouldn’t be surprising in the least bit if he is a top-five catcher the rest of the way.
Abimelec Ortiz (WSN) – 1B, OF (Yahoo – 14%)
Yes, Ortiz has ridden the pine against left-handed pitching. But his handiwork has become too spicy to ignore. His latest pièce de résistance was a 388-foot oppo shot against Christian Scott yesterday. The 24-year-old Puerto Rican owns a .300/ .317/ .700 slash across his first 41 PAs. My sole complaint is that he has walked just once. But who cares about that? This could, of course, change in a blink, but Ortiz’s quick start has left Nats fans pretty excited. I’m sorry, García who?
Yahoo and ESPN Most Added Players
Chase Meidroth’s .280 batting average would stand 25th among qualifiers. However, he doesn’t offer much power or any speed, meaning he’s probably best left for points leagues. He has also done the bulk of his damage against left-handers (169 wRC+) and has been league-average against right-handers (100 wRC+).
Ben Joyce made his first appearance after recovering from shoulder surgery on August 5th, and most recently saved Reid Detmers‘ gem Saturday night while topping out at over 104 mph. I’m usually a little hesitant to go all-in on relievers who are just returning from major injury (see Justin Martinez), but, at the end of the day, I recognize the need for saves. Just note that the Angels will most likely avoid using him in back-to-back games.
Nolan Arenado has had a pretty decent bounce-back season, which included a grand salami Monday night against his old club and two more taters Saturday. However, he left Sunday’s game with discomfort in his left side and will undergo an MRI. Injury scare aside, Arenado’s .764 OPS ranks seventh-best among qualified third basemen.
Alejandro Kirk is hitting .271 while riding a modest six-game hitting streak. Kirk isn’t gonna bang too many home runs (92 Power via PLV). However, a catcher with a good batting average who is hitting third isn’t the easiest thing to find. He’s a pretty decent add in my book, even in shallower leagues.
It’s amazing to think that the Braves DFA’d their other lefty ace, Martín Pérez, back in April. And speaking of the Amazin’s, he recently blanked them last Tuesday. You don’t need me to tell you that the regression monster is lurking around the corner, but at the same time, its hard to bench a guy with a 2.96 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. He’ll test the limits of the Vargas rule this week with a two-step against the Twins and Brewers.
Joshua Baez probably had one of the most electric big-league debuts we’ve seen in a long time. It was so good, it hadn’t happened before. And then he went hitless with the hat trick yesterday. That pretty much sums up his profile; he swatted 34 home runs with Triple-A Memphis, but also struck out just under 30% of the time. If you like boom/busters, he’s your guy. Swing hard, in case you hit it.
Noah Cameron had, not surprisingly, one of his worst starts in a while last Monday at Dodger Stadium. And then, he fired a CGSO against the Angels yesterday. Cameron’s 4.16 ERA and 1.22 WHIP don’t jump off the page, but he has had far too many huge performances over the past month or so to overlook. You can’t leave him on the wire. Nope, I forbid it!
The Jays would have handed the Yankees a gut-wrenching three-game sweep yesterday, if not for a top-notch performance from Ryan Weathers. Earlier this summer, Weathers seemed he might be in jeopardy of losing his rotation spot once Rodón (elbow) returned, but that’s not happening. Will Warren is clearly the odd man out. Weathers owns a 18.9% K-BB and should be rostered everywhere.
Jacob Lopez pitched well again yesterday, holding the Rangers to two earned runs across six frames. Team context is a big negative for Lopez as the A’s lost another of their best hitters yesterday in Soderstrom. Still, his recent success has made him close to a must-roster option. Yes, I’m ignoring his 5.22 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in favor of his recent form. He gets a pretty nice matchup this Thursday at Kauffman Stadium.
Christian Scott had one of his best performances of the season yesterday, holding the Nationals to three earned runs while pitching into the seventh. Scott owns an impressive 19.8% K-BB through 18 starts and is absolutely worth adding if you need pitching help. But my gut also isn’t terribly excited about his next matchup against the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Streaming Pitchers
Be sure to check Nick’s daily SP streamers article.
Today:
Martín Pérez (ATL) – SP (Yahoo – 31%) at MIN
Sure, the regression monster might be lurking. But he’s been great. And I like the Braves’ chances at providing run support against Bailey Ober.
Tomorrow:
Tyler Mahle (ATL) – SP (Yahoo – 28%) at MIN
Yes, Mahle’s velocity was down a tick in his most recent start. But his overall success with Atlanta has left me enamored. And his pitch quality metrics (5.15 PLV/2.76 PLA) are pretty good, too.
Deep League Players to Watch
Esteury Ruiz (MIA) – OF (Yahoo – 3%)
Ruiz can’t hit much. That’s OK. But we know he can steal bases. He has started three of the last six games since Stowers landed on the IL, putting him on the radar in 15-team daily lineup leagues.
Moisés Ballesteros (LAA) – C (Yahoo – 4%)
We were excited about Ballesteros not that long ago. Yesterday was his first day off since he landed with the Angels at the deadline. His .616 OPS isn’t what you want, but don’t forget that he’s still 22.
