Welcome to the Waiver Wire Picks, our daily fantasy baseball article highlighting the best players to add to your rosters. We’ll look at players who are likely to be available in most leagues, as well as some deep league waiver wire 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
Zac Veen (COL) – OF (Yahoo – 16%)
Veen’s cup of coffee last season didn’t go well. But he flipped the script this year, on and, most importantly, off the field with his sobriety. He has started each of the past four games since being recalled on the 12th and has done pretty well, with two of his three hits being home runs. The Rockies gave him a break last night against Snell, but now is the time to add him amidst a six-game homestand. If what he did this past season in Triple-A Albuquerque is any indication (24 HR, 18 SB, and a 142 wRC+), he could swing some matchups this week.
Jordan Lawlar (ARI) – 2B, 3B, OF (Yahoo – 7%)
In case you forgot, Lawlar dealt with a fractured wrist in April, before landing on the IL again with a strained hamstring in June. However, he finally returned last night. Not far removed from being one of baseball’s top prospects, the 24-year-old righty slashed a promising .316/ .409/ .447 with a home run and four stolen bases in limited action. Now, please stay healthy. Sure, Lawlar might flame out. It wouldn’t be the first time a rookie didn’t pan out. But as you know, you can basically count on one hand the number of power/speed threats with 2B and 3B eligibility. The potential reward is well worth the risk.
Yahoo and ESPN Most Added Players
We know Martín Pérez won’t rack up strikeouts, but a 2.96 ERA and 1.15 WHIP this late into the season means something, right? Barring an absolute fiasco last night against the Twins, I wouldn’t be opposed to hanging onto him for his next start against the Brewers this weekend.
Walker Buehler got some clicks for a two-step that began with a QS last night against the Mets. Skills-wise, he hasn’t given any indication of recapturing his glory days with the Dodgers. It feels like you’re playing with fire if you start him, and the upside isn’t worth the risk.
Alec Bohm followed a perfect 5-for-5 performance Saturday against Prielipp and the Twins with a home run and four RBI Sunday. That’s just white noise to me; he doesn’t do much other than avoid strikeouts. But I begrudgingly understand adding him if you’re poking your third baseman with a stick.
Could Lawrence Butler be good again? Sure! He was very good just two years ago. But his recent power binge in his hitter-friendly home parks isn’t enough for me to overlook the 90 wRC+ he has posted over his last 1,006 PAs. His recent promotion to the middle of the lineup makes me want to stream any pitcher with a pulse against the A’s on the road.
Rookie lefty Mitch Bratt’s potential two-step began last night at Fenway Park. Before that, he had had some success, most recently a gem at home against the Padres, but his presence off The List has me steering clear of him.
Andre Pallante started the second half of yesterday’s doubleheader at the GABP. He has a pretty decent 3.46 ERA. But I’m spooked by his 9.7% K-BB% rate. He’s palatable in points leagues, but I want nothing to do with him if I’m guarding ratios. There’s a reason he’s not on The List.
Michael Wacha has been nothing short of points league gold. He entered last night’s matchup against a rag-tag A’s lineup with 16 QS under his belt and the fourth-most innings pitched in baseball.
Shane McClanahan returned after missing about three weeks with a back issue. He’s a must-roster player regardless of last night’s outcome against the Orioles.
Joshua Baez appears on ESPN’s top adds again, and rightfully so after his historic debut. Granted, he hasn’t done much in the three games since, but you can’t let him linger on the wire.
Speculative Adds
Justin Martinez (ARI) – RP (Yahoo – 10%)
The D’Backs reinstated Martinez yesterday. I’m unsure if they want to throw him in the fire right away, but he seems like their eventual closer, having converted five of six save opportunities last year before his elbow procedure.
Streaming Pitchers
Be sure to check Nick’s daily SP streamers article.
Today:
Cristian Javier (HOU) – SP (Yahoo – 5%) vs. LAA
Significant injuries over the past two years have made Javier difficult to evaluate. There is at least a chance he becomes a back-end starter the rest of the way, and it starts with an easy matchup at home against the Angels.
Tomorrow:
Seth Lugo (KC) – SP (Yahoo – 24%) vs. A’s
Lugo has mostly struggled, but I’m willing to roll the dice at home against a bedraggled A’s lineup.
Deep League Players to Watch
Charles McAdoo (TOR) – 1B, 2B, OF (Yahoo – 0%)
McAdoo has started six of seven games since being recalled on August 10th. Vlad’s trip to the concussion list gives him another pathway into the lineup; he started at first on Sunday. The 24-year-old righty showed he can do a little bit of everything with Triple-A Buffalo, hitting .269 with 16 home runs and 12 stolen bases.
Rafael Flores Jr. (PIT) – C, 1B (Yahoo – 5%)
Flores, a righty, hit sixth and manned first base last night against Framber Valdez. Before that, he had started each of the previous four games. He didn’t light the International League ablaze this year with Triple-A Indianapolis (95 wRC+), but he could be a temporary fill-in for two-catcher leagues.
Jordan Beck (COL) – OF (Yahoo – 3%)
Beck hit second last night against Snell and has played sporadically since being recalled on August 3rd. This season has been a nightmare for him, but he demonstrated big power last year, and the Rockies could give him another shot to prove himself over the final five weeks.
Christopher Morel (NYM) – 1B, OF (Yahoo – 0%)
Remember him? Yep, he’s on the Mets. He didn’t start last night’s game and is probably on a short-side platoon, but I wouldn’t totally rule out the chance of him earning more at-bats. At the very least, he can play multiple positions and, judging by what he did with Triple-A Syracuse, his power is alive and well.
Henry Bolte (A’s) – OF (Yahoo – 6%)
Injuries have thrust Bolte into a more prominent role; he hit second last night against Wacha. The 23-year-old righty has held his own with a .711 OPS and has stolen 14 bases, albeit on 22 attempts.
