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
Walker Jenkins (MIN) – OF (Yahoo – 20%)
Late-season callups are always fun in dynasty leagues. The long wait is over! But promotions present a conundrum in redraft. Are you willing to go on a limb with only a few weeks left? Nope, I don’t have an answer other than to say history suggests betting against rookies hitting the ground running. Regardless, Walker Jenkins is this week’s star prospect du jour. Before the promotion, he wore out the International League with a .323/.417/.559 slash and a 150 wRC+. The 21-year-old lefty pairs exceptional plate skills with power and speed. He has thus far gone 2-for-9 with a stolen base from the ninth spot.
Heriberto Hernández (MIA) – OF (Yahoo – 18%)
Hernández’s modest seven-game hitting streak ended yesterday. However, the 26-year-old Dominican has been one of Miami’s most productive hitters, having slugged 22 home runs with a 114 wRC+. And his PLV metrics, including a 128 Process, corroborate the performance while suggesting he could make even louder noise in the final weeks. I think we’ve reached the point where he should probably be rostered in most five-OF leagues.
Cole Carrigg (COL) – SS, OF (Yahoo – 16%)
Performance-wise, I’d say for a 24-year-old rookie, Carrigg has acquitted himself well, hitting .263 with six home runs, eight steals, and a 103 wRC+ since getting the call in early June. Evaluating young switch-hitters is difficult, but so far the only thing we can say definitively is that he has struck out a bit more as a right-handed hitter (26.3%). However, his PLV Contact metric of 98 is just two ticks below the league average, so it doesn’t seem like an immediate concern, and his 96 Process is similarly average-ish. Unfortunately, he didn’t start yesterday’s game in Atlanta for disciplinary reasons after letting the crowd get the best of him. However, he’ll get a chance to put the transgression in the rearview mirror this week at home in Colorado, and as you know, it doesn’t get better than that for fantasy purposes. If you’re not happy with that last bat in your lineup, consider streaming Colorado’s two-hole hitter for what should be a productive six-game week.
Dylan Beavers (BAL) – OF (Yahoo – 3%)
A part-time role has mitigated Beavers’ solid 106 wRC+. Nonetheless, he has made some noise in the box score lately, and his 116 Process is especially eye-catching. With O’Neill on the IL, Beavers could earn more at-bats down the stretch against left-handers. Regardless, he is set up for a potentially big week starting with three games at Coors Field against all right-handers. Don’t rule out a late-season breakout.
Yahoo and ESPN Most Added Players
Andrew Alvarez twirled a QS against the Marlins, but you can toss him back with an impending date in Dodger Stadium this weekend. Swanson’s injury has opened the door for Pedro Ramirez to serve as Chicago’s primary second baseman, and he has posted an impressive 122 wRC+ across 187 PAs. The 22-year-old switch-hitter has also demonstrated good speed, too, with seven stolen bases on eight attempts. Elmer Rodríguez showed more velo than we expected against the Astros last Thursday and will get another start tonight in Anaheim; that’s a good matchup, but you don’t need to chase it. Javier Sanoja has gotten a bunch of hits lately for the Marlins, but his modest power and speed make him best for points leagues. His 8.2% K rate is tied with Chandler Simpson for the second-lowest among qualified hitters.
Tyler Mahle has been a rock for the Braves since the deadline, and he kept the ball rolling yesterday in Atlanta with a gem against the Rockies. His recent effectiveness warrants a roster spot in most leagues, but his next matchup against the Phillies at The Bank is far from ideal.
I’ve advised avoiding Zebby Matthews. And then he went out and tossed a gem at Sacré Verde last Monday. Fine. I’m still not buying it! Well, great. Now, after yesterday’s gem against the White Sox, I’ve got even more egg on my face. I’ll stand firm, though, and remain unconvinced that he is suddenly better. Only nine whiffs on 55 swings seems a little fishy to me. Regardless, he’ll face the White Sox again in Chicago this weekend if you’d like to spin the wheel again.
Zac Thornton gave up a longball to Jeremy Peña on his third pitch, but rebounded nicely, holding the Astros to just a lone run through five innings yesterday at Citi Field. The 24-year-old southpaw owns a 2.93 ERA and 1.16 WHIP through 11 starts. He doesn’t offer strikeout upside, and I don’t think you have to squint too hard to see the regression monster lurking. Still, he could hand in another decent start at home this weekend against the Giants.
Streaming Pitchers
Be sure to check Nick’s daily SP streamers article.
Today:
Jackson Jobe (DET) – SP (Yahoo – 20%) at MIN
Jobe hasn’t tallied more than four strikeouts in any of his four starts since returning. But he has upside, and I’m willing to give him one more shot against a Twins lineup missing its best hitter.
Tomorrow:
Eric Lauer (LAD) – SP (Yahoo – 11%) vs. STL
Lauer will get another turn in the Dodger rotation after Sasaki landed on the IL with a blister. The oft-traveled left-hander doesn’t offer strikeout upside, but he has been reasonably effective since landing in L.A. (3.78 ERA / 1.14 WHIP) and will have at least a puncher’s chance at earning the W.
Deep League Options
Andrew Benintendi (CWS) – OF (Yahoo – 3%)
Tristan Peters has been the toast of the wire, and rightfully so. However, his teammate Benintendi has strung together some hits lately and is back on the streaming radar with four right-handers on tap this week in Houston.
Max Scherzer (TOR) – SP (Yahoo – 9%)
Mad Max spun an absolute gem against the Mariners yesterday while earning his second win. And he struck out ten. And yeah, that was 17 whiffs on 47 swings. He also passed Gaylord Perry for ninth on the All-Time Strikeout List. One of the best we will ever see. He’ll face the Royals in KC later this week if you’re feeling nostalgic like me. I can’t resist a swan song.
