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
Mason Montgomery (PIT) – SP, RP (Yahoo – 31%)
Rick Graham has thrown rose petals at Montgomery’s feet more times than I can count, and how can you not? He has a 39.2% K rate! The former Ray picked up his seventh save Sunday, and the runway is clear for him to be one of the best closers in baseball not named Miller.
Andrew Painter (PHI) – SP (Yahoo – 25%)
Painter wasn’t quite at his peak during his latest start against the Halos. And yet he still bagged a share of the Gallows’ Pole. Simply put, he looks transformed since returning from the minors, and he was one of the biggest risers on The List. There is a pretty decent chance you will want him on your roster the rest of the way.
Connor Norby (COL) – 1B, 2B, 3B (Yahoo – 16%)
Norby, formerly of the Marlins, has been productive since donning purple and black, slashing .298/ .394/ .491 with two homers and two steals across 66 PAs. I’d bet against it sticking in the lone run, thanks to his penchant for whiffs (30.1% K rate). But with five more games in Colorado this week, including tonight, he is on the board as an option that could help turn the tide in the first round of the fantasy playoffs.
Mickey Gasper (BOS) – C (Yahoo – 6%)
Gasper’s roster percentage on Yahoo plummeted six points after he got sent down Sunday. However, Contreras landing on the IL has changed the situation. Gasper played first base and hit second last night against George Kirby, and what do ya know, he went yard. You have to be skeptical, since we’re talking about a 30-year-old journeyman, but no one can deny he has been one of Boston’s best hitters this season (136 wRC+ across 156 PAs), and he looks poised to play a pivotal role at least until Contreras (hamstring) returns. Being a switch-hitter definitely helps his case. And, while we’re at it, I’m encouraged by his 123 Process.
Dylan Beavers (BAL) – OF (Yahoo – 4%)
Yep, I’m ringing the bell for Beavers again. His overall line isn’t great (105 wRC+). But it doesn’t tell the whole story, as he seems to have hit his stride in August. His 116 Process suggests that he could keep making noise the rest of the way, and I very much want to be here for it.
Yahoo and ESPN Most Added Players
Elmer Rodríguez impressed Aaron Boone enough last Wednesday against the Astros to earn another turn in the rotation. He seemed like a decent streamer last night against the strikeout-happy Halos. Regardless, the 13.1% K-BB% he posted across 19 starts with Triple-A Scranton suggests he isn’t someone you should feel you need to hang onto.
Our old pal Bryce Elder started last night against the down-and-out Giants. I understand trying that out. But even if it worked, he’s not on The List for a reason, and I don’t think you need me to tell you that you don’t want to start him this weekend in Philly. You’ve grinded through the season this long; don’t do it!
Ryan Gusto entered last night’s start in D.C. with four strikeouts over his previous two starts. That’s pretty much all you need to know.
Hayden Wesneski held the Yankees to one earned run across five innings with six strikeouts last Thursday. He is lined up for a potential two-start week starting today against the White Sox and ending this weekend against the Snakes. However, he’s 96 on The List, and his signature sweeper returned one whiff in that start against the Yankees. That is to say, there are warning signs, so don’t do it unless you need volume.
Every time I see Anthony Kay, I think of that dopey slogan for Kay Jewelers. Anywho, we know what to expect from Kay. He’s the quintessential Toby and will get another start this weekend at home against the Twins. That could work, especially with Buxton shelved.
Two-start pitchers galore. Ian Seymour has been fantastic (21.5% K-BB%) and has RP eligibility. He is a must-roster player and should get another start this weekend against the Rangers in Arlington. Aaron Nola’s 5.03 ERA and 1.40 WHIP speak for themselves. It’s been a long season. But he entered last night’s start in the Desert having racked up 32 strikeouts over his previous four starts. The ratio risk makes him a hit-or-miss option in standard category leagues, but you’ll bite the bullet in points formats. His next matchup will come this weekend against the Braves at home in The Bank.
Clay Holmes entered last night’s start at Wrigley against the Brewers holding a 2.26 ERA and 1.02 WHIP supported by a specious 9.9% K-BB%. He is a solid bet if you’re just looking for a win, but there is a pretty good chance he will hurt your WHIP. However, he is a much more appealing option in points leagues, especially this week when he’ll get a second start against the Marlins in Miami. Taj Bradley, on the other hand, can single-handedly tilt strikeouts, but he isn’t always a great bet to factor into the decision. He faced the Tigers last night in Minny and will face them again in Detroit this weekend.
Speculative Adds
Will Warren (NYY) – SP (Yahoo – 48%)
We haven’t had a reason to be excited by Warren in ages, and he even looked poised to lose his spot in the Yankee rotation before Weathers went down. However, he finally twirled a gem last Sunday against the Red Sox, and most importantly, his sweeper and four-seamer yielded a near-75% zone rate. That’s something we haven’t seen from him in a while. Whether the control sticks is anyone’s guess, but he is worth a gamble against the Padres this weekend.
Max Scherzer (TOR) – SP (Yahoo – 9%)
It would be pretty amazing if, after centuries of searching, Mad Max ended up being the one who discovered the Fountain of Youth. He certainly looked like it this past Sunday against the Mariners.
Streaming Pitchers
Be sure to check Nick’s daily SP streamers article.
Today:
Eric Lauer (LAD) – SP, RP (Yahoo – 12%) vs. STL
Let’s hope that McGreevy makes a few mistakes and Freeman and Friends take advantage.
Tomorrow:
David Peterson (CHC) – SP (Yahoo – 19%) vs. MIL
Peterson has firmly entered the Toby ranks, thanks to a serviceable stint with the Cubs (3.90 ERA / 1.36 WHIP). I wish the matchup were a little better; the Brewers have scored the third-most runs in baseball. Here’s to hoping the Wrigley winds aren’t blowing out.
Deep League Options
Andrés Chapparo (WAS) – 1B (Yahoo – 2%)
The 27-year-old Venezuelan has been ultra-productive (139 wRC+), and he is certainly not in a short-side platoon; he started last night’s game from the third spot in the order as the DH against right-hander Ryan Gusto.
Blaze Alexander (BAL) – 2B, 3B, SS, OF (Yahoo – 6%)
Alexander has been surprisingly good for the O’s, slashing .309/ .363/ .430 with four homers and nine steals across 255 PAs. His playing time could be a little up in the air; he has started three of four games since returning from the IL last Friday, including last night against a righty. Regardless, his 120 Process is pretty dang good.
Cooper Pratt (MIL) – SS (Yahoo – 5%)
Pratt hasn’t hit a ton (92 wRC+), but he has played regularly in a terrific Brewers lineup and swiped 12 bags.
