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 who to add and who to leave on the wire.
Top Priority Players to Add
Spencer Jones (NYY) – OF (Yahoo – 34%)
Strikeouts remain a concern for Jones (35.4%). But he has been quite productive, slashing .264/ .337/ .450 with nine home runs and nine steals. Judge’s return raises the ceiling for the entire Yankee lineup, and Jones and his 15% barrel rate could be set up for a big week with nothing but right-handers on tap (@Ober, @Matthews, @Gallen, @Pfaadt, and @Burnes).
Victor Mesa Jr. (TB) – OF (Yahoo – 20%)
Victor Mesa Jr., a 25-year-old, lefty-hitting outfielder, has been phenomenal for Tampa (.848 OPS in 223 PAs), and he’s been stellar lately. The only downside is the schedule; the Rays close the week facing four left-handers at Tampa. (Springs, Suarez, Tolle, and Sandoval). Oddly enough, he’s actually held his own against LHP this season (135 wRC+). I gotta admit, I’m very torn here. He’s hitting .450 in September!! But…I just wish he had better matchups this weekend. The choice is yours.
Kyle Karros (COL) – 3B (Yahoo – 5%)
Karros has started all but one game for the Rockies since returning from the IL (concussion) on the eighth. He has hit sixth for the most part and been productive, slashing .258/ .352/ .419 with 11 home runs and 5 SBs across 423 PAs. His 109 Process is pretty solid, too. He is a decent bet for AVG/RBI this week with the Rockies at Coors all week.
Emmanuel Rodriguez (MIN) – OF (Yahoo – 2%)
Minnesota’s fifth prospect via Pipeline, Rodriguez blasted his first home run, a 420-foot oppo-shot into the visitors’ bullpen Saturday against righty reliever Franco Aleman. The 21-year-old lefty posted a 138 wRC+ with Triple-A Rochester and should get at-bats the rest of the way while the Twins play out the string. He hit sixth last night against the righty Warren and came through with a two-run triple. He isn’t a threat to steal, but he has pop, and his 19.1% walk rate in Triple-A stood out. Unfortunately, Minnesota’s matchups the rest of the week don’t jump off the page (Fried, Rodón, @Ureña, @G-Rod, @Detmers, and @R. Johnson). That’s three left-handers. Still, his pedigree puts him on the radar for five OF leagues.
Yahoo and ESPN Most Added Players
Detroit’s top prospect, Max Clark, has produced lately; he entered last night’s series opener in Toronto 7-for-his last 18 with a home run and three stolen bases. The 21-year-old lefty owns a .799 OPS through his first 154 PAs and is a worthwhile add if you’re searching for an upside bat. He’ll face a bunch of right-handers this week (Soriano, Mystery Box Opener, Scherzer, Castillo, Burke, Newcomb, and Martin).
Jonah Tong earned Nick’s lede last Monday after a solid effort against the Fish. In short, he has strikeout upside, but he is a young pitcher with a volatile arsenal led by a split-change. Even if he pitched well against the Orioles last night, I wouldn’t feel the need to chase him. He will most likely face Harper and the Phillies at Citi Field this weekend.
Nolan Arenado entered last night’s series opener against the Marlins having launched four home runs over his previous seven games. I don’t think that means much; nonetheless, he has done Yeoman’s work with a .765 OPS that ranks seventh among qualified third basemen.
Halos right-hander Ryan Johnson entered last night’s start against the Mariners having notched two consecutive Quality Starts. Still, his 6.7% K-BB% suggests a razor-thin margin for error. I’m unexcited, but his second start this weekend at Anaheim against the Twins could be decent.
Adames’ replacement, 28-year-old righty Christian Koss, swiped two bases Sunday and has hit .359 over his previous 12 games. Forgive me, but I’d wager there is probably a more interesting player to chase on your wire than the ninth-place hitter on a team that just lost its best player. And in case you’re curious, he stole 4 bases in just under 200 PAs last year, so I wouldn’t call him a speed demon.
Ryan McMahon’s fielding error cost Will Warren a chance at the win last night in Minnesota, but he turned in another good outing, holding the Twins to two runs (none earned) on five hits and two walks across five and two-thirds innings. He should be useful again this weekend at the Desert against the D-Backs (95 team wRC+, sixth-worst).
Kade Anderson’s struggles continued again last night at Anaheim. …And his next should come at Coors Field this weekend. Blegh. Yeah, let’s just circle him for next year.
Corbin Burnes tossed 75 pitches last night against the Fish, allowed two home runs, and couldn’t escape the fifth. That’s not the whole story, of course. But I think it’s safe to say he is still knocking off the rust since returning from TJ. I can’t say I would be excited to start him this weekend against the Yankees.
Landen Roupp couldn’t escape the fifth inning last night against the Red Birds at St. Louis. And he hasn’t struck out more than five batters since August 2nd. It’s hard to imagine him twirling a gem this weekend at Dodger Stadium. But at least Ohtani is out? And maybe Freeman too? Ehhh…yeah, you’re probably better off looking elsewhere.
Streaming Pitchers
Be sure to check Nick’s daily SP streamers article.
Today:
Sean Manaea (NYM) – SP (Yahoo – 20%) vs. BAL
Manaea hasn’t been good for a while, but this matchup could yield some strikeouts, with the Orioles having the highest K rate in baseball against left-handers. Citi Field should help, too. Let’s just hope he can dodge the Mayo Man.
Tomorrow:
Matthew Liberatore (STL) – SP (Yahoo – 11%) vs. SF
Let’s pretend Liberatore doesn’t have a 5.53 ERA and instead hope he can take advantage of a Giants team playing out the string. No Devers? No problem.
Deep League Options
Dylan Beavers (BAL) – OF (Yahoo – 2%)
Beavers has led off since September 9th, including one game against a left-hander. His .699 OPS isn’t great, but his 114 Process suggests he has deserved better results. Meanwhile, it seems Luis Robert Jr. (hamstring) is still at least a few days away; he just started running this Friday.
Jonah Cox (SF) – OF (Yahoo – 8%)
Cox has led off or hit cleanup since September 5th, and he’s been alright (.757 OPS). Steals are the main reason to add him; he can fly.
Brett Bateman (TOR) – OF (Yahoo – 9%)
Bateman has been the Jays’ leadoff hitter for a while now. He doesn’t have much HR/SB upside, but he has produced well so far (.818 OPS).
