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 who to add and who to leave on the wire.
Top Priority Players to Add
Dominic Canzone (SEA) – OF (Yahoo – 23%)
Canzone has performed surprisingly well this season (.808 OPS and 22 home runs) while emerging as a key cog in the Mariners’ lineup. And he’s long since nullified a platoon by posting a 140 wRC+ against LHP this season. More importantly, he’ll be teeing off this weekend at Coors Field.
Kyle Karros (COL) – 3B (Yahoo – 5%)
To echo Mitch Steinberg from yesterday’s column, no one is doing much of anything for the Rockies right now. But Karros has played reasonably well since returning from a concussion on September 8; two of his seven hits have left the yard. Overall, Eric’s son has posted a .782 OPS with 12 home runs and five stolen bases across 437 PAs. Yes, I wish he didn’t have to face Woo on Friday, but it’s Coors Field, and it’s not like the next two pitchers, Bryce Miller and rookie Kade Anderson, haven’t had their share of peaks and valleys.
Jonah Cox (SF) – OF (Yahoo – 7%)
Are you chasing steals in a five-outfield league? The 25-year-old rookie has swiped 13 bags on 16 attempts over 132 PAs. And he’s hit fourth or higher in every game since 9/5. He’s also hit pretty well too (.778 OPS). But, yeah, let’s just ignore his 37% K rate and hope he keeps it up. The base stealing, that is, not the strikeouts.
Anthony Volpe (NYY) – SS (Yahoo – 7%)
Volpe has started six of seven games since being recalled from Scranton on September 10 after Jazz got hurt. He smoked a game-tying two-run double off Yoendrys Gómez in the ninth yesterday. And he’s also smacked a grand slam and stolen four bases. My brain says ignore this. My heart admires the remarkable redemption arc this would be. …Maybe it wouldn’t be totally shocking if the magic continues this weekend in the desert, facing Gallen, Pfaadt, and E-Rod. At the very least, Volpe is suddenly back on the menu in 15-teamers.
Yahoo and ESPN Most Added Players
Max Clark is by far the biggest add on Yahoo. The third overall pick three summers ago, Clark debuted on July 31st and has since slashed .278/.354/.451 with three home runs and five stolen bases (six attempts). His 163 PAs don’t provide an adequate picture, but so far he’s chased a little more than you’d like (85 DV), and his PLV Power metric is league average (100). That is to say, he’s done pretty darn well for a 21-year-old rookie. I’d consider him an upside fifth OF this weekend at Guaranteed Rate, where he’ll have the platoon advantage against the likes of RHP Castillo, Sandlin, Burke, and Martin.
Merrill Kelly entered last night’s start against the Fish with a 4.97 ERA and 1.46 WHIP. He has been a great innings eater in the past, but he hasn’t been the same dude this year. I certainly wouldn’t feel the need to hold him for a start at Coors if your league continues next week.
Nick listed Brady Basso, Daniel Lynch IV, and JR Ritchie under Do Not Start in yesterday’s Streamer Rankings. That about sums them up.
Jared Jones struck out nine over five innings against the Brewers. His final start will likely come next week at home against the Cards, and that should be worthwhile.
Cristian Javier has racked up some whiffs lately, but only pocketed two strikeouts yesterday against the Royals before exiting with one down in the sixth. I’d consider his final start next week at T-Mobile Park just a dice roll for a few strikeouts, considering he’s cleared five innings just three times.
Carlos Rodón didn’t have his best fastball velocity, but he ground out a QS in an extra-inning loss to the Twins. He mentioned afterward that he had difficulty getting loose. It didn’t sound too concerning. Regardless, if you’re banking on his final start next week, he might not get it if the Rays have already clinched the division.
Jake Bennett struck out eight (13 whiffs on 55 swings) but couldn’t escape the fifth yesterday at Arlington as he dealt with a ton of traffic on the bases. Bennett’s workload might be an issue; he’s thrown about 75 more innings than last season. His next start is tentatively scheduled for next Tuesday at Fenway and lines up well on paper; the Guardians have managed an 88 wRC+ against LHP this year.
My vote for this season’s waiver-wire SP of the year, Nick Martinez, allowed two runs to the A’s over five innings. Seriously, 15 wins, a 2.94 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP, and a 14.3% K rate is a wild line. I think in points leagues, you roll with his next start at New York. But in category leagues, I’d part ways. I know it’s cruel. But this is it.
Streaming Pitchers
Be sure to check Nick’s daily SP streamers article.
Today:
Seth Lugo (KC) – SP (Yahoo – 22%) at HOU
If you’re in a shallow league, make sure Walbert Ureña isn’t floating around on waivers; he is a slam-dunk tonight at home against the Twins. Otherwise, we’re left with dire options. No, Seth Lugo hasn’t been good, but you know he can go deep enough to qualify for a win. Pray that he dodges Alvarez and the Royals can knock home enough runs against rookie Ethan Pecko.
Cody Bradford (TEX) – SP (Yahoo – 5%) vs. BOS
Bradford hasn’t been great either, and has next-to-no leash with the Rangers’ playoff chances on a wing and a prayer. But if you must scrape the barrel, he’d be my next guess.
Tomorrow:
Dustin May (MIL) – SP (Yahoo – 29%) at BAL
May is back on track after a QS against the Reds. Meanwhile, the O’s have some power, but they also have the third-worst K rate in baseball. I wish it were in Milwaukee, but oh well.
Connor Prielipp (MIN) – SP (Yahoo – 6%) at LAA
A deep-league option, Prielipp has flashed some strikeout ability at times and gets a great matchup against the Halos. However, don’t expect more than 80 pitches; he tossed 77 his last time out against the Guardians, and the Twins will treat him with kid gloves with the end in sight.
Deep League Options
Colt Keith (DET) – 1B, 2B, 3B (Yahoo – 8%)
Keith hasn’t stood out much in the box score (.727 OPS). But he’s hit third lately against right-handers and should see plenty of action against Fedde (today), Sandlin, Bulk Burke, and Martin.
J.P. Crawford (SEA) – SS (Yahoo – 7%)
Boring? Yes. But he has hit leadoff for the M’s for eight consecutive games and heads to Coors this weekend.
Adael Amador (COL) – 2B (Yahoo – 2%)
Formerly a notable prospect, Colorado’s 23-year-old switch-hitter has started all but one game since being recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque on September 1. He has posted a .906 OPS through 67 PAs.
