Welcome to the Waiver Wire Picks, our daily fantasy baseball article that looks at the best players in baseball that you should be adding to your rosters. We’ll look at the players that are likely to be available in most leagues, as well as some deep league waiver wire options, and we’ll also look at the most added players in fantasy baseball across the major sites, and let you know which players to add and which you can leave on the wire.
Top Priority Players to Add
The Arms
It’s that wonderful time of the year when we rest our hopes and dreams on the Quinn Mathews and Dean Kremers of the world. Thanks for the championship-winning Quality Starts, guys! I’ll quickly list the first few pitchers I would target each day for the rest of the week. There’s not much left to say that their seasons so far haven’t already said. As always, check out the List for the expert’s opinion.
Wednesday:
Easy Starts: Connor Prielipp (12%), Walbert Ureña (62%)
Widely Available and Likely Decent: Matthew Liberatore (11%), Cody Bradford (4%), Erick Fedde (7%)
Thursday:
Add Them Now: Tyler Mahle (64%), Peter Lambert (40%)
Friday:
Add Them Early: Jackson Jobe (34%), Andrew Painter (29%)
Saturday:
Add Them Early: Griffin Jax (59%), Kade Anderson (42%)
Widely Available and Likely Decent: Ryan Johnson(36%) , Quinn Matthews (40%), Dean Kremer (24%)
Sunday:
Grab Him Now, Seriously: Jared Jones (64%)
I’ll highlight Jones, who looked incredible yesterday. He’s been phenomenal since the start of September, and there’s no one else who’s this good and this available. Add him if you still can.
Widely Available and Likely Decent: Andre Pallante (29%), Javier Assad (4%)
The Bats
Walker Jenkins (MIN) – OF (Yahoo! – 11%)
Jenkins is figuring things out at the big-league level in the nick of time. He has 3 HR in his last seven games, with a 1.262 OPS in that span. The 21-year-old was tearing up the minors before getting the call, with 14 HR and 17 SB in 73 games and a .323 average. He struggled at first, but he’s worked his way to the top of the order after his recent success. He’s a true five-tool player, and the Twins will be motivated to give him as many looks as they can. Jenkins is riding a six-game hitting streak and should end the season with a bang against the Rangers this weekend.
Jake Cronenworth (SDP) – 1B, 2B, SS (Yahoo! – 11%)
Cronenworth is red-hot and will close out the year against Brandon Pfaadt, an innings-limited Corbin Burnes, Michael Soroka, and most importantly, the MLB-worst Arizona bullpen. You can target any of the Padres’ bats, but Cronenworth is doing it all with 2 HR, 2 SB, and a 1.147 OPS in his last 7 games.
Teammates Samad Taylor, Dustin Harris, and Xander Bogaerts are swinging hot bats too. Playing against Miami and at Coors in their last two series is surely inflating the Dads’ collective numbers, but lucky for them, they’ll get another boost against Arizona’s reliever corps.
Victor Mesa Jr. (TBR) – OF (Yahoo! – 23%)
Mesa Jr. was a popular streaming target last week thanks to a nine-game hitting streak. He had two blank games against the A’s and hit the bench for a day, and managers everywhere were quick to drop him. He looks to be back on track now, with another home run on Sunday. Over 73 games this season, Mesa Jr. holds a .825 OPS with 14 HR and 9 SB. The Rays face the Yankees and Phillies to close out their season, but Mesa Jr. has proven himself to be more than up to the task.
Garrett Mitchell (MIL) – OF (Yahoo! – 16%)
Mitchell and his beautiful and improbable .266 average and 31.4% strikeout rate always pull me back in. His home run and stolen base numbers aren’t world-beating by any means, but he’s a solid contributor in every category. He’s a streaky batter with his high K-rate, and I have a completely unsubstantiated sense that he’ll end the season on the right foot against the Cardinals.
Yahoo! and ESPN Most Added Players
Yahoo!
Chris Bassitt had yesterday’s start bumped due to rain. He should be going today, and he remains a serviceable if unexciting option.
Drew Anderson is likely done for the season after yesterday’s loss. Keep an eye out for him in the later rounds in deeper leagues next year.
Jared Jones spun up another gem yesterday, going 7 scoreless IP with 9 Ks. He gets another shot Sunday, and I’d rush out to grab him now if he’s still available.
Michael Soroka was dominant at Coors yesterday, going 7 innings with 1 ER and 9 Ks. He lines up against the Padres on Sunday for his final start of the season, and you’ve got to start him there after he conquered Colorado.
Daniel Lynch IV was rocked by the White Sox yesterday, giving up 9 ER in 4 IP. He’s slated to face Cleveland, the other AL Central contender, in his final start on Sunday. I would stay far away from that after yesterday’s shellacking.
ESPN
Walbert Ureña carries a 2.74 ERA into his final start of the season today against the Athletics. I’d be delighted to run him out there.
Jared Jones spun up another gem yesterday, going 7 scoreless IP with 9 Ks. He gets another shot Sunday, and I’d rush out to grab him now if he’s still available.
Michael Soroka was dominant at Coors yesterday, going 7 innings with 1 ER and 9 Ks. He lines up against the Padres on Sunday for his final start of the season, and you’ve got to start him there after he conquered Colorado.
Nolan Arenado has been playing out of his mind with 7 HR and a 1.304 OPS in his last 15 games. He’s just what the Diamondbacks need for their playoff push, and he’s just what you need for your championship push.
Chris Bassitt had yesterday’s start bumped due to rain. He should be going today, and he remains a serviceable if unexciting option.
