With the All-Star Break steadily approaching, we’ve seen teams get more aggressive with roster changes. Pitchers are getting their innings limited by skipping starts, and injuries are mounting up everywhere.
What makes the wire so tough, right now, is playing time has settled and platoons are prevalent. So, many of the options aren’t going to help you maximize from week to week, but instead matchup to matchup. However, we need to try and see past some of the basics and look closer at underlying metrics, usage, and ballpark factors.
Here are some enticing players available in 40% or more Yahoo leagues that managers should consider acquiring this week.
Catcher
Patrick Bailey (C – SFG) 30% Rostered
For catching purposes, Bailey is one of the safer options on the wire.
One of the main reasons is he strikes out under a 20% clip(19.8%) and walks 10.4% of the time. Furthermore, when he puts the ball in play, it’s to the tune of a .358 xwOBA(51st among all hitters). Wait! Even better, he’s showcasing a 29.9% IPA. Meaning his .284 batting average is as secure as they come.
While the counting stats are yet to follow, Bailey should be a suitable option if you’re looking to get back by Week 14.
Honorable Mention: Keibert Ruiz (28% rostered), Ben Rice (18% rostered), Tyler Soderstrom (43% rostered )
Middle Infield
Zach Neto (SS – LAA) 30% Rostered
Among all qualified shortstops, only eight have over 10 HRs and 10 SBs, with Neto being one of them. Neto isn’t going to WOW you with his stat lines. However, there needs to be some applause for his constant production.
In the upcoming week, Neto and the Angels draw six away games…but against weaker pitching staffs.
- OAK Team Pitching: 4.40 ERA(7th worst), 10.8% K-BB%(3rd worst), 7.7% Barrel% allowed(16th worst)
- CHC Team Pitching: 3.85 ERA(14th worst), 15.1% K-BB%(20th worst), 8.6% Barrel% allowed(4th worst)
Get him for this week and there aren’t many reasons he can’t also last on your roster for the rest of the season.
Honorable Mention: Spencer Horwitz (25% rostered), Nick Gonzales (27% rostered), Miguel Rojas (10% rostered)
Corner Infield
Noelvi Marte (3B – CIN) 47% Rostered
Noelvi is fresh off his 80-game suspension, and this could be the reason for his roster-rate being low.
I can’t call Marte a streamer because there is a lot of potential in this bat and grabbing him now could put you in a position for a second-half run. So, consider making him one of your biggest priority pickups.
Let’s look at his rest of the season projections by projection system:
- ZIPS: 180 AB, 5 HR, 7 SB, 21.2% K-rate, 102 wRC+
- ATC: 198 AB, 6 HR, 7 SB, 20.8% K-rate, 108 wRC+
- FGDC: 199 AB, 6 HR, 7 SB, 21.4% K-rate, 100 wRC+
That’s pretty solid for a mid-season addition to your fantasy squad. Additionally, he still plays in a very hitter-friendly ballpark, and flexing his speed with a pair of stolen bases already.
Honorable Mention: Mark Vientos (41% rostered), Jose Miranda (19% rostered), Joey Ortiz (31% rostered)
Outfield
Joc Pederson (OF – ARI) 41% rostered
If the D-backs draw a string of right-handed SPs, Joc should be considered.
Against RHP this season, Joc is putting up a .286/.378/.492 slash line with a .205 ISO. Additionally, his success has been more than just this season. Pederson has 2970 ABs vs. RHP and boosts a wRC+ that’s 27% better than the league average. So, you may ask, why not play him all the time?
Well, he hasn’t been so productive vs. LHP.
- Career vs. LHP: 545 AB, 28.4% K-rate, .629 OPS, 54 wRC+
- Career vs. RHP: 2970 AB, 23% K-rate, .836 OPS, 127 wRC+
Clearly….he’s a better hitter vs. RHP. Grab him now, and get six games of potential quality production.
Honorable Mention: Byron Buxton (55% rostered), Harrison Bader (10% rostered), Heliot Ramos (26% rostered)
Starting Pitcher
Kyle Gibson (SP – STL) 36% rostered
The 36-year-old veteran draws a spicy two-step this week with two away games(@PIT and @WSN). While the Cardinals aren’t a powerhouse, that’s two games with a high win potential for Gibson. Additionally, Gibson has been able to go past five innings all but two starts.
He’s still reliant on a fastball-heavy approach(28% sinker, 21% cutter, and 13% four-seamer) to pound the strike zone. With the addition of his sweeper, getting tosses at 21% of the time, it’s helped keep batted balls on the ground and showcasing a 5.68 PLV. The mix is working out nicely as he holds a 5-3 record over 87.2 innings pitched.
Consider filling out your last rotational spot with Gibson and churning the roster spot for next week’s streamer.
Honorable Mention: Zack Littell (23% rostered), Gavin Williams(14% rostered), Albert Suarez (16% rostered)
Relief Pitcher
Aroldis Chapman (RP – PIT) 42% rostered
After David Bednar hit the shelf, the obvious answer to fill the closer role is Chapman.
Now, outside of his pesky walk issues, there is a lot to like as the closer. First, he still chucks nasty velocity at the plate with a fastball sitting in the upper 90s, reaching triple-digits…and a wipeout slider.
On the season, the results remind us of vintage Chapman: lots of Ks(37.4% K%) and batters unable to make much contact(67.2% Contact%).
Sure, the Pirates haven’t given him many chances, but Chapman is a solid RP and going to be given every chance to earn a save. That’s what we’re looking for in a waiver wire RP.
Honorable Mention: Michael Kopech (17% rostered), Chad Green (29% rostered), Reed Garrett (36% rostered)