It’s still only Week 5, if you’re not at a spot in the standings that you like, be patient! There is more than enough time to correct any mistakes on the wire.
Someone goes on a heater, and you’re back in the race. Churning and burning your roster is crucial to finishing the league strong. Stay active and think whether this player is good for one week, or if he’ll potentially stick on the roster for the entire year. We are inching closer to when underlying stats stabilize. For that reason, analysis will lean towards playing time and start to look at situations differently.
In weekly FAAB leagues, your waiver wire claims have likely already been processed. Our FAAB Insights articles are excellent sources for finding targets ahead of weekly waiver deadlines. This weekly article targets leagues that utilize daily waivers.
Here are some enticing players available in 60% or fewer Yahoo leagues that managers should consider acquiring this week.
Catcher
Ryan Jeffers (C – MIN) 33% Rostered
The Twins backstop position has been an even timeshare between Jeffers and Christian Vázquez. However, Jeffers finds himself with an abundance of added plate appearances at DH. With injuries to Carlos Correa, Max Kepler, and Royce Lewis, the team is left scratching for any type of offense. Luckily, Jeffers is answering that call.
With already three dingers, Jeffers will look to increase his total as Minnesota squares off for a four-game series at the Chicago White Sox, followed by a three-game set against the Los Angeles Angels. Correct, neither of those pitching staff scares me either.
Matchups aside, we’re seeing Jeffers make more contact inside the zone (87.1% Z-Contact) and keeping his pesky strikeout problems (29.8% career K-rate) at bay. Furthermore, his quality of contact (9.1% barrel rate and .361 wOBA) is paying dues as he’s touting a stout .232 ISO and 139 wRC+.
If the Twins need to keep getting as much out of his bat, you should too.
Honorable Mention: Travis d’Arnaud (14%), Connor Wong (5%), Elias Díaz (32%)
Middle Infield
José Caballero (2B/SS – TBR) 43% Rostered
Last year, Caballero was a bit of an afterthought in Seattle. Sure, we saw that he likes to be active on the basepath (26 SB in 2023). Outside of that, a 96 wRC+ is nothing to write home about. So this begs the question… why did the Rays make a move for him? Well, some interesting things were happening under the hood for Cabellero.
For starters, we know he plays great defense and flashes speed. That alone will earn him some much-needed playing time. However, at the dish, he’s putting up a 121 wRC+ and slashing .288/.324/.424. Again, I ask… what did the Rays change?
It appears Caballero is hitting the ball more on the ground and wearing out the left side of the infield while letting his legs do the work when he gets on base. This approach sort of reminds me of a teammate of his, Yandy Díaz. It looks like Rays doing Rays things to maximize potential.
Unfortunately, this approach will do nothing for your power. However, a steady, steady batting average and plethora of stolen bases off the wire is always helpful.
Honorable Mention: Luis Garcia (8% rostered), Blaze Alexander (8% rostered), Orlando Arcia (30% rostered)
Corner Infield
Rhys Hoskins (1B – MIL) 56% Rostered
When you’re looking at players rostered under 60% and a name like Hoskins pops up, it’ll take you back. We are talking about a player who puts up 25+ HR seasons routinely, sans 2020 (obviously). Yes, yes, yes… I realize he didn’t play all of 2023. However, there is no denying his prolific power.
While many worried IF the power would return in 2024, the answer is yes:
- 16% Barrel% – 93rd %tile
- .382 xwOBA – 84th %tile
- 91-mph FB EV – 80th %tile
In summation, Hoskins is back and healthy! He’s only missed two games this season, starting nearly every day at 1B, and putting up the power needed to make him a priority pickup in every 12-team league.
Honorable Mention: Anthony Rizzo (30% rostered), Ryan O’Hearn (44% rostered), Jeimer Candelario (46% rostered)
Outfield
Lars Nootbaar (OF – STL) 42% rostered
After finding himself on the IL, Noot was either an IL stash or available on the wire, hence the 42% rostership. However, this number needs to climb and he needs to be put on more rosters.
Since his return, albeit in a small 8-game sample, Noot’s looking like his old self and already parked one into the bleachers and swiped a bag. Is he healthy? I’d say so.
Now, because it’s not much of a sample, we’ll look if he’s the same player we have seen in the past:
- 2022 (108 G): 20.5% K-rate, 14.7% BB-rate, 12.1% Barrel%, and 123 wRC+
- 2023 (117 G): 19.7% K-rate, 14.3% BB-rate, 8.8% Barrel%, and 118 wRC+
- 2024 (8 G): 11.8% K-rate, 23.5% BB-rate, 9.1% Barrel%, and 143 wRC+
The eye test says he’s still Noot. The small stats say he’s still Noot. Would I make him a priority pickup, if I had a struggling OF? Yes, absolutely yes.
Honorable Mention: Kerry Carpenter (59% rostered), Ryan O’Hearn (44%), Mitch Haniger(33% rostered)
Starting Pitcher
Luis Gil (SP – NYY) 24% rostered
SP roster% can vary sooooo quickly due to the matchups and league size. However, Gil REALLY needs to be on more rosters.
After securing his first victory, the Yankees young arm has worlds of potential to be a fixture in your fantasy rotation. First, he touts a 32.8% K-rate (17th best in the MLB). No doubt, this is aided by his 96.7-mph fastball, which he chucks 63% of the time. While it doesn’t carry a terrific PLV (4.92), it’s showcased in the correct location (56.8% hiLoc). What it means is he’s producing plenty of important Ks in a small number of innings.
What he does pair it with is a 5.20 PLV changeup; that’s a quality pitch 45.8% of the time. Hit ’em with the heat and pull the string with a dynamic changeup.
He draws a matchup with the Brewers, which could go his way as Milwaukee strikes out at a 22% clip, which is fairly middling. We need Gil to rack up the strikeouts, limit the pesky walks (23% BB%), and continue piling up victories this season.
Honorable Mention: Reynaldo López (59% rostered), Luis Severino (47% rostered), José Buttó (31% rostered)
Relief Pitcher
James McArthur (RP – KCR) 51% rostered
At this time of year, the closer landscape changes like the wind. A few bad outings and poof! they’re moved to low-leverage situations until they figure things out. That is what happened to Will Smith, and in his absence, McArthur steps back into the role.
Honestly, the Smith signing was a bit of a head-scratcher after McArthur looked poised to take the role in 2023. In his final 12 appearances of 2023, McArthur didn’t allow a single earned run, boasting a 19:0 K/BB ratio that included four saves. He seemed like “the guy” then, and after a couple of weeks, he’s “the guy” again.
Last week, McArthur notched a pair of saves and continued to punch guys out at a high rate (28.6%). With little competition in his way, this appears like a pickup for the long haul and should be rostered in much more than 51% of leagues. Make it happen!
Honorable Mention: Kirby Yates(59% rostered), Michael Kopech (43% rostered), Griffin Jax (41% rostered)