In weekly FAAB leagues, your waiver wire claims have likely already been processed. Our FAAB Insights articles are great sources for finding targets ahead of weekly waiver deadlines.
Here, you will find players you can pick up if you have daily waiver claims or if you are able to pick up players throughout the week.
These are players you should consider adding from the waiver wire for matchup number nine who are available in 60% or fewer of ESPN leagues.
Catcher
Christian Bethancourt (C/1B – TB) 5.5% Rostered
This is mostly for those in deeper leagues since Christian Bethancourt is not an everyday player for the Rays. He is significantly better against lefties, so if you have the bench space for him and can play matchups, he should be added.
Bethancourt is also on fire as of late. Since May 20, he is 9-for-19 (.493) with a home run, six runs, and two RBI. In total, he has seven homers, 20 runs, 16 RBI, and a .263 AVG on the season.
He has the ability to continue to hit for power when he is in games. Bethancourt has a 14.5% barrel rate and a 50.6% HardHit rate, both elite totals. It is no surprise to see he is well above league average according to our PLV data:
He has added a few degrees to his launch angle from last season, so his flyball and HR/FB rate have both gone up.
Bethancourt’s discipline is well below average, and his line drive rate is as well, so his AVG should regress some. But he is a great matchup play against LHP and should be considered from the waiver wire if you have the roster flexibility.
Honorable Mention: Francisco Álvarez (11.6%), Elias Díaz (47.7%), Cal Raleigh (28.9%)
Corner Infield
Zach McKinstry (3B/2B/OF – DET) 2.3% Rostered
Zach McKinstry has been a bit of a surprise for the Tigers, batting .291 with four homers, 22 runs, 10 RBI, and eight steals. He has forced his way into the Detroit lineup essentially every day.
McKinstry has adjusted his approach at the plate, swinging less overall. With his newfound patience, he lowered his chase rate to 25.8% and has a career-high 84.7% contact rate. His Strikezone Judgment PLV metric reflects this:
So although he is a career .230 hitter, his .291 AVG this season may actually be sustainable.
McKinstry has a 15.9% walk rate and a strikeout rate just two percent higher – both career bests for him at the major league level. He also has a career-best 9.6% barrel rate and a respectable 38.3% HardHit rate. Those hard-contact improvements have led to more homers like this one:
Zach McKinstry game-tying homer!
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 27, 2023
His 26% LD rate also supports a higher-than-normal AVG, along with the hard contact.
The long-time Dodgers prospect looks like a new man in Detroit. He is worth adding from waivers in deep leagues, and even in shallow leagues if you have been bit by the injury bug.
Honorable Mention: Josh Jung (45%), Jeimer Candelario (7.9%), Owen Miller (12%), Jake Burger (9.3%), Spencer Steer (16.3%), JD Davis (8.1%)
Middle Infield
Ronny Mauricio (SS – NYM) 1.2% Rostered
Ronny Mauricio is not a guaranteed call-up, but aside from a handful of players, the Mets’ offense has sputtered. Mauricio could come in and play second base, with Jeff McNeil replacing Mark Canha in left field, adding a new dynamic to the team.
Mauricio has been crushing pitchers in AAA this season, batting .347 with seven homers, 33 runs, 35 RBI, and nine steals. He has the potential to hit double-digit homers and swipe double-digit bags if he is called up to the majors soon. He had 26 homers and 20 steals in AA last season and had 20 homers and 11 steals between the two levels in 2021.
The risk with Mauricio is with his plate discipline. His highest walk rate was 8.6% in an eight-game stint in rookie ball in 2018. Otherwise, his walk rate hovered around 5%, while his strikeout rate has ranged from 14.6% to 33% in the minors. This season, he has shown better discipline, with a 15.3% K rate. Check out this stat that may prove he has made some improvements to his discipline:
With a single in the first inning, Ronny Mauricio has now reached base in 18 consecutive games for Syracuse.
This is the longest streak of the season for a Syracuse Mets player. pic.twitter.com/8dowryyxQH
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) May 28, 2023
Mauricio could come in and make an immediate impact for a team that has a -13 run differential. He is worth a speculative waiver wire add in leagues where you have some room on your bench.
Honorable Mention: Taylor Walls (47.5%), Kyle Farmer (2.5%), Royce Lewis (5.8%), Bryson Stott (35.8%), Paul DeJong (14.1%), Matt McLain (11.8%), Elly De La Cruz (5.7%), Jordan Westburg (.8%)
Outfield
Michael Conforto (OF – SF) 15.3% Rostered
After not playing in 2022, and starting slow this season, Michael Conforto seemed to have been somewhat forgotten as a fantasy asset. Now, he is surging and should be added where available.
Since May 22, Conforto is 11-for-26 (.423) with three homers, eight runs, eight RBI, and a stolen base. That takes him to 11 home runs, 31 runs, 27 RBI, two steals, and a .236 AVG on the season. Here’s his latest dinger:
Michael Conforto’s 11th home run of the season! pic.twitter.com/pXMAXA1M0b
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 26, 2023
Conforto’s power looks legit, as he has an 11.5% barrel rate and a 47.8% HardHit rate. Though, he still has a bit of work to do to improve his batting average closer to his .254 career AVG.
His chase rate and strikeout rates are the worst of his career, and his contact rate is the second worst of his career. Those are likely due to some rust after not appearing in a game last season. As he continues to adjust and see more pitches, he may improve his eye at the plate.
This is the time to add Conforto if he is available on the waiver wire. He is the real deal.
Honorable Mention: Willi Castro (.4%), Luke Raley (3.2%), Jorge Soler (46.8%), Esteury Ruiz (38.4%), Lane Thomas (16.8%), Mickey Moniak (8.2%), Bryan De La Cruz (10.2%), Marcell Ozuna (11.1%), Jose Siri (4.3%), Riley Greene (18.3%), Jake Fraley (10.4%),
Starting Pitcher
Bobby Miller (SP – LAD) 19.4% Rostered
Like a handful of other rookie pitchers this season, Bobby Miller struggled at AAA before making his debut at the major league level. After posting ridiculous strikeout numbers in the minors, he had just a 7.5 K/9 rate this year in AAA.
That being said, he looked great in his debut against a tough Atlanta offense. Miller struck out five and walked one across five innings. He has been effective at limiting walks and inducing grounders throughout his time in the minors, and if he can do that in the majors, it will serve him and his fantasy managers well.
Miller is a hard thrower, reaching the upper nineties and even triple digits with his fastball. He also possesses a curveball, slider, and changeup. He commands his pitches well, inducing a lot of swing and miss. In his first game for the Dodgers, he induced a 39.3% chase rate. His fastball and slider combo alone is going to be difficult for hitters to deal with – just check this out:
Bobby Miller, 100mph Fastball and 87mph Slider, Overlay pic.twitter.com/TKHpolIS5o
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 24, 2023
Miller is worth consideration in all formats if available on waivers.
Honorable Mention: Andrew Heaney (39.2%), Alex Faedo (1.4%), Michael Lorenzen (8.2%), Kyle Gibson (17.9%), Louie Varland (8.9%), Brayan Bello (8%), Josiah Gray (29.8%), Patrick Sandoval (47.2%), Rich Hill (4.9%), Bailey Ober (38.3%), Mike Soroka (4.8%)
Relief Pitcher
Giovanny Gallegos (RP – STL) 9% Rostered
Giovanny Gallegos seems to have taken over as the closer for the Cardinals, although Ryan Helsley has picked up a few saves of late as well.
Gallegos has performed well, tallying six saves and posting a 2.08 ERA across 21.2 IP this season. He has done this despite a career-low 8.3 K/9 rate.
The Cardinals reliever possesses a fastball and slider combination that has been difficult for hitters this season. His slider has a .132 batting average against, with a 54.5% whiff rate and a 23.7% putaway rate. It grades as just below a Quality Pitch according to our PLV data, while his fastball is not quite as good:
As long as he continues to get save opportunities, Gallegos needs to be added and considered the primary closer for fantasy purposes.
Honorable Mention: Alex Lange (30.8%), Miguel Castro (7.2%), Will Smith (20.9%), Kyle Finnegan (9.3%), Liam Hendriks (23.8%)