Dennis Lee-Imagn Images
In the article, I cover the players using CBS’s (about 40% or less initial roster rate) and Yahoo’s ADD/DROP rates. Both hosting sites have the option for daily and weekly waiver wire adds. CBS uses a weekly change while Yahoo looks at the last 24 hours. Yahoo is a great snapshot of right now, while CBS ensures hot targets from early in the week aren’t missed. The players are ordered for redraft leagues by my rest-of-season preference, grouped by starters, relievers, and hitters.
Batters
Ramón Laureano: Finally, he’s over the 40% so I don’t have put him on the top of the rankings again next week.
Andrew Vaughn: Continues to dominate with the Brewers while batting .386/.448/.772 with 6 HR in 67 PA.
Isaac Collins: A pleasant surprise with 6 HR, 12 SB, and .274 AVG in 279 PA.
Warming Bernabel: He never stops. Right now, he’s batting .500/.517/1.036 with a .500 BABIP and 30% HR/FB. Add to see if it’s real, but be ready to move on in a week or two once it all falls apart.
Jakob Marsee: Just promoted to the majors while batting .246/.379/.438 with 14 HR and 57 SB in AAA.
Alex Freeland: Started in three straight games (more than I expected). Balanced production in AAA (.253/.377/.421, 12 HR, 17 SB) and a top add if he continues to play.
Angel Martínez: Steady contributor (9 HR, 6 SB, .241 AVG) qualified at two positions (2B, OF).
Lenyn Sosa: Providing power (11 HR) and batting average (.282 AVG) while qualified at two positions (2B, 3B).
Jesús Sánchez: I’m not sure if he’ll be platooned, but he has started both games (vs RHP) while batting second or third in the order. Sanchez with 10 HR, 9 SB, and .259 AVG.
Kyle Manzardo: Strong-side platoon bat with 24 HR.
Mickey Moniak: Solid platoon bat (16 HR, 5 SB, .270) who needs to be in fantasy lineups when playing.
Colson Montgomery: Compared to AAA, his swinging-strike rate is up (13% to 17%), but his strikeouts are down (33% to 25%). He does have 6 HR in 85 PA.
Harrison Bader: He’ll start in a platoon with 12 HR and 10 SB so far this season.
Mike Tauchman: Started in three of the five games against a lefty. Hitting for average (.291 AVG) and power (7 HR).
Nathan Lukes: Solid strong-side platoon bat with 9 HR in 273 PA.
Daulton Varsho: Off the IL and should be getting most of the centerfield reps. Before going on the IL, he hit 8 HR but with just a .200 AVG (32% K%).
Joey Loperfido: Rarely starts against lefties but is riding a .475 BABIP to .386/.435/.579. He’s making more contact this year (68% to 77%). I’d prefer Lukes right now, but Loperfido is interesting.
Ryan Mountcastle: Continues to destroy AAA pitching (.391/.440/.783) and should return to the majors any day now.
Ronny Mauricio: Not a zero at the plate (112 wRC+) and only starting against righties (.256 OPS vs LHP, .908 OPS vs RHP).
Josh Jung: Something is constantly wrong with Jung (calf right now). His limited production is only worth the hassle in the deepest of leagues.
Tyler O’Neill: Decent power source (7 HR in 159 PA) if playing. Has never reached over 550 PA in a season.
Heriberto Hernandez: Should have taken over the centerfield role, but Jakob Marsee’s promotion quelled that dream.
Coby Mayo: Since the trade deadline, started twice at first base. He’s not contributing in any fantasy facet. Ignore Mayo and add someone who is hitting.
Ke’Bryan Hayes: The league’s worst qualified batter (57 wRC+). Unless your league counts defense, ignore.
Spencer Horwitz: Strong-side platoon bat who is not contributing to any fantasy category.
Tyler Locklear: Supposed to be the starting first baseman for the Diamondbacks. Over two seasons in the majors, he has a 42% K%. Ignore until he starts hitting.
Catchers
Francisco Alvarez: Since coming back from the minors, he is batting .280/.400/.560.
Batting Prospects
Jordan Lawlar: In AAA, the 23-year-old shortstop has hit .319/.410/.583 with 10 HR and 18 SB in 250 PA.
Spencer Jones: Across two minor league levels, the 24-year-old outfielder has hit .312/.407/.688 with 29 HR and 19 SB.
Dylan Beavers: In AAA, the 23-year-old outfielder has hit .304/.414/.502 with 14 HR and 22 SB.
CBS Batter Rostership Rates
| Name |
Previous Roster% |
Current Roster% |
Change |
| Mickey Moniak RF COL |
37% |
45% |
8% |
| Josh Jung 3B TEX |
37% |
42% |
5% |
| Tyler O’Neill RF BAL |
36% |
48% |
12% |
| Kyle Manzardo DH CLE |
31% |
37% |
6% |
| Francisco Alvarez C NYM |
31% |
33% |
2% |
| Jordan Lawlar 2B ARI |
30% |
32% |
2% |
| Ramon Laureano RF SD |
29% |
47% |
18% |
| Angel Martinez CF CLE |
29% |
32% |
3% |
| Spencer Jones CF NYY |
27% |
33% |
6% |
| Colson Montgomery SS CHW |
25% |
42% |
17% |
| Daulton Varsho CF TOR |
25% |
27% |
2% |
| Coby Mayo 1B BAL |
23% |
27% |
4% |
| Jesus Sanchez RF HOU |
22% |
24% |
2% |
| Andrew Vaughn 1B MIL |
19% |
43% |
24% |
| Ronny Mauricio 3B NYM |
19% |
22% |
3% |
| Ryan Mountcastle 1B BAL |
16% |
17% |
1% |
| Lenyn Sosa 2B CHW |
15% |
18% |
3% |
| Ke’Bryan Hayes 3B CIN |
14% |
16% |
2% |
| Isaac Collins LF MIL |
13% |
16% |
3% |
| Harrison Bader LF PHI |
13% |
15% |
2% |
| Spencer Horwitz 1B PIT |
8% |
12% |
4% |
| Alex Freeland 3B LAD |
7% |
10% |
3% |
| Tyler Locklear 1B ARI |
4% |
15% |
11% |
| Mike Tauchman RF CHW |
4% |
7% |
3% |
| Nathan Lukes RF TOR |
4% |
6% |
2% |
| Dylan Beavers OF BAL |
4% |
6% |
2% |
| Joey Loperfido LF TOR |
3% |
6% |
3% |
| Heriberto Hernandez LF MIA |
2% |
3% |
1% |
| Warming Bernabel 1B COL |
1% |
13% |
12% |
| Jakob Marsee OF MIA |
1% |
3% |
2% |
Starting Pitchers
J.T. Ginn: Sorry, I missed him last week, but he’s a must-add and needs to be the guy at 57% rostered instead of Patrick Corbin. A 9.6 K/9, 2.1 BB/9, and 54% GB% are ace-like numbers.
Joey Wentz: With Atlanta, he has a 1.50 ERA (3.09 xFIP), 10.5 K/9, and 0.72 WHIP. Two reasons for the turnaround. First, the lower walk rate will always help. Second, he reworked his cutter since joining the Braves.
About a month ago, he said he tweaked the grip on his best pitch, a cutter, and it’s been more effective. A lot more.
His resurgence as a starter has come at a time when the Braves are desperate to fill spots in their injury-riddled starting rotation. He’s nailing down one of them.
Add now to see if the results continue.
Mike Burrows: Settling in to be a solid streaming option, maybe more. He added an elite sinker over his last two starts (80 botStf, 127 Stuff+). Solid add in all leagues.
Luis Severino: On a four-game stretch with a 2.49 ERA, 3.21 xFIP, 10.4 K/9, and 1.15 WHIP. The only reason for the strikeout increase is from gaining ~1 mph on his fastball.
Frankie Montas: He’s getting hit around a bit (1.8 HR/9, .326 BABIP), thereby pushing up his ratios (1.45 WHIP, 5.46 ERA). Otherwise, all signs point to a 4.00 ERA streamer.
Jack Perkins: Moving to the rotation. As a starter in AAA, the 25-year-old righty had a 2.86 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 13.9 K/9. He struggled with walks (4.1 BB/9). In the majors as a reliever, he posted a 2.75 ERA (3.83 xFIP), 0.92 WHIP (3.2 BB/9), and 8.7 K/9. While he has a ton of swing-and-miss, I’m worried about him walking too many batters.
Brad Lord: Became a streamable option as he got his walks under control. Over the first two months, he posted a 3.8 BB/9. It has been a 1.9 BB/9 over the last two months. If the walks stay down, he’s pitching like a high-3.00 ERA talent.
Patrick Corbin: A streamable 4.00 ERA talent.
JP Sears: His 28% GB% has led to a 1.9 HR/9, leading to a 4.95 ERA (4.02 xFIP). Streamer until he gets the home runs in check.
Michael Soroka: All his struggles (4.87 ERA) come from not being able to get lefties out. His fantasy value will be determined by the Cubs solving that problem.
Chris Paddack: An up-and-down season with disappointing overall results (4.77 ERA, 4.48 xFIP, 1.24 WHIP, and 6.8 K/9). He’s on a hot stretch right now with a 9.5 K/9, but he’s seen similar stretches.
I’m betting on the season-long numbers to continue.
Justin Verlander: His walks (3.4 BB/9, 1.49 WHIP) are the only thing holding him back this season (4.53 ERA, 4.79 xFIP).
Charlie Morton: Now with the Tigers. The 41-year-old is productive when he keeps the walks down (2.9 BB/9 in June). The problem right now is his 4.3 BB/9 leading to 1.53 WHIP (equivalent to a 5.69 ERA).
Aaron Civale: Over his last two starts (CHC and PIT), he has a 9.8 K/9 and 0.8 BB/9. The starts coincided with throwing his curve (11% SwStr%, 56 botOver, 108 Pitching+) 10% points more. Overall, he’s not been decent, so I’d just monitor the change to see if there is a reason to buy in later.
Cal Quantrill: The 31-year-old is sort of streamable with the walks under control this year (4.2 BB/9 to 2.4 BB/9) with a 4.33 xFIP. I haven’t gotten to the point of rostering him just yet.
Carson Whisenhunt: While ranked as the Giants’ third-best prospect, the Pirates destroyed him in his debut (5 IP, 4 ER, 3 K, and 2 BB). By all accounts, his changeup is his best pitch, but no starter is successful with a 92-mph fastball and elite change. They don’t exist, and I’m not betting on Whisenhunt to be the first.
Ryan Bergert: While a .217 BABIP is keeping his ratios in check, his 4.5 BB/9 is well past the unrosterable level. I’ll monitor to see how his start next week goes.
Logan Evans: His 1.44 WHIP is doing as much ratio damage as a 5.16 ERA. His entire profile is below average. Steady high 4.00 ERA talent.
Kyle Hendricks He’s a solid high-4.00 ERA talent with no upside. At least he’s giving NAIA pitchers hope to make it to the majors with his 86-mph fastball.
Bailey Falter: Now with Kansas City and might lineup for two starts next week. All indicators point to him being a high-4.00 ERA talent with no pitch having a swinging-strike rate over 10%.
Troy Melton: With the additions of Paddack and Morton, Melton is moving to a relief role. Well shoot … sadly, a drop.
Rehabbing Starters
Kyle Bradish: Just 5 IP into his minor league rehab.
Cristian Javier: In 11 IP of rehab, he has 11 BB and 9 K in 10 IP so far.
CBS Starting Pitcher Rostership Rates
| Name |
Previous Roster% |
Current Roster% |
Change |
| Patrick Corbin SP TEX |
40% |
57% |
17% |
| Charlie Morton SP DET |
40% |
42% |
2% |
| Mike Soroka SP CHC |
35% |
47% |
12% |
| JP Sears SP SD |
34% |
43% |
9% |
| Luis Severino SP ATH |
33% |
46% |
13% |
| Justin Verlander SP SF |
33% |
41% |
8% |
| Kyle Bradish SP BAL |
30% |
32% |
2% |
| Frankie Montas SP NYM |
27% |
35% |
8% |
| Bailey Falter SP PIT |
26% |
30% |
4% |
| Chris Paddack SP DET |
16% |
26% |
10% |
| Cristian Javier SP HOU |
15% |
17% |
2% |
| Logan Evans SP SEA |
14% |
21% |
7% |
| Aaron Civale SP CHW |
11% |
15% |
4% |
| Carson Whisenhunt P SF |
9% |
18% |
9% |
| Michael Burrows SP PIT |
8% |
18% |
10% |
| Troy Melton SP DET |
7% |
14% |
7% |
| Kyle Hendricks SP LAA |
7% |
9% |
2% |
| Ryan Bergert SP KC |
4% |
6% |
2% |
| J.T. Ginn RP ATH |
3% |
10% |
7% |
| Brad Lord RP WAS |
3% |
6% |
3% |
| Cal Quantrill SP MIA |
3% |
5% |
2% |
| Joey Wentz RP ATL |
1% |
11% |
10% |
Starting Pitcher Small Sample Valuations
| Name |
IP |
BotERA |
Pitching+ERA |
SwStr% ERA |
FBv ERA |
SIERA |
xFIP |
AVG |
| Chris Paddack |
12.0 |
2.91 |
3.49 |
3.29 |
4.01 |
2.32 |
2.30 |
3.05 |
| Mike Burrows |
17.0 |
3.45 |
3.59 |
3.79 |
3.79 |
3.02 |
2.74 |
3.40 |
| Luis Severino |
17.0 |
2.14 |
3.36 |
4.50 |
3.65 |
3.41 |
3.39 |
3.41 |
| Troy Melton |
12.0 |
3.48 |
3.48 |
3.41 |
3.64 |
3.31 |
3.34 |
3.44 |
| Aaron Civale |
11.0 |
4.29 |
3.55 |
4.32 |
4.27 |
2.49 |
2.41 |
3.55 |
| J.T. Ginn |
11.0 |
3.76 |
2.32 |
4.21 |
3.95 |
3.74 |
3.78 |
3.63 |
| Brad Lord |
9.1 |
2.83 |
4.25 |
4.19 |
3.84 |
3.90 |
3.58 |
3.76 |
| Joey Wentz |
15.0 |
3.29 |
4.52 |
3.92 |
4.11 |
3.61 |
3.49 |
3.82 |
| JP Sears |
9.1 |
3.82 |
4.00 |
3.91 |
4.35 |
3.43 |
3.84 |
3.89 |
| Patrick Corbin |
10.2 |
4.50 |
4.59 |
3.85 |
4.28 |
3.09 |
3.33 |
3.94 |
| Jack Perkins |
10.0 |
4.21 |
4.45 |
3.52 |
3.70 |
4.01 |
4.04 |
3.99 |
| Frankie Montas |
10.0 |
3.77 |
3.59 |
4.44 |
3.87 |
4.42 |
4.44 |
4.09 |
| Logan Evans |
13.2 |
3.17 |
4.21 |
4.99 |
4.16 |
4.50 |
4.74 |
4.30 |
| Charlie Morton |
12.2 |
2.32 |
5.10 |
4.40 |
3.91 |
5.32 |
5.22 |
4.38 |
| Bailey Falter |
12.0 |
3.89 |
4.68 |
5.05 |
4.20 |
4.64 |
4.59 |
4.51 |
| Cal Quantrill |
16.0 |
5.55 |
5.15 |
4.49 |
4.00 |
4.09 |
3.90 |
4.53 |
| Justin Verlander |
10.0 |
4.65 |
4.04 |
4.90 |
3.91 |
5.27 |
5.59 |
4.73 |
| Kyle Hendricks |
10.2 |
4.03 |
4.73 |
4.16 |
5.13 |
5.74 |
5.38 |
4.86 |
| Ryan Bergert |
4.0 |
4.50 |
4.32 |
5.00 |
4.11 |
6.23 |
5.97 |
5.02 |
| Michael Soroka |
9.0 |
6.05 |
6.07 |
5.12 |
4.44 |
3.87 |
5.20 |
5.13 |
| Carson Whisenhunt |
5.0 |
5.53 |
5.91 |
5.76 |
4.25 |
5.15 |
5.19 |
5.30 |
Relievers: Saves-based ranks
Cade Smith: Great reliever who is the closer.
Randy Rodríguez: Great reliever who is the closer.
JoJo Romero: Average reliever who is the closer.
Keegan Akin: Average reliever who is the closer.
Kevin Ginkel: Average reliever who is the closer.
Dennis Santana: Average reliever who is the closer.
Robert Garcia: Good reliever who is the closer, but two straight bad outings (L, BS)
Calvin Faucher: Average reliever who now appears to be the closer again.
Jose Ferrer: Below-average reliever who is the closer.
Sean Newcomb: Average reliever who could be the closer.
Cole Sands: Below-average reliever who could be the closer.
Alex Vesia: Good reliever who seems to be in a closer-by-committee.
Blake Treinen: Great reliever who seems to be in a closer-by-committee.
Phil Maton: Good reliever who is the backup to a struggling closer.
Tony Santillan: Average reliever who is the backup to a struggling closer.
Hunter Gaddis: Good reliever who is the backup closer.
Garrett Whitlock: Great reliever who is the backup closer.
Yennier Cano: Average reliever who could be the backup closer.
Corbin Martin: Good reliever who is a step or two away from closing.
Griffin Jax: Good reliever who is a step or two away from closing.
Jeremiah Estrada: Great reliever who is a step or two away from closing.
Riley O’Brien: Good reliever who is a step or two away from closing.
Adrian Morejon: Good reliever who is a few steps away from closing.
Seth Halvorsen: Elbow injury, likely out for a while.
CBS Reliever Rostership Rates
| Name |
Previous Roster% |
Current Roster% |
Change |
| Mike Soroka SP CHC |
35% |
47% |
12% |
| Cade Smith RP CLE |
32% |
56% |
24% |
| Robert Garcia RP TEX |
32% |
45% |
13% |
| Randy Rodriguez RP SF |
30% |
53% |
23% |
| Adrian Morejon RP SD |
22% |
26% |
4% |
| Alex Vesia RP LAD |
21% |
25% |
4% |
| Dennis Santana RP PIT |
18% |
34% |
16% |
| Griffin Jax RP TB |
18% |
29% |
11% |
| Jeremiah Estrada RP SD |
17% |
20% |
3% |
| Blake Treinen RP LAD |
13% |
15% |
2% |
| Kevin Ginkel RP ARI |
13% |
14% |
1% |
| Garrett Whitlock RP BOS |
11% |
14% |
3% |
| Seth Halvorsen RP COL |
11% |
13% |
2% |
| Jack Perkins RP ATH |
9% |
17% |
8% |
| Tony Santillan RP CIN |
8% |
10% |
2% |
| Phil Maton RP TEX |
7% |
14% |
7% |
| Hunter Gaddis RP CLE |
7% |
10% |
3% |
| JoJo Romero RP STL |
3% |
16% |
13% |
| Yennier Cano RP BAL |
3% |
4% |
1% |
| Cole Sands RP MIN |
2% |
8% |
6% |
| Jose Ferrer RP WAS |
1% |
8% |
7% |
| Keegan Akin RP BAL |
1% |
2% |
1% |
| Sean Newcomb RP ATH |
1% |
2% |
1% |
| Calvin Faucher RP MIA |
12% |
13% |
1% |
| Corbin Martin RP BAL |
0% |
5% |
5% |
| Riley O’Brien RP STL |
0% |
2% |
2% |
