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It looks to be another calm week for adds if last night had not happened.Daniel Hudson got the first Save chance with Ken Giles out. He hasn’t had a chance to see his ownership jump so he’s not on the list, but he could garner decent bids for teams in need of Saves.

The projection guidelines:

• The ownership rates are from CBS since they have some quickdraw waiver wire leagues where players can be picked up at any time.
• The FAAB estimates are based on the 2018 15-team mixed NFBC leagues which used a $1000 FAAB budget. Owners are going to need to convert these values to their own league.
• The ownership values were taken from Saturday and lots can happen in between when they publish and FAAB bids run.
• Only players owned in 50% or fewer of CBS leagues are examined.

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With the July 4th holiday and All-Star game, the waiver wire activity was down in the 38 NFBC Main Event leagues.

Injured

• Tyler Skaggs (32): Rest in peace.
• Tommy La Stella (30): He might be back for a couple of weeks in September.
• Jose Alvarado (15): On the IL for a month or two with a strained oblique.
• Jesus Luzardo (13): A lat strain has him out at least another month.
• Ji-Man Choi (13): Being borderline rosterable to begin with, an ankle injury put him on the waiver wire.
• Carlos Carrasco (11): Owners aren’t expecting much from him this season.

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It’s never a good week for adds when catchers take the top billing. Owners may want to focus on drops from last week and maybe gamble on some bullpen arms.

The projection guidelines:

• The ownership rates are from CBS since they have some quickdraw waiver wire leagues where players can be picked up at any time.
• The FAAB estimates are based on the 2018 15-team mixed NFBC leagues which used a $1000 FAAB budget. Owners are going to need to convert these values to their own league.
• The ownership values were taken from Saturday and lots can happen in between when they publish and FAAB bids run.
• Only players owned in 50% or fewer of CBS leagues are examined.
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Welcome to a special non-closing reliever edition of the deep league waiver wire! Pay attention AL-Only leaguers, these names are for you.

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The following players were dropped in 10 or more of the 38 NFBC Main Event leagues.

Injury

• Jordan Hicks (31): Tommy John surgery sucks.
• Willians Astudillo (17): It’s tough for teams to roster hurt catchers with near replacement level talent.
• Brendan Rodgers (16): With Trevor Story returning from the IL, Rodgers does not have a job even if healthy.
• Alex Reyes (12): He’s back on the shelf with a pectoral injury.
• Anthony Swarzak (11): He was in Atlanta’s closer mix but an inflamed shoulder put him on the IL.
• Luis Severino (10): What a cluster f___. I can’t believe the Yankees, who have more money than they know what to do with, didn’t have him get an MRI. Now, the earliest Severino will return in late August.
• Gio Gonzalez (10): On the IL with an arm injury. Seems vague and the Nats may be using the All-Star break to get him some rest.

Demotion

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It’s closer’s week. Several closers are hurt and/or struggling. Also, the trade deadline is approaching, so some more jobs will open up.

The projection guidelines:

• The ownership rates are from CBS since they have some quickdraw waiver wire leagues where players can be picked up at any time.
• The FAAB estimates are based on the 2018 15-team mixed NFBC leagues which used a $1000 FAAB budget. Owners are going to need to convert these values to their own league.
• The ownership values were taken from Saturday and lots can happen in between when they publish and FAAB bids run.
• Only players owned in 50% or fewer of CBS leagues are examined.

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Each week I look at the collection of starting pitchers owned in under 20% of leagues (consensus Yahoo/ESPN ownership from Fantasy Pros) with a few extra sub 10% discount options at the end, pointing out the options to consider if you need an extra arm or two at the end of your staff.

Let’s highlight my ten favorite starting pitcher options that may be available on your waiver wires, ordered by ownage %:

Under 20% owned

Sandy Alcantara (Miami Marlins, 16%) – With teammates Jordan Yamamoto and Elieser Hernandez getting all the attention, Alcantara is still an option for those looking for a high upside gamble off the wire. Alcantara’s biggest criticism has never been his stuff – a 95 mph fastball paired with two secondary pitches each earning close to a 15% swinging-strike should do the trick – but rather his raw command that suggests inconsistency and rampant volatility. However, among shadows of his unpolished control – three games of at least four walks in his last five – Alcantara has returned just six earned runs total in those five outings. He’s fanned a batter per inning across his last three starts as well, suggesting that the inevitable development may be happening right in front of us. Alcantara is sure to have his fair share of peaks and valleys ahead, but the toughest starts could be behind him.

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