FAAB & Waiver Wire Report (Week 10)
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
Davis Schneider: The Jays must productive hitter this season (.824 OPS, 7 HR, 3 SB).
Tommy Pham: He’s not going to take a fantasy manager to a strip club or stab them with a knife if he gets rostered. I can’t believe I’ll have to write him up again next week.
Masyn Winn: Playing with providing above-average speed (7 SB) and batting average (.306).
Zach Neto: Fine overall contributor (.254 AVG, 6 HR, 8 SB).
Jake Meyers: It took a while but he’s starting at centerfield and contribution across the board (.289 AVG, 6 HR, 23 SB).
Alec Burleson: Finally playing every day while providing power, speed, and batting average.
Jesse Winker: Providing some power (6 HR) and speed (10 SB) but drags down the batting average (.235 AVG).
Mark Vientos: Four straight starts with Brett Baty now in AAA. Hitting .327/.377/.592 with 3 HR.
Dylan Moore: Starting but moved down to the ninth spot while playing second base. Tons of positional flexibility while hitting for power and running but a batting average drag.
Tyler Freeman: His .223 AVG has been a drain, but a great contributor of counting stats (4 HR, 8 SB, 52 Run+RBI).
Nick Gonzales: Aided by a .396 BABIP, he’s hitting .319 with some power and speed.
Matt Vierling: So far, he’s hit 7 HR with a .287 AVG.
JJ Bleday: Batting second every game while providing power (8 HR) and batting average (.248 AVG).
Ty France: While not the best hitter (.736 OPS, 7 HR), he is back to starting every game.
Jorge Mateo: Five straight starts while providing 3 HR, 10 SB, and a .245 AVG. Playing time remains the biggest concern surrounding him.
Nelson Velázquez: Hitting fifth every game while providing power (8 HR) and nothing else (.220 AVG, 0 SB).
Isiah Kiner-Falefa: At 12 straight starts while hitting .267/.316/.404 with 4 HR and 3 SB.
Jose Miranda: Steady contributor (.274/.308/.444, 5 HR) who will be forced to make changes when Lewis returns from the IL.
David Hamilton: Finally starting (10 starts in 11 games) while providing 9 SB and a .281 AVG.
Adam Duvall: Nice power bat and that’s it. A drag on batting average (career .231 AVG) and provides no stolen bases.
Pete Crow-Armstrong: He’s back in the majors after hitting .387/.441/.806 with 3 HR and 5 SB in 34 PA in his latest AAA stint. He’s struggled in the majors (.246/.299/.361) but is worth gambling on.
Miguel Andujar: Since coming off the IL, he’s hitting cleanup. In just 25 PA, he has 1 HR, 1 SB, and a .375 AVG.
Otto Lopez: Starting with a balanced hitting profile (.296 AVG, 3 HR, 4 SB).
Edmundo Sosa: Everyday shortstop with Turner on the IL who is hitting .307 while not being a zero in power and steals.
Joc Pederson: Strong-side platoon bat worth rostering depending on how many righties are on the schedule. Six on the schedule, so add for the week.
Andrew McCutchen: Currently 12 straight starts while batting leadoff. A career-high strikeout rate has his batting average at .237 but he’s at least hitting for some power (8 HR).
Colt Keith: After a horrible April (.387 OPS), he’s taken off in May (.881 OPS). Doesn’t profile to contribute much in home runs and steals. Boringly ineffective.
Brett Wisely: Pressed into full-time shortstop duties with Luciano on the IL. In just 29 PA, he has 1 HR and 1 SB while hitting .357/.345/.500.
Kevin Pillar: I’m a stubborn old man who remembers seasons when Pillar consistently underperformed. Now at 35 years old, he is hitting .341/.390/.615 with 6 HR and 6 SB on the short side of a platoon.
DJ LeMahieu: Started three games since coming off the IL. In recent seasons, he’s been ineffective and I don’t expect any production from him. I could be wrong, but would rather roster Vientos or Sosa.
Jarred Kelenic: Five straight starts including three against lefties. He’s not hitting for much power (3 HR) and hasn’t stolen a base.
Ryan Bliss: Was hitting .247/.382/.445 with 7 HR and 28 SB in AAA, but has only two starts in the first five games since being promoted. Could be a game-changer with stolen bases if a regular starter.
Jacob Hurtubise: Was leading off every game, but has now moved to the bench with Friedl off the IL.
Noelvi Marte: He will return from his suspension at month’s end. It’s getting close to the point when I’d stash him.
Catchers
Patrick Bailey: Hits fifth and cutting his strikeout rate from 28% to 21% has him batting .309/.365/.482 with 4 HR and 2 SB.
Keibert Ruiz: Ruiz has been struggling this year (.201/.239/.299) but has caught fire since May 20th (.343/.368/.514).
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davis Schneider LF TOR | 39% | 51% | 12% |
| Ty France 1B SEA | 37% | 40% | 3% |
| Masyn Winn SS STL | 36% | 47% | 11% |
| Colt Keith 2B DET | 36% | 40% | 4% |
| Tyler Freeman CF CLE | 34% | 41% | 7% |
| Jesse Winker LF WAS | 33% | 40% | 7% |
| Jarred Kelenic LF ATL | 33% | 39% | 6% |
| Noelvi Marte 3B CIN | 33% | 35% | 2% |
| Dylan Moore SS SEA | 32% | 56% | 24% |
| Tommy Pham CF CHW | 29% | 32% | 3% |
| Zachary Neto SS LAA | 29% | 31% | 2% |
| Joc Pederson DH ARI | 28% | 30% | 2% |
| Alec Burleson DH STL | 27% | 39% | 12% |
| Keibert Ruiz C WAS | 26% | 29% | 3% |
| J.J. Bleday CF OAK | 25% | 41% | 16% |
| DJ LeMahieu 3B NYY | 25% | 30% | 5% |
| Pete Crow-Armstrong CF CHC | 25% | 26% | 1% |
| Kevin Pillar CF LAA | 21% | 27% | 6% |
| Patrick Bailey C SF | 19% | 28% | 9% |
| Jorge Mateo 2B BAL | 18% | 22% | 4% |
| Jake Meyers CF HOU | 16% | 38% | 22% |
| Nick Gonzales 2B PIT | 15% | 42% | 27% |
| Mark Vientos 3B NYM | 11% | 17% | 6% |
| Adam Duvall LF ATL | 10% | 23% | 13% |
| Nelson Velazquez DH KC | 10% | 13% | 3% |
| Jose Miranda 3B MIN | 8% | 11% | 3% |
| Matt Vierling 3B DET | 7% | 34% | 27% |
| Edmundo Sosa SS PHI | 7% | 15% | 8% |
| Isiah Kiner-Falefa 3B TOR | 6% | 11% | 5% |
| Andrew McCutchen DH PIT | 4% | 8% | 4% |
| Otto Lopez 2B MIA | 4% | 6% | 2% |
| Miguel Andujar LF OAK | 2% | 8% | 6% |
| David Hamilton SS BOS | 2% | 8% | 6% |
| Ryan Bliss SS SEA | 2% | 4% | 2% |
| Jacob Hurtubise LF CIN | 1% | 3% | 2% |
| Brett Wisely SS SF | 0% | 3% | 3% |
Starters
Ben Brown: As a starter, Brown has shoved. In 30 IP, he has a 1.80 ERA (3.56 xFIP), 0.90 WHIP, and 10.2 K/9. The biggest issues with Brown surround his playing time (how many innings will he throw and will he remain in the rotation).
Matt Waldron: He has finally embraced his hard knuckleball (78 mph) and upped it’s usage. In his last four games, he has a 1.96 ERA (2.63 xFIP), 12.1 K/9, and 1.09 WHIP. During that stretch, he’s faced the Dodgers, Braves, Reds, and Marlins.
Tylor Megill: In his two starts (CLE and LAD) since coming off the IL, he has a 1.50 ERA (2.96 xFIP), 0.83 WHIP, and 12.0 K/9. Two big changes are adding a cutter (6% SwStr%) and splitter (28% SwStr%).
Mitchell Parker: While not great (3.45 ERA, 3.25 xFIP, 1.11 WHIP, 7.7 K/9, 48% GB%), I can’t find a weakness.
Ryan Weathers: While he hasn’t made one amazing change, several categories have improved.
Stat: 2023, 2024
K/9: 6.7, 7.6
BB/9: 4.5, 2.9
FBv: 95.1, 95.7
GB%: 38%, 51%
A must-roster Logan Webb clone.
Jake Irvin: He is posting a legit 3.43 ERA (3.51 xFIP) by not walking anyone (1.6 BB/9). As long as the walks don’t regress to his 2023 levels (4.0 BB/9), keep rolling him out.
Hunter Brown: In May, Brown has a 3.42 ERA (3.46 xFIP), 1.14 WHIP, and 9.9 K/9. The gains are from lowering his walk rate from 5.5 BB/9 to 3.4 BB/9.
Spencer Schwellenbach: The 24-year-ol is interesting with most prospect rankers placing him in the top-5 Braves prospects. In a combined 110 IP across two seasons, he has a 2.21 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 8.7 K/9. I didn’t rank him preseason because so few pitching prospects jump from A ball to the majors. The two things I look for in a prospect are an above-average fastball (check at 96 mph) and at least one plus secondary (FG and MLB graded his slider at 60 grade or Plus). A must-add but I’m not positive if the ranking should be higher or lower.
Albert Suárez 수아레즈: In 24 IP as a starter, he has a 1.85 ERA (3.61 xFIP), 8.5 K/9, and 1.11 WHIP. The only issue with him in his five starts is that he hasn’t thrown 6 IP or over 95 pitches. Roster when in the rotation.
José Soriano: A solid 4.00 ERA pitcher who may walk a few too many batters (3.9 BB/9) but his 8.3 K/9 and 58% GB% keep him in games.
David Peterson: The 28-year-old has thrown 28 IP across four levels and performed fine in his major-league debut (5 IP, 3 K, 1 BB, and 2 ER). While his 93-mph fastball sat right at his career mark, he threw it 58% of the time. When he’s been his best, he’s limited himself to throwing his fastball 50% of the time and leaning into his slider (career 20% SwStr%), change (11%), or curve (13%).
Ben Lively 라이블리: Remains a productive arm with a 2.80 ERA (4.11 xFIP), 1.18 WHIP, and 8.6 K/9. His 30% GB% points to plenty of flyballs and more might get hit as the weather heats up.
Spencer Arrighetti: Over the last four games (OAK x2, MIL, SEA), Spaghetti has a 3.63 ERA (3.53 xFIP), 10.5 K/9, and 1.30 WHIP. While I don’t feel confident starting him every game, he is at least a streaming option.
JP Sears: His flyball tendencies (36% GB%) and lack of strikeouts (6.0 K/9) haven’t burnt him yet (4.01 ERA, 4.83 xFIP). Streaming option.
Simeon Woods Richardson: He’s not getting many swings-and-misses (6.8 K/9, 7% SwStr%) but is limiting home runs (0.5 HR/9), so he’s got a nice 2.70 ERA (4.35 xFIP).
Blake Walston: Made a spot start (4.2 IP, 4 K, 1 BB, 0 ER) while throwing five pitches between 39% and 6% of the time. His fastball sat at a below-average 92 mph. While no preseason report graded his secondaries as average or better, his slider/sweeper/cutter and curve are missing some bats. If a team has an extra roster spot, next week is a perfect roster-and-bench with Walston scheduled for two starts (SF and SD) to evaluate him more.
Cody Poteet: I’ve always liked Poteet, but he’s dealt with several injuries. In AAA this year, the 29-year-old posted a 4.05 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 10.3 K/9. In his first start, he lasted 6 IP with 4 K, 0 BB, and 1 ER. He’s been attacking hitters with a 93-mph fastball (down 1 mph from when he threw in 2022) and changeup (11% SwStr% in AAA, 9% in the majors). He is scheduled to face the Dodgers. I want to see how that start goes before buying in.
The Matt Strahm dividng line. I’d rather roster a middle reliever (some injury exceptions depending on league rules) than the starters listed below.
Bryse Wilson: A .244 BABIP and 86% LOB% keep his 3.19 in check. His ERA estimators are closer to 5.00. The only improvement I notice is his fastball usage is down from 51% to 46%.
Bailey Falter: An unsustainable .195 BABIP has him with a spiffy 0.95 WHIP and 3.22 ERA (4.70 xFIP). Expect regression to come hard and fast, especially with a 5.3 K/9.
Griffin Canning: All aspects of his game are well below average with no sign of improvement. His 1.45 WHIP and 5.08 ERA (5.06 xFIP) are ratio killers.
Andre Pallante: After struggling in AAA (6.66 xFIP, 5.0 K/9, 7.2 BB/9) where he threw one start with 4 K, 3 BB, and 0 ER in 6 IP. He’s always been an extreme groundball pitcher 69% GB% (sinker and four-seam labels are swapped) but doesn’t strike out enough batters to make up for all the walks (41% Ball% or 4.7 eqiv. BB/9). I’m going to need to see more.
Cal Quantrill and Austin Gomber: They aren’t good enough to overcome the power of Coors Field.
Tobias Myers: Some home run regression is expected (2.4 HR/9) and could push him near a 4.00 ERA pitcher. For now, he looks to be out of the Brewers rotation so little fantasy value.
Clayton Kershaw: Still a ways off from contributing. Not a priority add just yet.
Pitching Prospect
Cade Povich: In AAA, the 24-year-old has a 3.18 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 11.9 K/9 in 56 IP.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunter Brown SP HOU | 39% | 44% | 5% |
| Ben Lively SP CLE | 37% | 45% | 8% |
| Clayton Kershaw SP LAD | 35% | 37% | 2% |
| Mitchell Parker SP WAS | 32% | 34% | 2% |
| Ryan Weathers SP MIA | 29% | 42% | 13% |
| Simeon Woods Richardson SP MIN | 29% | 31% | 2% |
| Cal Quantrill SP COL | 28% | 33% | 5% |
| JP Sears SP OAK | 28% | 29% | 1% |
| Griffin Canning SP LAA | 24% | 25% | 1% |
| Jose Soriano SP LAA | 22% | 25% | 3% |
| Tylor Megill SP NYM | 18% | 29% | 11% |
| Bailey Falter SP PIT | 17% | 22% | 5% |
| Jake Irvin SP WAS | 17% | 21% | 4% |
| Cade Povich SP BAL | 15% | 20% | 5% |
| Austin Gomber SP COL | 13% | 17% | 4% |
| Ben Brown RP CHC | 12% | 49% | 37% |
| Matt Waldron SP SD | 12% | 42% | 30% |
| Bryse Wilson RP MIL | 11% | 13% | 2% |
| Spencer Arrighetti SP HOU | 9% | 10% | 1% |
| Albert Suarez RP BAL | 5% | 9% | 4% |
| Spencer Schwellenbach SP ATL | 3% | 29% | 26% |
| David Peterson SP NYM | 2% | 4% | 2% |
| Tobias Myers SP MIL | 2% | 4% | 2% |
| Blake Walston RP ARI | 2% | 4% | 2% |
| Cody Poteet SP NYY | 1% | 3% | 2% |
| Andre Pallante RP STL | 0% | 1% | 1% |
Relievers: Saves base ranks
Jeff Hoffman: Great reliever who is sharing closer duties.
Yimi García: Good reliever who is temporarily the closer.
Jeremiah Estrada: Off-the-charts production for a reliever who is now the setup man.
Griffin Jax: Great reliever who is the backup closer.
Bryan Hudson: Good reliever who is the backup closer.
JoJo Romero: Good reliever who is the backup closer.
Cade Smith: Great reliever who might be the backup closer.
Hunter Gaddis: Good reliever who might be the backup closer.
Joel Payamps: Good reliever who is a few steps away from closing.
Matt Strahm: Great multi-inning reliever.
Ryan Walker: Good reliever who is a few steps from closing but is the 23rd ranked pitcher because of his 4 Wins and low rate stats (2.17 ERA, 0.90 WHIP).
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Griffin Jax RP MIN | 29% | 30% | 1% |
| Jeff Hoffman RP PHI | 23% | 28% | 5% |
| Joel Payamps RP MIL | 22% | 23% | 1% |
| JoJo Romero RP STL | 17% | 19% | 2% |
| Yimi Garcia RP TOR | 15% | 19% | 4% |
| Matt Strahm RP PHI | 12% | 13% | 1% |
| Bryan Hudson RP MIL | 9% | 14% | 5% |
| Ryan Walker RP SF | 7% | 12% | 5% |
| Hunter Gaddis RP CLE | 7% | 9% | 2% |
| Cade Smith RP CLE | 5% | 8% | 3% |
| Jeremiah Estrada RP SD | 4% | 21% | 17% |
Jeff, one of the authors of the fantasy baseball guide,The Process, writes for RotoGraphs, The Hardball Times, Rotowire, Baseball America, and BaseballHQ. He has been nominated for two SABR Analytics Research Award for Contemporary Analysis and won it in 2013 in tandem with Bill Petti. He has won four FSWA Awards including on for his Mining the News series. He's won Tout Wars three times, LABR twice, and got his first NFBC Main Event win in 2021. Follow him on Twitter @jeffwzimmerman.
Since you wrote up Pham last week, the 36 year old who bats in one of, if not the worst offense in the entire league had zero home runs and zero steals. If the majority of players use default platform settings and are in 12 team leagues with 3 OF, like Yahoo defaults, why are they rostering him, you salty dog?
I can’t understand why you made your ending remark. If you disagree with Jeff, all it calls for is to make a statement and move on. I am so happy he does this analysis, even if I don’t always agree.
I think it was kinda in response to the general tone, like he can’t believe we’re all a bunch if idiots for not picking him up. I guess I figured it was a schtick and I’d give it back to him a little. But also if it’s not a schtick then up his, too, but also in the way you’d give it to a long time buddy who was giving you shit about something. Somewhere along those lines.
I don’t think it’s a schtick, as it’s probably a bit of ribbing to those not in somewhat shallow leagues who aren’t taking a chance on an older, generally productive outfielder on a bad team. Some won’t have room for him based on league parameters (so his comment is not directed at them I don’t think), but in 12 team/4 OF leagues, or 15 team leagues, Pham would be a good guy to have around even on the bench given his all around abilities. White Sox, Marlins, Rockies… still good players on those teams to take advantage of.