FAAB & Waiver Wire Report (Week 13)
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
In this article, I cover the players using CBS’s and Yahoo’s ADD/DROP rates. Both 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. I start players being added at CBS who started the week on less than 40% of rosters.
The players are ordered for redraft leagues by my rest-of-season preference, grouped by hitters, starters, and relievers.
Batters: Besides Clemens, all these hitters have flaws and feel certain builds. I ranked the rookies high in case they have a breakout skill.
Kody Clemens: A solid 11 HR and 6 SB in 248 PA. Currently starting every game.
Henry Bolte: In 122 PA, he has 2 HR and 7 SB. A .443 BABIP has him with a .317 AVG despite a 28% K%.
Cole Carrigg: The only flaw is his .222 AVG. He’s hitting for power (3 HR) with a great eye at the plate (14% BB%). It would be nice if he were to start stealing as he did in AAA (30 SB in 257 PA).
Cooper Pratt: Four starts at shortstop since being promoted. He does have 2 SB so far, but with no power (.000 ISO).
Blaze Jordan: He’s holding his own in 31 PA so far with a 7% K% (89% Contact%), and four of his nine hits have been for extra bases.
Lane Thomas: Thomas started in seven straight games while hitting .278/.381/.556 (4 HR) in June. I wonder if he’s finally healthy after dealing with injuries last season.
Willi Castro: Starts every game with 5 HR, 5 SB, and a .282 AVG. Beginning on Monday, 10 of Colorado’s next 13 games will be at home.
Paul Goldschmidt: I’m not sure what people are waiting on to add Goldy. It’s 11 HR in 193 PA. As long as he continues to start every game, he’s a must-roster.
Dylan Crews: Been unlucky on batted balls (.186 AVG vs .265 xBA) while improving in power and contact rate. Solid sleeper. Ranked high due to upside.
Nasim Nuñez: After a .498 OPS after the end of May, he has a .932 OPS (.500 BABIP) in June. No power seems to be coming with zero Barrels on the season. One category contributor.
Cedric Mullins: Starts most of the time with 6 HR and 12 SB. The problem is that he tries to hit every ball out (24% GB%), but he’s not getting many hits as seen by his .223 BABIP. I worry that he’ll start losing playing time with a .597 OPS.
Tristan Peters: Starts and provides some batting average (.285 AVG) help, with 3 HR and 4 SB.
Jake Mangum: Provides speed (13 SB) and a .296 AVG, but no power. Continues to start in centerfield with Cruz on the IL.
Blaze Alexander: Started in five of the last six games at third base. Batting .304/.358/.416 with a career best 92.4 avgEV and 76% Contact%. Also, 8 SB. Must keep starting to have value.
Josh Bell: Starting and hitting for some power (9 HR). Nice accumulator.
Chase Meidroth: Middling production at 6 HR, 2 SB, and .273 AVG.
Garrett Mitchell: He’s been starting four games and then sitting for one, but not in a platoon. The schedule seems to be working for him since he’s batting .258/.354/.424 with 5 HR and 6 SB. The results could improve if he could lower his 35% K%.
Troy Johnston: While hitting .312/.373/.440 with 3 HR and 4 SB in 261 PA, he has sat in three of the last four games. I understand sitting against the lefty (career .486 OPS vs LHP, .859 OPS vs RHP), but the last two were righties. The playing time scares me.
Andrew Benintendi: Strong-side platoon bat with 9 HR on the season.
Heriberto Hernández: Started in seven of the last eight games with a .903 OPS (4 HR) in June. The problem is that his strikeout rate jumped to 34% in June. Gamble.
Samad Taylor: Starting, hitting (.375/.432/.475), and stealing (4 SB). I’m not sure he’s going to hit for much power. He’s got a flat swing with high groundball rates.
Kyle Karros: He’s on fire in June, batting .347/.418/.531 with his strikeout rate down at 7% K%. Just 4 HR and 2 SB in 245 PA.
Tyler Callihan: In just 40 PA in the majors, he has 2 HR and 1 SB while batting .303/.425/.606 (.400 BABIP). He had started five straight games, but sat in the last two. I don’t have a read on him at all.
Denzer Guzman: Had across-the-board production in AAA (.336 AVG, 12 HR, 9 SB), but it hasn’t translated to the majors (.244 AVG, 1 HR, 1 SB).
Tommy Edman: Has 9 PA since coming off the IL. His Contact% and BatSpd are in line with previous seasons, so no small sample red flags. I’m worried he’ll eventually be a short-side platoon bat.
Christian Moore: He was lighting up AAA by batting .333/.468/.585 with 9 HR and 10 SB. In 9 PA in the majors so far, he’s struggling with a 54% Contact% and 78% K% (7 K). Teams are just feeding him fastballs he can’t hit (30% SwStr% vs four-seamers).
Lars Nootbaar: Strong-side platoon bat with 2 HR since returning from the IL.
Gabriel Rincones Jr.: Strong-side platoon bat with 15 PA in the majors so far. His overall stats are down from a .091 BABIP. He was not really hitting in AAA with a .628 OPS.
Colt Keith: No hits for two games, a 3 HR game, then no hits for two more games. Before the game, he had a .634 OPS, and now it’s up to a .690 OPS. I couldn’t find any changes to his profile, and he has three starts in the last five games.
Esteury Ruiz: Three starts in the last 10 games. Unrosterable.
Jordan Lawlar: In 44 PA, he has a career best 80% Contact% and 23% K%. Also, he has 1 HR and 4 SB in 44 PA. After starting six time in seven games, he is dealing with a hamstring injury. [Update: Now on the IL]
Catchers
Endy Rodríguez: He’s been solid in 80 PA this season, batting .254/.405/.444 with 3 HR and 2 SB.
Kyle Teel: On a rehab assignment in AAA and is crushing it (1.145 OPS, 2 HR). Solid add for a team needing a catcher upgrade.
Logan O’Hoppe: Productive in June (.341/.356/.568) with no obvious talent changes.
Hitting Prospects
Joshua Báez: In AAA, the 23-year-old outfielder is hitting .276/.347/.625 with 24 HR and 12 SB in 294 PA. Strikeouts were an issue with a 32% K% at the end of May. Since then, it’s a 24% K% and a 1.247 OPS.
Luis Lara: In AAA, the 21-year-old outfielder is hitting .314/.426/.450 with 7 HR, 20 SB in 292 PA.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Meidroth | 40% | 43% | 3% |
| Kody Clemens | 38% | 55% | 17% |
| Jordan Lawlar | 37% | 44% | 7% |
| Henry Bolte | 36% | 40% | 4% |
| Dylan Crews | 36% | 37% | 1% |
| Cole Carrigg | 30% | 52% | 22% |
| Kyle Teel | 30% | 32% | 2% |
| Troy Johnston | 28% | 36% | 8% |
| Colt Keith | 27% | 29% | 2% |
| Paul Goldschmidt | 26% | 54% | 28% |
| Garrett Mitchell | 26% | 28% | 2% |
| Joshua Baez | 25% | 34% | 9% |
| Nasim Nunez | 25% | 29% | 4% |
| Andrew Benintendi | 25% | 28% | 3% |
| Willi Castro | 20% | 38% | 18% |
| Josh Bell | 19% | 21% | 2% |
| Lars Nootbaar | 18% | 23% | 5% |
| Logan O’Hoppe | 18% | 21% | 3% |
| Luis Lara | 16% | 20% | 4% |
| Cedric Mullins | 15% | 17% | 2% |
| Blaze Alexander | 12% | 18% | 6% |
| Tommy Edman | 12% | 17% | 5% |
| Cooper Pratt | 9% | 26% | 17% |
| Jake Mangum | 8% | 18% | 10% |
| Endy Rodriguez | 8% | 12% | 4% |
| Blaze Jordan | 7% | 42% | 35% |
| Kyle Karros | 7% | 9% | 2% |
| Christian Moore | 7% | 9% | 2% |
| Tristan Peters | 6% | 9% | 3% |
| Heriberto Hernandez | 4% | 7% | 3% |
| Esteury Ruiz | 4% | 6% | 2% |
| Denzer Guzman | 3% | 8% | 5% |
| Lane Thomas | 3% | 5% | 2% |
| Tyler Callihan | 2% | 6% | 4% |
| Samad Taylor | 1% | 14% | 13% |
| Gabriel Rincones | 1% | 4% | 3% |
Starting Pitchers
Griffin Jax: Since moving to the rotation, he has a 2.70 ERA (3.54 xFIP), 1.18 WHIP, and 8.1 K/9. He took another step forward over the last six starts by cutting his four-seam usage in half, leading to a 2.79 xFIP.
Sean Manaea: Since he added a cutter in mid-May, he has a 3.09 ERA (3.35 xFIP), 0.99 WHIP, and 9.3 K/9.
Andrew Alvarez: I’ve been hesitant to roster Alvarez because of his 1.45 WHIP from a 3.8 BB/9 and 55% GB% (.355 BABIP). The WHIP does as much ratio damage as a 5.22 ERA. The rest of Alvarez’s profile is amazing with a 9.9 K/9, 55% GB%, and 3.49 ERA (3.08 xFIP). Good but flawed.
Slade Cecconi: While Cecconi has adjusted his pitch mix, he’s just pounding the zone more with his walk rate at 2.2 BB/9 since May 12th. It was at 3.5 BB/9 before that. And he keeps improving with a 2.16 ERA (3.19 xFIP) in June.
Martín Pérez: Boringly successful this season with a 2.78 ERA (3.85 xFIP, 5.10 botERA), 1.07 WHIP, 48% GB%, and 7.4 K/9. Perez’s light schedule continues as he is lined up to face the Padres, Cardinals, Pirates, and Cardinals.
Brandon Young: Since he started throwing his splitter more, he has a 2.20 ERA (4.18 xFIP, 3.90 botERA), 1.04 WHIP, and 6.1 K/9. He’s a fine streaming starter, but no signs of a breakout.
Shane Drohan: In four starts since moving to the rotation, he has a 4.43 ERA (3.95 xFIP, 3.99 botERA), 1.28 WHIP, and 8.4 K/9. Streaming option.
Andre Pallante: A fine pitcher (3.76 ERA, 4.10 xFIP, 1.20 WHIP, and 7.3 K/9) who has two starts next week against Arizona and Miami.
Javier Assad: Assad has dominated the Giants (x2) and Rockies (in Chicago) over his last three starts with a 1.00 ERA and 0.61 WHIP. He’s a decent streamer against weak opponents, 5.1 K/9 won’t cut it against average or better teams.
Anthony Kay: Kay has been fine this season, but started throwing more strikes in early May. In April, he had a 5.0 BB/9 and 6.21 xFIP. Since then, it’s a 2.8 K/9 and 4.21 xFIP. All indicators point to him being a low-4.00 ERA talent. While his skills don’t stick out, his schedule does. Next week, he’s scheduled to face the Guardians and Royals. Then the Guardians again, and then the Red Sox.
Robert Gasser: In a two-start week with a solid first game (5 IP, 5 K, 2 BB, 0 ER). Over his last three starts, he got his walks under control (2.9 BB/9) after a 6.5 BB/9 in his first two starts. On top of the walks, his 25% GB% is the second lowest among starts with 20 IP. All the flyballs have led to 2.3 HR/9. One final issue is that he may not remain in the rotation with Brandon Woodruff coming off the IL.
Eric Lauer 라우어: Extremely lucky so far with the Dodgers with a .206 BABIP and 94% LOB%. They are the reason he has a 3.22 ERA with everything else (projections, ERA estimators, STUPH models) pointing to a 5.00 ERA talent.
Brady Singer: The 5.00 ERA talent has two starts next week against the Brewers and Pirates.
Tyler Phillips: Since Phillips joined the rotation, he has a 5.64 ERA (4.71 xFIP, 3.99 botERA), 1.52 WHIP (4.4 BB/9), and 7.3 K/9. I’m sure the demand is from, besides his two starts against the Rangers and Cardinals.
Sam Aldegheri: A solid 5.00 ERA talent with no signs of improvement. He’s lined up for a two-start week against Baltimore and West Sacramento.
JR Ritchie: The walks never seem to end (3 BB in his last start) with a 5.3 BB/9 on the season. The walks have led to an unplayable 1.37 WHIP. I’ll be interested once he strings together three acceptable starts.
Kodai Senga: There are zero reasons to roster Senga until he gets the 6.8 BB/9 under control. None.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Griffin Jax | 32% | 33% | 1% |
| Brandon Young | 29% | 55% | 26% |
| Martin Perez | 28% | 39% | 11% |
| Andre Pallante | 25% | 48% | 23% |
| Brady Singer | 25% | 27% | 2% |
| Anthony Kay | 25% | 29% | 4% |
| Kodai Senga | 24% | 26% | 2% |
| Slade Cecconi | 23% | 32% | 9% |
| Shane Drohan | 20% | 23% | 3% |
| Sean Manaea | 19% | 27% | 8% |
| JR Ritchie | 18% | 27% | 9% |
| Eric Lauer | 9% | 11% | 2% |
| Brad Lord | 8% | 10% | 2% |
| Andrew Alvarez | 7% | 14% | 7% |
| Robert Gasser | 6% | 8% | 2% |
| Tyler Phillips | 4% | 6% | 2% |
| Javier Assad | 3% | 21% | 18% |
| Mason Barnett | 1% | 3% | 2% |
| Samuel Aldegheri | 1% | 3% | 2% |
Relievers: Saves-based ranks
Yoendrys Gómez: Below-average reliever who is the closer.
Caleb Kilian: Good reliever who is the closer.
Tony Santillan: Below-average reliever who is the closer.
Jacob Webb: Good reliever who is temporarily the closer.
Elvis Alvarado: Average reliever who is sharing the closer duties.
Mason Barnett: Good reliever who is sharing the closer duties.
Hogan Harris: Below-average reliever who is sharing the closer duties.
Grant Taylor: Great reliever who might be sharing the closer duties.
Brad Lord: Good reliever who is a step or two away from closing.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grant Taylor | 38% | 40% | 2% |
| Yoendrys Gomez | 25% | 36% | 11% |
| Caleb Kilian | 21% | 25% | 4% |
| Hogan Harris | 21% | 23% | 2% |
| Tony Santillan | 10% | 12% | 2% |
| Brad Lord | 8% | 10% | 2% |
| Elvis Alvarado | 3% | 24% | 21% |
| Jacob Webb | 1% | 6% | 5% |
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.
Hi Jeff –
Love the WHIP to ERA conversions. Is there a table somewhere to refer to?
Guzman up to .272/.321/.500. But a 3 game weekend at Sacramento helps.
HR in three straight games there.